Page 5

The ladies of Longbourn sat at the dining table in a subdued air. The luncheon after any assembly was always a trial to be endured. Mr. Bennet always seemed to feel the need to pull them back from any happiness they had gained from such a charming time the night before.

Mr. Bennet jabbed a piece of boiled ham with his fork and took a large bite.

With a half-open mouth, he chewed it while trying to decide who to focus his attention on next.

He had already insulted his wife. Then he had moved on to his oldest daughter, Jane; at twenty-one, one would think she would have been taken off his hands by now.

Neither of them reacted in the way that he wished.

When he looked at Elizabeth, she met his gaze without flinching.

“Lizzie dear, have you checked your impertinent remarks lately? I fear you may drive away your sister’s suitors with your bluestocking ways.

You know that only capturing a wealthy husband will save you girls from the hedgerows on my passing.

” Elizabeth’s dark curly hair and vivid emerald eyes mirrored those of his grandmother.

He saw his grandmother’s glare of disapproval when he looked into her eyes.

“Yes, Father, it is a fear I have as well. I know having read books is something that will prevent me from finding a husband, but I can hope that the consequences will not spill over onto Jane as well. How else can I spend my days teaching Jane’s children how to embroider and play the piano poorly?

” Elizabeth returned his denigration with sarcasm.

Frustrated with his lack of headway with Elizabeth, Bennet moved on to someone he thought would be a weaker target.

“So, Mary, if Jane’s ravishing beauty makes Elizabeth’s prettiness seem dull in comparison, you must have no hope of impressing anyone.

Were you sure to bring a book for the time you graced the wall with your presence? ”

Mary swallowed her last bite before responding.

“I have been reading the Proverbs of late and have found many of them deserving of contemplation. Specifically, I am pondering Proverbs 16:8. Though one must also pay attention to Proverbs 17:1.” Mary methodically ate her meal, not even looking up at her father.

He was not a man who held any appreciation for scripture and would never understand her slight.

“I am glad that you at least have something to ponder while you wait all alone at assemblies.” His pious daughter wasted so much of her time reading religious blather.

He looked further down the table. Kitty was so cowed that she never raised her eyes when he was in the room.

Lydia, on the other hand, was so feeble-minded that she did not realize his animosity.

The daft girl put flowers at his spot at the table for him every day.

No longer satisfied with the interaction, Bennet threw his serviette down and pushed back from the table.

Satisfied that he had at least taken the shine off their fun, he left them to enjoy his books and port.

The ladies, upon his leaving, found themselves able to relax and eat in peace.

Habit led the women to regroup in Mrs. Bennet’s sitting room after they had dealt with Mr. Bennet.

In response to Mr. Bennet’s assumption that the ladies were unintelligent and silly, they worked to expand their minds.

They would often engage in energetic debates about philosophical topics or read classic literature out loud.

“I feel Voltaire meant that inaction is just as indefensible as a wrong action.” Elizabeth often brought up Voltaire when frustrated with her father.

“Yes, I agree with you. It has a similar feeling to a scripture in James that speaks against seeing a need and not caring for it.” It had been a while since Mary had branched out in her reading beyond scripture.

“What flowers did you leave for Papa this time, Lydie?” Jane had caught on to Lydia’s small rebellion a long time ago.

“Geranium for folly and stupidity. I was looking for an orange lily, but none of them were in bloom. Either way, it works. What is even better is that he leaves me alone because he thinks I am not smart enough to recognize his abuse. After all, I give him flowers.” With a clever laugh, she kept on working on the baby blanket she was making.

“How have the mornings with Kiernan gone? Did you bring him the paper so he could practice writing?” Mrs. Bennet had a soft spot for the little boy who wanted to protect her girls.

“Yes, it is progressing well. We have been talking about history as we walk, and I wrote out a few simple sentences for him to copy over. I also wanted to give him something a little more advanced,” Elizabeth shared with a hopeful smile.

“I remember reading a children’s book when I was younger, and though it is a vague memory, something like that would work.

What do you think?” She did not want to overwhelm Kiernan, as it might make him want to give up.

Lydia recollected the book her older sisters read to her not too many years ago. “I think there is a book of nursery rhymes on the shelf of the schoolroom upstairs. Is that what you remember?”

“That is it, Lydie! You are brilliant!” Elizabeth got up right away and rushed off to go look for it.

“Who am I to disagree?” Lydia smirked as she left.

When Elizabeth returned, she realized that the subject had changed in her absence.

Returning to her spot, she fiddled with the book in her hands.

The discussion was about Mr. Darcy and the whispers about his poor showing at the assembly.

Elizabeth felt a sense of relief when she heard her sisters defend him to their mother.

She tried to maintain a stoic expression, not wanting to show too much sympathy for him, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t shake the potent feelings that this gentleman had stirred within her.

She was reluctant to delve into the reality of the situation, and the thought of bringing it up to her family was daunting.

“That is unfortunate. I understand the burden of suffering from attacks of nerves. It is kind that you overlook his apparent slight.” She knew that if Elizabeth didn’t forgive his slight, she would be sure to have voiced her displeasure already.

Noticing the book in Elizabeth’s hand, she commented.

“I think Kiernan will truly enjoy the book, and it should help him along the path of learning.”

“Yes, Lizzie, I think it is a great idea,” Mary agreed.

“When will you see him next?” Kitty was still working on the quilt she was making for their Aunt Gardiner. She would go to stay with the family in London this year, as it was her turn, and she wanted to come bearing gifts.

“He still insists on escorting me on my morning walks for my protection, so first thing tomorrow morning.” Elizabeth was looking forward to seeing his face when she gave him the book.

Watching the sunrise was one of Elizabeth’s favorite pastimes.

Before the day had truly begun, it was quiet, everything was aglow, and it held the promise of new possibilities.

Somehow, this morning felt rife with potential.

The autumn air was crisp, and the leaves were a glorious blaze of color.

Elizabeth’s lips curved into a grin when she spotted Kiernan skipping down the path.

If he was this happy already, what would he do when he saw the book?

Elizabeth hopped off the boulder she sat on, brushed off her dress, and went to greet him.

“Good morning, Miss Elizabeth!” Kiernan ran the last few feet with childish joy.

“Good morning, Kiernan. How are you enjoying this lovely new day?” Elizabeth started down their set path, smiling as she went.

“It is a right nice day, Miss Elizabeth. Everything smells fresh an’ pure. The trees are sure pretty too.” Turning his face up, he took in a deep breath of the clean air.

“Do you remember when you bet a book that the gentleman we met would do poorly at the assembly?” Elizabeth gathered her skirts to avoid a muddy section of the path.

“Yes, Miss Elizabeth.” Kiernan did not seem to care that there was mud, as he went straight through it.

“Well, you were correct. The gentleman did not do well at the assembly. He was quite overwhelmed and not up to dancing. Actually, he insulted me and my sisters.” Once clear of the mud, Elizabeth smoothed out the wrinkles in her skirts.

“That is a shame, Miss Elizabeth. I hope you’re not very upset about it.” He would hate to think that a dumbstruck stranger had hurt the girls.

“No, I am trying to be understanding. He seemed to struggle the entire night. I noticed his hands shaking, and he seemed overwhelmed.” She moved to pick some flowers along the path, wondering what Lydia would think of them.

“I’m glad you’re not hurt.” Kiernan was glad she realized that there was more to the situation.

Elizabeth smiled at his concern. “No one had their feelings hurt, but we were all concerned for the man. Either way, I have brought you your winnings.” Elizabeth brought out a brown paper-wrapped package.

“What?” Abruptly stopping, Kiernan looked up at Elizabeth in shock.

“Did you not bet a book, Mr. Kiernan?”

His reaction did not disappoint Elizabeth. “But that was just a joke, Miss Elizabeth. I did not mean fer you to get me a book. They are far too precious for the likes of me.” Kiernan did not want her to think he wanted anything material out of their friendship.

“It is not so precious, a book. It is only a small one of children’s tales.

We used to read it when we were little, but none of us girls are of an age to read it anymore.

I had hoped that you could use it to practice your reading and eventually read it to your siblings.

I have also brought some paper and a pencil for writing practice. ” Elizabeth held them out to Kiernan.