by Beth Massey
The Holmes family, including the ailing earl, loved to laugh; so chuckles, giggles, guffaws and even snorts were in great abundance. Mr Bennet, whose favourite occupation had for many years been cynically observing humanity with all their faults and follies, was having one of the most enjoyable evenings of his life. Usually his attention was drawn to those whose characters leaned toward the ridiculous, but tonight he was constantly amazed by those assembled with their good sense and good humour. He was not only impressed with the families his daughters were about to enter, but his own family astounded him as well. Tonight, he was strategically situated in the middle of those assembled, and was afforded the opportunity to hear most of the conversations.
Many in the room knew of Lady Sarah’s business, but an equal number did not. Mr Bennet had debated whether to tell Mrs Bennet of Mr Darcy’s confession with regards his ‘education.’ The candour and sensibleness of their recent intimate conversations had allayed his fears of her inability to appreciate such a revelation, and the previous night he had told her. Not only had she not been appalled by the knowledge but seemed to be comforted that both her daughters would not suffer the ineptitude of uncaring husbands. Mrs Gardiner had told her of the trauma Lydia had endured, and she hoped Lord Colton’s knowledge would help her youngest daughter to heal and enjoy that part of her duties. Again, as she thought of Lizzy and Mr Darcy, her anxiety about the disparity in their size and his often-serious mien was displaced by the realization her fears for her daughter’s comfort and enjoyment were probably unfounded.
Despite her favourable reaction to Mr Darcy’s revelation he still worried that when meeting Lady Sarah his wife might revert to condemnation. She did not. She was seated next to Lord Colton’s aunt, and Mr Bennet had rarely seen her as gracious and yes, even discreet and intelligent. She made certain Miss Darcy who was on the other side of Lady Sarah was engaged with the Doctors Parton before she spoke. “Lady Sarah, please allow me say how very comforted I am that both of my daughters are marrying men who have been educated with regard proper treatment of a wife. My sister, Mrs Gardiner, told me of the trauma my poor Lydia endured. Your nephew’s skill and obvious love for my youngest should help her forget Mr Wickham’s ineptitude and enjoy that part of being a wife.” She looked down the table to where her second eldest and Mr Darcy were seated. She blushed as she added, “The thought of Lizzy and Mr Darcy together… the disparity in their size. He is always so serious… and demanding. I was very anxious for her comfort and enjoyment. Thanks to you my worries are certainly unfounded.”
Patting Mrs Bennet’s hand Lady Sarah replied, “Believe me, you have nothing to fear. Both of them are experts at pleasing women.”
Mr Bennet watched as the two women struck up what could only be described as a friendship, and a most lively discussion about Jamaica took place for much of dinner. The two doctors aided Lady Sarah in describing to Mrs Bennet, Miss Darcy, and Mrs Annesley everything there was to know about the island.
As he observed his wife, he saw true pleasure on her face as she listened—particularly at the descriptions of the flora and fauna. She did not flinch or lose interest even when the topic turned to the young Dr Parton’s recent studies of tropical diseases.
The most amazing thing that happened was not mortification at his wife’s behaviour, but of his own. He felt a profound sadness that he had not paid as much attention to her as he should have over the years. Yes, he had a vague inkling of his wife’s love for flowers… a love she had passed on to their daughter Jane. What he became cognizant of tonight, was the extent of her knowledge. He smiled indulgently at her oohs and aahs when the beauty and heady aroma of the tropical blossoms were described.
Lady Sarah became quite animated. “Mrs Bennet, you must come to Derbyshire often to visit your daughter. I plan to grow some of those plants I described to you. Blessing has a very large solarium, and my brother is encouraging me to fill one section with tropical plants. You will get to see and smell many of the ones I have described. I will even be able to give you cuttings to take home to Hertfordshire. Do you have a conservatory?”
“Oh, Lady Sarah I am very much looking forward to visiting. I have a small conservatory attached to my cold room.”
Mr Bennet felt he should contribute. “Fanny, I think we should enlarge the space to accommodate these new plants.” His wife’s face wreathed with pleasure made him look forward to their time alone tonight.
His attention was drawn toward the conversation of Mr Bingley, his oldest daughter, the Gardiners and the Phillips on his other side when he heard Jane’s voice loud, clear and confidant.
A year ago his wife’s hopes for the family’s salvation had been tied to the young man who had leased Netherfield. He had, indeed, become quickly enamoured of his most beautiful daughter. She inherited her mother’s beauty and colouring, but her forgiving nature came from neither parent. There was none of his delight in exposing the foibles of family and friends, or her mother’s lively, albeit nervous, approach to arranging her daughters’ futures. Mr Bingley’s appreciation of Jane had stayed in evidence through the ball he had given for his neighbours at the end of November. But the next day he was gone, and was not heard from again by Mr Bennet, until he arrived on the scene to help with Lydia’s rescue. All in all, he seemed a bit feckless.
Since her arrival in London, Jane seemed to have ushered in a new phase to her character. Mr Bennet was pleased that his oldest was no longer quite so forgiving or passive. She seemed to take pleasure in questioning others around her. Mr Bingley seemed to be chief among those she challenged.
The conversation of this particular group was centred on Mr Bingley’s new business venture… enormous copper bathtubs to be specific. Mr Phillips gave legal advice for leasing the factory site and drawing up contracts with suppliers. Mr Gardiner had suggestions for finding warehouses both in London and Bath that could store the stock and double as a showroom. Architects who were involved in the extensive building boom that currently was happening in those cities were deemed men to be approached for sales possibilities.
His once docile daughter made a thoughtful and astute suggestion. “I think you should have someone make a detailed drawing of your product. But mind you, make the illustration appealing. It should focus on the size and beauty of the design of the tub. Being able to see the item should aid in attracting interest.” Jane’s demeanour added a hint of aggression to her words. “This advertisement I am describing should portray the luxurious nature of bathing in such an apparatus. Make your customers want to indulge.” Her suggestion was heartily endorsed by the caucus of those family members in trade, and Mr Bingley just looked at her with cow-eyed admiration.
Directly across from him, a discussion, both theological and literary, was taking place. Mr Darcy, Elizabeth, Mary and the Reverend Holmes were discussing the relative importance of sermons or poetry to increase the faith and spirituality of young women. Mr Holmes favoured poetry, and Mary still clung to her passion for Fordyce. Elizabeth and Mr Darcy mainly watched in amusement at the lively debate.
Mr Bennet had observed that Mary, upon meeting Lord Colton, had been attracted by his larger-than-life persona. For the first time he saw his very pious daughter flirt. Her actions had been quickly regulated as she remembered it was a sin to covet her sister’s betrothed. Upon meeting Lawrence Holmes, her recently unleashed and quickly subdued coquettish manner was back in evidence. It hardly seemed possible, but the parson was even larger and more forceful looking than his brother. Mary seemed determined to impress him with the sincerity of her faith and her knowledge of religious writings. It soon became Mr Bennet’s belief that Mr Holmes was much more impressed with her generous bosom that heaved with excitement as she made her arguments. Mary explained how Dr Fordyce’s words helped her to ensure her deportment remained proper, and to prepare her for the role she would someday attain as someone’s wife.
Parson Holmes gaze flitted back and forth between her décolletage and her green eyes sparklin
g with enthusiasm for the subject matter. With her utterance about being someone’s wife, he became riveted on her face as he gave his opinion of the Scottish clergyman’s work. “Mr Fordyce’s sermons encourage female subjugation to male preferences. My grandfather, the Reverend Goodfellow, taught me marriage should be more sharing in nature. He believed the expression of opinions among females was good for a loving partnership—and I saw the truth of his words in my parent’s relationship.”
At this point in the debate Elizabeth and Mr Darcy intervened on the side of the clergyman. Elizabeth, for her contribution, quoted her favourite line from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner—one of Mr Coleridge’s contributions to Lyrical Ballads.
“He prayeth best, who loveth best all things both great and small; for the dear God who loveth us, he made and loveth all.”
“Those simple words of love for one’s fellow humans contain the essence of Christianity for me. They have been most helpful in revitalizing both my soul and my mind since I first read those verses.”
Mr Bennet saw the look of love and admiration for his daughter on Mr Darcy’s face as she spoke. As he watched, the illuminating light between the two was ignited by her words. After she had finished speaking, he spoke. “I agree with Elizabeth’s sentiment, but even more so with Lawrence’s grandfather Mr Goodfellow’s concept of marriage. It reminds me of Shakespeare’s Sonnet —Let Me Not to the Marriage of True Minds.” His recitation seemed to be meant to make a point about constancy for Lizzy alone.
“Admit impediments. Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds, or bends with the remover to remove. Oh no! It is an ever fixed mark.”
His final appeal to Mary was that he believed all should embrace a similar philosophy, as he and Elizabeth had chosen for their own imminent partnership.
Elizabeth’s reference to Lyrical Ballads seemed to spark an idea in Lawrence Holmes. Mr Bennet was amused that winning Mary’s approval appeared to be the true objective of his arguments. He pointed to the last poem in Volume I of the compilation—Wordsworth’s Tintern Abbey—as an example of his premise. “Wordsworth revisited the abbey after a five-year absence, and his poem expresses the change in his ideas during the intervening years. When at the abbey before, he had yet to acquire knowledge of the sublime and develop an appreciation of nature’s divine creativity and inspiration. Through his verse he describes the offerings given to him by the tranquil restorative powers of the sight. The gift most valued, and even more sublime, is that he was relieved of a giant burden.” Lawrence Holmes seemed to wait patiently for Mary to question what the burden was and smiled beatifically at her as he replied, “The burden of continuing to question the existence of God, the need for religion, or the purpose of life.”
Mr Lawrence Holmes had won. Her father watched and enjoyed the look of passionate concession as Mary Bennet admitted defeat.
To Mr Bennet’s left was a grouping including his niece, twelve-year-old Marianne Gardiner, and his nephew and namesake ten-year-old Thomas Gardiner. Kitty had impressed her father when at the beginning of the meal she graciously sat between her cousins, and proceeded to keep them entertained and occupied during a very grown-up affair. Sitting near them were Lady Eleanor and Colonel Fitzwilliam. The colonel, in his red coat, was dashing to both the young Gardiners; and he dominated the conversation with stories that entertained all… but seemed to mesmerize young Thomas. Lady Eleanor spoke little, and seemed to prefer to listen to Colonel Fitzwilliam’s anecdotes. Mr Bennet noticed her enjoyment and watched Lord Colton’s sister laugh at the antics of Colonel Fitzwilliam, who seemed to be performing especially for her.
Lady Eleanor had also captured Marianne’s imagination. She seemed unable to take her eyes from her. When his niece spoke, her words were not exactly the most polite but her reverential attitude offset the rawness of her truth. “You are the tallest and most beautiful woman I have ever seen. You remind me of a warrior princess from mythology.”
After staring at the object of Colonel Fitzwilliam’s attentions through the first and second courses, Marianne had seemed to finally remember something she had been trying to recall. She blurted out a bit breathlessly, “Last year I read a book about the gods and goddesses of Rome… with beautiful drawings. Lady Eleanor, I believe you are like Diana the goddess of the hunt.”
Mr Bennet observed a broad smile engulf the face of the colonel. His young dinner companion’s observation seemed to give him a much hoped for opening to pull Lady Eleanor into a conversation about herself. To stir the pot he said, “Miss Marianne, I do believe you are correct. I have seen both the statue of Diana at Versailles, and Titian’s painting of Diana and Kallisto. She does look remarkably like the goddess. We must get her to tell us of her hunting skills. Do you ride to hounds, Lady Eleanor?”
She laughed at Richard Fitzwilliam’s eagerness, but gave him his sought after prize. For the next fifteen minutes the group talked of nothing but fox hunting and her skills at the sport. By the end of Lady Eleanor’s tale of her first time participating, the entire group pledged that some day they would all join her at Blessing for a hunt.
Kitty participated in the conversation for the first time. “I do not think I could bear to see such a beautiful animal as a fox harmed, but I will come along and make drawings of the day. Perhaps, all of you mounted on your horses.”
Mr Bennet smiled knowingly when he noticed the expression on the colonel’s face, and decided his mind was pursuing the thought of helping Lady Eleanor on and off her horse.
The most amazing conversation Mr Bennet was privy to was that of his youngest daughter, her betrothed and his father. They were down at the end of the table, but luckily all three had strong voices, and he was occasionally able to pick out some of what they were saying.
Mr Bennet observed that Lord Blessing seemed quite pleased by his youngest. Whatever had drawn Lord Colton to Lydia must have had the same effect on his father. Lydia, for her part, giggled a great deal at what the ailing gaunt man had to say. She seemed to be genuinely taken by him and eagerly answered his numerous questions about where and when she had met his son. Mr Bennet could not actually hear all of her explanation, but he knew her version of the event from her previous recounting for her family. He believed she was able to give a credible rendition of the performance of The Rivals she had seen. Tonight, her father was able to hear enough to know she confessed to the Earl of Blessing that at the time she had only understood one of Mrs Malaprop’s twisted expressions. She continued to explain that her sister Elizabeth was teaching her to recognize the others. Her next words on the subject were spoken just after she boldly took Lord Colton’s hand and brought it to her lips. “I will be ready to laugh at each and everyone the next time we see the play.” Both father and son favoured her with a loving smile.
When the earl asked her about Longbourn, Mr Bennet was apprehensive that she would disappoint with her lack of knowledge. He now gave his undivided attention to this particular discussion. He had to strain, but he managed to hear most of what was said. As she began speaking, he realized Elizabeth must have recently imparted some information on their estate as well as the play she had seen. Lydia knew the size of the estate, the number of tenants and the crops that he grew. “My father has recently embarked on a new endeavour. He grows oats and sells them to the military. Their need for horses is ever increasing because of the war. Papa’s aim is to keep their mounts fed. What makes his project unique is that the straw which could be viewed as a useless by-product is being sold to a local brickworks.”
His daughter’s detailed explanation of the workings of Longbourn impressed him on several levels. The first, and most impressive, was that she was astute enough to prepare for her first meeting with Lord Blessing. His second observation brought tears to his eyes. Her words were said with genuine pride in her father and her family’s estate, and they elicited a look of admiration from her soon-to-be father-in-law.
His remorse at neglecting his daughters’ education was great,
but he thanked God for being merciful. At that moment he vowed to ensure his remaining unmarried daughters would be allowed to master whatever accomplishments they desired to pursue. Kitty had mentioned drawing. A master might help develop her skill. Mary could do with someone to help her learn to combine her technical excellence on the pianoforte with enjoyment. He would have to consider how best to encourage Jane to continue to speak her mind.
18
MR DARCY MAKES A PLAN AND GOD JUST LAUGHS
The morning after the dinner at Blessing House, there were new participants at the daily breakfast hosted by Miss Darcy. Lady Eleanor, Lawrence Holmes and young Dr Parton were greeted enthusiastically by the group, and quickly integrated into what was becoming a daily ritual surrounding the first meal of the day. The relationship of forces shifted with these new inductees. Richard Fitzwilliam spent his time bent on impressing only Lady Eleanor with his sparkling wit. This morning he ended his role as entertainer for all the unattached ladies, and instead focused on just one. Lawrence Holmes and Mary Bennet also renewed their discussion from the evening before, and soon became immersed in a conversation about the clergyman’s sources of inspiration each week for his sermon.
Kitty, Georgiana, Jane, Dr Parton and Mrs Annesley were the participants that had no special partner with which to commune. They formed a group and spent their time, once again, discussing Jamaica. During the discussion it was learned that the young physician had a collection of drawings he had made of Jamaica. Soon the group was discussing drawing and favourite subjects. All three artists in the group preferred nature as their subject, although Dr Parton had recently begun drawing people. He had been attracted to men and women at work during his last few months on the island. Those he felt were his best were of the local market that combined the sellers with their colourful produce and flowers. He promised to show them to the two young women when they visited Blessing.