Author's Note: Back to Longbourn to see what is happening there.
Chapter 13
The day for Mr. Collins to arrive at Longbourn had come and gone without the momentous event taking place. Mrs. Bennet fretted and wondered if he had somehow learned of the breach of contract and was already seeking the advice of a solicitor to sue the family.
Following his usual practice, Mr. Bennet ignored his wife's fretfulness. That his cousin had yet to arrive was of little concern to him. More and more, he regretted sending his daughter away all those years ago and giving in to his wife's demands that she take responsibility for their daughter's education. She had not liked how much time her husband spent with her eldest two girls when they were small and believed that it had been Elizabeth's influence that led Jane to agree to learn such unladylike pursuits.
Before Elizabeth's banishment, the two girls had spent countless hours in their father's study, delving into subjects far beyond the typical accomplishments for young ladies. Mr. Bennet immersed them in a variety of books, fostering discussions and debates, and imparting knowledge of scientific matters and mathematics well beyond societal expectations for women.
The incident with Jane in the stables had served as a catalyst for Mrs. Bennet to persuade Jane to distance herself from her sister. Mrs. Bennet successfully convinced Jane that Elizabeth was to blame for the entire ordeal, and in her vulnerable state, Jane had acquiesced. It had not taken Jane long to recover from her injury, but by that time, it was too late. Elizabeth had already gone to London.
Although Elizabeth had corresponded with her sister, Jane remained unaware that their father had entrusted Elizabeth's guardianship to the Gardiners, essentially disowning her. Moreover, Jane could not comprehend why the Gardiners ceased all communication with the Bennets thereafter. Gradually, Jane came to accept her mother's assertions that Elizabeth had severed ties with them as the frequency of her letters dwindled. It never occurred to Jane that her mother might have intercepted or discarded Elizabeth's letters. Consequently, it seemed plausible to Jane that Elizabeth had become preoccupied with her new life in London or was burdened by guilt over the rift between them, leading to the apparent distancing in their relationship.
As her mother fretted about the absent heir, Jane pondered the information gleaned from her uncle. The absence of any attempt from Elizabeth to seek her out during her time in town stung, reinforcing her mother's disparaging remarks about her sister. Yet, amidst the hurt, Jane grappled with the revelation that her parents had forbidden Elizabeth's return. This revelation failed to elucidate the absence of letters over the past years, leaving Jane perplexed.
Further adding to Jane's sense of ill-use was that Mr. Bingley had left Netherfield Park without a word to anyone in the little village. The day after Elizabeth departed for town, the servants were informed they were no longer needed, and the house closed. It had been implied that the servants would receive pay for the full quarter once the work of closing the house was done, but when they opened their pay envelopes, almost every one of them learned that not only were they not paid for the full quarter, they were not even paid the full amount of what they were owed.
People in town quickly spread the word, and since no measures were taken to prevent rumors from circulating in Meryton, it soon became common knowledge that Caroline Bingley was expecting a child and that the family left as a result of this revelation. People in Meryton also spread the gossip that the family, or at least Mr. Bingley, were insolvent, as there was no other explanation for their sudden departure without paying the owed servants.
Everyone refrained from saying anything negative about the Darcys, and no one mentioned Miss Bingley's attempt to essentially blackmail Mr. Darcy.
All these revelations coming at once unsettled Jane, leaving her feeling increasingly disillusioned and abandoned. She no longer knew what to think about anyone or anything and she followed the example that had been set for her throughout her childhood—she took to her bed.
While Jane was contemplating these matters, Mary was spending more and more time with the Allens. She began accompanying Mrs. Allen on her visits to the parishioners, paying particular attention to what needed to be done for the tenants of Longbourn, who lived in poor circumstances indeed.
As Mary walked alongside Mrs. Allen during the second week of these visits, thoughts swirled in her mind about what she could do to improve the lives of the tenants and what the master owed them.
"Mrs. Allen, do you think there is anything I can do to improve the living conditions for the tenants at Longbourn?" Mary asked, her voice laced with concern.
Mrs. Allen smiled warmly at Mary, impressed by her growing empathy for those less fortunate. Although it had been many years since the present Mr. Bennet's mother died, while she lived, the tenants had all they needed. Jane and Elizabeth had been young when she passed, but she had already begun training her oldest grandchildren to take on the role. The other girls were too young when they died and the present Mrs. Bennet had little interest in aiding the tenants. "I believe there is always something we can do to help, Mary. Let's make a list of their needs and discuss how we might address them."
After this discussion, when they visited the homes of the tenants, listening to their grievances and noting their most pressing needs.
"It is heartbreaking to see the hardships they endure," Mary remarked, her heart heavy with the realisation that her family ought to be doing more.
Mrs. Allen nodded in agreement. "Indeed it is, Mary. But with your determination and compassion, I have no doubt we can make a difference in their lives. Some day, you will do well as the mistress of an estate or the wife of a cleric."
As they continued these visits, Mary felt a sense of purpose blossoming within her. Just a few days earlier, Mr. Phillips had delivered a reply from Elizabeth, indicating her tentative acceptance of Mary's desire to begin a correspondence. Mary could not blame Elizabeth for her reluctance to forge a relationship, considering Mary's past lack of effort in reaching out. Though Mary had been young with Elizabeth went away, she understood how years of separation from family could make it challenging to fully embrace an overture when it finally came.
She discussed the matter with Mrs. Allen, who advised her to maintain a friendly tone in her letters requesting no favours. Following this advice, she replied in a manner that was both light and friendly, yet maintained some distance.
Mrs. Bennet emerged from her bedroom a sennight after taking to her bed. Since they had received no word from Mr. Collins, Mrs. Bennet proceeded as she always had. The news that the Bingleys departed set her back a little, but she soon returned to her rounds of gossiping and complaining with the other ladies of the district, not noticing how they were less inclined to include her in these conversations.
People in Meryton decried Mr. Bingley as the worst sort of person since he abandoned Jane after paying her such particular attention. That the gentleman had only been in their town a month before leaving, and that he had never requested a courtship or even asked permission to call on Jane, never occurred to Mrs. Bennet. The others were inclined to think poorly of Mr. Bingley for other reasons, and somehow, Mrs. Bennet completely missed the gossip about Miss Bingley's shameless behaviour.
On one of these visits, Mrs. Bennet was aghast to hear the ladies speaking well of Mary for her efforts in helping Mrs. Allen. She immediately began to criticise her plainest daughter for such unladylike pursuits.
"Mary, what is this I hear about you gallivanting around with Mrs. Allen instead of attending to your more duties at home?" Mrs. Bennet exclaimed, her disapproval evident.
Mary lowered her gaze, accustomed to her mother's harsh words. "I am merely assisting Mrs. Allen with her charitable endeavours, Mother. It is a noble cause and one that I think is beneficial," she replied quietly, her voice tinged with defensiveness.
"Noble cause or not, a young lady of your station should not be traipsing about like some common servant. You are a gentlewoman and should be seen to act like one," Mrs. Bennet retorted, her frustration growing.
Mrs. Allen, sensing the tension, interjected gently, "Mrs. Bennet, Mary's assistance has been invaluable. She has shown remarkable compassion and dedication in helping the less fortunate. Surely you would appreciate her desire to make a positive impact in our small community."
Mrs. Bennet waved her hand dismissively. "Compassion is all well and good, but a young lady's place is within the confines of her own home, attending to her domestic duties and preparing herself for marriage, not gallivanting about the countryside."
Mary's shoulders tensed at her mother's words, but she remained composed, silently vowing to continue her efforts to help those in need, regardless of her mother's disapproval.
However, Mrs. Allen had a different idea and spoke to Mary about it the next day. "Mary, while I do appreciate all you have done to help me, I feel that your mother will soon forbid you from taking part. I wanted to let you know that Mr. Allen heard back from his friend, and they have invited you to come for a visit to see if you can be of aid to their daughter. They live on a small estate near Maidstone. It is slightly larger than Longbourn and is well managed, and I think you could learn much while you are there. The family's name is Winters and the daughter for you to befriend is Amelia."
"I am uncertain that my parents will agree if I ask. Do you think Mr. Allen can suggest it to my father? Perhaps if I can depart without Mama learning of it will make it easier for me to leave?" Mary suggested.
"We will do all we can to arrange it. Mr. Allen has already suggested his friend send a carriage to collect you at the beginning of next week."
"Thank you so much, Mrs. Allen. Mama has been displeased with me ever since she learned of my visits yesterday afternoon. The heir never appeared, nor did he send word of his delay, so she is even more vociferous than usual. I would like to get away from her, since I am a frequent target of her ire. I do worry what will happen to Kitty if I go, because she will be the next target."
"Tell Miss Kitty to seek me out if she needs help. She is entirely too inclined to follow Miss Lydia wherever she leads and the two will wreak havoc on our small town and your entire family if they are not restrained somehow," Mrs. Allen said.
"They are too young to run wild as they do. However, Mama will not hear a word spoken against Lydia."
Mrs. Allen patted the girl's hand to reassure her. "Perhaps we can find a way to reach them as well. Do not worry too much right now, since they are still very young."
"Yes, but Mama indulges Lydia and permits her to do whatever she likes. She is just barely thirteen, yet she attends events as though she is out. The neckline of her dresses gets lower and lower and is scarcely appropriate," Mary insisted.
Mrs. Allen sighed. "I know, my dear girl. While you are gone, we will see what may be done. Perhaps if she senses the censure of the neighbourhood, she would be inclined to make a change."
Mary hesitated to scoff at such a suggestion from her mentor, knowing better than to underestimate the power of social opinion. However, she doubted that her mother would be influenced by what their neighbours thought of her. Mrs. Bennet seemed blissfully unaware of anything she did not wish to acknowledge, content to invent reasons to justify her perception.
"I hope that to be true, Mrs. Allen. Thank you for your assistance and please let me know if Mr. Allen is successful in convincing Papa to allow me to go to your friend."
Soon, their calls for the day were completed, and Mary made her way home. Since she returned before her mother had arrived downstairs, nothing was said about her visits, though she knew it could not last.
Author's Note: I hope you are enjoying this story. I have a better idea of where I am going now, but if you have any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions, please feel free to let me know.