Page 28 of Regrets

“Is it?” her husband replied, coldly. “For what that tells me is that if he is looking for a wife, he can look a good deal higher than the daughters of an insignificant country gentleman.”

“I do not doubt you,” Mrs. Bennet said, shrugging. “I was not thinking of Mr. Darcy marrying one of our girls, Mr. Bennet. I was only thinking that his sister is a good acquaintance for them.”

Mr. Bennet had now turned his attention to his plate, and would likely speak no more.

The Bennet girls were long accustomed to their father’s behaviour toward their mother. They could not openly confront him, but they lent their mother support whenever possible.

Privately, they all wondered if Frances Bennet neé Gardiner, called Fanny, had truly understood her husband’s character before marrying him. Their dear friend, Charlotte Lucas, was fond of saying that it was best to know as little as possible about a man before marrying him, but the daily warfare that was part of life at Longbourn argued to the contrary.

***

After breakfast, Mary went to the piano; the other girls walked to Meryton, the two youngest in the lead, and the two eldest several yards behind.

“I liked Georgiana very much,” Elizabeth said. “I am glad we have new neighbours. And it is good for Mary to have a friend,” she continued. “Being the middle sister…” She trailed off; indeed, there was no need for her to finish the sentence. Elizabeth and Jane had long understood the difficulties Mary faced. Mary was not just the middle sister; she was also the least attractive of the Bennet girls. They feared that Mary was likely to remain unmarried and forced to care for whichever parent or parents required her assistance later in life.

Both older sisters had made considerable efforts to encourage Mary to choose better clothing and a more attractive hairstyle, but Mary had resisted every attempt. It seemed that she was willing to embrace the future that seemed to await her.

“Mr. Bingley seemed to have a good deal to say to you last night, Jane,” Elizabeth said, grinning at her sister, whose blond curls had escaped her bonnet and now floated in the wind behind her.

“Oh! He is so very amiable!” Jane replied, trying to catch her wayward locks and tuck them back under her bonnet.

“Are you blushing, Jane?” Elizabeth teased her.

“Not at all! But while we are on the subject of last night, I noticed Mr. Darcy sitting beside you more than once.”

Elizabeth made a face.

“Do you not like him, Lizzy? He seems very gentlemanly.”

“Actually, he rather reminds me of our father,” Elizabeth said, her tone carefully neutral.

“Oh. So… you do not like him.”

“I suppose I should reserve judgement until we know one another better, if that ever occurs.”

Upon reaching Meryton, Kitty and Lydia spied Maria Lucas and ran at once to join her. Feeling that their younger sisters were safe enough with Lady Lucas overseeing them, Jane and Elizabeth went into the bookstore. It was run by Mr. Edwards, who was always delighted to see anyone with the last name of Bennet in his shop. Mr. Bennet was his best customer, and Mr. Edwards thought that Miss Elizabeth would likely have been his second best, had she but the funds for it.

“I suppose you have heard the news,” Mr. Edwards remarked.

“News?” Jane asked. “I have heard nothing out of the ordinary; might you tell us?”

“The militia is coming to Meryton!”

“Oh, heavens!” Elizabeth exclaimed, turning to Jane. “We will need to lock Kitty and Lydia up in the attic!” She looked back to Mr. Edwards. “When is this to happen, do you know?”

“I believe within the month. It will not matter much to me, soldiers not being great readers, but I know that Graham over in the White Swan is rubbing his hands together for joy.” Mr. Edwards chuckled.

“Yes, I imagine the pub will be a great favourite,” Jane agreed.

The bell over the door tinkled, and the two girls looked up in time to see Kitty, Lydia and Maria rushing in, with Lady Lucas close behind. “Have you heard, Lizzy?” Lydia exclaimed eagerly.

“About the militia? Yes.”

“Oh, too bad. I wanted to be the one to tell you.” Lydia was disappointed, but her upset did not last long. “Will it not be wonderful? So many men in Meryton, all in uniform! I suppose I shall faint dead away when I see them!”

Kitty set up a protest. “It was me who said that I would faint dead away!”

Maria could not be left out. “I am certain it was my idea first!”