Chapter 22: A Visit From the Meryton Matrons
Friday, 29 May 1812
Kent
A footman entered the downstairs formal sitting room to inform Anne that a carriage had been spotted and was expected to reach the Hunsford parsonage in half an hour. Elizabeth excitedly excused herself from the room. Although still somewhat fatigued from her illness, she already wore her walking boots to hasten her trip to the parsonage. Donning her bonnet took only a minute before she set off to welcome the arrival of her mother and Lady Lucas.
The ladies were ebullient in their praise of the parsonage. After complimenting Mr. Collins on his sensible living and Charlotte on her well managed household, the party took tea in the Hunsford sitting room where all the latest gossip of Meryton needed to be shared. Elizabeth had already heard much of it, having left only a week before, but bore well under the ladies'—and gentleman's—effusions.
After helping her mother unpack and settle in for the week, Elizabeth excused herself to return to Rosings Park to allow adequate time to prepare for dinner. Before leaving, she informed her mother that her walking habits had continued unabated, and therefore she would be at Hunsford in the morning.
Charlotte could not miss the opportunity to let the matrons know how revered Elizabeth was at Rosings Park. "Mrs. Darcy often joins Eliza on her walks to our home. The servants have told us they feel Eliza has been the best medicine for their mistress and that she has much improved since Eliza moved in."
Lady Lucas and Mrs. Bennet were both in awe of Mrs. Darcy and the prospect of a visit from such a great lady. Elizabeth left her friend with a look that promised revenge as the other ladies discussed which of their dresses was the finest to wear on the morrow.
~~~oo0oo~~~
Saturday, 30 May 1812
Rosings Park
After returning from a morning walk and cup of tea at the parsonage, Anne spoke of how much she appreciated meeting the matrons from Meryton. Both ladies held such an energy for life.
"We must arrange amusements for your mother and Lady Lucas," Anne told her before sharing the schedule she had planned. "We shall have them over for tea after church tomorrow. Monday, we should offer a tour of Rosings Park which will end with a dinner. Tuesday, we can arrange a visit Leeds Castle, which will take all day. Wednesday…hmmm, another tea should suffice. Thursday, I would like to have a nice birthday dinner for you and include them. Between these and your morning visits to Hunsford, your mother should stay well entertained during her visit."
"I believe she will," Elizabeth laughed. "I may not be able to keep up with it, but Mama will have much gossip to share when she goes home after such a visit."
~~~oo0oo~~~
"Mother," Anne began after taking a sip of soup at dinner. "I have decided to have the parsonage and their guests visit us each day until Elizabeth's mother leaves." She proceeded to detail her plans for the week.
Mr. Darcy raised his brow but said nothing. Elizabeth assumed his ire was raised at the prospect of her mother's company. Why he should care, she could not fathom. These visits would only be the ladies. And Mr. Collins.
"It will be quite exhausting," Lady Catherine opined. "But I will make the best of it. What connections do these ladies have?" (1)
Thus continued the discussion, with Elizabeth answering insulting questions from Lady Catherine about her family, their connections, and their estate as the party finished the meal.
~~~oo0oo~~~
Mr. Darcy walked past Anne's room to the end of the corridor, then into Elizabeth's rooms. He no longer knocked, although he would occasionally think about it after he had already entered. These rooms felt like his own, more so than the rooms he had been assigned. How else could he feel, he chuckled to himself, he spent more time in these rooms.
He walked in, spying Elizabeth reading near a well-lit window, and went to be near her. (2) Bowing, he offered a hand to help her from the chair. She marked her place in the book and joined him.
While he removed her gown and stays, Mr. Darcy asked about Anne's plans for her mother's visit. "Do you think it wise for her to have so much time with you? Will she discover"—he motioned between them—"what we are doing?"
"Sir, my mother will believe that which is shown to her. She does not have any such curiosity."
Elizabeth helped him remove his jacket and waistcoat. He asked, "Will you enjoy spending so much time with her?"
She took that opportunity to tighten his cravat beyond any level of comfort. "She is my mother. She has her flaws, but she is all I have. She is also not the only imperfect mother of your acquaintance."
Mr. Darcy put his fingers under the cravat, pulling to loosen it so he could breathe. He maintained his sense of humor. Looking down, he chastised, "Madam, I only asked if you would enjoy spending time with your mother. It is no reason to choke me." Raising his brow, he reminded her, "You enjoyed spending time with your sister when she stayed."
"That is not what you meant," Elizabeth accused him. He meant her mother was challenging to be around. He could deny it, but she knew that was what he was implying.
Giving up that line of conversation, he moved to more important business. "Turn around," he commanded.
Elizabeth frowned and stayed where she was. "Why?"
Mr. Darcy sighed as he raised an eyebrow at her. "So I may take your hair down. Maybe it will make you will feel better."
Not sure what Mr. Darcy meant by his last remark, but wishing more to have the pins removed than to confront him, Elizabeth complied. Mr. Darcy removed all the pins from her hair which he then brushed and braided before finishing his undressing of her.
As they climbed into bed, he gently asked, "Do you truly think I meant to insult your mother?"
"Yes. You never showed any tolerance for her when you were staying at Netherfield," she reminded him.
"That was before I discovered the best thing about her," he grinned as he moved his lips within an inch of hers.
Waiting a moment for his illumination, she finally gave up and asked with exasperation, "What would that be, sir?"
"You," he said before moving forward to begin his kisses and other attentions.
~~~oo0oo~~~
Sunday, 31 May 1812
Rosings Park
Once Mr. Collins finished his mass, he herded the ladies back to the parsonage to prepare for tea with Lady Catherine.
Letting the ladies know how much Lady Catherine preferred to maintain the distinctions of rank, he assured them their finest gowns would do. Mrs. Bennet decried his pronouncement, asking what she was to wear to the dinner the next day if she wore her finest today. Mr. Collins conceded. Her second-best gown would serve for today.
In the entry hall, Anne and Elizabeth welcomed the Hunsford party to Rosings Park as Lady Catherine awaited them in the sitting room. Mrs. Bennet and Lady Lucas oohed and ahhed over all they saw as they walked through the grand entry. Once seated, the matrons were anxiously trying to take in everything while still maintaining proper etiquette.
When Mr. Darcy entered the room, he bowed to the occupants and apologized for his tardiness. Elizabeth decided it best not to look at the man as he moved around the room.
She first became aware of his standing nearby when her mother's face contorted. Mrs. Bennet applied her best effort at putting forth a most welcoming smile for the man. He was the husband of Lizzy's dear friend, thus she would treat him with courtesy.
He bowed over Lady Lucas's hand in welcome then moved to stand directly in front of her as he bowed over her mother's hand. When Elizabeth lifted her eyes, she found herself staring at the flap of his breeches and the clear outline of what was contained within. She quickly rectified the direction of her gaze, instinctively moving it up to a more appropriate view, only to meet those eyes she had been trying to avoid.
The man was infuriating. While he nodded over her mother's hand, he noticed the mistaken direction of her look. His face was impassive, but his eyes caught hers. They twinkled in amusement as he quickly winked while his head was lowered. Frustrated, Elizabeth refused to look his way again. He found a seat, adopted a relaxed and mildly amused demeanor, but spoke to no one.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Bennet and Lady Lucas gave compliments on all the fine decorations about the room. They begged Lady Catherine tell them the particulars of each piece so they could entertain their neighbor's drawing rooms when they returned.
"Lady Catherine," chimed Mrs. Bennet, "you have the most beautiful pianoforte I have ever seen. Where did it come from?"
Lady Catherine waved her hand in the air as if it were nothing. "Oh, I bought it last year from a shop in London known for unusual designs. The sound is excellent. Anne would be proficient if only her health had not been so poor. Miss Bennet plays for us quite often in the evenings and has begun to improve with practice."
The matrons were visibly impressed while Mr. Collins bobbed his head to affirm Elizabeth's improvement. "Yes, the chimney piece alone cost eight hundred pounds!" he exuberantly contributed.
Elizabeth began to enjoy the absurdities. "Oh yes, my pianoforte skills have greatly improved since arriving. By the time I leave one may even call me a proficient," she bantered playfully to watch their response.
"Oh yes, my Lizzy has always been a most diligent student. She is not so beautiful as Jane, but she has always been a good girl."
Elizabeth nearly choked on her tea. She snuck a quick glance at Mr. Darcy. He held her eyes briefly without changing his expression. Ashamed, Elizabeth now directed all her efforts in retaining her composure.
Lady Catherine nodded in agreement with Mrs. Bennet, asking Elizabeth to demonstrate her improvements while the ladies toured the room. Elizabeth began playing while listening to what she could of the ladies' inane conversation. As Lady Lucas began discussing the painting above the fireplace, Mr. Darcy excused himself to return to his business. Elizabeth dared not raise her eyes from the music as he left.
Once Mr. Darcy was gone, Elizabeth was able to relax as Lady Catherine proudly discussed all of the paintings hanging on the walls, the artists, the year they were commissioned, the cost, their current value (in her mind), and what the paintings represented. She told her new protégés that she and her daughter would have been proficient painters, if not for her daughter's illness. Moving on to the statues, then the furniture and fixtures, Lady Catherine gave the women similar information on everything in the room.
When the details of the room were finally related, it was past time for the party to return to the parsonage.
~~~oo0oo~~~
"How was your day with your mother and her friend?" Darcy asked as he and Elizabeth sipped a glass of wine.
Elizabeth's eyes twinkled as she considered her answer. "I found all of the matrons to be cut from the same cloth. In a different circumstance, I imagine they could be great friends."
Darcy chuckled slightly but refrained from commenting. Although she hid it well, he noticed Elizabeth had been tired since her illness. He worried that her exertions to entertain her mother would cause a relapse, thus hoped the wine would restore her. (3)
Taking a different line of conversation, he mentioned, "Your birthday is Thursday." Once he learned of it, he ensured he would have a gift to give her. It would not be appropriate for him to gift her jewelry, but he knew he would enjoy his second, no third, choice. He had been deprived his next choice of gift beyond jewelry. When he approached Anne to ask which was the best shop to order the item from, Anne brought out her own gift, showing she had already taken his idea. He was forced to choose something else but looked forward to seeing Elizabeth's response.
"Yes. Mama used that as reason to accompany Lady Lucas to Hunsford," she answered. "Although I doubt Lady Lucas needed much encouragement to invite Mama, they have been inseparable since childhood except for the few months after Charlotte accepted Mr. Collins. Mama and Lady Lucas are now back in confidences and competitions."
"It is an odd relationship, but it sounds as if it makes them happy," Darcy noted.
"Oh, it does make them happy," she confirmed. "Charlotte and I have a close friendship, but a very different one. We have never felt we need to compete against the other. I am the idealist, and Charlotte the realist. We are a balance." Smiling before she looked at him again, "Charlotte told me I had no choice but to accept Anne's offer."
"You did not tell Mrs. Collins about our … arrangement!" he cried in astonishment.
Elizabeth's smile grew at his nervousness. She wanted to torment him but found herself too discomposed at the memory. "No. I could not tell her or Jane. They may forgive and understand, but I want as few people to know of my disgrace as can be," she said forlornly as tears formed in her eyes.
Slowly rising from his chair, Darcy took her glass from her and helped her to stand. He pulled her to him, rocking her in his arms. "You are not in disgrace. You are protecting your family." He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. As he pulled back, he saw the tears rolling down her cheeks. Frowning, he pulled her close to his side and led her to the bed. "Come."
Kissing her and then wiping away her tears, he could think of nothing to say. She needed more rest. She needed to recover fully.
He moved behind her to remove her clothing before helping her to bed. He quickly doffed his own garments and joined her between the bedclothes. As he held her soft skin against his, she buried her face in his chest and cried freely.
Darcy did not know what to do. He wanted nothing more at the moment than to make it stop, to make her feel better. "Shhhhh, rest. You need to rest," he cooed. Rubbing his fingertips along the side of her head, he nuzzled her. "I saw your reaction when your mother called you a good girl. I thought you were amused, but now realize it upset you. If I had understood, I would have called you from the room." He now moved slightly so his fingers were moving back and forth in her hair. "What you are doing is honorable and shows bravery. Your father has failed in his duties to his family, but you have not."
He continued to hold her until she fell asleep.
He had not understood. He was certain she had been amused at the foolishness in the women's earnest conversation on his aunt's fripperies.
He had not understood, or if he were truly honest, he had not considered, how much his family's usage would pain her. He thought only of his own discomfort at being forced into so intimate a relationship. His first reaction, that he felt she would be compromised and thus no longer an eligible mate, had been laughable. He had been the one to compromise her! He now recognized his stupidity as his own struggle to deny his affection for Elizabeth.
He looked down at her sleeping in his arms and could no longer envision his bed without her in it.
He fell asleep contemplating ways to keep her in his household after Anne's passing.
~~~oo0oo~~~
Monday, 1 June 1812
Rosings Park
The morning found Elizabeth feeling much improved, greatly desirous the release she could only achieve by taking advantage of what she now affectionately called his "morning utility". Mr. Darcy was always gratified to offer himself for her usage at such times.
As they lay recovering and before their respective days began, Mr. Darcy wanted to assure she had a way to be relieved from company if she felt distressed from the conversation. "Tell them you are still easily fatigued from your illness. I will speak with Anne."
Elizabeth laughed. "My mother and friends know me better. They will be more concerned if I excuse myself from fatigue because it is not in my character to do such a thing. I will be well. I feel much better now," she lied with a convincing smile, sending him on his way to prepare for his day.
In truth, she still felt worn. Since her illness, she had difficulty eating with the dyspepsia that lingered. She did not wish to concern Anne or Mr. Darcy, so only shared her discomforts with Peeke.
Thankfully, Peeke had given her some fennel to help alleviate it. She recommended Elizabeth eat a few plain biscuits right after she arose and suggested she excuse herself in the afternoon for a short rest—it would go far in helping her recuperation. Elizabeth thanked her then left for her walk to the parsonage.
~~~Oo0oo~~~
When they returned that afternoon, the Meryton women fawned over the finery of Rosings Park during their tour. The honor of being singled out to have Lady Catherine herself as their guide would go far when shared during Meryton visiting hours.
"Such beautiful and ornate furniture," effused Mrs. Bennet to Lady Catherine. "Your superior tastes show in every piece."
Lady Catherine agreed haughtily. "Yes, they do. I purchase only the most refined pieces, for they act not only as décor but become an investment for the estate. Lesser pieces do not retain value."
She basked in being shown such deference. Rosings Park rarely had company since the death of Sir Lewis, and what company she did have no longer respected her in such an obsequious way. She began to once again feel her status as an earl's daughter and puffed herself up accordingly.
She ended the tour with Anne's wing including Elizabeth's apartment. Guiding them around the room, Lady Catherine showed her daughter's generosity. "You see," she said as she waved her arm to the many glazed windows in the room. "Dear Anne has given her friend the rooms with the finest view of the Rosings Parks gardens. Anne herself has the chambers at the front of the wing."
"You must be so happy to have a daughter so well married," Lady Lucas congratulated Lady Catherine. "When Charlotte married, we were relieved. At her age, we thought her destined to remain a burden." Charlotte and Elizabeth both glanced toward Lady Lucas with a scowl of disgust, before turning to one another where Elizabeth offered her friend a look of consolation.
Lady Catherine nodded her agreement. "It is so difficult in these times to make a decent match. With so many young men lost to the war, the women of England have little to choose from." (4) Lady Catherine ensured they knew her own hand in creating such an advantageous match for her daughter. "Even before the wars began, I secured a strong alliance for my Anne. My own sister promised her son to my daughter, thus uniting these two noble estates. As you can see, we have now accomplished our dreams. Darcy was hesitant for a few years, but once he was ready to finally marry, he honored his mother's wishes."
Mrs. Bennet delighted in telling of her Jane. "My Jane was born so beautiful, she could naught but make an advantageous match. When Mr. Bingley moved into the neighborhood, he was taken with her right away. We had a sort of scare, but he returned as I knew he would. Jane is now well married and settled but three miles from home. My Lydia, and Kitty too, will do well as they are such beautiful and lively girls. The other two, I have little hope for," she said looking at Elizabeth.
"Fortune has smiled upon those with little hope," Elizabeth quipped. "We no longer need marriage to secure our future."
"Nonsense. One can not fully be a lady without a husband," her mother countered.
"Your mother is correct, Miss Bennet," Lady Catherine averred. "A husband completes the lady."
Lacking the energy to continue baiting the matrons, Elizabeth simply nodded as the guests were escorted back down to the sitting room for tea. Along the way, they passed Mr. Darcy in the hallway. He stepped aside to allow the women to pass until the final member of the party, Elizabeth, approached him. She refused to look at him as she walked by. He returned to his path in the hallway, bumping into her shoulder on his way. Elizabeth frowned in disgust at the arrogant man as she moved on, continuing to ignore him.
Although Mrs. Bennet was ahead of her daughter, she looked back in time to witness Mr. Darcy's rudeness to her girl and see her daughter's scowl in response. Satisfied her Elizabeth was little affected by the man, she pledged she would speak to her daughter in private, or at least with only Lady Lucas and Charlotte present, about it the next morning.
As the ladies settled with their tea, their conversation continued. Many of the details of the estate were discussed once again as the Meryton matrons could not tire of hearing them and Lady Catherine could not tire of sharing them.
When the time came for the guest to return to the parsonage, Lady Catherine complimented Mrs. Bennet on her daughter. "We find Miss Bennet to be a great help to dear Anne. The daily walks have improved Anne's health. Miss Bennet reads and plays, keeping us much entertained. You have much to be proud of, but now having met you"—she nodded to Mrs. Bennet as though she were the Queen herself, bestowing a knighthood upon the lady—"I see where she gets her charms."
Mrs. Bennet and Lady Lucas, along with Charlotte and Maria, returned to the parsonage to tell Mr. Collins all about the luxury they had experienced.
Once the ladies returned to the parsonage, Elizabeth excused herself to rest before preparing for dinner. Exhausted from the day of inane and repetitive conversation, Elizabeth trudged up the stairs. She felt as if she had been judged by the Erinyes and was now enduring her persecution. (5)
Collapsing upon her bed, not bothering even to remove the coverlet, she fell immediately to sleep.
~~~oo0oo~~~
Darcy found her before dinner, still asleep on the bed. He hesitated to wake her but decided she needed the nourishment to help restore her health.
At dinner she ate little, still fatigued from the exertions of the day, and retired early. Darcy returned to their room to find her again asleep, fully dressed on top of the counterpane. He woke her to undress then helped her between the bedclothes.
After being awakened, she began to encourage his attentions. Initially, he resisted, insisting she needed to rest—then he had her rest her head on his chest. When she began to do to his nipples what he so frequently did to hers, his resistance crumbled and both took immense pleasure in their daily responsibility. He dozed for a short time afterward but awoke when she went to refresh herself.
When she returned, he asked if she was well. "Twice today you slept while fully dressed," he looked at her in concern as he felt her forehead. "Are you becoming ill again?"
"I have been in company with Lady Catherine, my mother, and Lady Lucas all day. It is exhausting," she exhaled.
She did have a point. He could tolerate no more than three hours, much less a whole day, in his aunt's company without some form of relief.
Elizabeth continued, "Lady Catherine seemed to greatly enjoy entertaining Mama and Lady Lucas. So much walking, so many objects to admire, so many prices!" Elizabeth cried. "I wonder that Lady Catherine can remember all the details on so many gilded works."
Darcy chuckled. "I wonder at such a memory as well, or if she is simply embellishing to entertain her admirers."
Elizabeth laughed at the idea of the women gossiping to all of Meryton of the expensive of the items they had seen at Rosings when the details they so readily memorized may have been false. Elizabeth would not be the one to correct them.
Growing again more serious, Darcy looked at her with unease. "You will tell me if you are becoming ill again?" he asked with a frown.
Smiling at his concern, Elizabeth assured him she would, but at that time, she felt well enough to repeat their most stimulating encounter from earlier as the sensations were unusually strong that time. She was curious if he could repeat them. Overjoyed, she discovered he could.
~~~oo0oo~~~
Tuesday, 2 June 1812
Rosings Park
The next morning necessitated summoning Peeke. Frustrated at both the appearance of her monthly visitor and the timing, Elizabeth made a short walk to visit her mother that morning before she would retire to her room for the rest of the day.
Happy to see her newest favorite daughter, Mrs. Bennet felt she had to start by addressing Mr. Darcy's rudeness to Elizabeth the day before. "I saw what he did, and I must say it was quite terrible of him. I care not that he is the mighty husband of your friend, his treatment of you is inexcusable and ungentlemanly," she said, her face pinched with distaste. "I am thankful he keeps his own company during the day, and you need spend very little time with him." She ended with a satisfied huff.
Unable to even think of the truth and maintain her composure, Elizabeth thought only of Outside Mr. Darcy when she answered. "Yes, Mama. I rarely see him and am thankful for it."
"Well, once he gets that little Mrs. Darcy increasing, he will go off to Town like they all do, and you will be well free of him," she nodded. In her usual way, she shifted topics. "His wife is so frail. I wonder that she could carry a child, let alone a healthy child."
Lady Lucas agreed with her friend as they started to discuss the likelihood of her creating an heir. Elizabeth could not be a party to such conversations without fearing she would react in some way as to betray herself. Using her mother's tactic, Elizabeth shifted their topic. "Mama, I will not be able to join you on the trip to Leeds. My time has started, and I best remain in my apartment."
Mrs. Bennet pinched her face. "Such a disappointment! It always appears at the most inconvenient times! But it is our curse as women to endure." Patting her daughter on the shoulder, she told her they would miss her on their visit to the castle but would spend extra time with her the next day to make up for it.
Elizabeth returned to her room, drank the fennel tea, and ate the biscuits Peeke left her and then removed to undress for the rest of the day. She found a book and curled comfortably in a chair by the window to read and rest.
Mr. Darcy stopped by her room at midday wondering why she did not accompany the others. Elizabeth sadly told him, wondering if she was unable to have a child. Then, feeling too much gloom and needing to have the other party shared the blame, she lightheartedly included Mr. Darcy's inability to conceive in her concerns.
Mr. Darcy sat beside her and held her hands. Looking deeply into her eyes with all seriousness, he promised her, "It matters not if you conceive. You will be protected."
"Yes, sir," she nodded. "It is in the contract. Although, I will feel like I am failing by not completing my part of the agreement."
Releasing her hand to wrap his arms around her. "We have more time," he assured her. Grinning, he teasingly recommended they begin to increase their efforts after her time finished.
After seeing to her comfort, Darcy returned to the study. He must consider what would happen if Elizabeth did not conceive in the next month. Mr. Pryce told him it would be about nine months from conception to birth. If she were to conceive this month, it would be a March birth, she would only have a month to recover before her agreement would finish.
If she did not conceive in the next month, what would happen? Would she return to Longbourn early? What justification would he have to keep her with him? Now that he knew he wished to keep her beside him always, he needed to design how.
Then there was the other problem of housing Lady Catherine. Now that he knew Rosings Park in greater detail, he could consider options he was not able to address earlier. Rosings Park was proving to be a good addition to his holdings. The land in Kent was fertile, the estate only a half-day's ride from town. The de Bourgh cousin who was to inherit would likely sell for a pittance given his current finances and declining health. Darcy could purchase some of his debts in the next few months to encourage him to sell right away. It would keep his aunt in her home with no disruption. Of course, if the childless man were to die, in an odd twist of the entail, the Rosings Park estate would remain his as the husband of Anne, as there were no other descendants from the de Bourgh grandfather who originally established the entail.
Pulling his estate books before him, he began to look at what resources he would have to pull from to make such a purchase. He could not, in good conscience, make plans based on the man dying.
~~~oo0oo~~~
(1) I found this amusing because, as my anonymous beta pointed out, technically Lady Catherine and Lady Lucas are of the same rank: both wives of a knight. Once women were married, they were considered at the same social position as their husband, why the daughter of a gentleman wouldn't wish to marry even an affluent tradesman or would normally be hesitant to marry one so recently removed from trade. The length of time in the position also mattered. So the tenth earl of blah would be considered a higher rank than the third earl of bleh, with their wives' positions following along.
UPDATE: HarveyS has pointed out that because of being the daughter of an earl, Lady C would still be of much higher rank. Also, Sir Lewis could be a baronet instead of a knight. So I'm completely wrong. My beta just suggested the similarities, I'm the one who went all crazy thinking "how ironic would that be" but I should have realized Regency social structure was way more complex than that! My apologizes for the wrong information and my gratitude to Harvey S for correcting me!
(2) Looking up the sunrise/sunset times in England, the sun wouldn't set until around 10pm with an extended twilight until close to 11pm. Now it would be 9pm and 10pm because of daylight savings time. They would be moving from a full moon to a half-moon at this point, but looking up the weather in England for 1812, it was an unusually cold and wet year.
(3) In Regency times they attributed healing powers to wine, according to the Annotated P&P book.
(4) I read an article that said there were about a half-million more women than men in Regency England because of the extended warfare. I looked to find the article again, but I can't locate it. It said the disparity was even larger during times of active warfare because so many men were still alive and citizens, but not in the country.
(5) The Erinyes are the three furies. They are the three old crones and older than the other gods of Olympus. They hear complaints of insolence from mortals of the young to the old, of children to parents, of hosts to guests, or of the head of household to servants and pass judgment, punishing the crimes by relentlessly hounding the wrongdoers.