Disclaimer: I do not own Pride and Prejudice, as much as I wish otherwise.


Chapter 7 – Boredom is a terrible thing

aka Boredom, Frustration, and a small touch of Freedom

January 19th, 1792

Longbourn

7:00am

"Lizzy, sweet girl," Mr. Bennet whispered softly, gently brushing his daughter's dark locks away her sleeping face with his fingertips. "You need to wake up now. Dr. Jones is here to see you."

"Oh Papa," Elizabeth whined yawning. "Not again. This is the third time in the past week."

"That might be so little one," Mr. Bennet nodded as he stood from his former perch. "However these follow ups were recommended by Dr. Marshall before he returned to London in order to keep track of any side effects of your coma. He felt it necessary so we shall follow his and Dr. Jones' recommendations to the letter. They are, after all, the experts on these things. Now, up you get."

"Fine," Elizabeth sighed sorrowfully, dragging a chuckle out of her father as he moved to collect the doctor from the sitting room below stairs.

Elizabeth had managed to see to her ablutions in the short time that her father left to gather the doctor and was just fumbling her way back to the bed when her bedroom door creaked open, admitting the two men.

"Good morning Dr. Jones," Elizabeth pouted grumpily over her yawn. "Good morning Papa"

"Good morning to you as well Miss Lizzy," Dr. Jones clucked, amused by his patients lethargic crankiness. "Let us take a look at you now."

As Dr. Jones was finishing the examination where he mostly scrutinized the decreasing bump on the back of her head – he also looked at the quickly healing scrapes and bruises left over from the 'accident', plus the new hurts Elizabeth had accumulated since waking eleven days before – Elizabeth asked the question she was most eager to enquire: "Dr. Jones, when will I be allowed to leave this room? Even if it is just to sit in Papa's book room to keep him company or on a bench outside in full view of Longbourn. I feel terribly closed in just laying here with nothing to do…especially as Jane has all but given up on me in regards to needlework. If I was bad be before, well…according to Mama there are no words to describe how abysmal I am now."

Mr. Jones looked skeptically at Mr. Bennet, wondering how truthful the young girl was being in regards to Mrs. Bennet's proclamation. The doctor noticed the overly stoic look plastered on the other man's face and mentally noted that Mrs. Bennet's outspoken negativity was not appreciated by her husband.

"Well, Miss Lizzy in regards to your needle work capabilities might I be so bold as to recommend you practice in privacy until you feel more confident about your abilities? It will no doubt take time to adapt to your condition; while your body and mind adjust your coordination and balance will be off as well." Dr. Jones gestured to the new bruises forming on a slightly blushing Elizabeth's shins and arms where she had knocked into furniture and walls, and no doubt loss her balance a time or two landing on the floor. "Which Miss Lizzy has undoubtedly ascertained for herself through trial and error."

"Right…"Elizabeth pouted. "I suppose that means a no on the removal from my bedroom, doctor?"

"Well, I would not go that far, however," Dr. Jones has to shout a little over Elizabeth's excited squeals, "you must abide by the conditions your father and I place on your…ahem, freedom. These rules will be for your own safety and your father's soundness of mind."

"Oh yes Dr. Jones, I promise I'll be good and will follow your orders to a tee; I want to be well as soon as I possibly can. After all," Elizabeth's excitement died a little here as she continued. "There is so much that I will need to learn and relearn…starting with eating and walking and dressing on my own. I have made some head way the past week but I am still quite fatigued. Also too much noise causes my head to pound something dreadful."

"I am sure you are quite tired still Miss Lizzy though there is little we can do about that but wait it out. To conclude my examination, your hearing should settle, at least enough so that you will not get a headache every time you leave the quietness of your room. Note that I feel that you are quite right, Miss Lizzy, in regards to your need to relearn a great deal but I am sure your mother and father and sisters will be of tremendous assistance to you in your needful endeavor. Your family, at least, will not be scared off by the few mood swings that you are liable to go through for the next few weeks."

Elizabeth's blank eyes turned to him, her formerly lively face a mask of doubt. "Perhaps."

"Yes, well," Mr. Bennet interrupted the disconcerting interlude between his daughter and the doctor, bringing an end to the awkwardness by drawing their attention back to him. "Is there anything we need to know before you leave Dr. Jones?"

The physician nodded, grateful to be back on topic. "Yes, now let's see. I would like you to do some light exercise Miss Elizabeth but do not, I repeat do not over exert yourself. Always have someone with you, at least until you have gotten used to getting around Longbourn on your own. Also I cannot place enough emphasis on the importance of your not becoming stressed in any way whatsoever. If you do become overly stressed, the strain, the anxiety, the pressure you feel could cause you to fall unconscious once more…perhaps even into another coma…one that you will likely not emerge from as you did your last. Do whatever you must to prevent that state, do you understand?" This question he aimed at both his patient and her father to accentuate the magnitude of his diagnosis.

"Yes Dr. Jones," Elizabeth replied softly, ducking her head, recognizing – and felt rather embarrassed – that the doctor had just ordered, to her mind, to avoid her mother and youngest sister at all cost.

Dr. Jones placed his callused hand on Elizabeth's chin, gently tugging her head up so they were face to face once more. "Miss Elizabeth, her are my conditions: you are to rest when needed, be escorted to prevent mishaps – for a little while in any case. You are to avoid stressful situations and, to be blunt, get used to the reality of your blindness…find something that excites your very being or I fear that you will lose yourself to others expectations of you…or shall I say the lack there of."

"Yes Dr. Jones," Elizabeth sniffed, biting back her tears.

"Now, in regards to Miss Jane's birthday celebration this coming Sunday. While you will need to be careful not to overdue, I do not see why you should not attend. Be sure not to over extend yourself, understand? Yes? Good. Now, I am done here for today…and hopefully will not need to be seen again until the end of next week, would the 27th in the afternoon suit you Mr. Bennet, Miss Elizabeth?"

"Of course doctor," Mr. Bennet stated graciously. "Elizabeth and I will likely be in my study for the next week or so when not in our respective rooms. My wife will unquestionably be…exuberant following Jane's birthday and will undoubtedly spend the rest of the week speaking of nothing but Jane's coming out ball, at a progressively strident tone no doubt."


January 21st, 1792

Longbourn

10:00am

"Miss Elizabeth, what are you doing?" Bessie hastily looked for a place to put down the heavy basket of laundry she was carrying from the room of the youngest Miss Bennet before simply dropping it to the floor and dashing to the young girl's side.

"I would think it obvious Bessie," Elizabeth replied with a slight smile, turning to where she thought the maid was, addressing thin air as she missed by several feet. "I am descending the stairs to go to breakfast of course. I hope I have stayed in my room long enough after dressing that the rest of my family will be finished or nearly so. I would break my fast in my room however, if my mother's mutterings yester-eve were any indication, she will likely descend upon me if I attempt to take my meal in my room one more time. And, as you and other servants know well, leaving the Mama and me alone in a small room for any real length of time has never resulted in anything good. By the time she left I have no doubt that my poor head would pound excruciatingly, forcing me to remain in my room for even longer. No, breakfasting late is better alternative."

The maid silently acknowledged her young mistress's point, her mind flashing back to a memory a few years old where Mrs. Bennet began sneering at her second daughter when she came home covered in mud after a small scuffle with the young Mr. Lucas. The lecture had lasted nearly three hours, with five broken vases, the pierced eardrums of every person to pass by Longbourn – especially those unlucky enough to be inside the estate during the lecture – and humiliation on Elizabeth's part several times over, the exceedingly voluble criticisms continuing for weeks after the incident before Mrs. Bennet was done. "Yes, Miss Elizabeth. However please allow me to escort you there."

"No need Bessie, I am sure I will be fine on my own," Elizabeth smiled gently as she moved closer to the stairs, one hand brushing against the wall she had used to navigate her way so far. "I know Longbourn like the back of my hand after all."

"That might be so Miss," Bessie stated as she quickly looped her arm through Elizabeth's free one. "But if I remember my orders correctly, both the Master and Dr. Jones decided that until you have grown accustomed to your new situation that an escort is necessary." Seeing that Elizabeth was going to object again the maid continued, "And if you allow me this, I promise not to tell the Master that you were attempting to move about on your own."

"Very well, Bessie," Elizabeth giggled at the maids threat, adjusting the hold the older female had on her arm. "I concede. Now, can we please head down? I truly quite hungry, you know."

The maid quickly acquiesced, escorting the young lady to the room where the Bennet ladies were still breaking their fast. As the pair approached they could hear Mrs. Bennet rowdy laughter followed by Lydia's airheaded giggles.

"Oh and Mama, did you see how Lizzy was dressed yesterday? Her bonnet was all askew, her hair a mess and she was completely covered in dust! Oh I would die if I ever let myself be seen in company looking as she did. It was just the thing!"

"Ahem," Elizabeth cleared her throat causing her sisters and mother toward her and now exceedingly uncomfortable escort. "A good morning to you too Lydia, Mama…Bessie, could you help me to an empty seat? You are free to go about your chores after that."

"Of course, Miss," Bessie replied, assisting her young mistress to the empty seat at far end of the table between Jane and Mary – as far away from her mother and youngest sister as physically possible – before gratefully leaving the tense atmosphere that surrounded the diners.

Mrs. Bennet watched while Elizabeth dug into – as neatly as she could – the breakfast Jane had dished up for her, eyeing her blinded daughter with noticeable scorn.

"So, you are out of bed are you," the matron stated coolly, scoffing at Elizabeth's undignified table manners, which were, in reality, far more decorous than those of Lydia whom Mrs. Bennet praised unreservedly.

"As you see," Elizabeth replied cordially, taking a sip of her delightfully made hot apple cider, humming in contentment at the sweet, slightly biting taste.

"Did Bessie assist you in dressing this morn? If so then I must have a word with Mr. Bennet about her continued employment. My dear girl, you look positively uncivilized. Not that that is much of a change, mind you." Mrs. Bennet's snide remarks provoked a mocking snigger from Lydia where everyone else within hearing range – including serval servants – felt their jaws drop in total disbelief.

"No Mama," Elizabeth sputtered, attempting to clear her airway of the drink she had swallowed wrongly when Mrs. Bennet decided to abuse her looks so cruelly in front of witnesses. "I dressed myself this morning. Hill laid out clothes that were simple to don on one's own before I went to bed last eve and she has excellent taste. You have said so yourself on numerus occasions. So I cannot possibly believe that I look especially offensive at present. The only role Bessie played was acting as an escort here to break my fast with you, my loving family."

Ignoring the most pertinent portions of Elizabeth's short monologue, promising to abuse the girl about her impertinence later in the day, Mrs. Bennet continued her tirade. "Well, Bessie should not have brought you here! Certainly not looking like that!" The matron waved her hand wide, gesturing to Elizabeth in full. While the sightless child could not see the gesture, the snorting laughter of her mother and youngest sister lacerated her already wounded heart. "It is unmistakable; you, Elizabeth Joselyn Bennet, will be the ruin of us all. My nerves cannot take this sort of distress."

"Mama, I do not see anything wrong with how Elizabeth is dressed!" Mary exclaimed finally gathering her wits from Mrs. Bennet's near instant attack. Jane and Kitty nodded quickly in agreement. "In fact, I think she looks rather well."

"And your table manners!" Mrs. Bennet persisted, paying no attention to the words of her middle daughter. "Utterly despicable! If you continue to eat in such a way I shall send you out to the barn! If you are to eat like an animal then you should dine with the animals. Consuming your meal with such lack of comportment; it is revolting!"

"But Mama," Mary interrupted, confused, "Lizzy was only a little less decorous than before…and was far more so than Lydia in any case. After all, raucous laughter at the dining table, even in a family setting, is utterly inappropriate, do you not agree?"

"Never you mind, Mary," Mrs. Bennet dismissed with an indelicate huff.

The tactless rejection caused Mary to tear until Elizabeth discretely reached out and – after a second of searching – grabbed the younger girl's hand, squeezing it reassuringly.

"I agree with you, Mama," Lydia giggled noisily, a small smirk decorating her otherwise innocent face. "Lizzy is a complete mess! Look at her hair! It is such an unruly disarray. Let us not mention her shoes! They look like they will fall off at any moment with how worn they are! Her ribbons are twisted and are the entirely the wrong color for that dress; dark green on pale pink indeed. It would not be such a bad combination on anyone but Lizzy with her coarse browned skin and dark hair. It would look so much better on someone as fair as Jane or me. Of course, Jane has all those new dresses you had made for coming out so I think that it should be remade to fit me. Do you not think I would look just the thing, Kitty, Mama?"

"No," Kitty stated firmly before Mrs. Bennet could agree to Lydia's proposal, moving closer to where Elizabeth, Mary and Jane were seated, at the far end of the table, opposite to Mrs. Bennet and Lydia. "Lizzy looks lovely and that dress happens to be one of her favorites. You will not have it until Lizzy has either out grown it or says she will pass it on…and then it will be to whom she feels it should go to. Besides Mama, that dress was gifted to Lizzy by Aunt Gardiner this past Yuletide. Do you really want to insult our aunt and uncle, your brother? Giving into Lydia's demands not a month after such a gift was presented would be a true affront mama."

"Thank you, Kitty," Elizabeth jumped up from her seat before Mrs. Bennet could form an adequate response to the logical argument presented to her by one of her usually inaner daughters. "For your sentiments. You as well Mary. Knowing that the two of you and Jane care for me is a great comfort. Now is you will all excuse me, I am going to return to my room for a short rest…I fear the excitement of the morning has done my head little good."

With that Elizabeth made for the door, barely stumbling as she left the room at a near run. Unfortunately, Elizabeth was still close enough to hear Ms. Bennet's parting exclamation, naming her second daughter 'a clumsy savage'.


11:30am

"Lizzy!" Mrs. Bennet dulcet tones could barely be heard through the heavily insulated walls of Mr. Bennet's study, making the man in question sigh in exasperation as he closed his book.

"What now," Mr. Bennet asked himself as he moved to the door of his library; mentally he began preparing to rescue his daughter from the officious browbeating is wife specialized in.

"Oh my," Mr. Bennet exclaimed as he stumbled back as his target for rescue fell into his arms the moment he opened the study door. "Elizabeth, what…?"

"Shhhh…" Elizabeth hushed, sliding out of her father's arms, moving deeper into the study. "Hide me Papa, please!"

"Of course, dearest," Mr. Bennet gently took hold of Elizabeth's elbow, leading the silently crying girl towards his desk. As the sound of his wife's screeching came closer, Elizabeth expression to grow all the more panicked.

"Swiftly girl," Mr. Bennet whispered. "We will hide you in the gap under my desk, just as you did when you were younger. Now hurry."

Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth managed to get into position just in time. The latter was tucked neatly away under the large wood desk as the former sat comfortably in his lavish reclining desk chair, a book in hand, hiding the girl from view.

"What is it now Mrs. Bennet?" Mr. Bennet sighed loudly, acting decidedly unenthusiastic at his wife's disruption, wincing as the heavy wood door slammed against the study wall.

"Well Mr. Bennet," the man's wife barged into the book-filled room with stunning alacrity, swishing her skirts as she plopped herself on the chair in front of his desk with a distinct puff. "That impertinent child of yours felt it right to back-talk to me during the morning meal. Her manners and dress were absolutely deplorable! I have been trying to locate her ever since she stormed out of the breakfast room to no avail. What that girl needs is a good hiding and lecture! Oh I just know she will be the ruination of us all!"

"Mrs. Bennet, you know full well that I do not allow corporal punishment in my home; that has not changed since Elizabeth was nearly killed nor will it ever!" Mr. Bennet barked, startling Elizabeth who covered her mouth with both hands to prevent her audible shock from being heard. "As for Elizabeth's manners, I seriously doubt they were less decorous than that of your usual favorites so a lecture is therefore unnecessary. Just because Lizzy is now blind, and therefore vulnerable, is no reason for you to attempt to take out your ill humor on her. Now hear me, Mrs. Bennet! If I get even the slightest of inclination that you have laid a hand on any of our daughters – and that includes by proxy – I promise that consequences of such an action will be dire."

Mrs. Bennet paled at her husband's cold revelation. Quickly she agreed, mentally cataloging alternative punishments to inflict on her least disciplined – in her mind – daughter.

"Now go find our youngest child…mayhap you can keep her out of trouble by showing her to weave…you are most certainly an artesian when it comes to your favorite craft." Mr. Bennet dismissed his now hushed spouse. He felt a twinge of guilt for yelling but he said what was needed and was not without conviction to follow through. Even so, Mr. Bennet hoped that it wouldn't come to the terrible idea seeding its way deeper into his thoughts and that his small compliment he paid his wife's talent would be enough to make up for the reprimand.

Once Mrs. Bennet had left the room Elizabeth scooted out from her hiding place and was lifted up by her father, placed precariously onto his lap. Sighing, Elizabeth snuggled into the comfort of Mr. Bennet's chest, the steady sound of his heart and breath relaxing the girl into a lulled state.

"Papa, what did you mean by dire consequences for Mama?" Elizabeth asked a little while later, worrying her lip.

"Nothing child," for now, "it was just a ruse. But if your Mama does hurt you – or any of you girls – you are to tell me immediately, understand?"

"Yes, Papa," the young girl agreed solemnly.

"Now, what shall we do today, hmm?" Mr. Bennet grasped

"Well, as today is Saturday, you have the estate books to look over and Mrs. Hill confided that the Ashems roof has been leaking as of late. Also, Mrs. Melton is suffering from a very bad cold and cannot work. He eldest boy is doing his best to take care of his mother and siblings but there is only so much a thirteen year old boy can do. "

"You will be a fine mistress of an estate in the future, my Lizzy," Mr. Bennet whispered, kissing the top of his daughter's head as he struggled not to project the sadness he felt about his favorite's prospects. Such a future would likely be impossible for Elizabeth due to her 'infirmity'. "However know that I will never let you go unless it is to a man who is truly worthy of you dearest. Now as for the troubles of our tenants, I will see to it that Ashems roof is either patched or completely replaced and will have Hill pack a hearty basket of food and further items, to be filled every other day during the duration of her covalence. Does that satisfy your worries?"

"Yes Papa," Elizabeth smiled. "Now, while you are calculating the estate books, I think I would like to practice my needle-work, as Dr. Jones suggested."

Mr. Bennet quickly accepted Elizabeth's chosen activity – having predicted that she would choose his study to practice the craft in privacy he had had Mrs. Hill place supplies for Elizabeth in his office – assisting, her to the cozy bench that had been added to the room when Elizabeth was a mere toddler. It was stationed underneath the window closest to his usual seat and had the best view of the garden. It was Elizabeth's favorite perch and had been so since it was created.

The two Bennets spent the entire morning in the room, barely moving or speaking unless it was to ask or respond to a question. Mr. Bennet had completed his check of the estate books as swiftly as ever after which he had picked up one of his favorite plays by Shakespeare. Elizabeth spent her time struggling with the activity which she had chosen and had even gotten the hang of using the knitting needles but her ennui grew steadily as the day pressed on.

"That was productive," Mr. Bennet declared as he signed the last page of his documents with a flourish. Elizabeth had given up practicing her needle-work nearly an hour before, shortly after they had eaten the food Mrs. Hill had brought them for a late lunch. Since then she had spent her time tapping her fingers on her upper legs, her eyes closed, occasionally humming some tune or other. "Bored Lizzy?"

"Hmmm?" Elizabeth opened her eyes, glancing in her father's direction. "Bored? Yes, I suppose I am. Better than being frustrated though," Elizabeth continued, glaring at the basket of craft materials she had placed at her feet once she'd become discouraged with the activity.

"In that case, would you like to come with me to the stables?" Mr. Bennet pushed himself up from the wonderfully cushioned desk chair. "I am finished here for today, thank the heavens, and can do with some small exercise."

"Oh Papa, can I really? Thank you!" Elizabeth jumped up and started twirling around with arms widespread wide, until Mr. Bennet gently grasped her shoulders, pulling her to a stop.

"Then to the stables we shall go," Mr. Bennet declared, embracing the giggling child in a tight hug. "Just remember not to over-tax yourself. If you feel tired or weak at all you are to let me know right away, understand?"

"Yes, Papa," Elizabeth agreed through her laughter. 'Finally' the girl thought as Mr. Bennet escorted her away from his study, 'a small measure of freedom!'


It has taken me a long time to get through this chapter. Let me tell you, of all the writing I have done, this portion of the story was the hardest to express. Don't ask me why as it is a fairly mundane chapter, but even so I struggled with it. I imagine that the next two chapter will be the same but after that it should be smooth going…I hope.

As some will notice, I have made Mr. Bennet more conscientious of his daughters' wellbeing…even against his own wife. I am of two minds of what to do with Mrs. Bennet: get rid of her or let her continue being a pain in the ass sub-villain.

Tell me what you think; even if your opinion isn't voiced through this story, I may do so in another. Hope you are enjoying the story and remember to review.

Thanks

-Era

PS: next chapter should be up by the end of next month. Tootles!