Most Ardently

by Sheena Austin et al.

  “No, thank you. I have heard quite enough!” In her rage, Mrs Bennet quite forgot hysterics over the ruin of two of her daughters.

  “It occurs to me that we should perform this play for Twelfth Night.” Mr Rushworth said with some hope.

  “Over my dead body” Mrs Bennet snarled. “This is the value that you and your friends put on a woman’s honour. It is no surprise with morality like this trash that you lost your wife, sir.” There was a muted gasp around the room. None had ever seen Mrs Bennet thus, and to refer so cruelly to a man’s misfortunes was something that was out of Mrs Bennet’s character. She was, however not yet done and turning on Lady Bertram and Mrs Norris with the play in her hand, she asked, “and is this the kind of trash that you have allowed your family to read and to perform in home theatricals? You sit there, indolent, treating a member of your own family as a servant, allowing them to read this kind of trash and wonder why they have all turned out without much morality? You two ladies are nothing more than hypocrites.”

  Lady Bertram looked incensed but said nothing, her conscience was pricked, but she had not the energy to defend herself. As was their usual habit, it was Mrs Norris who spoke for the two women. “My dear Madam, that is not the kind of morality that we espouse at Mansfield Park. That play was settled upon by the young people themselves after much discussion, and I assure you that had I known that it was such a revolting piece of trash I would never have given my support to their little performance. Sir Thomas, of course, was highly aggravated by the whole thing and put a stop to it when he returned from the Indies.”

  “Surely you must have read this vile work or heard the young people as they rehearsed it.” Mrs Bennet would have carried on, but Miss Price interrupted.

  “Madam, there were only two voices of dissent against performing this play, until my uncle arrived home. It was I and my cousin Edmund who objected. Edmund gave in to the pressure from our family and friends, which left me as the sole objector. I could do nothing.”

  “My poor Mary, poor Catherine. What have they married into?” Mrs Bennet flung herself back into her usual chair. “Jane Bennet, you are not to see or talk to that man there ever again. Mr Rushworth, I thank you for coming to support my daughters on their wedding day. However, I now request that you leave my home and never darken its doorstep again. I shall make sure that my husband and butler know that we are not at home to you.”

  “Mother, you forget that I am of age.” Jane said quietly as Mr Rushworth left Longbourn.

  “I forget nothing; however, you are still my daughter and I can still make sure that I and your father disinherit you. While you stay under our roof, you will obey our dictates.”

  “Then I shall find myself a way to leave this house. I enjoyed Mr Rushworth’s company.”

  “You will do no such thing. You will stay with us or your aunt and uncle in town, and you will find yourself a new suitor, one that you will marry next time.” Mrs Bennet said.

  “I will find myself someone I love”

  “Love has nothing to do with marriage. Marriage is a business transaction and you will find yourself someone who will provide for you properly as a woman of your station deserves.” Mrs Bennet was determined that the damage that had been done to her family would not be allowed to continue. She would make right this damage, and she would not brook any opposition. Jane quietly left the room, and Mrs Bennet turned her thoughts to worry for her second eldest daughter. Tomorrow Elizabeth and Darcy would host their first social event as a married couple. A picnic on Oakham Mount. Mrs Bennet hoped that the magical events that had been spoken of on Oakham mount would happen for her daughters, but she would take the picnic happening quietly without further ado. In the meantime, she would talk to her husband and make sure that this play would never see the light of day again in her home.

  Chapter 7 – 31st December 1812

  Seven Swans A Swimming

  There was an air of excitement as the carriages converged on Longbourn to group together for the picnic on Oakham Mount. The Darcys were to be today’s hosts. In gratitude for all that Mrs Bennet had done in arranging their wedding, they had provided all the food and drink for the considerable size party that was gathering together. Darcy felt particularly responsible since in an effort to help, his servants had helped ruin Mrs Bennet’s fine wedding breakfast. None would be left behind, and all would relax, her mother especially would be given the chance to relax and be a guest rather than the hostess as she had been the whole of this holiday time. Nothing would be more important to Elizabeth this day, or so she thought. The day was crisp but dry, all wondered if it would snow again soon, but so far all that there was only a beautiful clear blue sky and a slight breeze. Every carriage had been supplied with extra blankets and muffs.

  ELIZABETH WATCHED AS each carriage filled with families or friends and then headed out from Longbourn’s drive. They created the illusion of a long worm making its way through the lanes of Hertfordshire. They had to take a longer route to reach the famous beauty spot, and then they would pause at the bottom. From there they would walk the short way to the top of the mount. Finally, the last carriage to leave was the Darcy’s carriage. Elizabeth leaned into her husband’s side. Their marriage only a few days ago had been marked by disaster, and Elizabeth worried that it was a portent of things to come. Maybe Lady Catherine had been right that she should not have married Darcy. She glanced up into her husband’s face and all doubt disappeared. His total devotion to her was not only written on his face but was marked by his every movement and gentle embrace. Today Elizabeth would prove to all that their marriage was meant to be.

  The Darcy’s carriage joined the others at the bottom of Oakham Mount. The servants had already set up the picnic at the top of the hill while the group slowly made their way up on foot. Approximately halfway up the hill an eerie mist swirled around the group, and they found themselves taking many wrong turns. It made no sense the path up to the top of the hill was straight and short, yet in the mist it felt as though they were walking in circles for a long time. Eventually the mist cleared, the sun shone on a glittering lake, but only seven couples of the group were standing looking at the lake. On that lake, seven pure white swans swam. Each person present heard the refrain, though it appeared that there was nobody nearby:

  ‘Seven swans and seven brides,

  Seven Bridegrooms and seven brooms,

  Keep them close, keep them safe,

  Or risk your children being waifs.

  If by chance all is lost,

  Stop not to count the cost,

  Blessed you are by our refrain,

  Never more us to see again.

  Safe and sound all couples blessed,

  Safe and sound now you rest.

  Safe you’ll wake on Oakham Mount,

  Seek not again our sacred fount.”

  The song faded and each couple felt sleepy. A soft voice whispered into the mist that had begun swirling again, “Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy, blessed you are and grace you have found. The Queen of the Swans bids you to remember this day. Your quiet grace has brought all here today. Go now in the knowledge that all will be well, and you will have a wonderful marriage.” Elizabeth would have thanked her, but she felt too sleepy to do anything but rest on her husband’s arm.

  The voice again spoke “Thomas and Mary Bertram. Your efforts to change have been noted, go now and know that you will bless the world. Your names will be known far and wide. Your children and grandchildren will speak of the good deeds that you have done. Forget the past and look to the future. Know that you have been blessed.” Mary nodded her head but her wide-eyed stare told of her surprise.

  “Colonel and Mrs Forster. You have been blessed with long life. Your children will know the blessings of a happy home and being loved.” The voice continued. “George and Emma Knightley. The service that you have rendered to Emma’s father has won grace in our eyes. Your children will know and honour the love that you share. When you return, forget the
harsh words that he spoke on your wedding day. Fear has long ruled his heart. He too will experience the joy that comes from your blessing, though he will not understand from where it comes.”

  The voice paused. The seven couples looked at each other. Why was the voice pausing? Could it be that only some of the couples were blessed? Yet why did the song say all seven were so if three would not receive a blessing? After a few minutes the voice continued “Edmund and Catherine Bertram” the tinge of menace in the voice was unmistakable. Something was not quite right, “it is through the grace of your sisters Elizabeth and Mary that you receive a blessing this day. The grace of the Swans is not to be taken lightly. Your marriage is not secure, and you will struggle. We have seen the truth of Edmund Bertram and Fanny Price. Edmund, the fate of Fanny Price rests in your hands. She and Catherine must know the truth before it is too late. She must be taken to a doctor. Your role in her disgrace would normally bar you from receiving the Swans’ blessing. Be careful that we do not regret our decision to bless you, for our vengeance will be swift and harsh.” The shock on Catherine’s face was immense. What had her husband done and what was he doing that such a threat would be uttered?

  “William and Anne Collins. Your false dealings and your manipulations have earned the wrath of our queen. She finds your deceit abhorrent. Yet none have been hurt and the good that you do in your parsonage has also been seen. Therefore, a small blessing has been bestowed on you, and should you continue in righteousness and in truth then you have nothing to fear. Your children will know love and joy. We have healed you Anne, that no more should you suffer ill health. You will have a long and fruitful life. Lead it in the joy of helping others and there will be none that can touch your marriage.”

  There was a collective sigh that went up in the group. All would be well; they were sure of it. Only one couple now remained, and they all lay on the ground as sleep over came them. “George and Georgiana Wickham. The deceit and malice that you have perpetrated on others will come to haunt you. You will be blessed with children but mark my words, they will only know a happy home when you both repent what you have done. Strife will be the order of your marriage. Yours will not be a happy home. If you heed my words and learn to live in truth with gentleness and kindness, living only for others then shall you find that the strife shall subside. Now sleep my children one and all for you have been blessed and you have been missed.” As sleep overcame them all the voice faded away.

  “Lizzy! LIZZY” Mrs Bennet screamed. Elizabeth groaned, but sleep refused to leave her eyes. Darcy’s arms tightened around her shoulders as her mother’s screams became more and more hysterical. Mrs Bennet waved those awful smelling salts under Elizabeth’s nose, she batted them away and snuggled closer into Darcy’s shoulder. In her panic, Mrs Bennet forgot that her daughter was married “Elizabeth Bennet if you do not waken up this moment, I will be forced to do something drastic.”

  “Mother, I am fine, just let me sleep” Elizabeth mumbled.

  “I will not let you sleep! I have been worried sick! First you and your friends disappear without a trace, and then when you turn up, you and your husband just lay down and sleep for hours! I will have an explanation.” Elizabeth groaned but opened her eyes but slowly. Eventually she gave her mother the explanation, telling her about the Swans and the blessings and warnings. Mrs Bennet was taken aback. The Swans were legend, and nobody had seen them in many decades. Those who claimed to have done so, had all come back with such fantastical stories that it was clear that none of them had seen them. Now three of her daughters were claiming to have seen the Swans of legend?! Jealousy raged in Mrs Bennet’s breast. It was rumoured that the Swans only blessed the pure of heart. When she and her husband had been married, they came to Oakham Mount for their wedding breakfast, there had been seven girls who had recently married but none of them saw the Swans. Mrs Bennet had stopped believing that the old legend could be even remotely true. Elizabeth’s tale of the Swans seemed too fantastic to be true, even to her own ears.

  Once Elizabeth finished it was Jane who spoke up, “Lizzy, you have been here the whole time, you arrived shortly after we did and just went to sleep. You were dreaming.”

  Elizabeth smiled. Darcy reached into his breast pocket, there inside he felt the one thing that would prove their story - a miniature broom. He pulled it out, “Jane, if we were only sleeping why do I have this?”

  “I do not know, maybe this is an elaborate ruse to trick us all into thinking that you and my sister have something that the rest of us do not.”

  “Jane, you were not with us because you are no longer a bride. You chose not to marry.” Catherine spoke up.

  “How dare you?!” Jane screeched, sounding like her mother. “Rushworth helped me to see that Bingley and I were wrong for each other. Having realised that, how could I marry Bingley?”

  “You gave your word that you would marry him, you said you loved him. My friend was devastated by your decision.” Darcy bristled. He and Elizabeth had spent hours with Bingley when they had returned to Netherfield after the wedding breakfast. Bingley’s heartbreak had been so complete that had it not been for the time that Darcy had spent with Bingley that night rather than being alone with his wife, he feared what Bingley would have done.

  “Rather that he hurt now and move on than that I hurt him later on.” Jane laid her hand on Rushworth’s arm in a way that made the whole party uncomfortable. Rushworth moved away from Jane, but the damage was done.

  “Jane...” Elizabeth began, but she did not dare to voice the suspicion that was forming in everyone’s minds. It was no secret that Bingley as worth five thousand pounds a year, but Rushworth was worth twelve thousand pounds a year, something that he had kept secret since his divorce from Maria Bertram. Elizabeth was not sure of Jane’s motivations with her interest in Mr Rushworth. However, the one thing Elizabeth was sure of was that Jane had no love for the man. Elizabeth would rather talk to Mr Collins, than she would Mr Rushworth.

  “I wished” Rushworth began in his self-important manner, “only to prevent suffering.”

  Catherine spoke up. “Jane, I know you do not believe Lizzy’s story. It did happen. I was there, as was Edmund and a few other couples. Seven brides we are, and seven blessings were given.”

  “I don’t care, you are all making this up in order to make me feel bad for having decided not to marry Bingley.”

  “Jane,” the sadness in Elizabeth’s voice was unmissable, “your decision about Bingley was yours to make, it had no bearing on our tale, or on any decision that we make with our husbands.”

  “Lizzy, you know that is not true. You have always thought yourself to be superior to me, and now you think that you are proving yourself to be such having married Mr Darcy.” It was clear by Jane’s tone of voice that she thought it should have been her who married the wealthier gentleman. “Is not it true that you did not even like Mr Darcy at first? I’m sure you only married him for those beautiful woods that he has.” The group gasped. No one doubted the love that was between Lizzy and Darcy. “Why every man we’ve ever met has always preferred me to you, why should Darcy be any different? You know as well as I that it is looks that count, and in that I am certainly better than you are. I never understood why you always stayed close to me while we were out in society as you only helped make this clearer for everyone to see.” Tears brimmed in Elizabeth’s eyes, but she refused to answer Jane. Darcy held his wife close silently willing that Elizabeth would recognise that nothing Jane said was even remotely true.

  Lydia snorted. “If anyone should be jealous and upset, Jane, it is not you!”

  “You are relishing in your own pain and hurt, milking it to take away Mama’s attention” Jane said. The mood had soured. And the blessed couples who by now had all awoken fully were disgusted at Jane’s behaviour. Clearly the woman had only vanity and self interest in her heart. “Why Mama should know how you flung yourself in the way of every single officer, offering them whatever it was that they wan
ted.”

  Mrs Bennet stepped into the ensuing malaise “Jane, dear,” the sugary sweetness of the endearment showed that Mrs Bennet was not being genuine in what she was saying, “I am afraid that your ordeal is going to take some time to get over. As will my poor Lydia’s.” Bingley got up and without a word offered his hand to Lydia, who took it. They walked away from the group talking quietly to each other, while avoiding the looks of sympathy and pity that they received from those around them. Jane placed a placid smile of her face, and the conversation slowly dwindled. Elizabeth was left with a dissatisfied feeling that she could not shake that Jane had either deceived her, or that Jane had changed. Elizabeth was not sure which it was, or even if she cared to find out.

  Chapter 8 – 1st January 1813

  Eight Maids A Milking

  Mrs Bennet woke in the early hours of the morning replaying the events of the last few days in her head. Where had it all gone wrong? Were their new family and friends as nice and honourable as they had seemed? It had been a long time since Mrs Bennet had taken a long walk like her daughter Elizabeth did. Yet this morning she could not lie in bed, but dressed quickly and quietly, and left the house just as the sun was beginning to peek over the horizon. Mrs Bennet’s worry over Jane was increasing. She had been surprised by the way that Mr Bingley seemed to find a kindred spirit in Lydia. However, that friendship Mrs Bennet would not discourage, it appeared to be beneficial to both parties. Jane, on the other hand, was a very prominent worry in Mrs Bennet’s mind. The girl seemed to be on a fast track to ruin, with Mrs Bennet unable to do anything to help her. It really was such a shame, as Jane had seemed to have so much potential. She was so beautiful and talented in her own special way.