Page 6 of Moments Frozen in Time (Pride and Prejudice Variation)
Listening to them, I questioned the wisdom of that and wondered if I should not take steps to befriend my younger sisters, if only to assist them, as they seemed to be becoming even more foolish.
Lydia, in particular, spoke very boldly about flirting with the young men at the assembly.
Whilst none of the men there, other than the Netherfield party, were unknown to our family, that would not always be the case.
Even that evening, there had been whispers about a militia regiment quartering in Meryton that winter, and I worried for my sisters.
These thoughts soon overwhelmed the more pleasant thoughts of the assembly as I listened to them further. It seemed my sisters had also heard the whispers and were now talking excitedly about the possibility of more men to flirt with soon.
Through all of this talk, our mother said nothing in censure, only encouraged my youngest sisters in their foolish prattle, even joining in at times.
It seemed she had no concern regarding her daughters’ behaviour, and why should she, since she was the one who had taught them to act in this manner and to think only of getting husbands.
Finally, the carriage arrived at home. I would need to discuss my thoughts with Jane, but I was uncertain how she might respond. She tended to view the world only in the most positive light, and although I believed our sisters’ behaviour bothered her, she was far more likely to make excuses for it.
Perhaps Charlotte would have more to contribute, being more pragmatic in general. Her sister was close in age to Kitty and Lydia, and perhaps between us, we could find a way to dampen some of the excitement regarding these prospective arrivals.
As I considered this, I was reminded of my Grandmama Bennet and the efforts she had expended on mine and Jane’s behalf to teach us.
Mary had known her a little, but by the time Kitty or Lydia might have been old enough to really learn from Grandmama, she had grown ill and had not needed the lively company of my youngest sisters.
Instead, I had sat with her the most, listening to the lessons she shared with me.
Suddenly, I recalled that she had encouraged me to share these lessons with my younger sisters, and I felt no small amount of shame that I had never done so.
When I arrived in my room, I undressed hurriedly and waited for Jane in our sitting room. To my surprise, Mary appeared.
“How are you this evening, Mary?” I asked.
“I am well,” she replied stiffly. She paused, then after a moment, she looked up at me, meeting my eyes. “Our youngest sisters are a menace.”
Her words shocked me. Mary was prone to sermonising, yes, but to state the matter in such a forthright fashion surprised me.
“I, too, am worried about them after this evening,” I admitted. “I was thinking on the way home that we must find some way to encourage them to behave less… less outrageously. Mama heard the same thing we did and did not say a word in censure.”
Mary nodded. “Why should she when she is the one who has encouraged this behaviour in the past?” Mary said, voicing my earlier thought. “I fear our sisters will ruin us all if we are not careful. Neither Papa nor Mama pay enough attention to them.”
“Remember how we all used to meet to talk after parties? I am not certain why we stopped, but perhaps if we were to issue an invitation for the others to join us, they would be glad to participate.”
My sister looked less certain. “They would not care to have their ‘fun’ censured by you or Jane, mostly you. Jane might object a little to some of their comments, but they know that you are more likely to ring a peal over their heads for misbehaviour.”
Jane joined us then. “Who is Lizzy scolding?” she asked. “Mary, I am delighted that you have joined us tonight. Had I known you planned to join Lizzy and me, I would have invited Kitty and Lydia as well.”
“I decided it was necessary after listening to our youngest sisters in the carriage this evening,” Mary said, hesitation clear on her face. “There was another reason…” she trailed off, seemingly uncertain how to continue.
“What is it, Mary?” Jane asked softly.
She sighed, “I sat behind Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst at one point in the evening. They were speaking very loudly and very poorly about all of our neighbours, but particularly the Bennet family.” Mary turned to fix me with a stare, and I looked back, concerned.
“You were Miss Bingley’s particular target, Lizzy.
She was very unhappy that Mr. Darcy spoke to you more than once and appeared to be enjoying himself. ”
I am certain my mouth hung open. “Why on earth?”
“The ladies may have been unaware of my presence, yet they spoke loudly and did not attempt to be discreet,” Mary said, her voice careful as she explained how she came to know what she did.
“Miss Bingley views Mr. Darcy as hers and intends to marry him by whatever means necessary. She described you in the most hateful terms, mocking your looks, your style of dress, and your hair. The sisters laughed at the idea that you were considered a ‘local beauty’ although that was hardly the worst of their behaviour.”
Mary paused to draw breath and turned to look at Jane.
“They did not care for Mr. Bingley’s attention to you either, Jane, but they were less mean about it—although they did mention that your dress and hairstyle were dreadfully out of date.
They implied his attention to you was merely his ‘latest infatuation,’ and, after hearing that, I would caution you to be careful.
I am uncertain whether he toys with ladies’ hearts or something more, but the way they described him implied he would be inconstant. ”
Once again, Mary paused. “Then they turned to our mother and sisters. They were cruel and cutting when they spoke of them. It seems they heard enough of Mama’s comments about Mr. Bingley and called her the worst sort of ignorant country matron who pushes her daughters at any wealthy man, and that if either of you were to succeed in capturing one of the gentlemen, our youngest sisters would ruin the family utterly.
They intend to encourage Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy to leave this area as soon as possible.
I would not be surprised if they are already packing their things. ”
“That would be very shortsighted of them,” I snorted, but I was hurt nonetheless.
“Perhaps you misunderstood,” Jane attempted to placate our sister.
Mary turned to face her again. “I did not, Jane. I sat behind them for nearly a half of an hour and listened to them gossip and titter. They may have appeared gracious to your face, but yours was the only good opinion they courted, and even then, when you were not looking, they were sneering at you. If they remain, they may pretend at friendship with you, but it will not be a true friendship.”
Jane looked abashed and did not say anything else.
“So, if they remain in the area, it will only be because Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy are able to withstand the ladies’ efforts to remove them from here,” I replied after a moment.
I considered this for a moment before speaking again.
“Miss Bingley was seething when I danced the last set with Mr. Darcy. I do not recall him ever dancing with her, do you?”
Mary shook her head. “I believe he danced with Mrs. Hurst, but not Miss Bingley. Then, as you know, he danced only with the two of you and Charlotte Lucas.”
I nodded at this. Then, a question occurred to me. “Mary, when were you sitting behind Mr. Bingley’s sisters?”
“In the second-to-last dance,” Mary replied. “When Mr. Darcy was dancing with Charlotte. ”
For several moments, everyone in the room was silent. Finally, Jane spoke. “I will see if Kitty and Lydia will join us.” As soon as she said it, she rose and slid from the room.
She was gone only a few minutes before she returned with Kitty and Lydia behind her.
We spent the next hour discussing the evening as we used to do.
Jane and I attempted to temper Kitty and Lydia’s enthusiasm from time to time, but I felt that, perhaps, this was a first step towards assisting my sisters to grow and mature.
Eventually, we all sought our beds. When I closed my eyes, I briefly recalled my grandmother’s voice from earlier that evening encouraging me to give Mr. Darcy a chance. I wondered if she would say the same regarding my younger sisters.