Pride and Prejudice ain't mine.
Happy Reading!
J - 11, E - 9, M - 8, K - 6, L - 5
"This is stupid. Who cares about silly flowers!"
"Lizzy!"
Margaret took a moment to feel happy about Jane speaking up. Two years ago the most she would have done was turn imploring eyes towards her sister.
"Lizzy, you know that accomplished women should learn how to properly embroider." Mary threw an uncertain glance at her grandmother and Margaret smiled at her. The 8 year old brightened. She needed someone to stoke her confidence.
"I'm saying the truth. I do not like all this elaborate embroidery in the first place. Nor do I care for dresses. Why should I learn this?"
Margaret reigned in her temper. Except the youngest two, the other children were doing spectacularly well. Jane was advancing well in French and Italian and showed interest in starting with German in time. Mary was moving along slowly in French. Over the year, she had started taking Jane along with her as she went around visiting the tenants. While the eldest two could the piano better than Mary, the latter showed faster improvement. The middle child's true love lay in the harp. Mary was the only one who had deigned to try the instrument and even Fanny had stood still, pleasantly surprised at the simple tunes Mary was starting with. The eldest two had started with Arithmancy and Lizzy was almost frighteningly good at it, soaking up concepts like a sponge and demanding to know more. Seeing her bend over her book, deep in concentration reminded her of her George.
But.
Arithmancy aside, Lizzy was stubborn about everything else. She refused to learn Italian or German, despised embroidery beside the most basic lessons she had to do and would almost always be holed up with her father, reading.
Margaret was not happy.
She had tried to start with teaching Kitty and Lydia now but all Lydia had to do was scream and cry before Fanny would come to rescue her 'poor dear girl'. Kitty, content to follow Lydia and vying for her mother's attention, would be quick to follow. On some days, the second youngest could be persuaded to listen to her but most days she would scamper off as soon as Lydia realized that her favorite playmate was not with her.
And now Elizabeth was being purposefully wilful and no matter what, Margaret would not take this kind of disobedience from the child.
"I'm going to the library to Pa-"
"Elizabeth. Sit down."
Elizabeth aborted her motion to stand up and looked down at her lap. Mary clutched at Jane's hand and both gazed at them worriedly.
"I have had enough of this from you. I let you go when you were tired. I agreed that you can stop learning Italian and German. But this. This is too much. I did not expect this from you Elizabeth."
The little girl said nothing.
"What is it that you are doing so importantly with your father? I let you read most of the day, Lizzy! So why are you being obstinate?"
Silence.
"Elizabeth."
She still refused to answer. Margaret sighed
"I'm very disappointed Elizabeth. Sad and disappointed. I had not though this of you. If you do not wish to learn, so be it. You can leave."
Her little shoulders were trembling at this point and while it broke her heart, Margaret did not move. She knew not how long she would be able to teach them and she was worried for her children. If this was what it took, she would do it.
"I'm sorry." Elizabeth sniffed pathetically.
When Margaret merely sighed, Jane went to sit near Elizabeth and laid a comforting hand on her shoulder, looking beseechingly at her grandmother.
"Lizzy, I understand that you do not find this interesting, but you need to learn for your own good, child."
Lizzy sniffed again and nodded.
"Now come dear child. Tell grandmother what is wrong."
She rubbed her eyes messily - she decided to let the clumsiness go for once - and looked at her with teary eyes "It is just, Papa told me you might not allow me to do it but I so wanted to and he was so proud of me and I did not want to disappoint either of you and I thought that if I was doing it then it won't matter-"
"Breath child." she said to the red faced girl
Lizzy took a deep breath and puffed her cheeks. Margaret had to hide a smile a that. Truly, the girl was so adorable.
"Now. Calmly. What had your papa been teaching you?"
Lizzy worried her lips before closing her eyes and sitting up straight. "Papa has been teaching me Greek and Latin. And little bits of algebra"
Margaret started but then decided to approach it tactfully. "I see. But I thought you didn't like languages."
Lizzy seemed to relax a little seeing that she wasn't going to become mad at her "I don't, really. I saw that many books in the library were in other languages. Papa told me it was Latin and Greek. When I asked why weren't taught that, he said it is for men and that it would be unseemly for women to learn them. But I so love reading books and asked him if he could teach me. He told me you might not approve of it."
Oh she very well did not.
Lizzy did not seem to want to stop now that she had started. "And a few weeks back when I saw him check the estate's ledgers I asked him about it and he was teaching me Math and it was so much fun! He told me that we can start on algebra. I help him check the accounts now grandmother" she aimed a brilliant smile at the mentioned "So I thought that I can study Latin and Greek instead of this. I am not being lazy, I swear. I just wanted to study..." she trailed off.
Margaret took a deep breath.
"...is that okay, grandmother?"
She set down the needlework and clasped her hands in her lap, pondering what to do before coming to a decision.
"Children, do you know why I am teaching you all this? To sew, to sing, to play music, to speak languages?"
"Because every gentle bred lady should know these things grandmother." Jane replied promptly.
She nodded "Yes. But more than that. Can you think of no other reason. Why do you think every lady should know all this?"
No one spoke as Margaret expected. They were still too young to give serious thought to such things.
"It is so that you can marry well."
"Marry?"
She did not want to have this talk but she had no choice "Yes. Marry. Sweethearts, these are the things that any eligible gentleman of means would expect from their wives. That is why it is important that we learn all this."
"But why? Shouldn't you marry for love?"
Margaret smiled sadly at Mary. It seemed Lizzy wasn't the only one reading one too many books "Children, that is not how the real world works. Yes, there are cases were couples marry for love but they are very very few and in between. Do not cling to that hope. It will only lead to disappointment."
"But what about Miss Burke who used to stay in Netherfield? She didn't play instruments or sing."
Margaret did not want to be having this conversation while they were still so young but
"Now. Listen to me. Women do not possess much power in this world. Especially the ones who are not of wealth. Their only means of securing a good life is through their accomplishments." she took a deep breath "or their dowry"
The children looked at her uncomprehendingly.
"You do not marry for love but rarely, dear ones. Men wish to have a wife they could be proud of. That they could show off. They want to be seen having a woman who can sing, dance, sew, mend, ease conversations, one who is an ideal lady. And without marrying, we gentle born have no means of securing comfort. That is why it is imperative that you are accomplished."
"What did you mean about the dowry, grandmother?" Jane asked, looking a little shocked.
"Another thing expected of us. If a woman comes with a good dowry, it will add to their husbands's capital, their wealth. So men will always prefer a woman with dowry. And a sizable dowry means that they are ready to overlook any lack of accomplishments. A good dowry and skills mean you will live a wealthy life. Miss Burke will marry comfortably despite her lack of skills because she had a good dowry backing her."
She cursed Thomas and Ferdinand for what she had to say next "And you girls do not have much of a dowry dear ones. You only have one thousand a year and that is after your mama's death. So you must do your best to be as eligible as you possibly can."
"This isn't fair, grandmother" Elizabeth said softly "We are chosen for our money and our accomplishments, not for who we are. That isn't fair."
"I know it isn't, love" her heart broke for the children "but that is the way the world works. There is nothing we can do about it."
"But what if we didn't marry?" Mary's little face was determined. She was surprised that it wasn't Lizzy who asked first. "What if we stayed like this forever. We won't have to care what men thought."
Margaret felt the acutest of pain when she spoke next. "You do not have that option children. Our estate is entailed away. It means that it can only go to a male heir. So on your father's death it will go to your cousin Mr. Collins, your late grandfather's sister's that, you will be at his mercy. He can choose to turn you out or let you stay. Yes, you can go to the Phillips or the Gardiners but for how long? They have a family too."
They sat in silence for a minute before Margaret decided to so something about the glum atmosphere "Now cheer up. It isn't so bad. You are all beautiful, wonderful girls and you will be fine. Don't be morose. I believe with all my heart that you will all have a happy life."
Jane turned cheerful and even Mary had a tentative smile on her face. Elizabeth was still frowning.
"And Lizzie?" she looked up "You may continue your lessons with your papa but do not speak of it to anyone."
She nodded, relieved. But her eyes were still tumultuous.
J - 12, E - 10, M - 9, K - 7, L - 5
Instead of Jane, it was Lizzy who was coming with her to see to the tenants and Margaret wasn't sure whether it was good idea or a bad one. While Jane was respected as young miss Bennet, Elizabeth was little Lizzie to them.
The tenants adored her. On her first day, in the first house, Lizzie had broken all propriety by helping little Tommy get a hold of Mrs. Peach, his cat, by climbing atop a tree and things had only gone downhill from there. While Margaret was decidedly not happy about how Lizzie was acting, she was not blind to the devotion Lizzie commanded simply by not acting like a gentlewoman. She conversed freely with them, played with their children, asked them about the crops and remembered the little things they told her. Margaret decided she won't interfere before she knew more.
She had started taking Jane along with her and showing her how to manage to household. As loathe as she was to tell her to undermine her mother, she knew she had no choice. And while Jane was sad about it, she did realize her mother's mistakes and obediently learned.
It was on one such day that the topic came up. Margaret was thinking about taking Mary along with them too and sincerely starting on Politics, Geography and History. Her age was showing more clearly. The walks around the farm were hard on her knees and she slept for longer.
"Grandmother?"
"Yes dear?"
"How much does our farm make?"
"About 2000 pounds a year"
Lizzie was quiet for a while "So how come we do not have a dowry? Mr. Long makes 1000 a year and they are still part of the gentry"
Trust Lizzie to bring up such topics. She decided to be honest. "Lizzie. I know you love your papa but it does not mean that he is not without fault. Your father was not meant for this life, dear one. And now he has to live it, he does not put an effort into it. Both your parents spend more than they should - on clothes, ribbons and books - and your father has made no changes to the land in all the years he has been the owner of it."
Lizzie sounded incredibly sad as she spoke next "Do they not care about us? Even Papa?"
Margaret stopped and drew Lizzie to her in a hug "They do. Do not ever doubt that. You mother does not understand Lizzie. She thinks that as long as you dress prettily" -and flirt- "you will find a man. As for your father" she sighed "he does not get the gravity of the situation. For him, his death, your marriage- they are all abstract concepts. He will not face it, till it knocks on his door. And by then, it will be too late to change anything."
She nodded against her chest. Margaret moved back and cupped her cheeks, kissing her on her forehead "Do not worry. You will be fine."
Lizzie smiled. She still looked unconvinced.
J - 13, E - 11, M - 10, K - 8, L - 6
The day was lazy and Lizzy was painstakingly going through a Latin book, sitting beside her grandmother. After 10 minutes, the young girl let out a huff and closed the book before gently placing it on the table. Margaret was pleased to see that etiquette lessons were showing fruit. A year ago, there was good chance that Lizzie would have thrown the book. Good. She was becoming more ladyli -
"I'm booooored" she whined.
Margaret's eye twitched.
Lizzie was bored. She had yet to spend many days without Jane or Mary at her side. At present, Jane was at the Gardiners' keeping her aunt company in her confinement. Mrs. Phillips had broken her leg and asked for a Bennet sister to keep her company. Margaret had sent Mary in the hope that Lizzie might grow closer to the youngest children. Jane with her unfailing kindness, always made time for them and Mary tried her best to make them interested in reading or in the piano - with no results. Lizzie was similar to her father in that she had no patience for their silliness and thus tried to limit her exposure to them.
It was somewhat a success. Last day, she had seen Lizzie laughing at one of Lydia's antics and spinning her around in the room. And when the youngest had called Kitty's hair ugly, Lizzie had soothed her and braided it with flowers she had plucked, much to her happiness. But today both the young ones were at the Lucas' with Fanny and -
"I'm bored grandmother."
"Why didn't you go with your mother? You could have seen Charlotte."
And wasn't that a surprise. Recently, Lizzie had become friends with the older Miss Lucas despite the 7 year gap in age between them. The 18 year old was astoundingly fond of the younger girl.
Lizzie looked mutinous. "One of her Mr. Lucas' friends is visiting. Mr. James Alcot. Charlotte is so weird around him. Giggling and smiling and speaking softly. It is disturbing."
She hmm-ed "And why do you think she does that?"
Elizabeth looked startled. A few more minutes passed before she tried tentatively.
"It is because she wants to get married?"
"It probably is, Lizzy. Charlotte isn't very -ahem - pretty." she put it delicately as Lizzie grimaced "Without a substantial dowry, she cannot afford to let an opportunity go. Do not judge her harshly Lizzie. If she does not find a husband, without much accomplishments, she will have no choice but to stay a spinster at her father's - and later, her brother's - mercy."
Lizzie nodded glumly "I do not like it" she took a deep breath "But what if someone likes us for who we are, grandmother? Jane is so kind and nice. And Mary is so intelligent and talented. Won't there be people who like us for who we are? What if I do not want to marry a gentleman"
Margaret scrutinized Lizzy carefully "It maybe be, Lizzy but men face pressures too. They have to think about the society, their family. People's opinions are fickle, dear. Remember what happened when Mr. Adam married his scullery maid? His mother left to move in with her sister, they are not often invited to any events, people ignore them and you must have heard how they are spoken of. Men must think of such things when they choose a bride. Women cannot even do that. If you were to marry beneath your station, not only will the entirety of your society looks down on you, but you will also be poor. You will not have money to employ servants and will end up working for yourself. And as gentle bred women, we do not have the skill to do that."
"It is not fair."
"I know Lizzie. Now" she turned towards the girl "if you are so bored, let us continue the Geography lessons."
"Nooo."
"Lizzy!"
J - 14, E - 12, M - 11, K - 9, L - 7
Margaret had manages to coax Thomas into agreeing to teach the eldest three horse riding. While Jane and Mary did well on their mare, Lizzie, with her love for walking did just enough so that she could ride, if the circumstances demanded it.
The older girls were all doing wonderfully well. She was slowly letting Jane and Lizzy take over Mary's lessons save the languages. She no longer had it in her to visit the tenants and the job fell to them now. Mary alternatively went with Jane and Lizzie on their rounds. She had started showing Lizzie the strings of estate management, but decided that Mary could wait a little more longer.
On the flip side, there was little hope to improve the youngest two. Fanny would hear of nothing that could make her Lyddie upset and if Lydia wanted Kitty to play with her, she would. Margaret did not have the energy to quarrel. Raised voices gave her a migraine and she was tired.
When she approached Thomas, he refused to do anything which would have his wife encroaching into his library.
Fanny had decided that it was time to prepare Jane to come out in the society. She was astounded. Jane was still so young. She had to be 17 at the minimum before she was out. She had interfered and persuaded Fanny to wait at least till she was 16 citing that their weren't anyone good enough for Jane in the neighborhood anyway.
She took a deep breath. It didn't matter. Her children would be fine.
Now where was Lizzie? She had been spending an extraordinary amount of time with Thomas these days.
J - 15, E - 13, M - 12, K - 10, L - 8
Elizabeth replaced the book about estate management and instead chose one on crops. She thought - she knew she could do well. While she was no closer to shouldering the entire responsibility, she could suggest things. Beside that, she could see that she was better at the calculations than her Papa was. Perhaps...
She decided to wait longer before pitching her budding plan to her father.
Hello guys
mmendoza688, Doris212, QOP, Reading In Moonlight, liysyl, hypergirl15, ChrisM0519, neverlate, eelarahs, Colleen S, LadyJaeza and Guest. Thank you so much for the reviews!
Thank you for all the follows and favorites too. I hope you are all enjoying this work.
p.s. hypergirl15. As another person who reads voraciously, I sincerely hope you post something one day. It would be great to read your work and you can never have too many fanfictions. Good luck :D
Ok. So these are things my friend told me I should clarify. What Margaret teaches them are things that she believes in. I purposefully made it so that she doesn't even mention marrying a tradesman. As open minded as she appears to be, she is a product of her society and while accepting, she isn't supporting. I am trying to communicate the point of view of a character who is good and well intentional but is nevertheless bound to the experiences of the circumstances in which she grew up. My friend thought I should have made Margaret more liberal : taught the children to pave their own paths and all that. But I intend my Margaret to be a realist adhering to her viewpoint; not a revolutionary.
This is the same reason why marriage is stressed so much in this chapter. Because that is what Margaret is aiming for. She believes that the way to secure a good life for the children is to get them married properly. And from all that she has seen, it is.
Why does Margaret completely ignore the marrying for love bit? Simply because it is what she used to see. Even if there were people of the ton who married for love Margaret would probably not recognize it. Or it could even be that she does not want them to get their hopes up and become too idealistic.
Don't you think Elizabeth is a bit too preoccupied with the concept of marriage? I think so too. You will soon see why.
Got an idea about where this is going? The last bit is a clue. I'm not totally sold out on it but yeah. We will see how it goes.
And. Do you think I'm being too unrealistic of the girls' progress? While it isn't all that uncommon to see young children being skilled in various fields, I am a bit concerned I went a bit too fast with the characters. Let me know if you think it is too far-fetched, yeah?
See ya.