Thanks for everyone who commented on my chapter. I am trying to do better with my written English but I have no one to check it, so I am sorry to those that cannot stand my mistakes. I am thankful for all the wonderful messages of encouragement, I am also very thankful for those that kindly point out mistakes and how to correct them. It's a good way for me to learn and get better.

Chapter 5

Jane

Jane sat with Lizzy, Kitty and Mary in the living room while they waited for their father to come back or for news to arrive. Lizzy could barely hold still, Kitty had taken out her sewing kit and Mary was attempting to read but was clearly making no progress. Jane decided it was time for them to talk.

"I think while we wait for papa we should talk."

"About what Jane?" Lizzy looked at her with worry.

"About Lydia, our situation, what we should do in the future. I have been thinking this past week while I was on my own, and I have come to realize many things. I do not wish to put blame on anyone, but the truth is that things have not been managed well. When our father dies Mr. Collins will inherit Longbourn and we will be left with very little. Father is very healthy, but so was mama, and now she is gone. I am not saying you should have accepted Mr. Collins Lizzy, I know why you did not, but the truth is that we are women and at least one of us will have to marry well. Mr. Bingley would have been a great match but…" Jane found it hard to keep on speaking of him. Kitty jumped in to reassure her.

"You do not have to speak of him Jane, and if he abandoned you in such a way then he was not such a good match."

"Well said Kitty." Lizzy smiled at both Kitty and Jane.

"Yes, thank you Kitty, but to keep on with my point we are five daughters and unmarried, we cannot change our material circumstances but we can change our personal ones. It is time to have some control and order here. First, Lydia must be removed from society." Kitty gasped.

"But Jane, Lydia will not accept that, and she is already out."

"I agree, I was just talking to Charlotte and she gave me that same idea." Lizzy agreed. Then Mary talked for the first time.

"She should have never been out in the first place. Mama let her out because Lydia was her favorite, now that mama is gone we should fix it. I know it might sound harsh Kitty but it's true."

"What about me?" Jane looked at Kitty.

"I do not understand?"

"Are you going to remove me from society as well? I used to follow her lead in everything, and I can acknowledge now that I also did not behave with decorum as a proper lady should. I used to think that Lydia was so fun and popular, and I didn't even realize what we were doing."

"The fact that you can acknowledge that Kitty shows that you are maturing and that with a bit of work, there is no need to remove you from society."

"Thank you Jane."

"But what kitty said is true, our family has not always acted with the greatest decorum in public."

"And how should we address that Jane? I have to confess it is something that has worried me for some time, especially at the Netherfield ball. I could see there that it worked against us, both Mr Darcy and Mr. Bingley's sisters were not looking at our family with good eyes." Lizzy looked like something weighed heavily on her, that admission must have been as difficult for her as it had been for Jane.

"I agree Lizzy, it did not worry me much at the time because I was to happy with Mr. Bingley and he did not seem to care, but in the end, it clearly affected his decision. It is the second point that I wanted to talk with you Lizzy, I need your help to go though the household accounts. Mama was not good at managing money, we know that she spent with little control, we have to find where we can start saving up money. That money, then, will go to hiring a governess."

"I think that is a wonderful idea Jane." Mary looked genuinely pleased.

"Thank you Mary. While the governess will be mostly for Lydia we could all benefit from her. Help for Kitty to unlearn all the bad habits Lydia and mama installed in her and learn proper ones. Help with piano lessons for Mary and Lizzy–"

"Jane I do need more piano lessons I have learned as much as I wish."

"No Lizzy, we have no money, we have only are looks and accomplishments to attract a husband, we should try to be as accomplished as we can. You have talent with the piano you just lack the discipline to practice every day. We will use these three months to better ourselves as mush as we can. She will help me with my singing. I have never sang in public, I have always been too shy and too reluctant to expose myself, that must also change. We have a lot of work to do and you and I Lizzy as the oldest ones do not have much time to do it."

"What do you mean Jane?"

"We must face the truth Lizzy, we will not find good matches here in Hertfordshire. Unless some other young man of fortune leases Netherfield we do not have many options."

"But the officers–"

"Are not good options Kitty. I know mama spoke of them without stop but what is their salary? Do they have other inheritance from their family? No Kitty, no officers. Lizzy and I will go to London when the mourning period is over, I will write aunt Gardiner and tell her of my plans and ask her to help us. London is very big with a much more varied society. We will have much more options there. While we are there, you three will keep working with the governess and she can help guide you on how to be act with proper decorum here in Hertfordshire, so you can be prepared when you come to London."

"You have really thought this through Jane."

"We have been without guide for too long Lizzy, I am the eldest, it is my responsibility, I should have tried to influence mama more but I did not have the strength then. I do now. So are we all in agreement?" Lizzy, Kitty and Mary nodded in accord. "Then I will inform father when he arrives."

In that precise moment they heard a carriage approach and loud voices screaming at each other. They stood up and went to the door to see their father dragging a screaming Lydia towards the house.

"You can't do this I wasn't doing anything wrong!"

"Silence you silly girl! You could have ruined this entire family with your stupidity!"

They stepped aside to let them enter the parlor. Lydia was dressed in her favorite pink dress, her hair perfectly made up with ribbons, she looked like she was ready for a party. Mr. Bennet looked beyond furious.

"Go up to your room right now and get out of that dress and those ribbons!" Lydia opened her mouth to say something but Mr. Bennet did not let her. "Not one more word, I've had enough of you for one day!" Lydia ran up the stairs and they heard the door slammed closed. They stood in silence for a moment until Jane took a step forwards to talk.

"Papa, where did you find her and how much did she expose herself?"

"I have no with to talk of this Jane, we are not ruined of that I can assure you, I found her in time. I just wish for some peace now, I will retire now."

"But papa we need to talk–"

"Not now Jane." Jane looked as Mr. Bennet left with a frustrated face.

"Leave it to me Jane, I'll talk to father." Jane stood still as she watched Lizzy followed their father. She hoped that Lizzy could make him understand.