5. Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The sun had already progressed well toward its zenith when Mary finally made her way into the morning room. I cannot believe how long I slept today. Without Lizzy and Papa here to rise early, the house is so very quiet. Bright sun streamed through the windows, reflecting off the china on the table. She sighed heavily as she looked at the three place settings where there should be six. I miss my sisters and papa. I never thought I would miss reading to him at night, but last night felt so empty! Lydia and Kitty enjoyed the freedom to amuse themselves as they chose, but something was just not right. This is too much the way it felt when we lost Mama. What is this? Mary picked up a piece of paper with Jane's handwriting that had been left at her father's place. I wonder when this arrived. I wish Hill had given this to me directly. I must tell her to do so in the future. She hurriedly unfolded the note and began to read.

Pounding footsteps echoed from the staircase, and Lydia ran past her, jostling the paper in her hands. "Lydia, please!" she cried, dodging her sister.

"That is my bonnet!" Kitty cried, pushing past Mary. "Give it to me. I did not say you could take it!"

"You said I might trim it with that new ribbon you got in town last week. I will do that, after I have worn it today!" Lydia danced around the small table.

"It is mine! I want to wear it!" Kitty protested shrilly.

"But it looks so well with my dress! It suits me much better than you anyway." She put the bonnet on and pulled the brim around her face. "You can wear my old straw one with the white lace and flowers."

"You know I hate that straw bonnet. It is not fair; give me what is mine!" She chased Lydia around the table, finally trying to reach across to snatch the hat away.

"Both of you, stop it now!" Mary scolded, taking Kitty by the shoulder. "You will break the crystal if you keep that up!"

"What does it matter? It will all go to that dreadful Mr. Collins when he inherits Longbourn anyway!" Lydia snapped.

"No it will not; this was Mama's, and does not belong to the estate," Mary corrected. "Not that it should make any difference. Settle yourselves now." Lydia harrumphed and Kitty pouted. "Sit down, both of you, and have breakfast."

"You sound just like Lizzy," Lydia complained, rolling her eyes. "Sit down and mind your manners or I will have you write an essay on conduct," she mimicked, hands on her hips.

I wish she were here. She always knows what to do when they quarrel like this. "Lydia!"

Grudgingly, both girls sat down and began to help themselves. Satisfied, Mary took her seat. She procured a piece of toast and buttered it before she returned to the note. "Jane writes to say that Lizzy is only slightly improved, and Mr. Palmer still insists she is not to be moved." She nibbled her piece of toast. "The correspondence is piling up on Papa's desk. I suppose I should have it sent to Netherfield. Who would have thought so much would arrive in just these few days?"

"Well, I think dealing with all those letters sounds just dreary," Lydia declared, flouncing in her seat. "Kitty and I are going to call upon Maria Lucas and then go into town."

Mary glanced at them warningly. "I will have Hill pack a trunk for Lizzy so she will have her things there when she feels better. I think it best that you two take the time to visit Jane and Papa and see the trunk delivered."

"No! Mary, we already have plans!" Kitty moaned, landing her hands on the table hard enough to rattle the dishes.

"But Mary, we remembered father's warning, and we have something useful to do while we are there. Hill has several things she needs taken to Aunt Philips, and several orders she needs placed with the merchants. We are not solely bent on pleasure," Lydia explained through a mouthful.

"Mind your manners, Lydia!" Mary rebuked. "I do not know…"

"But Hill is counting on us to do these things on her behalf," Kitty begged, gripping the table hard.

"Do not fear, we will be good as gold." Lydia batted her eyes innocently.

"It is not me you have to convince," Mary warned severely. "If father hears of you even looking at the officers in town…"

"I promise he will hear of no such thing," Lydia insisted, popping up from her seat. She grabbed Kitty by the hand. "Come, let us be off. Maria said she wanted to make an early start of it."

"Kitty…" Mary glared.

"Papa will hear nothing to trouble him," Kitty insisted.

Mary shook her head and watched them go. I do not trust them, but what am I to do with them? Lizzy and Jane would know, but Kitty and Lydia do not listen to me, no matter what. She sighed and returned to her toast. Perhaps I shall see the trunk to Netherfield myself this afternoon, if it does not rain.

Kitty shifted the heavy basket on her arm. "Why do I have to carry this?"

"Because you know I will only drop it." Lydia laughed, skipping ahead. "And Hill will be most displeased if that happens."

"But that is not fair, Lyddie!" Kitty pouted. "At least help…"

"Oh, do stop your fussing. I was the one who figured out how to get out from under Mary's sharp eye. Is that not enough? We are nearly at our aunt's. Once we have finished our errand there, the basket will be much lighter."

True to Lydia's word, they arrived at the Philipses' house shortly thereafter and spent a pleasant quarter of an hour visiting. As they left, Kitty whispered, "Do you think she will remember we told her Maria overslept in case—"

"No one will ask, Kitty, you worry far too much. You sound like Jane and Lizzy! Is it not cruel enough that we shall have to be like them soon? We must have our fun now!" Lydia reassured, taking the nearly empty basket from her and swinging it merrily. "Those errands for Hill should not take long. We should be able to make it to Lucas Lodge in plenty of time." Kitty hurried to keep up.

"Do come in, girls!" Lady Lucas greeted them enthusiastically. "I am so glad that you were able to come. I am sorry to see that your sister Mary did not join you." They handed their wraps and bonnets to the maid and hurried to follow their hostess.

"Thank you for your invitation, Lady Lucas," Kitty quickly replied. "Mary was required at home this afternoon. She regretted being unable to get away."

"I understand, of course. You all are such good girls, the way you always attend your father. Perhaps next time Mary will be able to be with us."

"I am sure she would like that very much," Lydia smiled.

"The Forsters just arrived. Mrs. Forster is such a lovely lady, and so very young, not much older than yourselves, I think," Lady Lucas said just above a whisper. "They were so gracious as to bring several of their officers with them as well."

Lydia and Kitty followed her into the drawing room. "May I present Miss Kitty Bennet and Miss Lydia Bennet of Longbourn. Girls, this is Colonel Forster, Mrs. Forster, Captain Harper, and Lieutenants Carter, Denny, and Wickham."

Later that afternoon, Kitty and Lydia hurried back to Longbourn. Dark clouds rapidly gathered overhead and a chill wind whipped their skirts.

"I knew we should have taken the gig," Kitty muttered angrily, kicking the ground and glancing up at the angry sky. "Can you not smell the rain approaching?"

"You do not know how to drive it well enough! Besides, someone would surely recognize it. Everyone always does," Lydia retorted sarcastically. "If we hurry, we shall make it home before it rains." She gazed upwards. "See those clouds are not so very dark yet."

A gust of wind buffeted them. "We should have left earlier." Kitty pulled her shawl more tightly around her. "You always have us caught in the rain."

Lydia skipped ahead. "Who knows when we shall be able to meet with them all again? Papa is so unreasonable! Mrs. Forster was a perfectly nice woman, and she is just seventeen! What a match she has made! Would it not be wonderful to make such a match?" She twirled about and came to a stop facing Kitty. "Lieutenant Wickham was perfectly charming, do you not think so! He's so tall … so handsome in his uniform."

"I would not know," Kitty turned her face away disdainfully. "You kept him to yourself."

"Just because he liked me better is no reason for you to pout. You could have…"

"Been as forward and unladylike as you?"

"You sound like Lizzy and Jane!" She skipped around her sister. "Ladies are demure. Ladies do not express themselves so loudly. Ladies do not draw attention to themselves. Ladies do not have any fun!"

"I do not sound like that!" Kitty crossed her arms and glared. "Besides, did you not find the way they stared at us to be ungentlemanly?"

"How would we know how a gentleman looks at anything?" She whirled on her sister. "We live with a blind man!"

"Lydia! How could you say such things?" Thick clouds rolled across the sky and thunder rumbled in the distance. "Come, we must be on our way!" Kitty reached for her hand, but she snatched it away.

"Because they are true!" She stomped her foot. "I am tired of it, Kitty! Are you not? All we do is work and follow Papa's rules. We have no fun! He lets us do nothing and expects us…"

"To be useful. What is wrong with that?" Kitty stared at Lydia as she lifted up the empty basket over her head. "Lydia, do not…" Lydia threw the basket down. Kitty retrieved it, brushing the dirt away and clutched it tightly as the wind tried to pull it out of her hands.

"I do not want to be useful! I want to go to balls and parties and dance with officers! I am tired of reading books." She screwed up her face and her voice became high and nasal, " Elegant Extracts: or useful and entertaining Passages in Prose selected for the Improvement of Scholars at Classical and other Schools in the Art of Speaking, in Reading, Thinking, Composing; and in the Conduct of Life How completely droll. Or Elegant Epistles: or, A Copious Collection of Familiar and Amusing Letters, selected for the Improvement of Young Persons, and for General Entertainment which is even worse. I care not for Cicero and Pliny and Johnson. If I must read, let me read novels with 'Sorrows,' 'Feelings' or 'Heart' in their titles, not more sermons by Fordyce!"

"You know such sentimental novels are improper." A solitary cold raindrop landed on Kitty's cheek. "It is starting to rain, let us go." She took several steps, but Lydia did not follow.

"I do not care about learning to write ledgers and hearing about crops and animals and tenants! I do not care about sheep and horses and farmers. They have no feeling, no passion!" She ran ahead and grabbed Kitty's hands and spun her around. "I am young and pretty! Did you not hear the officers say so? I do not want to waste it working like a servant when I could be—"

"Lydia!" Kitty scolded severely, dragging Lydia to a stop. She wiped another large cold rain drop from her face. "You sound as if you are not grateful to have Papa with us. Do you not realize that if he had not survived, Mr. Collins would have thrown us into the hedgerows ten years ago? We would have had no dowries and little to live on—we would be living on the charity of our uncles."

"At least mama would be alive. She was so pretty and lively; she certainly would have remarried. That is what Aunt Philips has always said." Her posture shifted to mimic her aunt. "'Such a shame it is that your father shall never remarry. You girls should have a mother. You know had he died of his injuries as we all expected him to do, your mother would have remarried. There was more than one man in town that would have taken her, despite you five girls.'"

"How can you say such a thing?"

"I did not say it, Aunt Philips did!" Lydia leaned in close to Kitty's face. The wind swirled around them, plastering their skirts to their legs.

"You should not repeat them!" Kitty hissed, a volley of cold drops hitting her face.

"I wish he had died instead of her!" Lydia shouted and stormed away.

"It is raining again," Jane said softly from the parlor window. I must admit I am glad, for it will keep Lydia and Kitty home today. I am sure they went out yesterday whilst the weather was still fine. I do so hope they have not tried to disobey Papa.

"I dare say I have not seen so much rain in quite a long time," Bingley said looking over her shoulder. "Are the roads here prone to flooding?"

"Not usually, sir," she answered as she turned and smiled.

"Well, that is good to know. Would you care for some tea? Mrs. Price just brought it in."

"I would very much, thank you." Jane followed him to sit near his sisters.

"I have a lovely blend of Pekoe today, Miss Bennet," Caroline said as she made a show of opening the silver tea caddy and spooning out the precious tea leaves. "I imagine the chandler in town only deals in bohea and singlo. I am sure you are accustomed to their flavors." She smiled thinly. "I trust you shall find this much superior."

Bingley scratched his chin, frowning. What is she about, suggesting that the Bennets can only afford the cheapest of teas? Is she forgetting how dearly that gunpowder there cost us?

Jane accepted the cup and sipped it delicately. "This is a delightful blend."

"It is a favorite of mine. A very rare treat for you, I imagine." Caroline added two lumps of sugar to her cup and stirred it delicately, her spoon never making a sound against the delicate china.

"Perhaps not as rare as you might imagine," Jane said softly. "Our chandler does carry a selection of the better teas, but most often we get our tea directly from Twining's Tea Warehouse. We have a special blend that they prepare for us."

Caroline suddenly began to choke and set her teacup down with a clatter.

"My uncle in London is quite good friends with Mr. Richard Twining. Uncle Gardiner usually procures most of our tea for us." Jane blinked sweetly.

Bingley pursed his lips hard to suppress his smirk. He chanced a glance at Jane and noted the soft twinkle in her eyes. He coughed into his fist to disguise his laughter.

Recovering her composure, Caroline asked, "How fares Miss Eliza today?"

Jane took another sip from her cup. "My sister, Lizzy ," she lingered over her sister's name, "is a bit better, thank you. Perhaps tomorrow she will be able to join us below stairs for a bit."

"I am certain we would all enjoy that." Bingley smiled broadly.

"I know she would very much." Jane matched his smile and sampled a biscuit. "She does not prefer to be indoors so much. This has been trying on her spirit."

"I suppose it is the mark of a true lady to bear such trials with equanimity," Caroline observed with a glance at her sister.

"I did not mean to intimate that my sister was complaining in any way." Jane's jaw dropped at the accusation.

"Certainly not," Louisa soothed. "I believe Caroline was only making a general observation." She cast a warning glance at her sister.

Bingley tugged anxiously at his cravat. "I heard there was an assembly to be held in Meryton at the full moon."

"There is indeed, sir." Jane beamed at him gratefully. "Do you and your party intend to attend?"

She is beautiful when she smiles! He suddenly realized he had been staring and shook his head slightly. "Oh, ah, do you find the assemblies here agreeable? Will you and your sisters attend?"

"They are a most agreeable pastime. My sisters love to dance. We are certainly planning to attend."

"Your sisters? All your sisters?" Caroline gasped. "They are all out? But you are not married! The younger ones are out before the older are married?"

Jane started and blinked uncertainly. She is quite determined to be displeased.

"Caroline!" Bingley said sharply. "This is not a London ball where many parties unknown to one another mingle. I am quite certain that nearly everyone is known to everybody else, and the younger girls are quite carefully chaperoned by their—"

"Uncle," Jane finished for him. He is so ready to defend our family to his sister. Lizzy was right about him. "Lydia and Kitty only stand up with those my uncle approves. Mary does not usually care to dance." Jane flashed him another grateful smile.

"You see, there can be no impropriety in that," Bingley agreed.

Across the room, Darcy and Bennet sat bent over a chess board, both trying to ignore the conversation on the other side of the room. "Are you certain that is your move, sir?" Darcy asked, his hand still on the white knight Bennet had instructed him to move.

"Absolutely. I think you will understand soon enough." He paused dramatically for a moment, "Check and mate." His lips twitched as he suppressed a triumphant smile.

Darcy frowned and blinked as he studied the board. His eyes widened. "I did not see that coming. I am astonished, truly astonished."

"That I can play chess, or that you were beaten?" He cocked his head in amusement.

"To be entirely honest, both. I must confess that I am rarely beaten, especially—"

"By a blind man?"

"No, sir," Darcy's voice turned very serious. "You go too far now. I have never…"

"You are correct, I beg your pardon. Sometimes I allow my humor to go a bit too far. Please forgive me." Bennet extended his hand slightly.

"I will, as long as you do not make such an implication again." Darcy shook his hand firmly.

They both heard Hurst's heavy steps behind them. "So you have been bested at your own game, I see!" He slapped Darcy's shoulder. "I dare say it has been a while since I have seen that happen! It is about time that you finally tip your king." He chuckled warmly.

Darcy pushed back in his chair and rose. "I believe Mr. Bennet is up for another game." He gestured for Hurst to take his place.

"I do not mind if I do." The large man settled into the seat. "Pull up a chair there, Darcy." He lowered his voice as he began to reset the board, "You would best join us lest you find yourself prey to my sister!"

Darcy rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Need I ask?" Bennet asked with a slight smirk. The heron seeks a prey far too large to swallow.

"Certainly not," Darcy harrumphed.

"Will you take the opening move, sir?" Hurst offered, chuckling. "You should consider yourself lucky, Darcy. Your sister is so much younger than you; you are more father than brother to her."

"And you believe that an easier task?" Bennet guffawed. "Pawn to king four. So how young is your sister, Darcy?"

Shifting uncomfortably as he moved the chess piece as Bennet directed, Darcy mumbled, "She is but sixteen." Bennet's head snapped toward him, giving him the distinct impression of being stared at. Does nothing escape his notice?

"Pawn to queen's rook five." Hurst placed his pawn heavily on the board. The frame of the chair groaned as he leaned back. "Certainly young enough to be told what to do," he laughed, "and young enough for you not to take any cheek from her."

Bennet began to laugh and slapped Darcy's knee. "Spoken like a man with no daughters! Shall we set him straight?"

"I am hardly in a position to refute him; she is not my daughter." Not to mention that I have been a poor excuse of a guardian for her. You must already suspect that, though you are too generous to say so.

"Queen to king's bishop three. While that may be true, it does not change the fact that you have been an authority over her, and as such, you have been the focus of her tempers and her fancies."

Darcy leaned in to move Bennet's queen. He looked quizzically at the board, and then bit his lip to hide his smile. Oh, Hurst! "I suppose my sister is too far in awe of her elder brother to show me her tempers." Not that it made any difference; she was ready to defy me easily enough.

"Then you may consider yourself a lucky man." Bennet rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "In a houseful of young women, I assure you there are as many tempers and nervous symptoms as any man can tolerate."

"Surely it cannot be as bad as that!" Hurst clucked his tongue and glanced at Jane. "It seems Miss Bennet has soothed all within her influence, even Caroline looks at peace now. Surely there can be little strife in a household where she is present."

Bennet smiled broadly. "Jane has a talent for mediating and bringing peace. That is undeniable. But at times, four younger sisters prove too much, even for her. Now tell me, Hurst, have you ever been caught between your wife and her sister squabbling over a length of ribbon to trim a bonnet?"

"No."

"Imagine if you will, sitting quietly, trying to listen as the paper is being read and having two agitated young ladies circling about you like a pair of hound puppies circling an old shoe, shrieking over rights to said bauble while reaching over your shoulders to try to snatch it from one another." Bennet leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Pawn to king's bishop five." Hurst moved the piece brusquely. "No, I have to admit, I have not. Although, between us gentlemen, I will say a few of their arguments have been much as you just described."

The three men chuckled companionably. From the corner of his eye, Darcy examined the board again and struggled not to allow his expression to reveal too much.

"Then, perhaps I must tip my hat to your experiences, Hurst. However, queen to king's rook five—checkmate, the game is mine." Bennet's wry grin lit his face.

Hurst's attention snapped back to the board as he stared dumbfounded. "No, it cannot be! Confound it! I know I am not a player of Darcy's caliber, but you have bested me in just three moves! Surely you could have shown some mercy, Bennet!"

Jane appeared just behind her father's shoulder. "Are you up to your old tricks, Papa?" she inquired lightly.

Bennet reached up to find her hand hovering above his shoulder. "An old man must have ways of entertaining himself, you know, dear."

"It is generally recommended that you do not do so at the expense of your hosts," she teased. "As I understand, the accepted etiquette is that you lose at least the first two games out of courtesy."

Hurst laughed heartily, slapping his thighs. "You must listen to your daughter, sir, for she clearly understands the propriety of all things. There are few ladies I have met who show such an intimate understanding of the proprieties of chess when you are a house guest."

"Then perhaps it is time for you to refresh my memory, dear." He rose and found Jane's elbow. "Shall we go see to your sister? Then, both of you can ensure that I am properly tutored in the delicacies of a visitor's etiquette. By your leave, gentlemen." He bowed slightly as Jane curtsied, and they left the room together.

A moment later, Caroline stomped to the chess table, her skirts swishing in irritation. "The cheek of that man and his daughter! I have never seen…"

"Oh, Caroline!" Bingley huffed, striding to her side. "You are entirely too easily offended."

"Listen to your brother," Hurst insisted, "they are delightful company. I can think of hardly an afternoon spent more enjoyably."

"Mr. Darcy shall agree with me, will you not, sir?" She turned to him insistently. "Their manners are most unsuitable; they behave as though this was Twickenham or Richmond! Do you not find them so?"

He grumbled under his breath. "Their manners are not those of the first circles."

"There, you see! Charles, he agrees with me, Mr. Darcy finds them rude and unmannerly…"

Darcy rose and towered over Caroline. "No, I did not say that. I would thank you, Miss Bingley, not to put words in my mouth. Never have I suggested that the Bennets are in any way rude. These are not the first circles, and this is not a London peer's drawing room. This is a country manor, and Mr. Bennet is a country gentlemen, as am I. It would serve you well to remember that." He nodded sharply. "If you will excuse me." He turned and left the room.