“What?” Mrs. Bennet asked. “Mary not in her room? What have you there?”
“I don’t read, mum, but it seems like a letter.”
Elizabeth’s throat went dry. What did the maid mean, Mary’s bed had not been slept in?
Mrs. Bennet snatched the page up and opened it. Her eyes scanned, growing rounder and rounder. “Mr. Bennet,” she shrieked, causing Elizabeth to start.
Kitty, who’d been about to sip her tea, sloshed the content of the cup everywhere with a screech of surprise.
“Kitty,” Lydia exclaimed, for she’d received some of the hot liquid as well.
“Mr. Bennet,” Mrs. Bennet shrieked again.
Elizabeth clamped her hands over her ears.
“Mr. Bennet!”
Footfalls sounded in the hallway and Jane rushed in. “Mama, whatever is the matter?”
Mrs. Bennet flapped the note. “Where is your father? Mr. Bennet!”
“I am on my way,” Mr. Bennet’s voice called. “Cease your yowling.”
“Mama, what is it?” Jane reiterated.
“What does Mary’s letter say?” Lydia reached out, trying to snatch the flapping page.
Their father burst into the room, his expression harried, and Mrs. Bennet thrust the letter at him, then she turned a glare on Elizabeth. “This is all your doing.”
Tamping down a flash of panic, Elizabeth rose and skirted the table. Mrs. Bennet deflated back into her chair, as limp and gray as damp linens, as Elizabeth read over her father’s shoulder:
Why I should be punished and treated so poorly when I have been your dutiful and well-behaved child, while Elizabeth runs about the countryside courting not only her ruin but that of us all, I cannot imagine, but I will be treated so unjustly no longer. Seeing that, aside from Jane, I am your only worthy daughter, Mr. Collins has applied for my hand. We have left for Scotland to marry. Do not attempt to overtake us, for we have the speed of righteousness on our side.
Lest you believe this solves any troubles, know that after how I have been treated, I cannot promise I will permit the mother who took no interest in me, nor any of my ill-behaved sisters, to reside in Longbourn when I am someday mistress. Especially not sisters who are unwed and ruined. Such sisters will not be permitted to stain the reputation of my and Mr. Collins’ family.
Yours only in disdain,
Mary
Elizabeth raised her gaze to exchange an incredulous look with Jane, but found her sister merely watched her with sadeyes. Elizabeth frowned. Surely, Jane could not agree with Mary’s rant?
Mr. Bennet let out a sign. “With five daughters, the odds were always good that at least one of you would behave so foolishly. I had not expected it to be Mary.”
“What has she done?” Lydia demanded with avid glee.
“Is it very terrible?” Kitty asked more subduedly.
“She has run off, is what she has done.” Mrs. Bennet weakly flapped a hand before her face. “She has ruined you all.”
“They go to Scotland to marry.” Jane’s voice was soft, contemplative. “I cannot see our cousin going back on his word. The scandal will not be so great.”
Elizabeth wondered if her sister spoke out of surety or hope. Taking in how Jane’s gaze turned in the direction of Netherfield Park, she suspected the latter.
“Our cousin?” Lydia’s brow crumpled with thought. “You mean, Mr. Collins? Mary has run off with Mr. Collins?”
“Oh, but I wanted to be mistress of Longbourn,” Kitty cried.
That earned her a glare from their mother. “You had your chance.” Mrs. Bennet craned her neck, taking them in. “Enjoy your final days living as gentlewomen, for we will not be able to afford such luxury once Mary and Mr. Collins cast us out.”
