A/N: Here is chapter two. Like I said to some of the reviewers, I hope to publish the first five chapters befor the end of June. Then, I will be on a training period until mid-August, so do not expect updates... I may be able to publish once or twive, but I will not make any promises. However, the plot is fully written, so you can be assured that I will not abandon the story.
Some also wondered at the mechanics of Lizzy's abilities. You will discover them as the story develops, but I will explain more precisely in PM or another A/N if it is still unclear in a few chapters.
As for last chapter: constructive criticism is appreciated!
Disclaimer: I still don't own Pride and Prejudice.
Chapter 2: Netherfield Park is let at last
''Have you heard, girls? Netherfield Park is let at last!'' Mrs Bennet exclaimed as soon as her last daughter entered the drawing room.
''Is it, Mama? It has stood empty for so long…'' Jane remarked.
Mrs Bennet did not let her finish. ''Yes, yes, it is certain. I have just heard it from Mrs Young. A Mr Bingley is to settle in the place by Michaelmas! Five-thousand a year at least! It is not as much as you deserve, dear Jane, but surely this young man will invite wealthy friends to his new home!''
This was probably the main drawback of their increased income: Mrs Bennet's expectations for her favourite daughters – Jane and Lydia – had raised with their dowries. And though it was true that said dowries would probably help them make better matches than they could have hoped for fifteen years ago, it was not reasonable to expect an earl as a son-in-law.
Elizabeth attempted to reason her mother. ''It is already a generous income, Mother. If he is as amiable as he is rich, then I do not think even Jane will be able to find a better suitor.'' she added with a smile towards her dear sister.
''Oh pish-posh, Lizzy! Jane can do much better than five-thousands! And how would you know how to judge a gentleman's worth? Jane has had a suitor once, unlike you.'' Mrs Bennet replied.
''You know I do not want to have a suitor anyway. But it does not mean…'' Elizabeth sighed.
''I know, I know. And it is probably for the best. I do not see what kind of man would want to have you as a bride. Now, go play in the music room or walk or whatever estate business you have to take care of. Your sisters and I have important things to discuss.'' Mrs Bennet concluded, before waving her away like a servant.
Elizabeth pursed her lips. Though she was used to her mother's hurtful remarks, to be treated so in front of her younger sisters was hard. Before she could decide whether or not to reply, Jane stood up.
''That is unfair Mama! I believe I will accompany Lizzy on her walk, before I say something I know I will regret.''
She grasped her sister's arm and pulled her out of the room and up the stairs to fetch their pelisses. She only released her once they were safely in their room.
''We do not have to go walking if you do not want to.'' Elizabeth offered. ''I know you are not as fond of these long walks as I am.''
Jane smiled. ''I would indeed appreciate one of your long walks right now. I am afraid Netherfield Park's new tenants will make our mother harder to bear than usual.''
Jane had been almost as changed as Elizabeth because of her sister's abilities. Though her nature encouraged her to see the best in everyone, witnessing the dayly spiteful remarks her mother threw at her own daughter had made her painly aware that people were not always on their best behaviour. It did not, however, stop her from making excuses to explain their behaviour and forgiving them.
Elizabeth nodded. ''Just let me grab my basket.''
Half an hour later, the two sisters were walking down the path that led to Elizabeth's favourite clearing, laughing together, their mother's words already forgotten. They stopped from time to time as Elizabeth picked up several plants.
''Have you finally decided how to organize your book?'' Jane asked after the third brief pause, refering to the book on healing plants Elizabeth had been working on since they had entered society.
''Partly. I know how I will present each plant : drawings from different seasons, the soil it usually grows on, the healing properties and how to use said properties. I am still at a loss about how to sort all the plants. By the symptoms they treat? By the areas where they grow? I want this book to be useful.''
''I am sure it will be. Many of our tenants have already beneficiated from your incredible knowledge.''
''Sometimes I wish I had the courage to use my abilities openly. To see a young boy die of a cold I could have healed if I had used more than herbs…'' she said, looking away to hide the tears the memory of the five-year-old Elliot boy brought to her eyes.
''You already do far more than you should for our family and Longbourn, Lizzy. No matter your gifts, you cannot save everyone.'' Jane said softly.
''I know. But it is still hard.'' She blinked away the tears as they reached the clearing.
Elizabeth deposited her basket on the grass and took out the blanket she always kept in so that she and Jane could sit down without staining their gowns. She then pulled out a few pencils and papers to sketch the plants she had gathered.
''No music today?'' Jane asked her with some surprise as she sat down next to her.
''Don't worry, Jane. I did not carry this harp all the way here only for the pleasure of looking at it! I simply want to make a few quick drawings of these plants while they are fresh.''
Despite her many duties in taking care of the estate, Elizabeth had also developped more conventional accomplishments. She was however very irregular in her practice of most of them, as she lacked time and, honestly, interest in those. Her most refined accomplishments were the harp, drawing and sewing. Otherwise, she preferred to employ her time in reading about various subjects.
She had first tried – and liked – the pianoforte, but Mary was often using the instrument, and she had no wish to display skills where her mother could barge in to criticize her. After some begging, her father had agreed to buy her a harp, an instrument she had discovered during one of her brief stays at her aunt and uncle's in London. She mostly played it when her mother was away in Meryton to gossip.
Two years ago though, her uncle had gifted her with a small lap harp she could carry in a basket to play outside the house. He had confessed that he had hoped she would bring it at the parties in the neighbourhood, but she had never done so. She prefered to use it when she needed to be away from the house. Music had always helped her sooth her mind, and came quite naturally to her.
Drawing and sewing were skills she had had to practice a lot and she was proud of how well she did in them. They had first been only necessary skills – to give the tenants an accurate description of the herbs they needed, and to repair the gowns she tore during her escapades. She had grown to like them over the years, though – especially drawing.
Once the sketches she needed were done, Elizabeth took her lap harp from her basket. It was a beautiful instrument, and probably the gift she favoured the most. It only had fifteen strings, and was therefore limited to two octaves, but the sound it produced was beautiful.
She settled the instrument on her lap and started to run her hands on the strings, playing whatever tune came to her mind, often switching to another melody before she had finished the previous one. The result was not always coherent, but Elizabeth was not trying to make a performance – simply to lose herself and Jane in the music so they may forget the turmoil of their family home for a few moments.
''Do you think Papa will call on Mr Bingley once he arrives?'' Jane asked after a few minutes.
Elizabeth replied without stopping her playing. ''Of course he will. Our mother is right that we do not often have the opportunity to make new acquaintances, and Papa cares about our prospects – though he is much more discreet about it than her.''
''I do not want Mama to push me towards a man I don't like.''
''I don't think you have to worry about this Mr Bingley. He is not an earl, and I doubt Mother would settle for anything less.'' She reassured her sister with a teasing smile.
''Probably. But I do not want her to pull me away from a man I may like either. Sometimes, I wonder if your choice is not the best one…'' Jane laughed.
Elizabeth smiled, and slowed her music. She let the last notes fade in the air around them then got up and put her harp back in the basket. Her sister helped her gather her sketches. They returned to Longbourn.
As soon as they reached the house, Mrs Bennet cornered Jane.
''Why did you stay outside for so long, Jane? What if your skin is tanned when Mr Bingley's friends arrive?'' Before Jane had had time to reply, Mrs Bennet continued. ''Oh, I wish you would go in London for the Season! Surely you would catch an earl, at least! You cannot be so beautiful for nothing!''
Elizabeth was trying very hard not to laugh at her mother's exclamations and exchanged a glance with Jane, mouthing 'I told you so'. Jane attempted to glare at her, but the effect was ruined by her smile.
''I told you Mama, I refuse to go to London without Lizzy. And she cannot spend a full Season in town.''
''I know, I know. This child is always going out of her way to vex me! She will ruin us all!''
''Mama! We would not have such dowries if not for Lizzy!'' She attempted to reason her mother.
Mrs Bennet huffed and returned to the drawing room.
Dinner that night was exhausting. The two youngest were giggling loudly, Mrs Bennet was lamenting her husband's refusal to call on Mr Bingley and Mary unsuccessfully tried to voice her own opinion on the matter. Mr Bennet retired to his study as soon as the last course was finished, while his eldest daughters endured another hour of their mother's ranting.
As they prepared for bed, Elizabeth breached a subject that had been troubling her for some time.
''I cannot go to town for a full Season, but our mother is right that your prospects are limited in Meryton. Mr Bingley will be the first new face since we entered society four years ago. You really should try and have a Season in town. I could accompany you the first few weeks.''
Because she depended on the energy she absorbed from other living beings, Elizabeth could not stay in town for very long. Walks in the park did not offer her enough energy – somehow, the amount she could absorb from each plant or animal was limited and never harmed the living being. Plus, it seemed the polluted air of the Town reduced the energy the trees could offer her.
Over time, Elizabeth would grow more and more tired, like someone suffering from malnutrition or insomnia.
Of course, she could also obtain energy from humans. But the energy was always accompanied by the emotions of the being, which made her very uncomfortable – it was an intrusion of privacy, and the terror she had felt from her mother when she was two was still vivid in her mind. She only did so with Jane, and never without her express authorization.
Plus, like what had happened with her mother, the person could feel what was happening. Therefore, she could not gather energy in town without revealing her secret.
As a consequence, it was physically impossible for Elizabeth to spend a full Season in town, especially with the tiring balls and outings.
''I would never feel comfortable enough without you, Lizzy. But you are right that we do not have many new acquaintances here. I promise you, if Mr Bingley or his friends fail to live up to our expectations, I will agree to go to town with you. I am not sure I will stay after you leave, though.''
Elizabeth hugged her sister. ''That's all I ask. I do not want you to miss your chance because of me. And it might be easier to find a suitor without our mother around.''
Jane smiled. ''In exchange, I expect you to fulfill your own promise of giving yourself a chance at happiness if you find a worthy gentleman.''
Elizabeth resisted the urge to roll her eyes – she doubted she would ever trust a gentleman enough to even entertain the idea of marriage.