Ruined Forever

by D. L. Carter

  “Six meals,” was the reply. “At least once a day with Sunday being the exception.”

  The earl gave a faint cry of pain, and Darcy’s scowl deepened.

  “Pap?” repeated Darcy. “Pap is for sickly babies, not for a woman full grown!”

  “For too long I have ignored poor Anne,” whispered Lord Matlock, as the questioning of Mrs. Jenkins continued. “I avoided visiting my sister and gave not a moment’s thought to the suffering of the child forced to endure each day in her company.”

  “Not her company,” said Darcy, “if Mrs. Jenkins report can be believed. As her victim is a better description.”

  “I do not understand why,” said Lord Matlock, and then paused. “Oh, yes. Now I remember. Sir Lewis de Bourgh soon learned to despise Catherine’s company as well. He would spend months in London, but after Anne’s birth, should Catherine send a note reporting Anne was in poor health Sir Lewis would leave for Rosings in an instant.”

  Darcy stared at the Earl. “But he has been dead for more than a decade. Why would she continue the practice?”

  “I do not understand the twists and turns of my sister’s mind but this, at least, might be what I need.” Stepping forward Lord Matlock addressed the magistrate. “Sir James, excuse me. I believe I must change my application before the court. My sister appears to be subject to strange obsessions that she follows to the detriment of her family, as represented by her dependent daughter, Miss Anne, and the estate of Rosings Park and associated responsibilities. The only explanation is that she is a Lunatic! I therefore apply for parens patria jurisdiction so that I might supervise the estate of Sir Lewis de Bourgh as my sister, Lady Catherine would, should she be in her right mind!”

  Behind him Mr. Darcy groaned softly. He had hoped, oh, how he had hoped, that the matter of his aunt Catherine might be speedily settled leaving him free to return to Meryton. He did not trust that community to treat his Elizabeth with the respect she deserved. Bingley was a poor correspondent and, with his preoccupation with Miss Jane, did not give Darcy the intelligence he desired.

  But now, with his uncle’s application before the court and Aunt Catherine’s no doubt vehement rejection of that idea, the future loomed before him, filled with responsibility and delay.

  ***

  The results of the second inquest were as widely canvassed as the first, with different results.

  The Bennet family attended church that following Sunday to a welcome from the pulpit. Mr. Prescott gave a long sermon on the subject of judging lest you be judged, referenced the cast that was in the eye of very many people hereabouts and finished with a deeply moving apology to the whole family.

  The story being circulated about the absent Mr. Fitzwallace was that he had been dismissed from his place as punishment for his cruel gossiping and likely would be defrocked as well.

  Finally the neighborhood was satisfied.

  Someone had been punished. Not necessarily one of the principals but punished nevertheless.

  Someone had been driven from the neighborhood. Those who remained took solace from that fact and continued to gossip, content with their own righteousness.

  And since someone had been punished it was now safe to acknowledge the Bennet family again.

  A delegation of the unblushing, unbowed, local ladies called upon Mrs. Bennet the following Monday, just as if nothing had happened, and she welcomed them so that she could crow over her acquaintances regarding Jane’s achievement in attaching the wealthiest gentleman in the neighborhood.

  If the visitors spent as much time staring at Miss Elizabeth as they did at Miss Jane, no one saw fit to comment. The least of all, Lizzy.

  She addressed them all civilly and rejoiced that Jane was polite, but since Jane had seen the reality of her neighbors, she was less inclined toward only seeing the good. A harsh lesson in reality that would serve Jane well the remainder of her life.

  Mr. Bennet, recovered from the stress of the previous weeks, summoned Mr. Prescott to Longbourn with the excuse of preparing the wording of the Banns, but also to deliver a long overdue lecture on abuse of authority - which Mr. Prescott accepted with due humility.

  That being settled, the two men continued their discussion of the coming wedding festivities over port and the chessboard.

  Elizabeth spent her time mostly acting as chaperone to her sister Jane, Mr. Bennet having insisted that she not hide herself away.

  The visiting gossips were united in their shock at finding that girl was still in residence. Surely, they assured Mrs. Bennet, plans were in progress for Miss Elizabeth to go visit relatives in the north. Surely. Their preoccupation with this point put Mrs. Bennet in the uncomfortable and unwanted position of defending her least understood and least liked daughter. But a few days after the Bennet family were returned to the bosom of the local society, a long awaited letter came from the north confirming that the last claimant upon the Longbourn estate had, in fact, died without issue. On that day Mr. Phillips, without his wife being aware, was summoned to Longbourn and Mr. Bennet, in the presence of his wife and all his daughters, signed his will and insisted on it being witnessed by Sir William Lucas, Squire Pennington and Mr. Jeffers.

  Elizabeth Rose Bennet was now an heiress.

  Since the local women were calling upon her it fell to Mrs. Bennet to begin spreading this story.

  The result was twofold. First, Mrs. Phillips was very put out with her husband and second, the unmarried men of the neighborhood began to call.

  Now that there were young, marriageable men in her parlor, Mrs. Bennet again petitioned for Lydia to be released from her punishment.

  Mr. Bennet summoned Jane and Elizabeth to his bookroom.

  “This last escapade of Lydia's worries me,” he said, steepling his fingers and gazing over the top of them at Elizabeth. “When the Militia finally decamp, may that day be soon, she will find another flirt. Regardless, she continues to swear that Wickham will come for her.”

  “Poor Lydia does not take well to captivity,” said Jane.

  “My sympathy is with the servants who must deal with the extra work,” said Elizabeth. “I have had a list of schools from Mary, who has not, I assure you, forgotten the discussion of schools. Mary wishes to go as soon as possible.”

  “I cannot blame her,” said Jane. “The scandal was hard on her. She would like to make friends who have no knowledge of it.”

  “No less hard on all her sisters,” snapped their father, then he sighed and rubbed at his forehead. “Forgive me. I am not so recovered from all this as I thought.”

  “It is my thought that we should grant Mary’s request,” said Elizabeth. “Only, not to one of these schools. Their curriculum is very restricted, bible studies and the like, and I believe Mary would benefit from some variety.”

  Mr. Bennet laughed. “Indeed she would but would Mary agree?”

  “Since none of these schools list musical studies, and Mary is proud of her hard work in that regard, I was thinking it would be easy to redirect her.” Elizabeth thought about it for a moment before continuing. “I remember our Aunt Gardiner speaking fondly of the school she attended. If it is still existent it might do for Mary.”

  “And Lydia?”

  “Oh, no,” cried Jane. Not even her happy disposition could imagine sending the most flirtatious sister and retiring, modest sister to the same institution turning out well. “You cannot do that to poor Mary.”

  Mr. Bennet laughed. “Then one of Mary’s chosen institutions might. Give me the list, Lizzy. I will choose the strictest.”

  “Papa, that is unkind. She will be unhappy and you know what an unhappy Lydia will do.”

  They all paused and stared up at the ceiling. For the nonce all was silent above stairs but that state of affairs would not continue. Of that they were all certain.

  “The point is,” said their father, “she shall be doing it far from here.”

  “I often see schools advertised in Bath and Bristol,” said Jane.


  “Not a watering hole,” said Mr. Bennet. “Nor anywhere that the Militia might be quartered or persons of fashion visit. They will be a temptation for Lydia to go wandering again.”

  “Somewhere on the Cornish coast, perhaps,” joked Elizabeth.

  “I shall look into it. Thank you, girls. If you would send Mary to me I shall discuss her future education.”

  That last was necessary, for Mary was still hesitating to speak directly to Elizabeth. Jane and Elizabeth departed, Jane to sit looking out of the window while her mother rambled on about wedding plans, and Elizabeth to wander the gardens of Longbourn and think about Mr. Darcy.

  Where was he now? Were his own Banns being called?

  Tears threatened, but she forced herself to consider reality. His wife would, no doubt, have gone to London to look for wedding clothes. The announcement would be in the Times soon. She must remember to look. She must know the date. She needed to know. She would acknowledge the distant nuptials in her heart and from that moment on shut off that part of her that dwelled upon his memory, and know that he was forever lost to her.

  “Lizzy! Lizzy! Oh, where are you, girl?” Her mother appeared at the garden door. “Come in at once. Mr. Holyhock has come to call with his mother. They particularly want to see you.”

  Elizabeth rolled her eyes. Her mother had not changed. Probably would never change. Elizabeth, however, was changed forever.

  “Mr. Holyhock is fifty if he is a day,” she said. “I will speak to them both, to be polite, but do not expect any alliance with him.”

  “But he has a pretty estate and experience with farm management…”

  “Mother,” said Elizabeth in a stern voice. “He is older than you with two married sons to provide for. If you think a marriage to him will result in you remaining alone to rule over Longbourn after the death of my father, think again. He will likely install his younger son, his wife and - What is it? I seem to recall they have two small children already? - in this house and expect you to move to some sort of dower accommodations. Mrs. Phillips attic bedroom, like as not!”

  This vision of the future did not please Mrs. Bennet and she turned away with a snort to discourage Mr. Holyhock’s presumption.

  And Elizabeth returned to her study of the sky and her melancholy thoughts.

  ***

  The wedding of Jane Bennet and Charles Bingley was imminent, only days away, when next Darcy crossed the threshold of Longbourn. The driveway into the estate was crowded with vehicles of different sizes and vintages. Darcy was grateful he had come a horseback but even with that advantage it took him a few moments to gain the attention of a stableman and arrange for his horse’s care.

  That attended to, he entered through an open front door, under an arch of flowers, and found his own unannounced way into the parlor.

  Darcy recognized most of those gathered from the many dinners given the previous winter. There were, after all, only four and twenty family names to remember. Those unfamiliar to him were currently speaking to Bingley and his fiancée.

  Darcy glanced about seeking his host, and was first spotted and recognized by Caroline Bingley.

  At first Miss Bingley’s expression brightened and became hopeful, but then she glanced across at her brother and the hope faded from her manner. She came across to greet Darcy and addressed him in tones of profound sadness.

  “You are too late if you've come to free my brother from this most inadvisable alliance.”

  “Oh, Miss Bingley, I thought you had recovered from your objections. Surely by this time you have realized that Miss Bennet joining your family would serve you well.”

  Whatever Miss Bingley thought he would say, that was not it.

  “Mr. Darcy, I do not have the pleasure of understanding you. How could she serve my interests?”

  “Why, only that introducing the new Mrs. Bingley into society will be a measure of your own influence and fashion. Miss Jane has not had the benefit of your acquaintance in town.”

  “I should say not,” said Miss Bingley. “With relatives in Cheapside…”

  “Wealthy relatives in the coffee trade,” said Darcy and took a moment’s pleasure in Caroline’s astonishment. “I took the time to investigate. You do not have to be ashamed of them.”

  “But…”

  “Mrs. Bingley shall depend on your guidance. How else shall she know where to shop? Where to be seen?”

  “Do not mock me, Mr. Darcy. You know I do not have access to the highest levels of society.”

  “Do you not?” Darcy affected a puzzled demeanor before smiling and drawing a delicately scented note from his pocket. “Forgive me. I forgot to give this to you.”

  Caroline accepted it, much confused.

  “Miss Bingley, I spoke of you to my aunt. I have no doubt that Bingley and his new wife will need some time alone this summer and you might feel the lack of entertainment. Therefore I have suggested to my aunt, the Countess of Matlock, that you might accompany her to one or two of the house parties to which she has received invitations.”

  Caroline gasped like a landed fish until she composed herself, pressing a hand against her heart.

  “Oh, Mr. Darcy, you did frighten me. For a moment I thought you meant your aunt, Lady Catherine.”

  “I should not do that to you, Miss Bingley. That would be unjust.”

  “What? But!” Caroline stared at the paper in her hand. She did not open it. Not for a moment did she appear to doubt it contained exactly what Mr. Darcy claimed - entry into the highest level of society. An introduction in company with the Countess of Matlock. A shadow passed briefly across Miss Bingley’s countenance. “As her companion, do you mean?”

  “Oh, Miss Bingley, how you do jest,” said Darcy. “As if any would think a young lady with a dowry such as yours would hire herself out as a companion.”

  “Well, yes…”

  “You must forgive me for not suggesting this in the past, Miss Bingley, but it was only a week or so ago that my aunt, the Countess, told me how saddened she was that she had only sons and did not have a daughter to take about. When I suggested you, and explained what a good friend I am with your brother and knowing that shy, retiring Miss Jane shall need your guidance next season, why nothing would do for my aunt that she should write and issue an invitation so that you might expand your acquaintance.”

  Caroline could barely speak. The hand holding the invitation began to tremble. Before she could gather herself Darcy bowed.

  “Now, if you will excuse me…”

  So saying he went to greet his hostess.

  Mrs. Bennet did not know how to respond to the sudden arrival of that dour Mr. Darcy. And then he greeted Miss Bingley before making his bow to her. That was most odd and impolite.

  Now that she had one daughter most advantageously affianced Mrs. Bennet regarded Miss Bingley as an unfortunate dependent upon her soon-to-be son in law’s bounty, and plotted on how quickly she could evict the girl from Netherfield.

  Mr. Darcy, however, was a mystery to her. A mystery she did not wish to explore. The man was also a regrettable reminder of the horrors of the last few weeks, which were, finally, fading.

  “Mr. Darcy, I see you have returned,” intoned Mrs. Bennet as the man approached. “Well, you are welcome, I’m sure.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Bennet.”

  “My husband is over there,” said the lady, dismissing Darcy from her thoughts.

  Mr. Bennet rose to greet him and extended his hand, but did not smile.

  “I am rather surprised to see you here, Mr. Darcy. We did not look to see you until the wedding.”

  “The wedding is just three days away, sir. I had hoped to arrive earlier but business kept me busy elsewhere.”

  “And that business will call you back to Hunsford immediately after the wedding, I am certain,” said Mr. Bennet with a pointed look. “After all your good work in the past, talk is settling down here and we are able to manage without you.”

  Darcy gave him a bla
nk stare in return, more than slightly shocked by the rude comment. Before they could progress, Bingley caught sight of his friend.

  “Darcy, I say, Darcy. Good to see you. Come and make your bow to my fiancée.”

  “It would be my honor.”

  As Darcy crossed the room he cast about for a sighting of Miss Elizabeth.

  She was not present.

  His heart hardened against the dreadful mother. It was intolerable that Elizabeth was still isolated, punished by her family after all Darcy had done to restore her. He was about to open his mouth, demand Elizabeth be brought forth when the lady herself appeared, a handful of music sheets in her hands.

  Blushing intensely, she stopped as she caught Darcy’s gaze on her, and dropped her eyes. She remained where she’d stopped, blushing, and staring until her father called to her.

  “There you are, Lizzy, my dear. Come and show me the music you’ve chosen.”

  “Music,” repeated Darcy, forgetting he had not yet greeted Jane. “Indeed, music is one of my greatest loves. What music are you planning for tonight?”

  “It is not for tonight, sir,” stuttered Elizabeth, who then took a breath and continued in a calmer voice. “My sister has suggested I should sing as she walks down the aisle. We were debating appropriate songs.”

  “I do not think…” began Mrs. Bennet, and stopped when her husband stared at her “…that is, our Lizzy has a good enough voice for evening events, but is it proper for a young lady to sing in a church? Alone? When everyone can see who it is? Properly modest young ladies should not be putting themselves forward in that manner.”

  “She is my sister,” said Jane. “And it is my decision to include her in the service. Since you insist that Mary should stand up with me, Lizzy shall sing.”

  Mrs. Bennet stared at her eldest daughter as if she’d not seen the woman before. Darcy caught Elizabeth’s eye and saw she was holding back laughter. How wonderful to see her amused again. Mrs. Bennet was less than pleased and Darcy intervened, as he knew in his heart he would do lifelong.

  “I agree,” said Darcy. “I have had the honor to hear Miss Elizabeth a number of times and cannot think of a voice that has given me greater pleasure. The congregation will see that this is truly a happy time for your family.”