Page 22

MARK

S hock rippled through Netherfield. Mr Jones spent many hours with Mrs Bennet. The Bingleys had gone ahead with dinner while Mr Jones was caring for Mrs Bennet. The Bennet sisters were subdued throughout the meal. The absence of Jane combined with their mother’s condition meant that they were each unwilling to take part in the conversation.

“We may have two sick guests, Charles, but I cannot continue to refuse the invitations we get. The Smiths and the Longs have dinner parties this week, while next week we are due to dine at the Lucas’s and the Johnsons,” Miss Bingley informed her dinner companions.

“You should accept them. We can look after mama and Jane. I believe that Lizzy and Lydia should go too. Leave it to Kitty and I to nurse our sister and our mother,” Mary suggested.

Elizabeth shook her head. “You were never much interested in being in a sick room. Better I stay and you go and socialise.”

“Can you blame me for wanting to stay away? Being forced to live as a girl, I would see things I did not wish to!” Mary argued.

Lydia dropped her soup spoon and gaped at Mary. “What are you talking about, Mary? Of course, you are a girl!”

“I am sorry, Lydia,” Elizabeth began. “I do not believe that Mary or I have had the time to tell you what is going on. Tell her the truth. You may as well relax into your natural voice, too.”

Mary took a deep breath and launched into the story that Mrs Bennet had told Elizabeth and Mary that morning. The deep rumble of Mary’s baritone reverberated around the table as she did so.

“So… Mary is actually ?” Lydia asked in wonder. “I have a brother?”

Mary swallowed and nodded. Removing her high lace collar, Mary allowed all to see the very evident Adam’s apple on her neck. “That is all you get as proof of my masculinity!”

Miss Bingley giggled slightly and blushed. “I can assure you, Lydia, that Mary is .”

“I never even suspected…” Lydia said in wonder.

“You were not supposed to. Nobody was,” Mary answered.

“I suppose that we should call you , then?” Lydia asked.

Mary shrugged. “I’ve lived my whole life as Mary. I hardly know who Arthur Bennet is.”

“You need to get used to being if you wish to take your inheritance,” Elizabeth suggested.

Mary shrugged again. “I have no interest in the mouldering relic of Longbourn. Papa decided long ago that we were all useless and not worthy of his attention or inheriting his estate. I don’t think he has even maintained the property properly.”

“That is beside the point. Longbourn is yours, by birth and by rights. After everything that your father has done, it is time for you to step up and take control of what is yours,” Darcy emphatically encouraged his brother-in-law.

Mary glared at Darcy. “Why don’t you want to fight harder against the injustice towards Lizzy? Or perhaps even towards my other sisters too! Jane is the eldest, by rights, Longbourn should be hers.”

Darcy took a deep breath in. “Jane is too sick. Elizabeth has my estates. You are both the next in line and the only male heir! Longbourn is yours both by virtue of your sex and your situation of birth!”

Mary grunted. “I do not understand. Why should my sex change anything?”

Fitzwilliam looked at Mary in shock. “We live in a world where our rights and our lives are determined by our sex! If you are not interested in your inheritance for yourself, consider what your mother has gone through to preserve your life and your inheritance!”

Mary exhaled. “Mama has gone through so much.”

“Then for your mother’s sake, you should step up and take your inheritance! We will be by your side all the way,” Fitzwilliam stated.

Mary chewed her lip. “I’m not sure. I don’t know.” She looked over at Miss Bingley, who blushed slightly under Mary’s gaze.

Darcy laughed. “Is your disinterest due to not wishing to have Longbourn or from the well-known fact that Miss Bingley does not like the area?”

Miss Bingley blushed an even deeper hue.

glared at his brother-in-law. “I’ve never really cared that papa thought I was a girl. And that the estate was entailed away from the female line. I never expected to fall in love or to be able to marry. Therefore it seemed to be irrelevant whether I inherited Longbourn or not.”

“Wouldn’t you rather be able to give your bride a home and stable income?” Darcy asked.

suddenly sat bolt upright. “I hadn’t thought about that. I had not given much thought to any of this. Yes, I would. That is… if my chosen bride would have me.” The look that he gave Miss Bingley left no one in any doubt of who that choice was.

Bingley sat at the top of the table and glared at . “I think you are all getting ahead of yourselves. You seem to have forgotten the scandal that is going to ensue once Mary/ claims his inheritance. We have no corroboration of Mrs Bennett’s story that Mary was registered as at birth. We do not know what is going to happen once this becomes known more generally.”

“We will weather the storm,” Darcy said confidently.

Bingley laughed. “Very well. We are all going to aid in this endeavour.”

“Thank you,” said.

After dinner, the group gathered in the drawing room to discuss how they would go about claiming ’s inheritance. They would need to do things slowly and discreetly so that it was done with decorum and dignity. They began to discuss various ideas and while it was difficult for them to go from Mary to , it was a transition that they began that night. They had, however, not gotten any further than Darcy and Fitzwilliam riding over to the church the following morning to see the church records of the birth before Mr Jones made an appearance in the drawing room.

“I have seen both Mrs Bennet and Miss Bennet this evening. Mrs Bennet informs me that she has told you the truth about Miss Mary Bennet. That is good. Many of her anxieties over the years have been associated with keeping that secret. Miss Bennet’s condition as you know is serious, however, she is improving to my satisfaction. She will never be fully well and must lead a quiet and retired life if she is to have any kind of quality of life. That being said, her condition is a serious one. The actions of her father have damaged her organs considerably and have shortened her life.”

“What about mama?” Lydia asked.

“Mrs Bennet’s condition is even more serious. She will live, but like her daughter must live a retired life. She must not get over-excited. Her wounds will heal, but I fear there has been significant damage to her heart. She must not go back to Longbourn. If she does, Mr Bennet’s treatment of her will kill her. Her health is on a precipice.”

“How can it be so serious?” Elizabeth gasped.

Mr Jones shook his head. “Mrs Bennet has suffered many injuries over the years from your father. Injuries that she has regularly ignored and tried to hide. Physically she will heal, but she will never again be strong. Please do your best to keep her calm.”

Elizabeth looked at her husband. “I do not know what we can do.”

Mr Jones smiled. “There is much that you can do. Keep her children around her as much as you can and just keep her calm. Society will excite her too much. She must stay away from society. Allow her friends and family, other than Mr Bennet, to visit with her. Essentially just keep her calm.”

“Thank you, we will do what we can,” Elizabeth told the apothecary.

“As for Miss Jane, when she is better I will return with some treatments that may buy her some time, but that is all that they will do – buy time,” Mr Jones told them.

“Even if it buys an extra day or two, I’m sure they’ll be worth it,” Bingley declared.

Mr Jones excused himself to go and see his next patient.

Elizabeth, Catherine, and Lydia rose and began to leave the room.

“I suppose I should join my sisters,” observed.

“I have an idea,” Darcy announced. “Elizabeth, I presume you, Kitty, and Lydia are going to tend to your mother and Jane?”

“We are!” The three girls said together.

“Good, can join you later on,” Darcy told them.

Elizabeth looked at her husband suspiciously. “Fitzwilliam Darcy! I do not know what you have planned, but allow Mary, oops I mean to take things at h.his own pace.” She paused. “It is going to take time to get used to you not being Mary,” she added.

laughed. “I assure you that it is no less strange to hear myself called . I would rather go back to being Mary! I know who Mary Bennet is, Bennet is harder to get used to.”

“You are still you!” Darcy laughed. “Mary is always going to be a part of you.”

Miss Bingley blushed again. “, you do not have to change who you are! I would be rather upset if you did.”

The grin on ’s face said everything. “I do not have a gentleman’s education. Mama tried her best, but to bring in the tutors or to send me to school would have been impossible! I have nothing but the potential of a mouldering ruin of an estate to offer.”

“You have everything that counts,” Miss Bingley countered.

Darcy stood up. “Ladies, would you mind if I borrowed Fitzwilliam, , and Bingley for a little while?”

The ladies shook their heads and requested Mr Hurst entertain them.

The four gentlemen left the room. “I think we should use either Bingley’s study or either Fitzwilliam or Bingley’s bedroom for what I have in mind. I would use mine, but Elizabeth and I share our room and she could walk in at any moment.”

Bingley frowned at his friend’s mysteriousness.

Fitzwilliam shrugged. “Use mine.”

The men made their way upstairs and into Fitzwilliam’s room. Darcy immediately pulled the bell and requested that his valet and Bingley’s attend them.

“What have you got in mind?” asked, clearly uncomfortable.

Darcy laughed. “Nothing other than to give you the chance to be a gentleman. Tell me, are lady’s clothes comfortable to wear?”

shrugged. “I grew up wearing them so I know nothing else. Being used to them I have to admit that I do find them somewhat comfortable.”

Once the two valets arrived the real work began.

* * *

L ydia’s mouth dropped open in shock as the door to Jane’s room opened. Darcy and had come to see how Jane was doing.

“Mama is sleeping, we have just sent Kitty to get some rest.” Darcy made his way to his wife’s side and kissed her on the cheek.

Elizabeth gave her husband a tired smile. “How’s mama doing?”

“She is calmer and sleeping. Tomorrow we will deal with moving her here permanently,” Darcy answered.

“She won’t like that,” Elizabeth predicted.

“I don’t know what Mr Jones said to her, but she has not given any protestations yet,” Darcy informed her.

“I wonder why papa has not yet begun looking for her,” Lydia said.

Elizabeth shrugged. “Papa doesn’t care. He never did, about any of us!”

Just then a frightened maid rushed into the room. “Forgive me, please. There is almost a mob at the front door, looking for Mrs Bennet.”

Glances were exchanged. Elizabeth followed by Darcy and ran down the stairs and almost fell over each other as they witnessed the scene that greeted them. Mr Bennet, angry and obtuse, stood at the head of a group of ruffians.

“I know my wife is here,” Mr Bennet intoned.

Bingley and Fitzwilliam stood with their arms crossed. “Why would we deny it?” Bingley laughed.

“I want to see my wife!” Mr Bennet belligerently demanded.

“Not without my permission! This is my home and therefore I decide who my guests are. You, sir, are not welcome in my home. You have abandoned your daughters and mistreated your wife. My home is a safe place for them to live without fear or harassment. You and your ruffians will not gain entry to my home. Sling your hook and leave my family in peace,” Bingley told Mr Bennet, forcefully.

“You think you are so clever….” Mr Bennet sneered. However, just then his eyes fell on . “What trickery are you playing at?” Mr Bennet demanded. “Why is Mary dressed as a gentleman? Are you so depraved?”

laughed and stepped forward. “The depravity was that mama had to dress me as a girl for so many years!” stopped and watched as comprehension came into Mr Bennet’s eyes. “That is right! Despite your best efforts your son and heir lives.”

“You’re…. You’re an aberration! You should not exist!” Mr Bennet declared.

“No!” folded his arms across his chest and watched as Mr Bennet swallowed in fear. “You are the aberration. However, you have harmed my mother and sisters for the last time. Rest assured I am going to make sure my inheritance is secure and remember what you taught us about entailments — the estate is in trust for the next generation. I expect everything to be in order when I inherit the estate. That means no mouldering ruin!”

Mr Bennet swallowed harder.

“Come on, Bennet! You are not going to let some upstart talk to you like that, surely,” one of the ruffians asked.

Mr Bennet laughed. “My wife has outsmarted me. However, I am not beaten yet. Let’s go for now.” He turned as though he was leaving, then looking over his shoulder he spat, “This is not over! Watch your backs.”

Darcy watched the proceedings with a pleasure and pride that he had not known he had or could feel.

The door closed and the Netherfield occupants turned back into the house. As they moved towards the stairs, Darcy slapped his brother-in-law on the shoulder. “Well done! There’s no going back to Mary now.”

grinned. “That certainly felt good. However, I fear that it’s only made the situation worse.”

“Time will tell,” Darcy sadly observed.

shrugged. “My father knows my secret now. There’s no more reason to pretend I’m anything other than I am.”

“We had better tell mama that papa now knows that he has a son,” Elizabeth interjected.

looked at his sister as though she had grown three heads. “Did you not hear Mr Jones say that we need to keep mama calm?”

Elizabeth nodded. “I did! However, mama was asking you to stand up and claim your inheritance. Papa was always going to find out eventually. It is better she finds out now than later on – especially if papa decides to make life difficult for you or her.”

“I’m not so sure that you are right,” mused. “I think it is a mistake to upset mama with this news at the moment. She needs to heal. At least wait until the morning.”

“We do not know what the morning will bring, Mary,” Darcy intervened. “Elizabeth may be right. It may well be best to get the unpleasant news over with.”

glared at Darcy. “You barely know mama! Lizzy should know better. This is going to send her into either paroxysms of delight or the complete reverse. She is going to start worrying and will be anything but calm! I promise you that nothing anyone can do will calm her down. Jane is usually the only one who can calm mama, but she’s sick herself. No, mama must not be told about this right now.”

“I agree that it likely will excite mama, but she should be told early in case papa makes trouble for all of us. I do not like it any more than you do, but she must be told!” Elizabeth insisted. Grinning, Elizabeth said, “Remember I know how to make you yield!”

laughed. “You think you know, Lizzy! Remember, I could hardly use my full strength to defend myself before! You don’t know what I am capable of! You might find a few things different if you try the old tricks now.”

“Is that a challenge, Mary ?” Elizabeth asked deliberately calling her brother the wrong name.

“Do you want to find out, Lizzy ?” challenged.

Darcy watched his wife’s sporting behaviour.

“I might, but I’d rather speak to mama first,” Elizabeth told him, sobering up. “None of our situations are secure anymore.”

“Your situation is secure, Elizabeth,” Darcy grouchily mentioned. “Or have you forgotten that your father cannot touch my estates or what I planned to do for you?”

Elizabeth stopped and turned to her husband. Reaching up to caress his face she answered, “I have not forgotten that. What I meant is that any inheritance from either of my parents I might be able to look forward to is no longer secure. I did not mean to insult you or to infer that I was not secure in general. However, none of my sisters are secure at all! Yes we’ve offered them a home with us, but we need to secure their incomes and inheritances from mama and papa!”

“Elizabeth, I wanted to tell you this in private. It does not matter what your father does or does not do for them, I have ten funds that were created by my father. I can dispose of them how I like. Two I have reserved for you. I was going to settle one on each of your sisters. These are separate to our estate funds. You need not worry about your sisters. Your sisters are as secure as I can make them. As for , we will fight and get him his inheritance of Longbourn! I promise you. You need not fear for your sisters at all.” Ignoring that Fitzwilliam, and Bingley were watching, Darcy leant in and kissed Elizabeth deeply. Pulling back, he continued, “Now, enough of this discussion. Both you and have a point. Go and inform your mother of the situation and then I think it is time that we went to bed.”

Elizabeth blushed to the roots of her hair.

“You and Darcy stayed with Jane last night, you deserve to have some sleep tonight. I’m not sure if it will be Kitty, Lydia or I that stays with mama tonight,” began.

“It will not be Kitty!” Fitzwilliam snapped, interrupting . “She has exhausted herself too much over this whole debacle. She needs rest.”

shrugged. “Then that leaves Lydia and me to sit with mama overnight. I do not believe that Jane needs our constant attendance.”

The small group climbed the stairs. The gentlemen gently teasing Elizabeth and Darcy. However, on their arrival in Mrs Bennet’s room, all teasing ceased. Mrs Bennet had woken and been informed that Mr Bennet had attempted to gain entry to Netherfield. The shrieks of distress that came from her room were beyond anything that the Bennet brother and sisters had ever heard before from their mother.

“Mama,” Elizabeth called. “Calm yourself!”

“Oh, Lizzy! What am I to do?” Mrs Bennet shrieked. “Your father knows where I am. He will wreak revenge on any who help me. I should not have come here! You should not be helping me!”

“Mama.” stepped forward. “Lizzy is right, please calm yourself.”

Mrs Bennet reached a hand up and cupped her son’s face. “You are so handsome, ! The image of your father and his father before him. I am sorry for making you try and be Mary.”

“You saved my life.” shrugged. “That is all that matters.”

“Your father was here. He knows where I am. He has tried to kill me multiple times! I am not safe anywhere. You must allow me to go home to Longbourn. At least there I can keep you safe,” Mrs Bennet hysterically argued.

“No, mama! Mr Jones says that if we allow you to go back then you will not survive. You must keep calm. We are amongst friends. Mr Bingley and the two Fitzwilliams will not allow any harm to come to us! Their servants are very loyal to them and to a man they stood facing papa’s ruffians!” told his mother.

“Oh Lord! He brought his ruffians! We are in trouble,” Mrs Bennet wailed. “He’s going to kill us all!”

“Mama!” Elizabeth reprimanded Mrs Bennet.

“No, Lizzy. Listen to me! It is true. He only ever brings his ruffians when he is intent on some mischief or another!” Mrs Bennet warned them. She seemed to be calmer, but her hysteria seemed to be increasing by the minute! “Bringing his ruffians with him says that he is intent on finishing the job. My days are numbered. You simply must heed my warning!”

“Mama, there is something else you should know,” Elizabeth almost whispered. “I do not want you to get overly excited. However, you should know that papa knows about .”

“That is good! If he knows about then I can die happy in the knowledge that is going to have his inheritance after all,” Mrs Bennet softly said.

Elizabeth shook her head. “You are not going to die, mama.”

Mrs Bennet sat up in bed. “No, I am not. Not yet! I want to live to see that man get everything that he deserves. I mean it when I say to you all. I want revenge. He has harmed our family for far too long. He is a blight on society. Why, I do not have any way to get justice for myself. Please get your justice against him and if you can ruin him in every way that you can!”

Elizabeth looked at . The change in their mother was extreme. “Mama, you need to rest. Mr Jones said that you need to keep calm.”

Mrs Bennet waived her hand. “I’ve lived my life. I intend to go out the same way that I have lived. Your father will not kill me yet! I promise you that!”

Everyone in the room laughed. “Then tomorrow we go over to Longbourn and retrieve your belongings,” Darcy offered. “Fitzwilliam and I will do that for you. We are going to ride over and check the church records anyway.”

“Do you not trust me?” Mrs Bennet asked.

“Far from it. We are going to check on them so that we can head off the inevitable questions that are going to come. We only wish to be properly armed for the fight ahead,” Fitzwilliam informed the matriarch. “I think it is time for bed for all of us.”

The group said good night to Mrs Bennet and then each separated to go their separate ways.