Ooops or Consequence & Consequences Chapter 10, a pride and prejudice fanfic

It seems Mrs B has surprised many of you. 😊

I often thought that in her circumstances – 5 daughters, and entailed estate, an indolent husband, no education appropriate for a gentlewoman – she would be panic stricken much of the time. Perhaps her 'nerves' which often confined her to her room, might be her way of escaping a difficult situation, with which she did not know how to cope.

By the time of the story, Jane, her most beautiful daughter, was already 22 – practically on the shelf. It is not surprising that Mrs B was frantically trying to encourage her suitors. It was badly done, but she did not know any better.

In this story I am trying to show this, and her eagerness to improve, once she has the chance. After all, the one person who could have helped her in the past, had been too indolent to bother.

I hope you enjoy the changes.

In case you wondered, the Consequence part of the title also referred to Darcy's insult about 'giving consequence to ladies slighted…'

Thanks to the guest who suggested 'Consequence' as a title. I just took it a step further and could not resist the pun.

btw just a reminder. This is a first, unedited, draft.

~~~o0o~~~

Dinner in the Barrington household was a cheerful, albeit somewhat noisy, affair. Elizabeth and Jane, as well as the Duke, were bombarded with questions.

Jane and Elizabeth took turns answering questions about the house and the neighbourhood. Their mother was torn when she found out that her daughters had managed to only get the essential rooms ready for occupation. While it was exciting to think that she had this house to decorate, the prospect of the sheer size of the project was intimidating.

Although she did perk up when Jane mentioned the Carltons. Or more precisely their three unmarried sons. She was about to break into effusions, when a light touch on her wrist distracted her.

The Duchess had requested that Lady Sophia sit at her right. Now that lady smiled gently and commented, 'there is no need to rush into anything. Your daughters will have their pick of eligible gentlemen of the first circles, if they so choose.'

The Duchess blinked as she absorbed that statement, then sighed. 'I wonder how long it will take me to get used to the idea that my daughters will have security no matter what happens. But you are correct, for the daughters of a Duke, only the best gentlemen will do.'

Lady Sophia chuckled quietly. 'While there is no rush for your daughters to make their choices, I have to tell you that Lord Carlton's sons are amongst the best they are likely to find. But I recommend you leave them to make up their own minds. I mean your daughters as well as the gentlemen. I only wanted you to know that if any of those gentlemen call on any of your daughters, you have no need to worry.'

'I appreciate the reassurance.'

'What shops are there in the village? If we are now Ladies, we need to dress the part. I must have at least seven new bonnets. A different one for each day of the week.' Lydia's voice cut across the conversation.

'Since you will find the selection in the local shops sadly lacking, you will have to wait until you get to London to buy new bonnets.' The Duke told his daughter with twinkling eyes. Although he did not mention that it would be at least two years before she would have a chance to go to town.

Elizabeth was concerned when she heard his response, until she noticed the suppressed humour. Lydia, on the other hand, did not notice that her father forgot to mention a timeframe. Instead, she waxed lyrical about all the things she would buy as soon as she reached London.

~~~o0o~~~

The Duchess watched all her daughters carefully. During her earlier discussion with her husband, he had pointed out that Lydia's behaviour was inappropriate even for the daughter of a gentleman, for the daughter of a Duke it was worse, since they were expected to adhere to higher standards.

Now that she was slowly coming to accept the reality of their new position, and the security that went with it, she was able, for the first time, to evaluate their daughters' behaviour objectively.

Jane and Elizabeth both behaved with decorum. Jane was sweet and serene as always. Lizzy, the Duchess realised, was lively in her own way, but always stayed within the bounds of propriety.

Mary was surly, even though she was trying to hide it. Kitty was generally quiet except when Lydia provoked a response.

And what of Lydia, whom she had always indulged and encouraged to be lively? For the first time the Duchess saw her favourite daughter the way other people saw her… as loud, brash and selfish.

She suddenly felt ashamed, but also a little resentful. Her husband must have known that Lydia's behaviour was abysmal, but he had not stopped it. But after a minute's thought, honesty forced her to admit that there had been times when he had tried to curtail both their behaviours, but she had shouted him down, by complaining about her nerves.

While she had been nervous about their situation…

No, she told herself firmly. There was no point in belabouring what might have happened, and who had a bigger share of the blame.

That situation was finished. They all had a new beginning and this time she had support, not only from her husband, but also Jane and Elizabeth, as well as Lady Sophia. All these ladies were determined to help her succeed.

But to succeed, she had to rein in her youngest daughter and attempt to correct the mistakes of the past. But dinner was not the time to start an argument.

Instead, she turned to Elizabeth, and complimented her. 'My dear, I have been meaning to congratulate you on your achievements in making the house so welcoming. Your father told me about the state of the rooms when he was here but three weeks ago. You have achieved a small miracle.'

Elizabeth was pleased at the recognition. While Jane and Lady Sophia had helped, she had been the driving force behind the work. She smiled at her mother and explained quietly, 'it is amazing how much you can achieve, when you throw enough money at it. I thought about freshening up the Mistress' suite, but since it was in good condition, decided that I would not usurp your pleasure in fixing it to your liking.'

'Considering, what a wonderful job you did on the rest, I am certain it would have been delightful. Although I thank you for the consideration.'

Elizabeth blushed with pleasure at the honest compliment. It seemed that after twenty years, she and her mother were at last coming to appreciate each other.

~~~o0o~~~

After dinner Mrs Gardiner took her children upstairs and put them to bed in the bedroom next to their suite. When she returned, Lydia was just asking a question.

'Now that you are a Duchess, and we have this big house, when are we going to throw a ball?'

The Duke answered the question. 'We will throw a ball in March, when we are in town.'

'In March? Good. That give me plenty of time to have a new ballgown made.'

'You will not be getting a new ballgown, Lydia.'

'But I must have a new gown to look my best. I am certain there will be officers aplenty for me to choose from.'

'You will not need a gown, Lydia, because you will not attend.'

'Of course, I will attend. Where else would I be when my own father gives a ball. I will be the belle of the ball.'

'No, Lydia. You will not attend, because you will be in the schoolroom until you learn to behave with propriety and have learned some accomplishments.'

'I do not need accomplishments. I am beautiful and lively. Just ask Mama.'

'Lydia, as the daughter of a Duke and Duchess, you need to have manners and some accomplishments. Without them I would be embarrassed to have you appear in civilised society,' the Duchess advised, to Lydia's surprise.

'But Mama, you always said that you liked me being lively.'

'At the time, I did not know that your father would be a Duke, and I thought your lively ways would attract a husband for you. But the situations has changed. Now that we do know, you will learn not to embarrass us again.'

'Again? I have never embarrassed you. When have I ever behaved improperly?'

'I can mention at least three occasions just tonight,' observed Lady Sophia casually. 'If it were up to me, you would not be in the schoolroom, you would be in the nursery. You have not even mastered basic manners. I have seen four year old children behave better than you do. I have spoken to your parents, and have offered to take you in hand until you are ready for a governess.'

'Until I am ready…' spluttered Lydia. 'What do you think I need now?'

'A nurse and leading-strings.'

Lydia jumped to her feet, leant forward aggressively with her fists on her hips, and screamed while stamping her foot. 'You take that back. I am not a child. I am the daughter of a Duke and you will apologise this instant.'

Kitty gasped at the venom in Lydia's tone and shrank back into her chair.

Lady Sophia raised an eyebrow, while looking Lydia up and down with a disdainful expression. She elegantly rose to her feet, and despite Lydia's height, the lady looked down on her with a cold expression. 'You have just proven my point. You are not fit to be in adult society.'

She strolled unhurriedly to the sideboard and rang the bell. When a servant entered, she politely requested, 'please send two footmen to escort Miss Lydia to the nursery, and ensure that she does not abscond.'

'Who are you to order me about? As the daughter of a Duke, I am Lady Lydia. I expect you to address me as such.'

'You may be the daughter of a Duke, but you do not act like a lady, therefore you do not deserve this courtesy title. Until you learn to behave with courtesy as a lady is supposed to, you will be called Miss Lydia.'

'Mama, you cannot let her order me about. Who is she to give me orders?'

'I am sorry, Lydia. I have done you a disservice… not only letting you run wild, but encouraging your behaviour. It has been brought home to me that ladies do not act in such a fashion. Lady Sophia has agreed to teach you propriety.' The Duchess said sadly.

'La, you cannot make me do anything I do not want to do. After all Papa wants his peace, and I will scream the house down, if you do this to me.' Lydia smiled triumphantly.

The Duke sighed, but spoke calmly. 'Lydia, this may have worked at Longbourn. But not only am I determined that this time you will heed my instructions, Barrington is a much larger house. It was designed in such a way that the Master of the house is not disturbed by anything going on in the nursery. You can scream as much as you like, but nobody will hear you.'

Lydia gaped at her father in horror. Her tantrums, and even her threats of tantrums, had always worked. But this time, her father appeared to be completely unmoved. Well, she would show him. She opened her mouth to scream, when the footmen, who had been called, picked her up and carried her out of the drawing room.

Lydia was too stunned to fight the men until the door was shut. Although she started to struggle at that point, the men were completely unmoved. Mrs Darrow escorted them up the stairs to the nursery.

This suite of rooms had been given basic amenities by Elizabeth, in case of need, but there was not a single luxury. There was also nothing breakable in the room.

~~~o0o~~~

Back in the drawing room the Duchess turned to Kitty. 'My dear, you always follow Lydia. Will you do so this time, or are you prepared to learn?' she asked quietly.

'I would like to learn, but I do not know what to do.' Kitty looked around in confusion. She had followed Lydia, because her sister was the only one in the family who had paid real attention to her. She was not used to being the centre of attention.

'I will be happy to teach you,' said Lady Sophia. She silently congratulated Elizabeth for knowing her sisters as well as she did. Elizabeth had advised that once Lydia was out of the way, Kitty would be easily led into better behaviour. It might take her a while to learn, but learn she would. 'Your sisters tell me that they too are willing to help you.'

'I am sorry that we have ignored you so much of the time…' Jane did not know how to tell her sister that she had become tired of her advice being ignored, without making it sound like an excuse.

The Duchess, who had been thinking about her daughters since her arrival, interjected. 'Jane, you tried to tell your sisters that their behaviour was unacceptable, but they would not listen to you because I encouraged them to behave badly. It should not have been your responsibility to instruct your sisters, and I do not blame you for giving up, since much of it was my fault. Kitty, Lady Sophia will help all of us to become accomplished ladies.'

'I certainly hope not. I have no wish to turn into an accomplished lady,' the Duke quipped, lightening the atmosphere.

Kitty looked around the room at all her family, who smiled at her. Suddenly she felt hopeful that the future would be better. At least Lydia would not be allowed to steal her bonnets any more.

~~~o0o~~~