Before anyone could settle comfortably, Lydia was loudly complaining with Kitty providing a second to her concerns even as the younger girl continued.
"Mama! It's not fair!"
"It is not, Mama!"
"It will be ever so boring here come Easter. Father should let us all go to Kent!"
"Indeed!"
Mrs. Bennet sighed, sharing her youngest daughters' concerns. "Your Father would not be moved, my love. I'm sure we shall have to find our own amusement once half the family has deserted us come Spring."
Privately, Elizabeth observed that indeed these three would be much worse off in such a situation than the group that was to travel, as they cared nothing for intellectual or productive pursuits and sought entertainment and merry company above all, neither of which was readily available when so often at home. Her mother would likely host more than she was permitted to when Mr. Bennet was here to curtail her and prevent excess expenditure. She would have to discuss this with her father to ensure they did not return to find the yearly budget ruined by Mrs. Bennet feeding the whole regiment on multiple occasions.
The three who were to remain continued to discuss their misfortune and the cruelty of Mr. Bennet. Mrs. Gardiner shared a look with Elizabeth and both decided to leave them to it, as dissuading them from their inaccurate notions would be a feat best not attempted. Despite encouraging Jane to participate in guiding Mr. Collins to come to his own resolve to leave without being engaged, she had said nothing at dinner. It had not been necessary, but it was disheartening none the less.
"Jane my dear," Mrs. Gardiner began, moving to sit near her eldest niece with Elizabeth following. "Are you feeling any better since our meal?"
She was not referring to Jane's appetite as they had all observed, or any who cared to watch, that she had eaten more than the past few days but still much less than before her disappointment. Her countenance was more serene, but not changed in any real way regarding her complexion or the fullness of her cheeks. Those would take time to be restored.
Jane understood that her Aunt was enquiring regarding her feelings towards the table conversation and the inevitable success of their plan.
"Indeed, Aunt, I find myself relieved. I have gained some months of peace."
"Some months?" Elizabeth interjected, "I should hope it will be more than that. No thanks to your efforts!" She attempted to tease her sister as she had not dared to in over a week. Jane understood that observation was mostly in jest but also a very gentle rebuke.
"Well, I shall have you tell the gentlemen I was feeling unwell and repaired to my room early for the night. This will be more effective than any attempts I might make to otherwise forward our goals."
And with that, she squeezed their hands and stood to tell her mother she would be going above stairs. Mrs. Bennet was absorbed and merely gave a distracted "Yes, my dear, rest well" before turning back to the lively discussion of what each would do if they were lucky enough to go to Kent and meet Lady Catherine de Burg.