Fears of a different sort

Mrs. Bennet, feeling very ill, sends for Mr. Jones. His prognosis lends a new urgency to her actions and new strength to her determination to see each of her daughters well-married... but it also lends surprising weight to her previously vapid character. How might this change the course of P&P?

Longbourn, the Summer of 1809

Fanny Bennet finished arranging her clothing before joining Mr. Jones at her dining room table. Mr. Jones was the local apothecary and the only medical person in the area. He had been a young man when he attended her first childbirth and he had been standing by with each one since, even though Maude Parsons, the midwife, was always the one in charge. Childbirth had never been easy for Fanny, even after five daughters.

Fanny took a seat across from the man. She felt the comforting presence of Mrs. Hill behind her. She had deliberately scheduled this appointment when her husband and two eldest were in London. Then she had sent the other three on various errands. There had been such a dark feeling in her mind of late, most especially whenever the pain became overwhelming. "Please tell me, Mr. Jones?"

Elias Jones had never been a handsome man, but his homely face was well-regarded by all in Meryton, and the kind concern in his eyes had its own value among the unwell. Today, however, that kind concern looked more like sad regret. "Mrs. Bennet... are you certain that you do not want Thomas with you right now?"

"Yes, I am certain. I do not want my husband to make the decisions about what you tell me. I am the one with the pain. So please, Elias, just say it."

"You have a cancer in your stomach. I could feel the lump and the other symptoms fit exactly."

Mrs. Hill had smelling salts ready in her apron pocket, but her mistress remained surprisingly composed. There was a shudder, but no more. "My mother died of the same. It was not fast... nor was it gentle... or easy to watch." Fanny had been thirteen when her mother had taken sick. She was a flighty girl like Lydia and she left the care of her mother in her sister's hands while she played. When her mother died, the guilt of those choices haunted her.

Mrs. Hill normally never interjected herself into the business of her "betters," but she could not remain silent, "Can it not be removed, Mr. Jones?"

The apothecary rubbed his jaw, trying to find the right words, "There are several surgeons in London who have done so, but with very few successes... and almost never when it is in the organs. It is very expensive and with little promise for success."

Without thinking about it, Hill's hand found Fanny's shoulder. Despite the disparity in their stations, the two had become something like friends over the years. Fanny responded by placing one of her hands over the rougher one on her shoulder, but her eyes never left Mr. Jones. "I will not seek surgery, Mr. Jones. Can you tell me... how long?"

The man sighed, "Based upon everything that you have told me about your symptoms, you might have six months or you may endure for two years. I know of your mother's case from the files that Mr. Lang passed down to me. Every case is different, but if yours is similar to hers, then you may achieve the latter... but the last months..."

He could not finish, so Fanny finished for him, "The last months will be terrible."

~oOo~

In the society that prevailed at the time, Fanny did not even think to ask Mr. Jones to conceal the truth from her husband. The man was the head of the family and the ruler of his house. Mr. Bennet became more attentive to his wife, but when she tried to speak with him about earthly concerns, he quickly shut her off. It was as Fanny had feared.

For the first time in a long time, Fanny Bennet took a long, hard look at her daughters. Jane was a dear, sweet young woman, but she seemed ridiculously innocent to the ways of the world. Lizzy had always been difficult for Fanny to understand, but now she appreciated the girl's intelligence and strength of character... only she worried that the girl was too quick to rush to judgment. Though both were quite above the common in beauty, neither of them were particularly accomplished. Mary was more accomplished, but she seemed lost in a family where she did not fit. Fanny now recognized the girl's odd fixation on preaching at her sisters as a bid for attention. This is my fault. Kitty seemed to have the same desire for attention, but she found it by following her younger sister around... a situation which Fanny now saw as unhealthy for both. Lydia... was much as she herself had been: flighty, self-centered, and sometimes cruel in her treatment of others. There is much work to be done. I cannot do this by myself.

Fanny often resented the way that her two eldest daughters attached themselves to her brother's wife. Now she realized that Jane and Elizabeth craved something that she had never given them. Madeline Gardiner was genteel, soft-spoken, cultured, and wise. Despite the occasional jealousy, Fanny had also often welcomed the Gardiner's visits. Whenever they came, Fanny had monopolized her sister-in-law's time. Now she needed the younger woman more than ever.

A letter was written and sent. A week later the entire Gardiner family arrived. Fanny had only asked for Madeline, but when Edward heard the news, he could not remain behind. This gratified Fanny more than she expected since she had not been kind to her brother in their younger years. I will have to apologize, but first I must speak with Madeline.

The presence of their lively younger cousins was a useful distraction for the Bennet girls, so Fanny was afforded time with her sister. Fanny spoke at length about her concerns and her plans. Madeline was both pleasantly and regretfully surprised at the older woman's thoughtfulness. If only she had arrived at this point years ago. I only hope that it is not too little and too late.

The visit lasted for a week full. Fanny and Madeline remained cloistered together much of that time, inviting Edward Gardiner in occasionally to deal with matters which required a man's intervention. Jane and Elizabeth... but Elizabeth most of all... began to feel resentful of their aunt's time. Then the two matrons called in the three eldest Bennet daughters.

There were many tears and hugs, Once the initial shock was over, Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary were impressed with the amount of planning that their mother had done with their aunt. Shocking her mother, Mary raised the first objection, "Mama... I agree that Kitty and Lydia should go to school... but please do not send me away. I want to be with you when... when you need me... if you should want me...?"

Fanny rapidly pulled her unsure daughter into her arms, "Oh, my dear Mary, I am so sorry if I ever made you feel unwanted. Please know that I love you dearly and will always want you by my side. I also want what is best for your future... but if you would rather share the tutors we will hire for Jane and Lizzy, then so be it."

Mary cried again, great racking sobs. Fanny held her close even though her stomach began to hurt from the effort. When the others saw the strain in her face, they had Fanny lay down and all four left the room. Madeline, feeling that they needed to continue speaking together, led the three out of the house for a walk. Though only Elizabeth was a great walker, all four found themselves atop Oakham Mount.

"Well then, girls, there is much to be done. Your uncle has already sent for tutors for you and they shall arrive next week. We are awaiting letters from the schools for Kitty and Lydia... since Mary will remain at home. A nurse will be added to the staff as well and she will train each of you on how to care for your mother when she is not available. Your mother argued about the necessity, but I convinced her that you would feel better if you could help. You will all be mothers some day and a mother is a nurse to her children, regardless of her station... excepting those types who take no care for their children... which I hope that you will never be.

"Jane, when the new year dawns, you will join us in London for a season. No, please do not object. I know... and your mother knows... that you would rather attend to her, but she wished to see you all well-married. She fears that your father will do nothing on the matter after she passes. I know that her past efforts have been... cloying... but she also understands the realities of this world: a woman of genteel birth has no other recourse but marriage for her security."

"We understand," Elizabeth answered for the rest, "And we will work to become more accomplished... but that still ignores the matter of our dowries."

"Edward... your uncle has managed to convince you father to invest your mother's five-thousand with him. This will have much better returns than the four-percents. That will still not be much. The first interest will all go to Jane's dowry, then Lizzy's, and so on down the line.

"What you must do now is apply yourselves to the absolute best of your abilities. Your dowries will do little to attract a man, so it will be your character and accomplishments which must carry the burden. Your uncle and I will keep in contact and do all that we can to aid in your progress. This will not be easy on any of you. Your uncle remembers his mother's decline even though he was denied the same access to her rooms as his sisters... but you must be strong for your mother's sake."

Schools were found for both Kitty and Lydia. The schools were separate so that each would have a chance to grow. Great care had been taken to choose places that would nurture Kitty's timid spirit and gently control and guide Lydia's boisterous nature. There was great weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth, but eventually the girls were installed in their new places of learning.

The girls were well pleased with their tutors. The music teacher was well accomplished in voice, harp, and pianoforte, so she was able to work with all three elder daughters. Mary would never have a voice for singing, but she improved greatly on the pianoforte. Jane did have a beautiful voice, but she would never feel comfortable singing in public. The harp, on the other hand, allowed her to immerse herself and focus on the instrument, not her surroundings. Elizabeth found it the hardest of the three to apply herself, but her character would not allow her to break a promise. She spent two hours daily on the pianoforte and improved greatly, but it was with singing that she found the most pleasure.

Their language tutor was a young minister, Mr. Jensen, who spoke and wrote French, Spanish, and Italian. He had recently taken a position as a curate at St. Albans while he waited for his own promised living. While Jane and Elizabeth both did relatively well with their language studies, Mary learned very quickly. She also began to become quite interested in Mr. Jensen... and he with her. It was soon assumed by one and all that he would propose once the living he was waiting for came open.

Fanny watched her daughters with pride even as her own health declined. Thomas Bennet spent less time in his book room now and more time with her. She did not know if it was concern for her health or the fact that she was now quieter. Perhaps it was a little of both. She took a slow, steady, and determined approach to changing her husband's attitude about his daughters. Where her shrill pronouncements drove him away, this gentler approach slowly led to improvements. Edward Gardiner had taken on some of the financial burden for tutors. Now Thomas insisted upon doing it all himself. The marriage that both had craved finally came to pass, even if it was only for a short time.

Jane had a successful season, albeit short. Albert Tanner, a wealthy young gentleman with his own estate had met her at the very first ball and had pursued her relentlessly in the following weeks. It was not a difficult effort, since she was just as taken with the young man as he was with her. Fanny had to rely on her friends and family to plan the wedding, but she was there for the service.

Meryton Church, 1810

Fitzwilliam Darcy had reluctantly attended his friend's wedding. Country weddings were often rustic and dangerous for a single man of wealth, since every mother in the church was thinking of their own daughters and their prospects. He was pleased to find the setting to be tastefully arranged. Though he was eyed by several mothers and daughters, he was mostly left alone.

While at the church, Darcy became aware of the bride's mother being almost carried in by her husband. Then he observed the great care and concern lavished upon her by two very pretty daughters while the eldest exchanged vows with his friend. The scene made him remember his own mother's decline and death. All of his previous haughtiness and judgmental attitude fled at that moment.

At the wedding breakfast, Mrs. Bennet had only lingered for the first toast before having to withdraw to her bed. Darcy witnessed the unshed tears in the beautiful eyes of the second eldest, the one named "Lizzy". He was never a forward man when it came to young women, but at that moment all that he could think of was to offer some comfort. "Miss Bennet... if I may...?" He extended a handkerchief to the young lady and she looked up at him in surprise. "Thank you, Mr. Darcy." Their introduction had been brief and somewhat cold, so this solicitous action had not been expected.

Darcy almost lost himself in her remarkably fine eyes, but then he found his voice, "I do not know how to say this, Miss Bennet. I have never been gifted with words... but I have been where you are now... with my own beloved mother... so if there is anything...?"

The tears flowed from Elizabeth then, but Darcy moved so that his large form blocked her from being seen by others in the room. His handkerchief was thoroughly soaked by the time she composed herself and found her voice, "Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I am more grateful than you can know. We... I... am just glad that she was able to see Jane's wedding. I fear that she will miss all of the rest, should they come to pass."

"If it is any comfort, I lost my mother when I was twelve, but I have felt her with me when I graduated from Eton, and later at Cambridge. I know that she looks down on my sister and me from Heaven even now."

Elizabeth looked up into the kind eyes of this very handsome man and nodded, "It is a comfort, Sir. But please, let us talk no more on this. I am neglecting my duties as the eldest unmarried daughter and I must get my emotions under control."

Darcy nodded and bowed, allowing her to leave to attend to those aforementioned tasks. Throughout the remainder of that morning he was never far away from her and their eyes often met. He was one of the last to depart after the bride and groom. Elizabeth Bennet gratefully agreed to welcome his visits if he came again. When he left, his handkerchief remained behind in her possession.

Fanny faded quickly after Jane's wedding. Kitty and Lydia had returned for the summer, lingered for Jane's wedding, and now had to watch their mother's decline. School had done much for both girls and they spent many hours sharing stories with their attentive mother. The girls were asleep and only Mr. Bennet was in attendance when Fanny breathed her last.

Darcy had been unable to attend Mrs. Bennet's funeral since he was tied up in estate matters far to the north, but he sent an express with his condolences. By that time he had paid two visits to Longbourn and met Elizabeth once at her sister's new home. As soon as his business at Pemberley had settled however, he made a rapid trip south to Longbourn. Mr. Bennet was quite distraught at the loss of his wife, so Darcy took a room at the inn and did what he could to aid Elizabeth in estate matters. Her mourning state did not allow for much interaction, but what there was did much to strengthen ties which were already growing.

Duty and propriety soon called Mr. Darcy to London, but he corresponded with Elizabeth through her father. Mr. Bennet was amused, knowing that his wife would never forgive him if he allowed mourning for her to prevent a promising match for one of her daughters. The past year with Fanny had done much to restore the love they had shared at the beginning. Seeing that young man and his Lizzy working so hard to keep his estate working also convicted him. When Mr. Darcy departed, Mr. Bennet left his study and began to work for his estate and family.

Mr. Jensen rode up to Longbourn on a December day in 1810 to announce that he had received the promised living in Liverpool. Though he had to depart immediately, Mr. Bennet allowed the young man to secure an understanding with his Mary. Though she was still in mourning and would have to wait to marry, her future was secure.

Mr. Darcy continued to make the twenty-four mile trip to Longbourn from London once a month at least, though he did gain relief from the journey when Elizabeth went to stay with Jane. She was still in mourning, so they could not attend events together, but in the safety of the Tanner's townhome, the young couple spoke of books and politics and any other subject which came to mind. By the time her year of mourning had passed, Elizabeth was very happily engaged to her tall and handsome suitor.

Afterward

Mr. Jensen was wedded to Mary only two days after the mourning period ended. By their own choice, their wedding was simple. Two hours later the happy couple departed for Liverpool to begin their lives together.

Fitzwilliam Darcy married Elizabeth Bennet in the summer of 1811. Georgiana Darcy, his younger sister, had been pushing to go to Ramsgate for the summer, but when she learned of her brother's successful suit, she happily threw herself into helping plan the wedding instead. She had met a much improved Kitty and Lydia months before and the three were instant friends.

Mrs. Younge, Georgiana's companion, managed to rub all of the remaining Bennet girls the wrong way. There was something shifty about her actions and words. Lydia and Kitty were walking one day and also witnessed a very clandestine and compromising meeting between the woman and a handsome man.

After a brief talk with Mr. Darcy, the woman was dismissed. Only Darcy recognized the man's description. After that there were always an extra footman or two kept around Georgiana, Kitty, and Lydia. He also hired several investigators to find and detain his childhood friend turned enemy. When George Wickham learned of the search, he stole Mrs. Younge's little remaining jewelry and fled to the New World, never to be heard from again.

Elizabeth Darcy met the Bingley's several times at the Darcy's home in London. She liked the young Charles, but was unimpressed with the rest of his family. Caroline Bingley clearly thought that she should have had Elizabeth's current position. Since Elizabeth was very aware of her husband's true feelings about Miss Bingley, she found the whole matter more amusing than annoying.

When she learned that Charles Bingley was looking for an estate to lease, she chose not to inform him about Netherfield Park. The neighborhood didn't need any Carolines.

Back at Longbourn Thomas Bennet was carrying on numbly until the unwelcome and uninvited visit of his distant cousin and heir presumptive, Mr. William Collins. The man had the audacity to suggest that his two remaining daughters be brought back from school so that he could choose between them for his wife. Then he irritated Thomas when he suggested that the estate should be turned over now rather than later, since the man was clearly declining.

Mr. Collins was sent home with a bug in his ear, but his irritating visit had one positive effect. Before her death, Fanny had urged, even begged her husband to re-marry so that the estate would remain in Bennet hands. He had not even entertained the idea until his cousins visit. Now Thomas began to quietly look around. He found his answer surprisingly close to home in the person of Miss Charlotte Lucas. She had been an older friend and wise counselor to his daughters. He had often been impressed with her wisdom and calm presence. And she was past the foolishness of youth.

Charlotte was quite shocked by Mr. Bennet's suit, but he was still a very handsome, intelligent man with fine prospects. As soon as she was certain that neither Jane nor Eliza would object, she happily allowed herself to be courted. They were married on November 26th of 1811. By the end of the following year Charlotte had given her husband the first of three boys. She had always tried to claim that she was not romantic, but the second marriage of Thomas Bennet was filled with love and felicity.

Catherine (Kitty), Georgiana, and Lydia shared a season together. They all married quite well and very happily.

From Heaven, Fanny Bennet looked down upon them all with pride and joy.