A/N
Chapter 9. After interactions between the sisters, how could I leave Mrs B : )). To be honest I had hoped to put only the discussion about Mary and then the start of the picnic in this chapter. I had put an allusion to Mrs Masters in Ch 2 β a reason for Mrs B's fears... and thought to leave it at that. But a few of you had still mentioned that if Mrs B was already aware about Mary and Collins why was she forcing E to accept him... So, I decided to go the whole hog! I know many of you will still not find it satisfactory but I believe it was very much possible and... justified her behaviour in some ways.
As usual will appreciate your thoughts on this instalment, especially about Mrs B and her compulsions :)) And thank you so very much for all the feedback, suggestions, and encouragement!
Finally, Thank you so much Lisa for the kind help π
A Little Magic Chapter 9'Mary made my choice awfully easy.' Elizabeth smiled as she kept the green gown back in the wardrobe, feeling quite pleased with the instructive talk she had just had with her sister. She had just bent to blow out the taper for the night when there was another knock at her door. She opened it to find her mother standing outside. A frisson of unease went down her spine. 'Now what?'
"What is it, Mama? I hope everything is well?" she asked in concern.
"Yes... yes, everything is well. I just want to talk to you regarding a very important matter, Lizzy, let me come in."
Mrs Bennet came inside as Elizabeth moved away from the door. She sat on the place Mary had occupied only a little while ago and began without preamble, "I hope you noticed that Mr Collins has finally come to his senses and..."
'No thanks to you, Mama.' Elizabeth's lips tightened in anger but she refrained from giving vent to her feelings.
"...Has started courting Mary as he should have from the beginning. I... I will be frank and confess that I had given up on it... but now I can only thank the one who is behind this miracle..."
"Whatever do you mean, Mama? Who do you think is behind Mr Collin's change of heart?" Elizabeth asked in surprise. All the sisters had been so surprised by Mr Collins volte-face. Even she β who had heard the truth straight from the horse's mouth - had found it a difficult to comprehend the reality, and here Mama appeared to know everything!
"Who else... but Mr Darcy? Really, Lizzy I would have thought that someone as intelligent as you would have seen what is right in front of your nose."
"I am so sorry to have disappointed you, Mama, but why on earth do you think that Mr Darcy would involve himself in Mr Collins' affairs?" Elizabeth asked, feeling quite astonished at her mother's perspicacity. Jane and she knew Mr Darcy's reasons, still, the events of today seemed a little surreal. In such a scenario, Mama's know it all attitude was frankly quite unbelievable and... off putting.
"To remove the competition, of course." Mrs Bennet said slowly, as if talking to a person who lacked intellect. And for a moment, Elizabeth found it difficult to blame her as she indeed felt very slow-witted.
"Remove competition... what competition?" she asked stupidly.
"Competition for your affection, Lizzy. Where have your wits gone abegging?" Mrs Bennet asked, beginning to show signs of irritation.
Elizabeth stared at her mother. "M... my affection? You really cannot be serious, Mama," she asked in amazement. "I will grant you that Mr Darcy has been behaving in an uncharacteristically friendly manner since yesterday, but you can hardly take that as a sign of his undying affection for me! I would like to remind you that only last morning you were reminding me of his disdain while encouraging me to accept Mr Collins."
This time her resentment was evident and Mrs Bennet gazed at her for a long moment, then sighed. "Obviously, I was wrong, Lizzy. After his rude comments at the assembly, I for onecould not imagine that Mr Darcy would ignore the lack of attributes most gentlemen consider important in their brides-to-be. However, it seems he is well able to do so and is one of those rare gentlemen of the ton who appreciate a woman with a mind as sharp as his own." Mrs Bennet paused then added sotto voce, "And an even sharper tongue."
Quite unable to decide whether to take her mother's comments as a compliment or an insult, Elizabeth wisely chose to ignore them. Instead, she registered her objection. "You cannot conclude that he is partial to me just because he is suddenly being nice and friendly. That is the least one can expect of a gentleman!"
"But Lizzy, it is not just a matter of being friendly. On the day of the ball, apart from Mr Bingley's sisters, he danced only with you β I believe that shows his partiality. As does the fact that today he especially came to enquire about your wellbeing just as he had promised. I suppose he was slow to realize his own heart. But yesterday, when he somehow came to know that he might lose you to Mr Collins, he decided to throw caution to the winds. Not only did he manage to warn Mr Collins away from you but is now being more open in his attentions to you."
'If Mama ever tries her hand at writing gothic novels, she can give Mrs Radcliffe a run for her money,' was the first irreverent thought that came to Elizabeth's mind as she listened open-mouthed to her mother's fanciful notions. Elizabeth was quite unable to understand why Mr Darcy had changed so suddenly, but it really could not be for the unlikely reason Mama was suggesting. 'Could it?' Elizabeth thought uneasily as she once again remembered the warm, teasing look in his eyes and her own disappointment when Mr Bingley had interrupted their conversation. 'No... no, of course not. I am unnecessarily letting Mama's delusions affect me in this manner.'
Having come to the reassuring conclusion she started to wonder whether she should tell her mother the real reason why Mr Darcy had guided Mr Collins towards Mary, when Mrs Bennet interrupted her musings, "I am very glad, Lizzy, that you are now being more open and warm towards Mr Darcy, however, that was not what I came to discuss with you." Elizabeth waited in silence and was soon enlightened.
"I believe that Mr Collins has finally come to a most commendable decision β he and Mary have quite a few things in common. I also believe that Mary would be more contented with him than you would have ever been." Mrs Bennet paused for a breath, and Elizabeth realized that it was as close to an apology she would receive for an attempt to force her to accept a lifetime of unhappiness.
But then, we all are aware of the almost enervating fear of hedgerows which has been dictating Mama's actions for many years,' she thought with a philosophical shrug, even as Mrs Bennet finally came to the point of her visit.
"I feel certain that he would now stick to his decision - but just to... to ensure that he indeed does so, I need your help."
Elizabeth raised a puzzled brow. "I do not understand... what can I do to ensure that, Mama?"
"I... can you somehow convince Mary to take a little more care with her appearance? I tried telling her about it a year ago - and was given a very long lecture on how God sees inner beauty and not outer embellishments." Elizabeth could not help but chuckle at her mother's expression of long suffering.
Mrs Bennet released a deep sigh, and added, "Unfortunately for Mary, we are not dealing with God at the moment - but one of His flocks - and from whatever I have understood of Mr Collins, it would definitely help Mary if her inner beauty is bolstered by some outer embellishments!"
"Hmm..." Elizabeth nodded as she finally understood her mother's concern.
"I have come seeking your help because I believe that more than Jane, you would be able to convince Mary of this fact."
Elizabeth smiled wryly. "I believe that I do not need to do any convincing, Mama. It seems there is some innate feminine instinct in all women which raises its head most conveniently when it is needed the most. And presently, that is the case with our Mary... at least I happen to believe so."
"What are you saying, Lizzy? Please speak clearly," Mrs Bennet asked in confusion.
"Mary was here with me, just before you came. While we were talking, I noticed her interest in one of my gowns β a sunny, yellow one at that β for the first time since the Lord knows when. Expectedly, she demurred when I suggested that she wear it for the picnic β but it was not really difficult to overcome her objections," Elizabeth replied, and the mother
and the daughter shared a pleased look.
"I believe that it was easy to convince her only because of the feminine instinct I mentioned, she... she wanted to be convinced. She has even agreed to allow me to dress her hair tomorrow morning."
"Oh, that is a wonderful news, Lizzy," Mrs Bennet exclaimed, much pleased with the intelligence.
"Hmm... yes... and after my talk with her, I feel certain that she and Mr Collins both are going to be quite content with his decision of today. So, please do not worry too much on that account." Elizabeth tried to lay her mother's doubts at rest.
"I cannot tell you how relieved I am to hear that. You are a good sister, Lizzy," Mrs Bennet gently patted Elizabeth on her back and got up to leave. "I believe whatever happened today has happened for the best and it is all because of Mr Darcy. I can never thank him enough for what he did today for us all... " Mrs Bennet added with a pleased smile.
Elizabeth could no longer bring herself to feel any astonishment at one more person doing a complete volte-face in less than a day. She observed her mother's face, who appeared visibly happy with how the things had turned out and could not stop herself from asking something that had been nagging her ever since her mother started talking. "Mama?"
"Hmm?"
"If... if you believed that Mary and Mr Collins are so well suited to each other, then... then... why were you pressing me to accept him?"
Mrs Bennet's face lost its smile and with a sigh, she sat down once again. "Because I did not want to antagonize Mr Collins, Lizzy. He had asked to address Jane at first, but because of Mr Bingley, I turned down his request. His interest then settled on you, and he enquired if you were free to be courted β you were, and I had no reason to lie. I suppose you are not so naΓ―ve that you do not understand why he selected you and not Mary when he made his second choice? I did not want to deny his request a second time... I was afraid that...
"Ah...yes... you and your fear of the hedgerows... who does not know about it?" Elizabeth burst out; her words full of bitterness.
"If only it was the hedgerows, Lizzy."
Elizabeth had fully expected a tongue lashing after her disrespectful words and was therefore disconcerted by the soft almost sad words.
"What do you mean, Mama?" She finally asked, after a long moment of uncomfortable silence.
"I wish to God that it never happens but suppose my worst fears were to come true one of these days. How do you think we all are going to survive, Lizzy, without even a roof over our heads? We are six of us - Edward and my brother Phillips are good, kind men, but do you think either of them will be able to support us all? And even if they do so for a while, how long do you think we can reasonably burden them in this manner?"
"We... we will contrive somehow. We... I... I can find work..."
"Of course, you would want us all to go into servitude rather than be the future mistress of Longbourn," Elizabeth winced at the sarcasm, but still felt that servitude was better than being a sacrificial lamb for the mistakes of others, and the unkindness of fate.
"And pray, as what?" Mrs Bennet asked but did not give time to Elizabeth to form a coherent answer. "Do you know the most common type of 'work' which women do when they have fallen on hard times, especially when they do not have any specialized skills?"
"Mama!" Elizabeth exclaimed, horrified, both at the implication, and the angry fear in her mother's words.
"Do you remember Samantha Masters?"
Elizabeth blinked at the sudden change in the subject. "What..." she began, then changed her mind when she saw Mrs Bennet's expression. "She... she was the wife of the vicar, Mr Masters. I think it is now nearly five years since Mr Masters died and she and her daughter, Peggy went away to stay with some relatives. Why... why are you asking about her now?" Elizabeth asked, although suddenly, she was not so sure that she wanted to know the answer.
"There were no relatives... or perhaps none who willing to help her and Peggy. I am not sure which. I received one letter from her after she went away. She wrote that she was trying to secure a place for herself but it was not easy to find one where Peggy could also come with her. After that there was no contact with her, and I did not know what happened to her - until nearly six months later. You remember Jane and I had gone to London just before her come out?"
"Yes... yes... Aunt Madeline had offered to get a few dresses made for her in London."
"Yes... One day weβ Madeline, Jane, and I - had gone to Edward's warehouse to select some dress material. As I got down from the carriage, I noticed a woman near the docks - not very far from where our carriage had stopped. She stood talking to a man and looked very much like Samantha β although much thinner and... and impoverished. I pointed her out to Madeline and declared my intention to go and meet her." Mrs Bennet paused for breath and gave a humourless smile before continuing with her tale.
"Imagine my surprise when after one look at Samantha and her companion, Madeline advised me against it - especially since Jane was with us. I could not believe what Madeline was implying and ignoring her advice hailed Samantha. On hearing my shout, the woman looked towards me β it was indeed Samantha - but she pretended not to know me. Before I could make a move towards her, she and her companion climbed inside a carriage nearby. As I stood rooted to my place in shock, their carriage passed in front of me, and my eyes met hers through the window glass - only for a moment. But I will never forget the look her in eyes, Lizzy, never β for they confirmed what Madeline had insinuated." With a vague gesture of helplessness Mrs Bennet finally fell quiet. Feeling too upset to respond, Elizabeth waited silently for her mother continue.
"I have never talked about it to anyone in Meryton before now β not even your father - because I could not bring myself to demean Samantha. Though, I could not tell him the reason, I have often asked your father since that day to see if he could make some provisions for you all, but he... he... could never think of an effective way. The only solution I could come up was to have the most well-dressed, well-groomed daughters in the town, and allow all of you to make a come out as soon possible.
It is nearly five years since Jane made her come out and since then I have continually prayed and hoped that at least one of you would make a good match, but my prayers went unanswered β until now. So, when Mr Collins requested for the permission to address you, Lizzy, I could not take the risk of denying him for the second time. Because I was afraid that he might get offended and decide not to offer for any of you." Elizabeth still felt unable to say anything and could only stare mutely at her mother.
"You may not believe me, but I am truly glad that Mr Darcy's intervention has caused Mr Collins to direct his attentions towards Mary. I will also try my best to ensure he sticks to his decision. However, I have to confess that if I had to do this all over again β I would again make the same decision because I just cannot risk the security of a roof on all our heads."
In the ensuing silence, Mrs Bennet got up and moved towards the door. "I know you are angry with me, Lizzy, and I can understand. But I also hope that someday, when you have children of your own... then... you will understand and will be able to forgive me." She gave a rueful smile to Elizabeth and then closed the door behind her as she went out.
~~~Β§~~~
For quite some time after her mother had left, Elizabeth found it difficult to even get up and retire for the night. Her mind kept going back to her mother's revelations. At some level, they all had understood and sympathized with Mama's fear of hedgerows. However, over the years, repeated lamentations, especially when accompanied by her nervous flutterings, had somehow reduced the gravity of the situation β in her mind at least. To some extent it was also a result of Papa's easy and often amused dismissal of their mother's protestations. Now as she realized the kind of fear Mama had been battling ever since her ill-fated meeting with Mrs Masters, Elizabeth felt a wave of guilt wash over her for her dismissive attitude. 'Poor Mrs Masters and... poor Mama,' she thought sadly as she finally got up to retire for the night. 'Do not worry, Mama, I can understand your compulsions, now itself,' she thought as she lay down and pulled the coverlet up to her chin.
Sleep eluded her for a while but emotionally tiring events of the day finally took their toll. She was nearly asleep when a thought struck her and her eyes popped open. It was the realization that she had much more to be grateful to Mr Darcy than she had earlier conceded, that pulled her from the brink of sleep. She knew now that if at all her mother had shared her fears while extolling her to accept Mr Collins β there would have been only one result of such a request. Much against her wishes she would have given in and accepted Mr Collins. That unwanted occurrence had been prevented only because of Mr Darcy β just as Mama had claimed. To her sleepy mind it now appeared that Mr Darcy had saved her from a fate worse than death and for that service he deserved more from her than a grudging gratitude. 'I am going to be more friendly to him from now on and... and will ignore it if... if he returns to being rude and... arrogant. So there...' On that very noble thought she finally let sleep claim her.
~~~Β§~~~
A Little Magic
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