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“Talk to me while my spirit settles.”

“Meryton is unchanged, easily summed up in the phrase ‘provincial and small minded’. But they are not unique, the town is no different than hundreds, thousands, of others across the land. It can be seen in the following example.

“The Militia came to town and were camped there for six months. This was right as you were forced to leave the neighbourhood. In those six month there were; four pregnancies, the fathers suspected but unconfirmed; drunkenness, too many instances to count; merchants bilked, one officer did most of that damage; and one young lady sent away in disgrace, a Miss Goulding.”

“That is quite the total for just six months.”

She paused.

“And my own sisters?”

“The phrase that was reported to me was they were saved from themselves. Since the family was being all but shunned, the two youngest were kept at the family estate and unable to visit Meryton. There was much wailing apparently but your father would not relent.”

Elizabeth scoffed.

“He performed his duty for once.”

Lawrence noted the bitterness.

“It was more that the family had no choice. They would have received the cut direct if they had ventured into Meryton. It was noted your aunt provided most of the news. She was the only visitor for several months. Once the Militia left, and young Miss Goulding followed you into exile, the Bennets were able to return from social isolation. Your eldest sister went to London but she was only there long enough to arrange passage on that year’s Fisher Fleet. She left for India more than a year ago. Word received from a servant at Longbourn is that she is now married. Her husband has no plans to return to Britain, at least at present, and so there is a possibility that she will never return.”

Elizabeth sat there, conflicted at her emotions. They had been the closest of sisters all their lives until that fateful night. Yet Jane had been more concerned about losing a potential husband than supporting her sister. The self-same sister that was only at Netherfield Park to nurse Jane better. She sighed, there was no point in revisiting old grievances, it was done. Lawrence had just told her it was unlikely Jane would ever return to Britain. She had been lost to Elizabeth already. Now she was gone for good..

“The rest?”

“All still at Longbourn. And nothing appears to have changed. I have all the reports if you wish to read them. I do not know which parts you would wish to focus on.”

“No, I have no wish to read any the of details. Four of the five still at Longbourn believed I was capable of acting in the manner of the accusations. My two youngest sisters were delighted to mock me, my middle sister pontificated at me, thinking of me as nothing but a sinner, and yet Mrs. Bennet was the worst. And her own sister was just as bad.”

She shook her head, mentally shedding them.

“Enough of them. The Gardiners?”

“Treading water.”

“Meaning?”

“They are not in danger of starving but the initial success of the business has not been repeated over the last two years. That you resided with the Gardiners for two months is still a known and discussed topic. Society is utterly intolerant of fallen women. That is why Jane Bennet was known as Jane Gardiner for the few months she stayed with your aunt and uncle.”

Elizabeth picked up on Lawrence’s words.

“Caroline Bingley?”

He nodded.

“She takes great delight in continuing to revel in your downfall and disgrace. She sees it as some kind of demonstration of the power of the Bingley name.”

“Tell me of the Netherfield Park party, leave her to last please.”

“Let me start with the Hursts. Perhaps the best way to describe their situation is that he is trying to ruin himself, and the family. If you had tried to take your revenge upon him, and I know that you have not, then I doubt you could have done a better job than he has managed himself.”

“The details please.”

“He is still a glutton and a drunk. Those traits will lead him to gout and an early grave. However, he has added to his list of sins by gambling on cards. And gambling poorly.”

“Is he being cheated?”

“I do not believe so. He is just a poor card player yet will not admit it to himself.”