The Meryton War

by Deborah E Pearson

  "Bingley I need to talk to you in private. It's important" Darcy said as soon as Sir William had left. The two of them repaired to the private sitting room that was part of Darcy's suite.

  "I need your advice." He started, very unsure of himself. "I've made a few mistakes that I need your perspective on" here he first outlined the events with his sister, however putting them across in a theoretical way asking what Bingley would do if it were his sister.

  "Caroline is a shrew that nobody would want to elope with," Bingley said with some chagrin. "However no matter what she says or does she is still my sister, so after a thorough scolding for the possible consequences to our family name and reputation for her actions likelihood is I'd forgive her and carry on as if nothing happened. I'd keep her near to show that I loved her and that nothing was wrong. Let the world outside condemn and do what they will. The family is the most important thing." Darcy was surprised at how closely this advice was matched by what the unknown young lady had said this morning but said nothing about her yet.

  "In that case would you object to my bringing my sister to Netherfield as soon as you take possession of the House?" Darcy asked, hoping that Bingley would agree.

  "Of course not! It would be my pleasure to have Miss Darcy with us" Bingley replied with glee. Discussion continued further, and eventually, Darcy confessed what happened on Oakham Mount, wondering who the young Lady was. To say that Bingley was shocked by his friend's behaviour was an understatement. Bingley wanted to know who this young woman was and when Darcy could not tell him Bingley seemed to get even angrier. It was one of the few times he had seen Bingley positively mad, Darcy’s protestations that his intentions were honourable didn’t make any difference. Bingley was angry on behalf of the unknown young Lady and continued to berate his friend until they went down to supper in their private dining room. Bingley continually asked Darcy what his intentions were toward the unknown young woman, but could not be assured. It seemed incredible to Bingley that his even-tempered friend could treat a gentleman's daughter with what appeared to be the utmost of disrespect and disregard.

  Supper was uncomfortable and stilted. Bingley wished to continue berating Darcy and questioning him but knew that he could not do so in front of his sister, so chose instead not to speak to Darcy. Miss Bingley was in a positively jovial mood and continued to flirt with Darcy as much as she could. Darcy's mood had improved since talking with the unknown young lady however he was naturally reserved and still carried some blame over his sister's situation making less inclined to talk. The one thing that had not hit yet was guilt and worry over his morning's actions. Following supper, they all separated and went straight to bed, where Darcy spent a few minutes mulling over his sister's situation and then his thoughts turned to the unknown young woman he had met that morning.

  ***

  "Finally! We can talk, Jane" Elizabeth said with some relief as the door to their chambers closed that night.

  "What could be so important now, Lizzy? It's late; I'm tired. Mr Collins attentions to me are wearing, and this is just the first day" Jane answered. Jane was not, by nature, selfish, but tonight she had felt the full force of embarrassment without any help from her family members to remove the leech from her side, and she had finally reached the end of her sweet serenity. She felt abandoned by the family.

  "Only that I've done something that would guarantee to get rid of that man post haste if he knew!" Elizabeth answered with a twinkle in her eyes. She knew that she had done that morning was wrong, but regret was not a feeling she had, nor did she feel guilty. The man needed comfort, and she had given it freely, willingly. It had been their destiny; she was sure of it.

  "Lizzy!" Jane cried shocked "What have you done?"

  "Jane, you know how I seem to have a way of knowing when people need help?" She asked carefully, knowing that Jane wasn't going to like what she was about to reveal.

  "Yes, that is why Mother doesn't like you. She wouldn't help anyone" Jane replied.

  "This morning, as I was leaving to go on my walk, that sense kicked in, and it took me to Oakham Mount" Elizabeth started. "Oh Jane, there was a man there this morning. He was so heartbroken and distressed. I just had to help him. I don't know why I did so, but I just went up to him and wrapped my arms around him." Elizabeth paused then, blushing, "Jane I did something that would reflect poorly on the family. I...I..." For some reason, Elizabeth found it difficult to tell even Jane that she had given her virtue to this unknown man.

  "Oh, Lizzy! I had forgotten until now. I saw you on Oakham Mount. I know, what happened next. I saw it clearly in a vision this morning. I haven't told Mama about them as she doesn't like anything that you cannot explain away. My vision showed me what you did this morning, but I also saw that the man is honourable and that things will be all right in the end. I know that he needed you today, if you had not been there today the consequences for the gentleman would have been terrible.” Jane explained. Jane and Elizabeth thought they were the only ones in their family who had such abilities, and they knew it would be dangerous to tell others about them. Mrs Bennet was not alone in her fear of the unexplainable. The whole neighbourhood seemed to be on edge about such abilities. Although witchcraft was no longer a crime, witch hunts still happened, and so there was a collective fear of anything unknown and unexplainable. As children, Jane had kept quiet not understanding her ability. However, Elizabeth's insatiable curiosity had led her to speak about her ability seeking answers, which were not to be had. Mrs Bennet on hearing Elizabeth's search for answers had taken a severe dislike to her second daughter. Mrs Bennet hoped that by continual punishments Elizabeth would stop seeking answers.

  Calmed by Jane, Elizabeth explained most of what the gentleman had told her that morning leaving out only the near elopement. Jane whose heart was more compassionate than Elizabeth's cried as she listened, and wrapped her arms around Elizabeth. "I'm meeting him again in the morning Jane. Do you think I'm doing the right thing meeting him again?"

  "Yes, Lizzy" Jane replied, then she went silent and closed her eyes for a few minutes. "He'll be there Lizzy. Be careful, though. There's presence in the area. It's not clear who or what it is. It's not friendly, and I cannot see whether it affects either of you. I can feel it, but that's all."

  CHAPTER SIX

  Elizabeth's Story

  Elizabeth woke earlier than usual the next morning. She had not slept much during the night. Her situation was precarious, and she didn't know how she was going to improve it. Her mother's ultimatum was harsh, and Elizabeth knew that she would be homeless as soon as her mother found out what she had done yesterday morning. She could not bring herself to regret her actions, and so she mulled over this situation as she made her way to meet the unknown gentleman that morning. She mulled over her options; she could give up the hope of finding a man whom she could love with all of her heart and immediately leave to visit her aunt and uncle in Gracechurch Street; from there she could embark on seeking a governess position. The flaw in that plan was that at twenty, she had neither formal schooling nor references for potential employers. She could try and reason with her mother that she should remain at home while she sought a husband. This though seemed unlikely as it was few eligible young men who would visit Meryton in Hertfordshire. Her mother would likely not allow her to remain in the house long enough for her to meet an eligible young man. Should she form an establishment away from her parents, she would declare herself to be an old maid. It was a dilemma that defied logic to solve.

  None of the options her mind presented her felt right. Her heart whispered the unknown gentleman was the answer to her problems. She knew that she had the perfect reason to push him to marry her, but that was not what she wanted. She wanted him to know that she was right for him and to ask her, to seek her hand willingly. No, that would be her last and desperate measure if nothing else seemed feasible or presented itself. She could not force his hand like that. Surely it would make her no better than any of the other women he so d
espised. So it was that she was so lost in thought this morning that she had not noticed that she had arrived, and did not see him standing there waiting for her. However as she nearly walked past him, he wrapped his arms around her as she had him the previous day.

  Darcy too had slept poorly. Nights at an inn were chaotic and noisy at the best of times. The walls were always too thin, and there was always some kind of altercation that arose from the tap room. Added to this was worry about his sister which had robbed him of sleep ever since Ramsgate; this had left him exhausted. The previous night had been different; for the first time since Ramsgate, he had managed a total of four hours, which was a slight improvement and while awake, he had spent less time fretting and more time thinking about this unknown young lady. Her wisdom seemed to belie her age, which was something Darcy was not used to in Ladies of the TON who were in the habit of hiding their intelligence. Guilt seemed to still persist, but somehow it seemed easier to cope with. Reviewing his behaviour he could not understand his actions, nor did they seem to make sense. Yet he knew that he would willingly repeat them once more. He was eager to see the unknown lady again, and having woken early that morning he had left the inn once more before the Bingleys were even awake. Wending his way back to Oakham mount was easy and his feet seemed to have a mind of their own as he swiftly walked. Surprisingly he arrived at Oakham Mount only a few minutes before she did. Something seemed wrong. The young lady seemed to be distracted and far away in her thoughts. Seeing her distraction he swiftly put his arms around her and halted her progress.

  He was surprised to see that her face was so sad this morning, and couldn't help but wonder if his actions yesterday were the cause. He was about to berate himself for it when she looked up and smiled at him. That smile seemed to light the world for Darcy, and for a moment or two his world shrank to encompass only himself and the unknown young lady. Yesterday his distress was extreme and he was the one who needed comfort; today she needed him. Slowly he lowered his face to hers and gave her a gentle kiss. Pulling back he gently asked: "what is troubling you?" It dawned on him that she might not wish to talk to a stranger as he had unburdened himself the previous day. He gently moved them to sit on a nearby fallen tree and awaited her answer. Never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined the story that he was about to hear.

  Gently she leant into his shoulder, shuddered and then slowly launched into her story.

  Elizabeth had been a disappointment to her mother from the moment she was born. She should have been a son, the one that would keep them at Longbourne after her father died. At the age of one she said her first word, and by two she was already speaking in full sentences. Her intelligence just confounded her mother. Her father, whose intellect matched hers, had taken on her education and taught her all he knew, and when he couldn't satisfy her curiosity, he would buy books and magazines to find the answers to encourage her inquisitiveness. This relationship had made her mother very jealous. She had thought it was because her mother was the biggest source of her father's humour.

  The situation was bad. Then IT happened.

  A four-year-old Elizabeth, unable to explain what she felt had escaped the house and her parent's watchful eyes and ran to the lake at the bottom of a very steep ravine on her father's property. There she saw the carriage. She had immediately run back to the house dirty, dishevelled and in floods of tears. Thinking that Elizabeth herself had been hurt the housekeeper, Mrs Hill, rushed out to meet her, but Elizabeth in between gulps and tears haltingly revealed the carnage awaiting at the ravine. Mrs Hill took Elizabeth to her father's study and told him what Elizabeth had just told her. Mr Bennet immediately set out with a party of servants to the ravine to help the poor travellers.

  Mrs Bennet had not seen Elizabeth until the moment she and Mrs Hill emerged from the study, and before either of them could say a word, Mrs Bennet started berating Elizabeth on the condition of her clothing and that she had disturbed the whole house with her disappearance. When Elizabeth told her mother between tears, the only answer she got was "I DO NOT WANT TO KNOW ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE NOTHING TO US! ELIZABETH ROSE BENNET YOU DO NOT GO CAPERING AROUND THE COUNTRYSIDE ON YOUR OWN!". Never a reasonable nor a caring woman Mrs Bennet had no understanding of the gift that her daughter was beginning to develop.

  Jane's first vision had occurred with the same accident. She had seen the accident happen but seeing her mother's reaction to Elizabeth's gift Jane had kept quiet. She would from that day on only inform Elizabeth about what she saw in her visions, as Elizabeth would tell Jane when she felt the need to help others. Together they found ways around their mother's strictures. They would constantly help their neighbours, friends and even strangers. Jane retreated behind a serene mask to hide her own emotions. After that incident Elizabeth found herself constantly being belittled, where Mrs Bennet would heap praise on Jane, she heaped contempt and ridicule on Elizabeth. If anything went wrong in the house, Mrs Bennet found a way to blame and punish Elizabeth. Mrs Bennet ignored Mary and Catherine. Lydia was born when Elizabeth turned five. Lydia was Mrs Bennet’s favourite child and could do no wrong in Mrs Bennet's eyes.

  As the years progressed Elizabeth not having her own room, but sharing with Jane was meant to be a punishment, Mary, Kitty and Lydia all were given individual rooms, but Elizabeth was expressly forbidden to have her own space. It didn't matter that there was a locked room unused right next to Jane's, Elizabeth was to have no individual space. Mrs Bennet called their shared bedroom Jane's room. There was no recognition that Elizabeth was even there. However, for the two sisters, as they grew up, it became their own sweet haven from the chaos. Jane and Elizabeth became best friends and partners in crime, often with Elizabeth punished for Jane's misadventures. Sweet Jane would always find a way to make it up to her poor sister. Neglect and constant haranguing must take it toll on the person who suffers, and Elizabeth was no different. Her father, though essentially a good man laughed at the antics of his family, not bothering much to correct any of his youngest three daughters. When his wife's treatment of Elizabeth would get bad enough that he couldn't ignore it any longer, Mr Bennet would send Elizabeth and Jane off to visit their Aunt and Uncle Gardiner in Gracechurch Street, London. It was the Gardiners who gave of themselves and taught Jane and Elizabeth how to be proper young ladies and gave them the balanced love and appreciation that Jane and Elizabeth so needed.

  However two days ago the whole situation had become untenable to all involved. Mrs Bennet had found out that Jane and Elizabeth had been looking after the tenants of Longbourne. This duty by rights is in the purview of the Mistress of the house, but with Mrs Bennet's mean understanding and uncaring attitude, Mr Bennet had instead relegated it to Mrs Hill the Housekeeper and Mrs Bennet had assumed it to be a servant's duty. As usual, it was Elizabeth upon whom Mrs Bennet's wroth fell; Mrs Bennet had threatened to throw Elizabeth out of the house. She had, just yesterday, given Elizabeth orders to “find employment or a husband".

  Having explained that, Elizabeth burst into tears. Everything looked bleak as she looked up into Darcy's eyes and the words that left her mouth next astonished Darcy. "So I guess, sir, that the next time we meet, I will be somebody's governess…"

  "Why would you say that?" Darcy could not understand that here she was in such dire straights, and had multiple reasons to insist not just that he marry her, but that he marry her quickly, why was she not insisting on marriage? Indeed why had she discounted the option all altogether? Who was this brave, strong, and vulnerable woman?

  "Sir, I refuse to have a marriage such as my parents have. My Father married my Mother because of her pretty face and then could not respect her. Now he doesn't interact with her unless it is to tease and to laugh at her silliness. My mother cannot understand half what my father says and instead is constantly complaining about her 'poor nerves', which never seem to interrupt her busy social life. The marriage I want is one where I can respect and Love my marriage partner, and since I haven't yet met many young men who co
uld command my respect" here she blushed "and only one who I have felt any chance of loving, I guess that I am condemned to look for employment."

  Darcy was stunned. She was beautiful and vivacious. She was everything he wanted in a marriage partner, and on top of that, her ideas for marriage and an ideal marriage partner coincided with his own almost identically. "I don't even know your name yet, and I know that it would be deemed too early to be talking marriage normally, but..." here he paused he wasn't sure how she would react.

  "Go on sir," she encouraged quietly,

  "Well..., it's just would you consider..., that is... I could... we could..." She found his stuttering endearing and wondered what he was trying to say. Eventually, he just blurted "would you consider me as a potential husband? I am happy to enter into a courtship or go straight to betrothal..." He continued until she put her finger to his lips to quieten him.

  "I can tell you are not used to making such a request. It would look strange if not knowing each other you immediately approach my father to marry me. Yes, I accept your courtship, and yes I will consider you as a potential husband." She answered. "However I should warn you about my family. I love them to pieces, but they WILL embarrass both of us.

  My mother, you've already heard about and for the most part my father also. Jane is my elder sister. She is all that is lovely and calm. She hides behind a mask of serenity which is how she avoids my mother's haranguing. Mother expects Jane to make our fortunes. Jane is the beautiful one — and she deserves the title. Mother wants Jane to marry well, and it doesn't matter Jane's feelings on the subject. My ridiculous cousin is visiting at the moment and has set his cap at Jane. Poor girl, she won't be able to take much of his 'attentions' before she says or does something she'll regret. In some ways, I can't help wishing that it was me who had to refuse the poor man and not Jane. Either she'll refuse him entirely, or she'll just let him wear her down until she's just a shell. There's more to Jane than meets the eye; you'll like her. She hates an argument and likes to think the best of people, even when no one else even likes the person. Mary is next to me. What can I say about Mary? She is studious, and because my mother and father ignore her she has taken to reading The Bible and Fordyce's sermons exclusively, nothing else. She has a love of music, but no ear for it, and will exhibit her poor taste to all and sundry every chance she gets. Kitty is a follower, and has decided to follow our youngest sister Lydia in everything! Lydia has just turned fifteen, is brash and a total flirt. Mother and father do not check her, and so she does whatever she wants when she wants. She will take any anything that belongs to one of her sisters and our mother will say, 'Oh just give it to her.' Jane and I have hidden our best and most treasured items in two locked trunks so Lydia cannot get into them. Jane and I always blush when Lydia and Kitty are in the same room".