Twelvetide Chaos

by Deborah E Pearson

  “Well, Mrs Bennet,” Mr Bennet said in her ear. It had been many a year since he had been so close at a social event and she found her heart giving a quick skip as it had all those years ago. “Shall we dance the next?”

  Mrs Bennet whirled around; indignation took the place of that softened feeling of love. “Dance the next? Whatever could you mean? I will not dance that scandalous dance.” Mr Bennet only chuckled at his wife’s indignation. Why she had not recognised his tease for what it was, he would never know. Yet, even after all these years together, she never seemed to recognise when he was teasing her. He stayed next to his wife, as the couples that would be dancing took to the dance floor. The floor had been full all evening, yet now there were only nine couples that took to the floor. Mrs Bennet nearly died with shame, all five of her girls took to the floor. She had at first not worried as she had watched Anne Collins take to the floor with her husband and then the Knightleys had taken the floor at the same time as the Wickhams and the Forsters. Yet it was when her own daughters had taken the floor, that Mrs Bennet had wanted the ground to open up and swallow her whole. Her married daughters had to make their own reputations and way in the world. She would be able to say nothing, yet Mrs Bennet resolved to say something when Jane and Rushworth took to the floor followed closely by Lydia and Bingley. This was beyond the pale! This week had seen great highs and lows enough for Mrs Bennet that she would not, could not allow herself to be drawn into anymore scandal!

  It was during this last dance that something strange occurred to her. Something that she would never have expected to happen and that she had never heard of happening before. She had been watching the whirl of silks of varying colours when she closed her eyes for a brief few minutes. Upon opening her eyes, she saw a beautiful woman standing next to her. The woman placed a finger against her lips and Mrs Bennet heard, though the woman’s lips did not move “Hush, Mrs Bennet, I am come from the Swan Queen. I was sent to deliver a blessing and a warning.” Mrs Bennet looked from the woman to her husband and back again, “Only you can see and hear me. Accept our blessing for you and your husband. You have raised four of the sweetest and loveliest girls in all the land. Their beautiful characters have shone forth and our queen has blessed them mightily. However, heed our warning for should you fail, all England will be lost. Your eldest daughter has not the beautiful character of all the rest. ‘Tis not your failing, but it is your test. Jane Bennet’s future hangs in the balance. Should she survive and be left unchecked she will rise high but cause the ruin of the whole land. Her power and influence will be great, but she will use that to bring a great evil to this land. Should you fail to check her now, she will be the ruin of all, and the name of Englishman will be no more.”

  Mrs Bennet looked. She doubted. How could her daughter bring such evil? Was this even possible? There were so many questions, but the woman had disappeared in front of her eyes, and the whirl of silks had ceased. The evening had come to a close and Mrs Bennet’s shock was beyond compare. She could not move.

  Ten Lords a Leaping

  3rd January

  Mrs Bennet awoke with the strange woman’s warning going through her head. She wondered how it was that Jane could be the ruin of all England and that things could be so serious. It hardly seemed to be credulous that her girl could be so instrumental in such things. Surely things could not be that serious. She pulled the cord next to her bed and asked her maid to bring in Lydia. That girl would be the easier of the two to discuss as to why the waltz was just too scandalous to be danced in public. When Lydia arrived, however, and Mrs Bennet enquired about the waltz and why she had danced it with Mr Bingley, the answers that Lydia gave were so satisfactory that Mrs Bennet could not in honesty chastise the girl for having danced it. She did, however, discuss with Lydia as to why the dance was considered to be scandalous and why she should not be dancing it as a single young woman. Lydia was a little upset and abashed but said nothing more than that she desired to happy and to know nothing but happiness. Mrs Bennet dismissed her and called for Jane.

  Jane took her time coming to see her mother, and when she arrived, she was sullen and rude. Taking a seat, the furthest away from Mrs Bennet that she could, Jane seemed to be angry about something, but Mrs Bennet could not work out what it was. “What do you want, Mother?” was the rude greeting she received.

  “Jane, I wanted to discuss some things further with you, away from the ears of the rest of the family.”

  “I am of age, Mother, I can do what I wish, and I do not have to answer to anyone for my actions. I do not wish to discuss anything more with you.”

  “While it is true that you are of age Jane, we all answer to each other for our actions. We answer to those who love us, we answer to society in general.” Mrs Bennet knew that this would be a long and tedious interview. When Jane had become so recalcitrant, she was not sure, but the years of dealing with Elizabeth's rebellious streak had put Mrs Bennet in good practice. “Now, we need to talk about your behaviour. It is not acceptable to me, your father, nor to society in general.”

  “What do I care? You never seemed to care before about how I behaved. Lydia has behaved far worse than I and she has not received any reproofs from anyone.”

  “Lydia and I have spoken on many occasions, just like I am speaking to you. She is also young and has a lot to learn. She will calm down, and has, I believe, already begun to do so. You, on the other hand always seemed to behave with dignity and decorum so I thought that you were on the correct track. I missed this selfish and rude streak in you which seems to have come to the fore this week. I can only hope that you have not ruined your best chance at having a happy married life.”

  “Mother, I gave myself that very chance when I refused to marry Mr Bingley. I could not marry him in all good conscience as I knew it would not be a right fit for either of us. Mother, you think that I am behaving out of my usual character when in all honesty I am fully embracing my inconstancy. In the long run, I could not have made Mr Bingley happy. I do not think I could make anyone happy. I will not pretend that I am able to. I am beginning to think that I will never marry.” The look of defiance that was on Jane’s face as she said this made Mrs Bennet even more worried. This was not her sweet and loving Jane, but an idea occurred to her that may just work if the reason for Jane’s behaviour was what she was suspecting. Mrs Bennet would have to be careful though, as she did not know what it was that would truly help Jane. She kept her counsel to herself and decided that she would not allow herself to be deceived by her daughter or by anyone else again. “I think you must be sick, Jane. The daughter that I raised would not speak to me thus.”

  Jane threw her back and laughed, a strange, almost evil laugh. “Mother, I really cannot imagine why you would think that. You indulged me all my life and missed each and every time that I gained my own way rather than someone else’s. Each and every one of my selfish triumphs, you gloried in. Why do you now believe that I would not act in such a selfish manner?” Guilt once more smote Mrs Bennet’s breast, and the warning that she had received from the Swans echoed loudly in her head. If Jane were beyond redemption, then surely the warning would not have been given? That was Mrs Bennet’s only comfort right now. “Oh, and Mother, if you wish to chastise me for dancing the waltz last night, then do not bother! I saw Lydia before I came to see you. You may make her feel guilt over her actions, but you will not have that effect on me. I believe that I am immune to anything that you or anyone else can do or say on this matter. In fact, I think that I may just be immune to absolutely anything that does not serve my desires and my needs.” With that she abruptly left her mother staring after her. It was true that she was of age, but Mrs Bennet was definitely determined to do something about her behaviour. Once she was up and dressed for the day, Mrs Bennet would be visiting with the few people who could advise her on how to deal with the situation that she suspected herself to be dealing with.

  Meryton was exceedingly busy as Mrs Bennet made her way through the qu
iet streets. It was a Sunday, so everyone was either at church or sleeping off the excesses of the previous night. Mrs Bennet found herself standing outside her sister’s house, which was situated above her husband’s place of work. The house looked deserted and forlorn. Mrs Bennet had been surprised to find out that Mr Phillips had surprised his wife to a month-long trip to Bath at this time. The timing could not have been worse in her opinion, as they had left on Boxing day. Mrs Bennet missed Mrs Phillips right now, her sister may not be the most sensible woman in the world, but she did know how to calm Mrs Bennet. There would be much to do once this twelve-tide was over and the wedding excitements died down. She had to focus. Something was wrong with her daughter, and she needed to find out what it was before it was too late. Mrs Bennet moved on. The direction she would soon be taking was one she needed to be careful with. There had been many rumours about the woman she was going to see, rumours that were based in a truth that Mrs Bennet hoped to keep hidden from the world. A truth that was still dangerous for the world to know. The woman lived on the outskirts of Meryton but had been shunned for many years because of some peculiar goings on around her property. Those goings on had been pranks played on her by some rather unpleasant children, but the damage had been done. The woman had become a recluse, only ever emerging from her home on rare occasions. Mrs Bennet needed her help desperately.

  The cottage was neat but showed signs of the years. The once white walls had a layer of grime that shocked Mrs Bennet. It had been years since she had been here. Their last meeting had been on less than friendly terms. Mrs Bennet hoped for a friendly welcome but could not be serene about it. Fifteen years change a person. Lydia had been one the last time Mrs Bennet had visited with her friend here.

  “What do you want?” came the screech from inside the cottage when Mrs Bennet pulled the bell. “I want no street urchins pulling my bell, and I don’t do favours. I have no friends and you better have payment at the ready, or you won’t get your potions.”

  Mrs Bennet nearly walked away. Could this be her friend Louise? What had happened? It was evident that the children were still terrorising her. “I come in friendship” Mrs Bennet called through the door.

  “I have no friends” the woman screeched back.

  “You are mistaken, for you have been my friend since we were babies.” Mrs Bennet called. She would not give up on her friend, not like she had fifteen years ago. Things were different now, and Louise needed to know that. When no answer was forthcoming Mrs Bennet thought that she should walk away. Perhaps Louise still held a grudge about what happened; however, she was thankful that she held her nerve for just a short while later the door of the cottage was flung open and there was an older version of her friend standing in the doorway, looking wild and unkempt.

  “If it ain’t Fanny Gardiner. Come to gloat about how your life at the manor is so much better than mine, have we?!” Louise was obviously wary of what Mrs Bennet had to say.

  “No, I was wrong, Louise. My life is not any better than yours. I have troubles enough, and I am sorry that I was so horrible back then. Can you forgive me, please?”

  Louise Pope threw back her head and laughed the sweetest and most joyful laugh, “Fanny, I forgave you long ago. I knew that you were speaking from a host of worries. I knew all about Jane and Lydia’s issues. I have followed the highs and the lows of your family. I have longed for you to come and say what you just did.” Louise ushered Mrs Bennet into her sitting room, where she introduced Mrs Bennet to her husband. The man was not highborn and was awkward at best at the sight of Mrs Bennet. Mrs Bennet put him at his ease, though, and turned to her friend.

  “Louise, I came here as a matter of urgency, something that I desperately need your help with.” Mrs Bennet was anxious that Louise would think that her overtures of friendship were not true.

  “I already know what brings you here. I have seen it in the crystal ball. It is not my help that you need. For no magic can save Jane from what ails her.” Louise seemed to go into a trance for a long while she said nothing, and her husband began to glare at Mrs Bennet. It was clear that he was not a friend of Louise’s abilities, and blamed the clients that she continued to use them. When Louise came out of the trance she said “What ails your daughter will claim her life. How long she has, was not shown to me. Heed well the warning that was given by the Swan Queen for her words were true. Jane has many paths before her at this moment. Had she married Bingley then her path would have been fixed and England completely lost. She may still take that dark road. Should she rise and become mistress to the Prince Regent himself then all will be lost, for she will desert the prince for a position in France. Should Jane have the position of mistress to both the Regent and to Napoleon then the war against Napoleon will be lost and England will be no more, for Jane will betray her king and her country. Should you take the path that forces Jane to stay at Longbourn for a few more years, then all will be well. Jane will not recover. You shall bury your daughter before your husband. England will survive and all will be well. In all these paths that which ails Jane is not cured, but only gets worse.”

  “But what ails my Jane, and can I restore her mind and character to that which it used to be?” Mrs Bennet was almost frantic. Whatever path her eldest daughter took, she would not survive. How had it come to losing the daughter that she loved more than any other?

  “What ails her I cannot tell. It is shrouded from me. The doctors will not know until after her death.” Louise was clear on this point. She was not given the knowledge of what it was.

  “Then all is lost. My dearest child is lost to me forever.” Louise silently rose and collected a potion from the other room. “Put this in Jane’s tea, and make her drink, it will recover her personality for a short time. In the meanwhile, please encourage her to not only see Mr Jones, but to consult a London physician.”

  “Thank you, Louise.” Mrs Bennet said tucking the potion into her reticule. She then stayed with her friend catching up and promising to return once she had seen to Jane and recovered from Twelvetide.

  Meryton had not only woken up by the time that Mrs Bennet left her friend, but a carnival had arrived. Mrs Bennet was lulled into watching the various displays that were going on in the marketplace. There was much more that was going on at the village common, but she had no wish to go there. The marketplace was on her way home. The sign at the edge of the square, said that a group called the Dancing Lords were going to be giving a display of not only traditional dances, but also many of the brand-new dances that were coming over from the continent. Mrs Bennet smiled, perhaps it would not be so bad to sit and watch the display. She enjoyed dancing and she was not due to be at Longbourn for a while yet.

  Mrs Bennet had to laugh when the Dancing Lords came out of the local pub to do their display. It was evident that they had been drinking and when she counted them there were ten men. Their display was interesting, but Mrs Bennet learnt nothing new from it. She knew all of the dances that they were dancing. Several members of the crowd were dragged in to dance with them at varying times, and Mrs Bennet was thankful to be at the back so that she was not one of those who were pulled in. As enjoyable a display as it had been, Mrs Bennet’s thoughts were constantly at home. Louise’s statement that it was nothing magical that ailed Jane had made Mrs Bennet all the more worried. Would the potion that Louise had given her really stem the malice and selfishness that Jane had stated to be a part of her character? Mrs Bennet did not know. She would watch and see how Jane reacted over the next few days.

  The next few days would not be needed for the moment Mrs Bennet arrived home she knew that Louise’s statements were true. When Mrs Bennet arrived home, she found Jane alone in the parlour, holding her head and screaming her lungs out. The girl was insensible to anything that was around her. Mrs Bennet dropped her reticule onto her usual seat and pulled the bell to call for Mrs Hill. Once the elderly housekeeper arrived, Mrs Bennet called for Mr Jones and for her husband. Mrs Bennet prayed that this was not a sig
n of what was to come for her poor Jane. Nothing Mrs Bennet tried seemed to recall Jane to the world around her. In fact, Jane seemed to be going further and further into a delirium. Once Mr Bennet arrived, he and a manservant managed to carry Jane up to her room, but Jane was in too much pain to realise even where she was. Nothing could have prepared the Bennets for this outcome

  Eleven Drummers Drumming

  4th January

  Mrs Bennet spent a cold night sitting vigil with her ailing daughter. Mr Jones had been busy and not able to come to see the patient until the early hours of the next day. Mrs Bennet had administered several cups of willow bark to Jane, but it had not touched the pain, and nobody had been able to get a history of how long the pain had been going on nor whether there were any other symptoms. Jane had become almost insensible by the time that Mr Jones arrived. After a brief external examination, the ageing apothecary could not find anything the matter with Jane, other than the pain in her head and a few swellings around her wrists and ankles. So, he administered a dose of opium to her. As the strong drug kicked in, Jane was slowly able to speak once more. Her speech was slow and slightly slurred when she did speak, and she remained unfocused. Mrs Bennet was extremely worried, but she listened to the history that Jane gave.