Page 60 of Regrets

“Yes. Well, the documents of the sale of Longbourn to Mr. Darcy have been signed and notarised by your Uncle Philips. Mr. Darcy sent them off to his solicitor in London.”

Elizabeth nodded.

“He is also researching the legality of Mr. Collins’ claim to the estate.”

“Is there reason to doubt it?” Elizabeth was surprised.

“I never thought there was, but it seems Mr. Darcy likes to be thorough.”

“Commendable.”

“Yes.”

Silence. Then – “Lizzy, I was wrong, completely wrong, to have placed you in such a terrible position when you were a child. I do not blame you for hating me.”

Elizabeth went utterly still. This was the first time her father had directly addressed the chasm between them. In ten years, a full decade, this was the first time. Finally, she stuttered out, “I do not – not – hate – not hate you. Not exactly.”

“What, then?”

Tears choked her throat, and she could not speak. She shook her head and ran from the room.

***

While Elizabeth was in her father’s study, Mrs. Bennet pulled Jane aside. “What is going on with your two youngest sisters?”

“Going on?” Jane repeated. She knew exactly what her mother meant, but very much hoped Lizzy would return and help her with this conversation.

“They have been strangely quiet! I thought they might be sickening with a fever, but their foreheads are cool enough.”

Jane looked behind her one more time.

“Elizabeth is not here; come, Jane, you must know something. What is it?”

Jane took a deep breath. “Well, I suppose you should know. Elizabeth and I told them how men and women…” she trailed off.

“You did! Heavens!” Mrs. Bennet fanned herself rapidly with her hand. “That is my business to do, not yours, Jane.”

“I know that, Mama, but the two of them were flirting madly with Mr. Wickham, and neither had the slightest idea of what he might want with them. They understood that they could not marry him, and thought everyone was just having fun and flirting, but they did not realise…could not understand…Mama, they had to be told!”

Mrs. Bennet stopped fanning herself. “I see,” she said, slowly. “Then you did well, Jane. I do not imagine that it was easy.”

“It was not, and I rather fear that I might have gone too far, as I used Daisy, our mare, and the stud stallion as examples.”

Mrs. Bennet’s face was a picture; she went from outrage and horror to concern and then to amusement. Finally, she burst out laughing. “So they think that human men –“

“I fear so.”

“Too, too funny! Well, if that does not keep them away from officers, I do not know what will! How your Aunt Philips will laugh when she hears this!”

“Mama, there is one more thing.”

“Yes?”

“They asked if Mary knew, and Elizabeth and I shook our heads. Then they said it was doubtless because we thought no man would want her. I do not like that, Mama. I do not like that they even thought to say such a thing, and I particularly do not like that they might be right, that this is what we all thought.”

Mrs. Bennet closed her eyes for a moment; then she opened them and spoke, calmly. “Leave this with me, then, Jane. You and Lizzy have done enough.”

“Are you angry at us?” Jane asked, anxiously.