Chapter 13
Jane was well enough to join the group for dinner that night, and Catherine was overjoyed to see how happy Mr. Bingley was to see her. Throughout dinner, he made it a point to include her in conversation, even though Miss Bingley continued her attempts at dominating the conversation.
Even after dinner, Mr. Bingley was very solicitous of Jane’s comfort, making certain she had a seat by the fire and that she had a couple of lap blankets. At one point, Jane laughingly pointed out that she was actually too warm.
With Jane clearly feeling better, Catherine knew it would be time to return home tomorrow, though she was certain Mama would not allow the carriage to be sent. Mama was determined that Jane should remain at Netherfield for at least a week to allow her to spend plenty of time with Mr. Bingley.
Catherine wouldn’t have minded being complicit in such a scheme if it wasn’t quite so clear that both Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst wanted them gone.
Catherine was confused by the behavior of these two ladies. They both clearly liked Jane and possibly herself, but it was also clear that they were both opposed to their brother marrying Jane. She could think of no motive for such conflicting behavior, but she knew she was not the cleverest person. She resolved to ask Elizabeth about it when they returned home.
Since asking for the Bennet carriage to be sent for them was impossible, Catherine instead consulted Georgiana on what might be done. Georgiana immediately consulted her brother, and the Darcy carriage was ordered for the two sisters.
To no one’s surprise, Mr. Bingley was pleased to help Jane into the conveyance. Just before Mr. Darcy politely helped Catherine, he said, “Please give my regards to Miss Elizabeth.”
“Of course,” said Catherine. She had, of course, noticed Mr. Darcy’s preference for her sister and vice versa. She knew Elizabeth would be pleased to receive the message, despite its simplicity.
When Catherine and Jane arrived home, Jane was immediately whisked away to her bedroom to be wrapped in blankets and warmed by a fire. Catherine knew it was unnecessary, but Jane submitted to it simply to make their mother feel better.
In the meantime, Catherine bore the brunt of Mrs. Bennet’s complaints. “How could you come home so quickly?” she cried. “I was certain you would stay for a week at least. If you had only done as I told you, even now those two might be engaged. Your fortune and your schooling have made you far too proud and independent for your own good, but rest assured, Miss Kitty, I am still your mother, and you still have an obligation to obey me.”
~~~~~
That evening Catherine pulled Elizabeth over to one side of the drawing room after dinner. “There is something I do not understand, and I was hoping you could help me,” she said.
“I will help if I can,” said Elizabeth.
“When I was at Netherfield with Jane, it was obvious that both Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst are fond of Jane. They spent two afternoons keeping her company, and their conversation was lively and pleasant. On the other hand, at dinner that first night they asked questions about our connections, seeming to be looking down on us for who our uncles are. Additionally, it was clear that neither sister is fond of the idea of their brother marrying Jane. This all seems self-contradictory, and I do not understand them at all.”
“It is possible for them to like Jane and still not want her to marry Mr. Bingley,” said Elizabeth.
“That doesn’t make sense,” said Catherine. “If they liked her they would be happy to have her as a sister. I would be overjoyed to have Georgiana as a sister.”
“Enough to want to marry Mr. Darcy to make that happen?” asked Elizabeth.
“Definitely not!” said Catherine. “I have no intention of marrying. Not ever.”
Elizabeth smiled a little at this reply. “I heard something like that from Mr. Darcy. I have been wondering why you are so opposed to the idea.”
“If I married, my fortune would come under the control of my husband, who may or may not wish to care for my mother and any unmarried sisters,” she said. “It is my responsibility to maintain control of my wealth so that I may provide a home for us all should Papa die.”
“Who told you this?” asked Elizabeth.
“No one told me,” said Catherine. “It was a decision I made almost as soon as I learned of my inheritance. I had to do something, if it was in my power. Mama has always been so afraid of the consequences of Longbourn being entailed away”
“So, you made this decision in order to assuage Mama’s fears?” asked Elizabeth. “Or was it to assuage your own fears?”
“Both, I think,” said Catherine.
“Kitty, you are an excellent sister and a good daughter,” said Elizabeth, “however, it is not your responsibility to care for the rest of us. It never has been. But I will not tell you that you are wrong, either. I will simply say that you should not give up on love simply for the possibility that your help might be needed sometime in the future.”
“Thank you, Elizabeth,” said Catherine. “I will think about it.” Though she said this, Catherine suspected she wouldn’t. She had made up her mind long ago, and her decision had never wavered for an instant.
“Well, as for your question about Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst,” said Elizabeth, “I suspect that they do like Jane. After all, she is rather easy to like. On the other hand, it is clear that they both wish for their brother to marry someone that will raise their level in society. Miss Bingley, in particular, must wish for it so that she can eventually marry someone above her own level. The contradictions you see in their behavior toward Jane are merely a result of their conflicting interests.”
“I suppose that makes sense,” said Catherine. “I just wish people were easier to understand.”
Elizabeth laughed. “If people were simpler, they would be far less interesting.”
