Page 4 of Body and Soul (Darcy and Elizabeth Variations #8)

Chapter Four

November 27, 1811 Longbourn Elizabeth

E lizabeth relished her position as mistress of the house. In her mother’s shoes, she could order whatever meal she wished. She happily simplified the menu with Mrs. Hill, ignoring the perturbed and confused expressions on the housekeeper’s face. She instructed they have the entire meal served at once instead of in two courses. The dining room table was plenty big to accommodate the array of dishes. Instead of three meats, she settled on two. Pheasant and a beef roast would be more than enough. Two vegetables and a soup would also be served.

“What about dessert, madam?” Mrs. Hill asked. “Cook planned to make a spiced cake.”

She pondered her reply. Mama had a dreadful sweet tooth, and though Elizabeth inhabited her body, the cravings for something sugary persisted. “Have Cook serve it with tea after the meal,” she finally said. Satisfied she had done her work, Elizabeth departed. Her sisters had yet to rise. That was unsurprising, given their late night. They ought to be up soon. The Lucases would arrive for tea to discuss the previous evening, and the others would not wish to miss the call.

Frowning, she realized she would be forced to speak with Lady Lucas instead of Charlotte. Elizabeth knew the lady to be as nonsensical as her mother and did not look forward to spending an afternoon partaking in gossip.

“Give it back, Kitty!” Lydia came careening around the corner, running at full speed just as Elizabeth stepped out of Mrs. Hill’s office. Lydia’s elbow nudged her as she passed, causing her to stumble. Not a word of apology was uttered as the youngest Bennet grabbed the stair railing to aid her in taking a sharp turn down another hallway.

So much for peace and quiet. Sighing, she followed Lydia, ready to separate the two before the argument grew too severe. She entered the parlor where her mother had last been, only to find it empty.

“Mama, make her give it back!” Lydia shouted. Kitty stood on the pianoforte bench, her hand lifted high above her head, a pretty blue ribbon dangling from her hand.

“It is mine!” she wailed. “I spent a week embroidering it and now that it is done, Lydia wishes to claim it for her own.”

“I gave it to you!” Lydia shouted in reply. “And I want it back. Give it to me! Mama, make her give it to me. It is mine! I paid for it.”

“As I recall, I— Elizabeth paid for the ribbon.” Elizabeth folded her arms and frowned. “Lydia, your behavior is unseemly. You gave it to Kitty, and you will not take it back simply because she made something out of your discarded belongings. And you, Kitty! Do get down this instant. You are a young lady, not a monkey.”

Lydia gaped, surprise written all over her countenance. And she would be—Mrs. Bennet always sided with her youngest, even against Jane. “But, Mama…”

“No! Do not argue, young lady. Another word and you will remain in your chambers whilst the Lucases are calling. Kitty, take your ribbon upstairs. If I see you acting like a hoyden again, I shall know how to act! Both of you, begone!” The girls scampered away, confused looks on both their faces. Elizabeth wondered how long it would be until they tried some other mischief. No matter. She would ensure they experienced consequences if they misbehaved again.

“You need not have scolded them so.” She turned, once again bemused at seeing herself standing in the doorway.

“I did,” she said firmly. “Kitty and Lydia are wild and out of control. They need to be taken in hand and taught to behave better. In fact, maybe I ought to send them back to the nursery.” Yes, that sounded like a fine idea.

“No! They are out. Such lively girls will certainly draw the attention of eligible men.” Mama shook her head forcefully. “They must marry if their future is to be secure.”

“Surely you see their manners are wanting. Their impropriety and poor behavior drives men away rather than what you intend. And it cannot benefit older sisters to have the younger out before they are settled.”

Mama kept shaking her head. “It is the only way,” she murmured. “You will all be destitute if I do not secure your futures.”

“Why are you so concerned?” Elizabeth asked. “Jane is hardly on the shelf. I have not reached my majority. And Mr. Bennet is as hale and hearty as ever.”

“I am concerned because no one else seems to be!” Elizabeth’s voice pitched up, sounding frantic and somewhat shrill. It sounded so odd. She knew her mother’s personality controlled it all. Mama’s nerves seemed to be just as prevalent, no matter whose body she inhabited.

Elizabeth shook her head. “You are not the only concerned one,” she said. “Be that as it may, whilst I have some influence over my youngest sisters, I intend to wield it. If Kitty and Lydia cannot behave, they shall not have their share of amusements.”

“My best wishes in seeing it done once they start wailing.” Mama folded her arms and smirked. That look Elizabeth was familiar with. She employed it often enough.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

Shaking her head, Mama departed without another word.

The Lucases arrived with their usual fanfare. Lady Lucas bustled into the room, her expression eager. Charlotte followed at a sedate pace, moving away from Elizabeth toward Jane and her mother. She felt a pang of disappointment that she would not be able to speak to her friend as she wished, but turned a welcoming smile to Lady Lucas, anyway.

“Where is Maria?” she asked politely, pouring the tea.

“Oh, she is still abed. It seems she over indulged last night and is suffering the effects. You know how it is.”

Yes, she did. Lydia and Kitty did so often enough, though they seemed to have escaped the effects of the punch last night. The pair had scampered off as soon as they saw Maria would not be present and had likely resolved to spend the afternoon in each other’s company.

“Your daughters did very well last night. Kitty and Lydia danced every set. Jane danced three sets with Mr. Bingley. I confess to some surprise that there was no announcement in the offing last night.” Lady Lucas gave Elizabeth a knowing look. “I am certain it will not be much longer,” she insisted. “Do not despair, my dear friend.”

“I am not at all distressed, I assure you.” Elizabeth patted Lady Lucas’s hand awkwardly. “Jane is as besotted as Mr. Bingley. I understand he had to go to town for a few days for business, but will return within a week. Jane is certain to have a proposal, then.”

“She will make an excellent mistress of Netherfield Park. And how happy you will be to have your daughter settled so near to you! You may visit whenever you please.” Lady Lucas tittered.

Elizabeth took a sip of her tea. She had no doubt that her mother’s constant calls at Netherfield Park would drive Jane and Mr. Bingley away. No newly wedded couple liked to entertain so often, and Mrs. Bennet would not likely reserve her calls for Wednesdays and Fridays. Jane would be driven to distraction, and though she was restrained enough not to show it, such interference would stretch even her limits.

“What of Mr. Collins?” Lady Lucas said, leaning close. “I was under the impression that he meant to propose to Elizabeth this morning. Tell me, will your second child be the next mistress of Longbourn?”

Elizabeth could not stop the look of distaste that spread upon her face. Naturally, Lady Lucas misinterpreted it.

“Oh, my dear friend! I did not mean to be insensitive. Though, you must admit, your life might improve with the passing of your husband. Heaven knows, you are unhappy enough with things as they are.” The pitying look the lady gave her made Elizabeth bristle.

“I am quite content in my life, I assure you,” she said testily. “As for Elizabeth and Mr. Collins, I have begun to second guess if they will suit. She is too headstrong for his patroness. They would make each other miserable.”

Lady Lucas looked puzzled. “Did you not say the other day that they would muddle along just fine despite their different temperaments?” she asked.

“Am I not entitled to change my mind?” Elizabeth frowned. The aforementioned gentleman sauntered into the room and sidled up to her mother, plopping onto the settee beside her. Mama had the temerity to look pleased with it, if only for a moment. Mr. Collins said something to the group, causing her expression to change to displeasure.

“She looks happy enough with his presence for the moment. Pray, forgive me for assuming all was as it was when last we spoke.” Lady Lucas sounded a little hurt, and Elizabeth felt guilty for being so waspish.

“I am sorry, dear Lady Lucas,” she said contritely. “Please forgive me for my pique. I am afraid the late night has affected my mood.”

“‘Lady Lucas?’ What is this nonsense? I have been Susan to you for years, Fanny.” Tittering again, Lady Lucas picked up a biscuit and nibbled it.

Elizabeth closed her eyes slowly, groaning internally at her error. “A formal apology seemed necessary,” she said weakly, hoping the lady would accept her excuses and her apology.

“Oh, you know you have my forgiveness. If Lizzy is not to be Mrs. Collins, will you push another daughter in his direction? Mary might suit.”

She could hear the longing and jealousy in Lady Lucas’s voice. If Mr. Collins offered for one of the Bennet daughters, her friend would have two children well married. Lady Lucas could not boast of such. Even her sons were yet unwed. John Lucas was five-and-twenty, and his younger brother was four-and-twenty. Neither seemed inclined toward marriage. And dear Charlotte was almost on the shelf.

“Mary has the disposition to be a clergyman’s wife,” Elizabeth mused. The idea had merit. She would have to ask her mother if she would be amenable to turning Mr. Collins’ attention in that direction.

“If Mary will not have him, pray, send him to Lucas Lodge!” Lady Lucas sounded as if she were joking, but one glance told Elizabeth that the lady was entirely serious. Surely, Charlotte would not appreciate having the bumbling parson thrust in her direction.

“I shall keep that in mind,” she said weakly, picking up her cup of tea to take a sip, hoping to regain some equanimity.

Fanny

“Three sets, Jane! That is tantamount to a proposal!” Fanny crowed excitedly, grabbing Jane’s hand and squeezing it. “When he returns, he will be at your side and offering you his hand! Mark my words.” Three sets were tantamount to a proposal. She had every reason to believe it spelled an imminent proposal for Jane.

“Lizzy, you speak in haste. Mr. Bingley has not declared himself in any way.” But Jane blushed and Fanny could see the hope on her face. “I only hope that our family’s behavior has not driven him away. Caroline and Louisa did not look happy last evening, and we both know Mr. Darcy disapproves of us.”

Fanny blinked, confused. What was Jane speaking of?

“If your Mr. Bingley is not strong enough to make his own decisions, then he is not worthy of you,” Charlotte cut in. “I take it you are concerned that his relations and his friend will attempt to turn him away from you? That is very unlike you, dear Jane.”

It is very unlike Jane, Fanny mused. Her eldest saw only the best in people. In many ways, she was the opposite of Lizzy, who criticized first rather than looking for the good. Should I be concerned that even Jane is speaking of behavior ?

“I saw nothing of which to be alarmed,” she hedged. Both ladies gave her incredulous looks.

“Were you at the same ball as us?” Charlotte asked, chuckling. “Goodness, Lizzy, I noted you did not feel well after supper, but I know you saw the same things we did!”

“Perhaps her illness has caused her to forget,” Jane said gently. “Did you not see Lydia running around and flirting with the officers? And Kitty followed along, tugging on Mr. Sanderson’s belt.”

But they are lively, Fanny thought, still baffled by their observations.

“I did not think you noticed, absorbed as you were with Mr. Bingley,” Charlotte teased. “Never have I seen a couple more suited to each other. Your temperaments are perfectly matched!”

Finally, something Fanny could agree on and speak on at length. “Yes, Jane will be the perfect bride!” she cried enthusiastically. “She will be a wonderful mistress of Netherfield Park and be the leading lady of the area!”

Jane looked at her strangely. “You know none of that matters to me, Lizzy,” she chided gently. “I would marry Mr. Bingley if he could not offer me any of that. It is not his fortune or position that matter, but his character.”

“Yes, of course,” Fanny replied awkwardly. “I was only teasing.” Lizzy often teased. It would be a good excuse to cover any unexpected behavior.

Jane and Charlotte chuckled. “You looked very much like Mrs. Bennet just now, Eliza.” Charlotte sipped her tea. “You might make a career on the stage if you are not successful in marriage.” The three ladies fell silent as Mr. Collins lumbered into the room and plopped down next to Fanny. She tensed as he sat too close—she was a married lady, after all, and his behavior discomfited her.

He thinks you are Lizzy, she reminded herself. It is natural for him to try to cozy up to you…her… Oh, how very confusing this all is!

“What are you all speaking of?” he asked. “I thought I heard you mention last night’s superb entertainment. It has been many a year since I enjoyed such hospitality and such pleasing company. Why, I danced every dance! Each partner was as agreeable as the last. You, however, Cousin Elizabeth were the most excellent companion. I foresee many such evenings in our future, for surely Lady Catherine will host many when her daughter unites in holy matrimony with her cousin, Mr. Darcy. I met the man last night, if you recall. He was as condescending as his noble relation.”

Fanny frowned. He does rattle on, does he not? she thought. How does one get a word in edge-wise when he continues to speak without drawing breath? “Mr. Darcy is engaged?” she asked, interrupting him.

“Yes.” Mr. Collins nodded excitedly. “His engagement is of long-standing, according to my patroness. He and Miss de Bourgh were intended for each other from their infancy. It is a splendid match on both sides, I assure you.”

“None of us could doubt it, sir,” Charlotte said kindly. “I am certain you enjoy the best of circumstances in your position as the rector of Hunsford.”

Fanny recognized that their intimate conversation had come to an end and resolved to sit silently rather than say anything else that might reveal that all was not as it should be. Instead of speaking, she thought about how comfortable the discussion between the three of them had been. She felt for the first time in a long while that she could speak without fear of reprisal from her husband or scornful looks from her second daughter. Why, it had even been easier than speaking with the other matrons. The ladies of the area were always seeking to assert themselves above another, and Fanny always joined the fray. As the elevated daughter of a tradesman, she felt the need to prove herself. Now, comparing those instances with the complete acceptance offered to who they thought was Elizabeth, she found she vastly preferred the latter situation.