“What if he draws inward again?” Kitty worried, “He can be rather unpredictable.”
Gazing down at her feet, Lydia added her opinion, “But as you say, he is unpredictable, he could just as easily decide to accept. It is a chance, but what other choice do we have? He ceased improving some time ago.”
“I agree with you all, yes, even you Kitty,” Elizabeth said. “There is always the chance of it making things worse. Or of making no difference at all. Yet, there is a chance he might accept and benefit from it, and that makes it a chance worth taking. As things stand, he may never improve, or it could take years to.”
“I know I do not have a better idea,” Mary said as she pulled nearer Elizabeth’s warmth. “I am for it.”
Jane and Lydia voiced their agreement in turn, the quiet bustle of Meryton traveling in the winter’s air in such a way as to be heard, though the town still stood far off. Their private conversation would not remain so for much longer.
“Kitty?” Elizabeth asked at last.
“We shall try it,” Kitty smiled sadly, “for as you all say, what other choice is there.”
Nodding, the sisters made their way into Meryton silently, their thoughts swirling as they considered the weight of their decision. Indeed, after their few needed errands were complete, not even Lydia or Kitty gave thought to the fine lace in the mercantile window, nor the grand hat, nor even the ribbons which were a far more affordable luxury. No. Instead they returned home without delay, the letter written to their aunt before the sun set, and a servant sent to post it.
Three days later a response came from their aunt, Elizabeth delaying its reading until, as per their want, they and their father gathered in the drawing room.
“A letter from Aunt Gardiner,” Elizabeth announced upon entering the room, the eyes of all her family turned eagerly toward her, Mr. Bennet no exception.
That,Elizabeth thought as she held the letter aloft,was a good sign indeed. Had he been unaffected that would surely have meant a refusal.
“Do read it,” Lydia exclaimed as she sat aside the bonnet she was reworking, “I long for a bit of news!”
Moving toward the glow of the fire, Elizabeth shifted the letter until she no longer had to squint.
Dear Family,
It has been far too long, I know, since I wrote last. The boys you would hardly recognize, the elder having reached his father’s waist, and his brother not far behind. Even the girls continue to grow at a rapid pace, though it is less their height and more their accomplishments you would be astounded by; for both can embroider far better than I could at their age. I may boast in saying so, but I do think they will be as accomplished as any of the girls of their circle when they are grown.
Oh, how I wish you all might see them. You know visiting is not in my power at present, but I desire family greatly; the days grow short, yet, Mr. Gardiner’s work increases during these cold months. Again, I happily extend an invitation for Mr. Bennet to visit us and hope that this time he does not say no, if only for my sake–as selfish as that may be. Please, do write and say that the answer to these dark days has been realized.
I await the answer impatiently. Yours ever,
Mrs. Louisa Gardiner
The room grew quiet, the letter’s contents unsurprising to the girls, for there had been no worry that their aunt might not do as requested. Still, each held their breath throughout much of its reading and beyond, for, unlike their aunt, they had no assurances of their father’s response. He alone would see their plan fail or succeed.
Coughing gently, Mr. Bennet crossed his legs as he leaned back in his chair, gaze fixed toward his daughters. Many minutes passed in silence, his brows raising and the soft hint of impishness shining in his eyes.
“Well then,” he murmured at length, his daughters hanging on his every word. “It would seem–this is only a guess, mind you–that you have all conspired to be rid of me.” Lifting his hand as they began to protest, he added, “I do not believe it is done with anything but the best of intentions. However, I gather that it is you all I have to thank for this reminder that I am welcome at the Gardiners. And, as loath as I am to admit it, this scheme may not be devoid of merit. Certainly, it is unlikely to do me harm. In this house, I am always reminded. Of your mother. Of what happened. Of the ways in which I ought to have behaved. I am of a mind to accept… though, if it is agreeable, I prefer to wait until the new year is upon us. I wish to spend Christmas and on through Twelfth Night with you all… is that agreeable?”
“Agreeable?” Elizabeth laughed as she hurried to her father’s side, arms spread around him, “It is wonderful!”
The sisters, laughing and crying as their father managed a true smile, all gathered around him.
1811 would surely be a good year,Elizabeth smiled as she made room for her sisters.How could it not be? She had everything she could ever want.
∞∞∞
Hertfordshire, England – 1811
“Lizzy!” Kitty shouted down the stairs, Elizabeth eyes lifting from her book. “Is my sewing box downstairs? I used it last evening and I cannot seem to find it?”
Gaze darting over tables and chairs, the floor, and any other place it might hide, Elizabeth set down her book–Mother’s old sewing box sitting in the corner, but no other. “It is not in the drawing room,” she called back upstairs.
Footfalls pounding on the stairs, Elizabeth’s brow raised as her sister came racing around the corner, the pale-yellow dress she held flapping behind her.
“It has to be in here. I went through everything upstairs, and this is the only other room I use it in.”
