Guys, the wild part is I hadn't made up no dialog for the bennet parents. That's how they talked to their kids from Jane Austens mind. I don't really mess with much of the girls dialog neither. This family is, like, Dr Phil levels of dysfunctional. Lydia may as well be sayin "cash me outside, how bout dat." Fam goes hard
The morning after the assembly, Jane woke up, surprised, to find Lizzy still abed. It was a rare thing that Jane woke up before Lizzy, but the day had just lost its gray tinge as the sun crept over the horizon. Jane tiptoed from bed to put the pot in the embers before snuggling back.
Lizzy started to wake just as Jane was making tea. After a great stretch, she accepted the tea and sat up as Jane sat down. After a few sips, Lizzy looked at Jane.
"Two dances, dearest Jane." Jane blushed quickly, avoiding Lizzy's eye. "What do you think of the fellow?" Jane considered how to respond. She liked him well enough, but Lizzy would be expecting grand declarations of love before allowing either of them to get married. It sounded wonderful but was no longer a requirement for Jane.
"He's just what a man ought to be," Jane said, "sensible, good humors, lively, and I never saw such happy manners, so much ease."
"Also handsome," Lizzy laughed, "which a man ought to be if he possibly can. His character is therefore complete." Jane giggled before thinking. She brought up some confusion she had.
"I was flattered he asked a second time; I didn't expect it."
"No? Well, I did for you, but that is the great difference between us. Compliments always take you by surprise, but me? Never!" Lizzy declared, raising her cup, before continuing, "What could be more natural of him asking again? He couldn't help noticing you are five times prettier than anyone else. He is certainly agreeable, and I give you leave to like him. You've liked many a stupider person."
"Dear Lizzy," Jane said with a twinge of sarcasm. She just hated to pass judgment when she herself was so full of flaws. And with little to recommend her, she couldn't afford to also be considered mean-spirited.
"Oh! You are a great deal too apt, you know, to like people in general. You never see a fault in anybody." Jane blushed because she saw many flaws; she just didn't want to hurt feelings by pointing them out. "What happens when Lizzy finds out how jealous you get? How frustrated and angry? I doubt you'll recover from the fall from such high esteem.
"All the world is good and agreeable in your eyes. I've never heard you speak ill of a human being in my life," Lizzy said with finality. Jane felt like a fraud.
"I would wish not to be hasty in censuring anyone, but I always speak what I think!" Jane said. "Liar," her mind whispered.
"I know you do," Lizzy said faithfully, "and it is that which makes the wonder. With your good sense to be so blind to the follies and nonsense of others! To take the good of everybody's character and make it still better, and say nothing of the bad, that belongs to you alone. You still like his sisters, do you? Their manners are not equal to his."
"Certainly, not at first," Jane said. "Your manners are not equal to Lizzy's; how many people have said this about you?" Jane pressed on, "But they are very pleasing women when you converse with them. Miss Bingley is to live with her brother and keep his house, and I am much mistaken if we shall not find a charming neighbor in her."
Elizabeth pursed her lips, like their father, and moved on to other subjects.
OOXXOOXoXXx
The Lucases had come to gather in their customary review of the past assembly. Jane never liked how Mrs. Bennet attempted to pull Charlotte down, but she lived in awe of Charlotte's ability to not take it to heart and continue the conversation as if talking about the weather. This ability was one Jane absolutely craved. Jane thought Lizzy was strong, but Charlotte was indestructible.
Mrs. Bennet was still bristling at Lizzy's insult, which confused Jane. The matron seemed like she would deny the man if he offered for any of them. Mama seethed that he wouldn't speak a word to Mrs. Long, even though they sat together.
"Are you quite sure, ma'am, is not there a little mistake? I certainly saw Mr. Darcy speaking to her," Jane said, having kept an eye on the man. He looked as closed-off as Jane herself wanted to be. Sitting in the corner, standing in the shadows, keeping to himself. But it was also true that his words when he spoke were awful.
"Ay, because she asked him how he liked Netherfeild, and he could not help answering her. But he seemed very angry at being spoken to." Jane felt a surge of defense for the man. She herself wanted to shout and leave the assembly, so perhaps she spoke in her own defense against her mind.
"Miss Bingley told me that he never speaks much unless among his intimate acquaintance. With them, he is remarkably agreeable." Charlotte's intelligent gaze rested on Jane, a contemplative thought on her face.
"I do not believe a word of it, my dear," Mrs. Bennet said. "If he had been so very agreeable, he would have spoken to Mrs. Long." Jane gritted her teeth. Her mother, or Lizzy, never knew how hard it was to talk to strangers.
Jane remained silent for the rest of the visit.
OOXXOOXoXXx
The ladies of Longbourne went to visit those at Netherfield. Jane and Mr. Bingley spoke some, but mostly the conversation was dominated by Mrs. Bennet. Jane was struck at how alike Charlotte and Mr. Bingley were. Mr. Bingley laughed when his sisters teased him about his penmanship and when Mr. Darcy commented on his habitual tardiness. Comments that would make Jane blush in shame bounced off him without a scratch.
The visit was returned, with the Bingleys coming to visit Longbourn. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Hurst remained at Netherfield. Lizzy was visiting a tenant; Jane was under house arrest in case Mr. Bingley appeared. Lydia had drug Kitty to town, and as her mama's favorite, she was denied nothing.
Mama attempted to shoo Jane and Mr. Bingley into the gardens and keep Mary and his sister with herself. But Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst stuck to their brother like glue.
"Your mother's endless enthusiasm is impressive," Miss Bingley said with a smile. Jane smirked, but assured them that the matron meant well. Mrs. Hurst, glancing at the flowers, commented:
"She keeps an excellent house, and though we've only been in the area a week, rumors of her table have reached even us."
"There is very little she wouldn't do for her friends." Jane smiled as Mr. Bingley glanced at her.
"A trait above reproach, something I aspire to do, alas my resources compared to my friends are small. I find myself asking for help much oftener than I do in offering it."
"Oh, Charles," Mrs. Hurst said, "your friendship is enough. Besides, you always manage to figure out your way."
"I manage to muddle my way through you mean," he said with a laugh, "but as long as I can keep myself busy, it usually ends up fine." Jane was flabbergasted. "Just keep doing things? Even if you could be wrong, and make it worse."
"You mustn't pay my brother any mind, Miss Bennet," Miss Bingley said, interlacing her arm with Janes with a grin towards her brother. "He would have you believe he's come this far through sheer dumb luck. He could not be farther from the truth."
"Yes, our brother is very confusing," Mrs. Hurst said, coming to Jane's other side. "He cannot go to an assembly without making connections, and yet he claims he never works."
"You were such a favorite at the assembly," Jane said, wondering to what end this conversation was headed.
"I must say," Mr. Bingley laughed, "if I didn't know you both any better, I would be flattered by the compliments. But alas, siblinghood prevails; what do you want?"
"How shocking!" Miss Bingley said: "He always minimized every compliment, no matter how genuine."
The rest of their walk continued as such, with the sisters talking of Mr. Bingley and himself, joking any praise away.