Author's Note: Between the issues with FFN itself and some family stuff, I have not posted in a little bit. I still have a number of chapters already written that I hope to post over the next few days, but we'll see how it goes. Several people asked what was happening at Longbourn during this time, so I've written this chapter. I'm not sure if it should go here, or if it should come later. I will post chapter 8 tonight as well.

Chapter 7
Longbourn

After Elizabeth's departure from Longbourn, life quickly settled into a new pattern. Jane was saddened by the loss of her sister, especially since it meant that her mother had more time to focus on her. Though she was only ten years old, she heard all about how she was to "save the family" through her marriage. That kind of talk grew the older Jane got, and when she turned fifteen, she was considered 'out' in Meryton and began attending the social events. Of course, in such a small community, the only men she met were those she had grown up with, and the Lucases nor the Gouldings would be able to support the entire Bennet family along with their own.

Recalling the Gardiner's promise not to deny their daughters a visit, the spring of that year, Mrs. Bennet sent Jane to London for a visit in the spring of 1804. She did this without advance notice, relying on the Gardiner's sense of familial duty to house their niece when she showed up with only the barest of warnings before her coach arrived at the Gardiner home one afternoon.

Jane found the Gardiner household was not to her liking, since they did not cater to her every wish, nor would they take her to the finest modiste in London. Not only that, but they would not take her to the balls and other events she had hoped, nor could they introduce her to wealthy men. The family did attend the theatre one night while she was there, and Jane complained that not only did Elizabeth accompany them, but her uncle did not rent a box as she hoped. After two weeks of constant complaining and of not getting her way, she wrote to her mother asking to return home. Her aunt and uncle were happy to send her home, though they did not escort her there, but sent her back in the same manner she arrived.

At first, Elizabeth was pleased to see her sister. They two had corresponded infrequently over the last several years; in truth, Jane had not written to her sister in several years. Elizabeth had written to her family monthly at first, but that slowly decreased over the years when she did not get a response.

Elizabeth was disheartened to see how shallow Jane's interests had become. Despite her initial excitement at being reunited, their conversations quickly grew tiresome. Jane showed little interest in Elizabeth's life in London or in any of the broader world topics Elizabeth enjoyed discussing. Instead, she focused on trivial matters and local gossip. Though Elizabeth was familiar with some of the people Jane discussed, she did not care for Jane's attitude toward them.

Despite her not visiting Hertfordshire for the last several years, Elizabeth was familiar with several of the families there. After receiving his knighthood, Sir William Lucas brought his family to London once or twice each year. Edward Gardiner and William Lucas had been friendly as children, so each year when Sir William came to London, he visited with his former friend. Through these visits, Elizabeth had become acquainted with the whole family, but in particular with Charlotte Lucas, who despite their difference in ages, proved a good friend to the young girl.

Charlotte and Elizabeth wrote to each other frequently, so when Jane visited, she did not care for how her sister tore down the Lucas family. In many ways, Charlotte was more like an older sister to Elizabeth than her own sister, so it bothered Elizabeth to hear her friend spoken of in such a way.

"Jane, I cannot understand why you speak so of Charlotte," Elizabeth said on one of the first mornings her sister was in town. "Charlotte visits my aunt and uncle with her father often and I find her to be an interesting and delightful friend."

Jane sniffed at her sister's words. "It is nothing more than what Mama always says," she insisted. "The Lucases are quite the conniving family, always seeking an advantage. It was quite silly that Sir William was elevated as he was for such a small matter and 'Lady Lucas', as she insists on being called, lords it over Mama whenever she can."

No matter how much Elizabeth tried to understand, she could not understand the depth of the animosity toward the Lucases by her sister, and presumably, her mother as well. By the time Jane left London, Elizabeth felt more of a kinship with the Lucas family than her own. Though she continued to write to her family on occasion, regardless of their lack of response, she only continued to do so out of duty.

When Jane returned home, she was full of criticisms for her sister and the Gardiners. Jane could not understand why her aunt and uncle had not taken her out as often as she wished, and Mrs. Bennet was annoyed with her brother for not introducing Jane to wealthy men. The only potential suitor Jane had met during her visit were tradesmen, and Mrs. Bennet did not think them at all suitable for her beautiful daughter.

Unbeknownst to Elizabeth, Mrs. Bennet wrote frequently to her brother to complain about this lack. Though she begged him to allow Jane to visit again each spring that followed, Mr. Gardiner refused to house her again, claiming that if Jane arrived, she would be sent right back to Longbourn.

The next several years brought little change to Longbourn. Jane continued to grow more beautiful, and Mrs. Bennet used whatever funds she could persuade her husband to part with to dress her in the best Meryton could afford. Of the other girls, Mary was largely ignored, since she lacked the beauty of her eldest sister. However, she was interested in the church and frequently visited the rector's wife, Mrs. Allen, for piano lessons and other lessons her parents did not see fit to teach her.

The two youngest girls were indulged, particularly Lydia, who, at just nine years of age, was spoiled and nearly uncontrollable. Both girls were taught the basics of reading and mathematics, and of course were taught to sew and embroider, but little else. Mrs. Bennet did not worry about things like teaching deportment or manners, not seeing anything wrong with their youthful liveliness.

Mr. Bennet considered his daughters to be silly and ignorant, not bothering himself to worry about their education. He paid enough attention to his estate to keep it running and to keep its income at the same level it always was, though the lack of improvements did mean his income fell a little from one year to the next. The stables declined to the point that he sold off the horses, for after Elizabeth was sent away, he lost interest in the stables. The money he gained from those sales went to purchase additional books for his library. He spent more and more time in his library reading, avoiding his family when he could.

So the Bennet family floundered while Elizabeth was in London. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Bennet could be bothered to ensure the girls were prepared for their futures. Mrs. Bennet continued to hope that Jane would rescue the family by marrying well, but considered what else she might do to ensure her family would not suffer too much in the future.