Chapter 2
"Dear sister, let me talk to Mr. Collins and see how we solve this matter," said Mr. Gardiner, taking his sister's hand.
"I greatly appreciate your help, dear brother. But my daughters and I must deal with that gentleman. We must learn to solve our problems because we cannot always bother you. You have a family and children to worry about," Mrs. Bennet said. Jane and Elizabeth were at their mother's side to support her in whatever way was necessary, while Mary accompanied Kitty and Lydia.
Mr. Collins entered Longbourn with his head held high and a triumphant face. All that was his, and he could not wait to be the new Master of Longbourn. For her part, Charlotte was there to ensure her husband would behave accordingly. He had to inform Mrs. Bennet when she and her daughters had to leave the only home they had ever known.
"Mrs. Bennet, dear cousins, I know you must be going through a difficult time, but I think you know that we need to talk about the future. Unfortunately for you, I am now the owner of all this and will soon have to take charge of my new responsibilities. Besides…"
"My dear, why do you not tell Mrs. Bennet what Lady Catherine suggested?" Charlotte said to interrupt her husband. She felt embarrassed to see how her husband boasted in front of Mrs. Bennet and her daughters without considering they were mourning.
"You are right, my dear. Lady Catherine, in her infinite generosity, suggested that I give you a few months to recover from the loss of my illustrious cousin and find a place to live. Furthermore, my dear patroness must find a new clergy, and I cannot leave her alone after everything she has done for me. I owe a lot to Lady Catherine…"
"Mrs. Bennte. Lady Catherine needs my husband for six more months. So, you will have at least half a year to decide where to live and prepare for your new life," added Charlotte.
"We are very grateful for your generosity. Six months is certainly enough time to find a place to live," Jane said with her usual gentleness.
"Thank you very much, Charlotte," Elizabeth added. She knew that her friend had probably been the one to convince Mr. Collins to give them time to adjust to their new life.
"As a man of God, it is my duty to be merciful to those less fortunate than me. But I do not want you to misunderstand or abuse my immense generosity," Mr. Collins explained. Then, looking at Elizabeth defiantly, he added, "My solicitor and I shall work in the inventory of the house and everything that belongs to this estate. I also want to have access to the accounting books and receive a detailed monthly report of my property's finances. Needless to say, I hope you do not abuse my generosity and…"
"Do not worry, Mr. Collins. My daughters and I have no interest in taking anything that does not belong to us. Besides, we shall try to leave as soon as we can," said Mrs. Bennet, unable to stop herself from crying.
Mr. Gardiner was outraged by Mr. Collin's callous behavior, but Mr. Phillips put him in his place.
"Mr. Collins, I find it horrid that less than a week after the death of my brother Bennet, you come to bother his widow and daughters. Precisely because you are a man of God, you should show more decorum."
"I think I have been quite fair and patient…" Mr. Collins tried to explain, but Mr. Gardiner interrupted him.
"Mr. Collins, my brother Phillips, and I shall keep you informed about everything related to the Longbourn. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us. We are all going to cooperate so that my sister and her daughters can live their grief in peace."
"I understand. I shall allow Mrs. Bennet and her daughters to mourn my cousin. Now, I must speak to my solicitor. He is waiting for me in the lobby. We shall begin taking the inventory and reviewing the accounting books today."
"I shall go with you," said Mr. Phillips.
Once Mr. Collins left the room, Charlotte apologized to her friends and offered her sincere condolences to Mrs. Bennet. Unfortunately, her husband did his best to remind the Bennet ladies that the house no longer belonged to them and that he was the new master.
That night, when the house was silent and everyone was asleep, Mrs. Bennet locked herself in her husband's study for several hours to remember all the beautiful moments she spent beside her husband. She felt exhausted but could not fall asleep, tired of crying and thinking about the future.
"My dear, I think you should go and rest," said Mrs. Gardiner to her sister-in-law.
"You are right, Madeline. I cannot continue wasting my time thinking about what I did not do. Now, I have to focus on the future."
"You have been strong, Fanny, and I admire you for how you have managed to handle this whole situation. I think your daughters are proud of you, too."
"I hope, Madeline. I cannot lie to you; I am terrified because I do not know what I shall do to protect my poor girls. I need your advice and help more than ever. Thank you for helping me see reality. You know, my dear? That horrible Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley's harpy sisters did me a favor... I do not know what would have happened to me if my husband had died thinking he married a hopeless fool," said Mrs. Bennet.
"Do not say that, Fanny."
"I say it because it is true. Madeline, Mr. Bennet, and I managed to clarify so many misunderstandings. I realized I was not the loving wife that Thomas one day loved and trusted. And he, well, he told me that he had always loved me and that he could not understand why we were so far apart. Madeline, our last month together was... I miss my husband so much!" Mrs. Bennet could not continue talking because she started crying.
"It is time for you to go to sleep, Fanny."
"I know, but first, Madeline… Please promise that you will help me continue learning, that I can count on your wise advice when I do not know what to do…"
"Of course, my dear. You can count on me for whatever you need, but please rest," Mrs. Gardiner said. Then, she helped his sister-in-law to her room and accompanied her until she fell asleep.
Mr. Gardiner had returned to London to attend to his business, but Mrs. Gardiner and the children stayed a few more days accompanying the family.
P&P
Two weeks later…
"Lizzy, you don't need to do that; your uncle and I shall see a way to…"
"Mama, we already talked about this. The little money my father managed to save will be enough to rent a property for you and my sisters. If I find employment, that will allow me to help you with the expenses of your new house. Uncle Gardiner has a family to care for and protect, and it is not fair that he has to take on another responsibility," Elizabeth explained.
"Oh, dear, you are a wonderful daughter. Thank you for wanting to help me and your sisters. I know you are strong and can overcome any obstacle because you are a lot like your father. But Jane, my poor delicate daughter, will have to work…" Mrs. Bennet could not continue speaking because she began to cry.
"I agree with you, mama. That is why I told Aunt Gardiner that Jane should work for Mrs. Smith. She is a good friend of my aunt, and Jane will be safe with her. I can look for employment elsewhere. Uncle Gardiner says he knows an excellent agency that can help me find a good-paying position and people who will treat me well."
"I hope that all of this is only for a short time and that somehow we can find a solution for this tragedy that we are experiencing," Mrs. Bennet said and hugged her daughter again.
Jane had overheard part of the conversation between Elizabeth and Mrs. Bennet. She was even more determined to find a definitive solution to all her family's difficulties. Although she had agreed to work for Mrs. Smith, the real purpose of her trip to London was another. She wanted to contact Louisa and Caroline and try to see Mr. Bingley. She was in love with him, and if he loved her, maybe he would feel sorry for her situation and want to help her. Jane did not lose hope that she would be able to marry the man she loved and that Netherfield would be a new home for her and her family.
Finally, Mrs. Bennet and her youngest daughters said goodbye to Jane, Elizabeth, and Mrs. Gardiner. The separation was sad, but all the Bennet ladies promised to write to each other and keep in touch. They hoped that some miracle would happen and they would be together again soon.
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"Mother, are you sure Darcy agrees, and you are not making decisions without his approval?" Richard asked. He knew his mother could be a little intrusive sometimes.
"Did you not say you were late for your appointment with General Sullivan? Son, I do not like it when you question my decisions. I know what I am doing very well, and you, as Georgiana's legal guardian, must support me," the Countess replied.
Richard kissed his mother on the cheek and said goodbye. He wanted to arrive on time for his appointment. Maybe his mother was correct, but he and his cousin did not know what was best for Georgiana. After what had happened with Mrs. Younge it was best not to leave anything to chance.
When the Countess learned that Mrs. Annesley would be leaving Georgiana's companion position, she offered to select a new person. Although Lady Margaret did not know the details about what happened to Mrs. Younge, she knew she had not cared for Georgiana as she should. Then, her nephew Darcy chose a very polite and affectionate lady, but she did not help Georgiana overcome her shyness or get out of her confinement. Therefore, she thought that it was best to hire a younger woman than help her beloved niece enjoy life a little more and be less afraid of interacting with the world.
Elizabeth took a deep breath and thanked her uncle for accompanying her. The employment agency had sent her to that address, where she would spend the entire afternoon in an interview to see if she was the most suitable person for the position. If she obtained the position, the salary would be much more than she expected, allowing her to help her mother and save some money. When Elizabeth saw the elegant mansion, she knew this family must be wealthy, but she did not know any more details.
After saying goodbye to her uncle, Elizabeth walked to the front door and knocked on the door. An elegant butler greeted her and told her Lady Margaret. Then he accompanied her to an elegant salon where an elegant lady welcomed her kindly.
"Thank you very much for coming, Elizabeth. I am Lady Margaret, and I asked you to come because I am looking for a companion for my dear niece. Please sit down so we can talk."
"Thank you very much for the opportunity, my Lady. As you know, my name is Elizabeth Bennet. I am at your disposal."
After both ladies sat and a maid served them tea, the Countess asked the first question. She noticed that Elizabeth was wearing a black dress and thought she knew why she was there. "The first thing I want to know is the reason why a young lady like you was forced to look for employment."
"I understand, my Lady. The truth is that my life has undergone an abrupt change since my father passed away a little over a month ago." Elizabeth told the Countess that her father's cousin would inherit the estate that had belonged to her father and that her mother and four sisters had been left with very little to survive.
"I am so sorry, Elizabeth. But let me tell you that I admire you for what you are doing for your mother and sisters. But tell me a little more about yourself, your tastes, what you enjoy doing, and your talents."
"I really like reading and studying history, I like poetry, and I have even read a lot about philosophy. My father taught me everything he had learned at Oxford. Also, I can embroider quite well and play the piano, although not as well as I should."
"And why do you think you should play the piano better?" asked the Countess curiously.
"Because the teacher I had when I was a child told me that I was quite talented, and if I am honest, my Lady, I have never had difficulties memorizing pieces of music. The problem is that I lack the patience to practice constantly."
"And why not?"
"Because I have always liked spending time in contact with nature. I love walking and enjoying life outside my home." Elizabeth felt very comfortable with Lady Margaret and told her many anecdotes about her childhood and what her life had been like in Hertfordshire.
The Countess was fascinated listening to Elizabeth. The girl was not only very entertaining but also had a natural charm and a contagious smile. Without a doubt, someone like her was what her niece needed—someone full of life to do different things, and that would help her overcome that shyness that often did not allow her to enjoy life as she deserved.
After almost two hours, the Countess decided that Elizabeth was the right person. She had interviewed two other young ladies, but neither had Miss Bennet's class and distinction. But before making the final decision, Elizabeth had to pass one more test.
"Elizabeth, can you come tomorrow afternoon? Do not worry about transportation; my coachman and one of my maids will pick you up at your uncle's house. I want you to meet my niece before making a final decision."
"Of course, my Lady. And I thank you for offering me transportation. My uncle will be busy tomorrow and cannot accompany me."
After nearly three hours and many conversations, Mr. Gardiner came to pick up Elizabeth, and she returned to Cheapside. When she entered the house, she saw Jane talking to Mrs. Smith. The following week, Jane would move in with her.
That night, both Elizabeth and Jane were very melancholy. The next day, Jane had planned to go visit Louisa and Caroline and was nervous. For her part, Elizabeth knew that soon she and Jane would be separated and would not see each other for a long time.
"Good night, Jane," said Elizabeth.
"Good night, Lizzy," Jane replied, hugging her dear sister.
They both fell asleep hugging each other, knowing that soon, all those moments together would be nothing more than a distant memory.
P&P
Elizabeth tried to start a conversation with Georgiana, but she only nodded. The poor girl introduced herself, but Elizabeth could not even hear her name. Without a doubt, Lady Margaret's niece was nothing like her aunt. Although she seemed a kind girl, she was too shy and unable to maintain a conversation for more than five seconds.
Elizabeth was sad to see that poor girl so uncomfortable, so she decided to talk a little about herself and her family to see if that would cheer her up a little. "Well, I would like to tell you that I have four sisters, so you can assume that I have a lot of experience dealing with girls."
Georgiana raised her head and said, "I only have one brother."
"I would have loved to have a brother," Elizabeth replied. She could not help but think that if she had a brother, she and her sisters probably would have a home.
"I would like to have a sister…" Georgiana said, blushing. Then she added, "But I have the best brother in the world."
"I am very happy for you. I also love my sisters very much, although I must say that my younger sisters have overwhelmed my patience on more than one occasion."
"Why?" Georgiana asked curiously but immediately added, "Excuse me, I did not mean to be indiscreet."
"You are not indiscreet; do not worry. Let me tell you some of my sisters' antics, and I want you to give me your opinion, of course, if you want."
"Yes," Georgiana said. Then, she added, "I have never had the opportunity to meet other girls… I…"
Elizabeth saw Georgiana uncomfortable, so to spare her the trouble, she began to tell her what a typical day was like in the Bennet family. At first, Georgiana could not believe that girls with so much energy existed, but then, without realizing it, she started laughing at the anecdotes and even asking some questions.
When the Countess approached the drawing room to see how her niece was, she was satisfied to hear how she was conversing animatedly with Elizabeth. Without a doubt, she was the person Georgiana needed in her life, someone who would motivate her and, above all, would accompany and guide her in the months before her debut in society.
When the butler announced her nephew, the Countess told him to take him to the study because she needed to talk to him first. She did not want him to interrupt the lively conversation.
P&P
Louisa and Caroline were amazed when the butler announced Jane's visit. Fortunately, Mr. Bingley would spend the afternoon at the club with Mr. Darcy and other friends. But they could not risk him meeting Jane, so they decided to receive her for ten minutes, tell her that they had something to do, and wait for her to leave. They needed to know the purpose of this visit and make sure that Jane did not dare to bother them again.
"Dear Jane, how nice to see you," said Louisa and Caroline. They were both surprised to see Jane dressed in dark blue, thinner and pale.
"Louisa, Caroline, I am also very happy to see you. A lot has happened since we last saw each other," Jane explained, trying to contain her sadness.
Louisa and Caroline invited Jane to sit and then asked her how long she had planned to stay in London. Jane could not help but shed some tears and tell them that her father had passed away and that she intended to live permanently in London.
"We are very sorry for everything that has happened," Louisa said.
"And, of course, we extend our sincere condolences to your mother and sisters," Caroline added. "So, are you planning to look for employment?"
"A friend of my aunt needed a companion, and I shall live with her. But…"
"As we told you, dear, we are very sorry for your situation. But we were not expecting visitors, and we have another engagement," Louisa said, looking at Caroline.
"Yes. We shall call on our dear friend Georgiana Darcy. Later, we will meet Charles at Darcy House. He and Georgiana are becoming better friends every day. She is such an elegant and sophisticated girl…" said Caroline
"And she has a dowry of thirty thousand pounds and is the niece of an Earl," Louisa added.
"Friends like the Darcys are what our brother needs to consolidate his position in society. He knows this very well and knows that he is the head of the Bingley family and must do his duty to advance our interests," Caroline concluded.
Jane had matured in the last month and understood perfectly what Mr. Bingley's sisters were telling her. She knew that the minor illusion she still harbored in her heart no longer existed and she had to accept her new reality. "I understand perfectly, and I sincerely wish you and your brother the best. I do not wish to interrupt your plans, and thank you for receiving me even though you have so many things to do."
"We are the ones who thank you for understanding," Louisa said, feeling a little sorry.
"We wish you the best in your new life. I hope you understand that a friendship between us is impossible in your current circumstances. Goodbye, Jane," Caroline said, ending the conversation.
Jane felt like crying but held back the tears. "Goodbye."
Jane left the room, and Louisa felt guilty. But she realized Caroline had done the right thing by letting Jane know that she was not welcome anymore.
"I imagine Eliza working as a governess to some spoiled children. I would like to see her and laugh in her face; I am sure that her abominable impertinence and self-confidence will end very soon," Caroline said, laughing.
"I still feel a little sorry for them, but I am not willing to sacrifice our family to help them," Louisa added.
Meanwhile, Jane ran for several blocks to get over the pain she felt. Once she calmed down, she looked for a carriage to take her back to Cheapside. On the way, she wiped away her tears and promised herself she would no longer waste her time crying.
'The only important thing now is my sisters and my mother. Everything I do from now on will be thinking about them,"thought Jane, wiping away the last tears she was shedding for Mr. Bingley.
P&P
"I do not know, Aunt, I prefer that Georgiana have a companion with more experience and, of course, a few years older," Mr. Darcy said uncomfortably.
He did not like his aunt doing things behind his back. They were both supposed to interview potential candidates and decide which was the most appropriate for the position. But his aunt had interviewed three candidates and had even already shortlisted one.
"Darcy, your sister needs someone to guide and accompany her. But she also needs a friend to trust and, above all, someone who can help her overcome her shyness. You are immensely rich, and you can hire teachers to teach her to perfect her piano playing, painting, protocol, and everything you want. But none of those people can connect with your sister's soul. I do not know what happened in Ramsgate, but since Georgiana returned from there, she has been even more shy and closed in on herself. If we do not do something, what do you think will happen in the next few years when your sister has to debut in society? How do you think she will be able to face the rumors, the gossip and the troop of women who approach her to get to you?"
"Aunt, I… I try to involve Georgiana in everything I do. I have even tried to get some of my friends' sisters to help…"
"I am sorry, my dear, do you not realize that those women, especially Miss Bingley, only approach Georgiana to ingratiate themselves with you?"
"Well, I guess, but... Aunt, do you think that a paid companion is the solution? For that young lady, spending time with my sister will be part of her duties and nothing more."
"You are wrong, Darcy. Mrs. Annesley sincerely wanted the best for Georgiana, but because of the tremendous age difference, your sister saw her as an aunt. The young lady I interviewed seemed very affectionate, and it was clear that she had good intentions. She lost her father and was forced to look for employment to help her mother and sisters."
"I do not know, I am not convinced…"
"Let us go to the drawing room; let me introduce her to you, talk to Georgiana, and then we shall make a decision," the Countess said emphatically.
Mr. Darcy knew that his aunt could be very persistent, so he accepted to avoid further arguing. "Alright, but I hope that after I meet her, you will allow me to talk to her."
"Of course, dear nephew," said Lady Margaret, smiling.
Mr. Darcy and the Countess walked towards the room where Elizabeth and Georgiana were conversing. They were both surprised to hear that Georgiana seemed to be laughing.
When Mr. Darcy entered the room, he saw his sister smiling and speaking animatedly. "I also really like apples."
"And do you like apple pie?" Elizabeth asked.
Mr. Darcy did not have time to react when he heard a voice that sounded familiar. He could not see the face of the young lady talking to his sister, but he knew who she was.
"Elizabeth, dear, please come and let me introduce you to my nephew."
Elizabeth heard the Countess's voice, stood, and turned around. She was shocked to see a gentleman she knew.
"Nephew, this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Elizabeth, this is my nephew and Georgiana's brother, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy,"the Countess said, smiling, not understanding why her nephew looked very surprised.
P&P
Thanks to everyone who leaves comments and follows the story with enthusiasm.
I'm very sorry this is the correct chapter, but the previous one corresponded to another story.
In the next chapter, Jane will get to know Mrs. Smith better while Mr. Darcy must make a difficult decision.
See you soon!
Saludos,
Yo