Jane seethed. “Tell me, Mother, what man would want his friend to attach himself to a family after such an exhibition? He would be derelict in his duty if he did not at least report the conversation and suggest caution.”
“In addition to the vulgarity, Mr Darcy would calculate that whoever marries one of us has a better than even chance of supporting a spendthrift mother-in-lawfor yearsafter her indolent husband dies, and likely some spinster daughters as well.”
Sadness and resignation crossed Jane's features. “Let us add younger sisters who give every sign they will disgrace the family before another year is out, because neither parent has the desire or fortitude to check them, and both constantly interfere with their more sensible sisters’ efforts. They flirt constantly and publicly, drink too much, and are complete strangers to decorum. Only two sisters behaved decorously at the ball. Is it any wonder he might have been convinced against me, either by his own inclinations, his friend, or his sisters, who never approved of us in the first place?”
Elizabeth blushed. “Make that one, Jane. I spent most of my dance with Mr Darcy arguing.”
“I monopolised the pianoforte to the point where Papa needed to drag me away to allow others to exhibit,” Mary said. “I fear none of us helped your cause.”
“Perhaps neither of you was perfect, but your indiscretions were like a hangnail when you have been shot. I hold no rancour towards either of you.”
Jane turned to her parents, her voice strident. “25 yearsyou have been married.15 yearsyou have known you suffered an entailed estate and no heir. In that time, you have not saved a farthing for your ultimate demise. You have not lifted a finger to make certain your daughters are well settled. You just blindly depended on either luck or my beauty.”
Jane leaned towards her parents and pointed at the final chart.
“Let us say it in words.”
She started writing furiously.
“Mr Bingley may not have seen all this, butMr Darcy would.His sisters are horrid snakes who would try to talk him out of courting me using every trick they know, but he would not listen. However, Mr Darcycouldand probablydidconvince him to at least look at the situation rationally.”
Jane blew out a resigned breath. “At least now, we know. Mr Bingley left because marrying me would be ill-advised, and that is the truth.”
She directed a hard glance at her parents and another at Kitty and Lydia. “This suitor escaped. The next will too. When the Gardiners return to Town, I will go with them and find a husband. Suppose I meet a promising tradesman. He will not expect a big dowry, he will not meet the most ill-behaved of you until the wedding, and we will see you rarely after that.”
She took the pencil and marked her chart, speaking as she went.
“I saved a small amount of my allowance to use as a dowry, as has Lizzy. We both pledged some time ago that the first of us to wed could use all our savings. A minor tradesman will see more benefit in a gentle-born wife than a rich man would, so if I remove the objectionable parts, I stand a better chance.”
She tore off the part of the page with the reasonable expectations for a gentleman like Mr Bingley and the negatives her hypothetical suitor would be unaware of, and added one small positive:+Modest Dowry.
Her lesson complete, she left the table and went to her room.
Siblings
“Cousin Jane, Cousin Elizabeth, Cousin Kitty, Cousin Lydia… Good day.”
The Bennet sisters were in the parlour after a very awkward breakfast the morning after what they euphemistically calledRaging Jane Day. Mr Collins and Mary had just returned from a walk in the garden. Bennet had naturally retired to his cave, and Mrs Bennet was above stairsresting—though why rest required smelling salts remained a mystery.
Lydia said, “La, Mr Collins. We will be your sisters in a week. You should use our Christian names.”
The others agreed at once, and Mr Collins smiled hugely. “I would be privileged if you called me William.”
“Thank you, William. We shall be honoured,” Jane said, showing more of her usual good humour.
“While we are at it, may I say that my Mary and I have discussed it, and wish to assure you that, so long as I draw breath, your mother and any who remain unmarried will always be taken care of to the best of our ability.”
Kitty was the first to reply. “We thank you with all our hearts.”
Mary smiled indulgently at her sisters. Pride swelled at her ability to ensure her family's security. In the 3 weeks since her engagement, she had grown to feel an affection for her intended far beyond what anybody expected; she foresaw a very good life of pride and contentment. She would obviously have to bring Lady Catherine into compliance, but she could see no further immediate impediments to her complete happiness.
“That was quite a set-down, Jane. How do you feel this morning?” Lydia asked.
Everyone stared at Jane curiously.
“Actually, I am the happiest I have ever been.”
Everyone was perplexed; Kitty asked at last, “How so?”
