Mistletoe and Mischief Page 4

  “But Papa,” protested Elizabeth, “Lydia did not elope after all; Mr. Darcy prevented it.”

  “And I owe him a debt I can never repay,” said Mr. Bennet. “Your mother, however, has decided only the most extravagant of weddings for you and for Jane, from the ceremonies to the wedding breakfasts themselves, will restore her status among the Hertfordshire elite.”

  “Neither Jane nor I have made such a request of her,” said Elizabeth. “The simplest of affairs will suffice for me, and I am sure it is the same for Jane as well.”

  “If I cannot constrain her in her preparations,” said Mr. Bennet, “there will be no weddings, as I will be consigned to debtor’s prison. I am already being forced to cancel the usual feast I provide for our servants and tenants on St. Stephen’s Day.”

  “But Papa,” said Elizabeth, “the festivities of this day are one of the most anticipated Christmas traditions at Longbourn. You cannot deny your obligation to the very people who provide the income we depend upon. St. Stephen’s Day is more than a simple feast, magnificent though it may be. It is also regarded by all who attend as your acknowledgement of and gratitude for the work in which each engages for the success of the estate.”

  “It causes me pain to contemplate, but the plans she is making threaten to consume the funds I have at my disposal. I already have merchants inquiring after the extent of the feast we will serve for the wedding breakfasts and asking whether there are any in Meryton who will not be in attendance. The sums being proposed for your wedding alone surpass the income I receive in an entire year, and Mrs. Bennet intends to serve the same foods, if not even more extravagant ones, in celebration of Jane’s wedding.

  “If she cannot be restrained, there will be nothing remaining for the support of those who remain after the marriages have been solemnized. You and Jane will be in comfortable circumstances, but we shall not. There is also the matter of Lydia and her wastrel husband in Newcastle. She has already written me twice for funds to help them pay their debts. I have given them nothing myself, but Mrs. Bennet has been more than generous in providing them funds from the household account. All the while, she complains to me about my stinginess in providing for my family, never realizing that she is the reason for my so-called miserliness.”

  Mr. Bennet rose from the desk abruptly and took Elizabeth’s hands in his. “Forgive your father his complaints, Lizzy. I know the financial issues of Longbourn are nothing with which you need to bother yourself at such a time as this. Please put my ramblings from your mind and return your thoughts to whatever interests a woman newly in love.”

  Mr. Bennet then ushered Elizabeth from the room. With a quick kiss on her cheek, he accompanied her to the manor exit and opened the door for her, advising for her to enjoy her morning walk.

  After sharing a heartfelt embrace with her father, Elizabeth passed through the doorway and set out on one of her familiar paths. Unfortunately, the quandary Mr. Bennet had presented to her consumed her thoughts rather than the pleasant experience of being outside.

  Elizabeth was unsurprised her father had chosen to share his concerns with her. After all, she had always been quite close with Mr. Bennet. Mrs. Bennet, however, was one with whom Elizabeth had never seen eye-to-eye. Furthermore, the profligate spending mentioned by Mr. Bennet had begun to cause Elizabeth anxiety as she considered the ramifications mentioned by her father. She well knew of her mother’s tendency to deplete the household budget without thought for cost. It was not unusual for Mrs. Bennet to find herself with a dearth of funds before the month had even ended.

  Elizabeth shared a responsibility for the state of affairs in which her father found himself. It was, after all, her wedding, more than Jane’s, which served as the impetus for Mrs. Bennet’s overindulgence. Elizabeth felt certain Mr. Darcy’s lineage as the grandson of an earl was causing the wedding plans to exceed Mr. Bennet’s budget. In Mrs. Bennet’s opinion, a loss of status would ensue should the wedding of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy fall short of consideration as the finest ceremony ever held in all of Hertfordshire.

  If Elizabeth, as the second daughter, were to receive an extravagant wedding celebration, then Jane, as the eldest, would be the recipient of a much grander observance which would sow jealousy as far away as London. In this, Mrs. Bennet was adamant, and no amount of persuasion from her husband or daughters would change her opinion.

  As Elizabeth walked, she pondered the problem, trying to discover a remedy sufficient to preserve her father’s accounts while satisfying her mother’s need to experience widespread admiration and envy.

  The solution began as the seed from a thought questioning the need for such extravagances. From there, it gained in size as Elizabeth reviewed it in her mind. As potential objections were solved, the idea grew and firmed; by the time she returned to Longbourn, she had arrived at the answer she hoped would satisfy both of her parents. Now, she merely needed obtain a promise of support from Jane.

  With steps lightened from relief, she threw open the door and bounded up the staircase. Rushing into Jane’s bedroom, she swept aside the curtains, allowing morning light to flood the room.

  “The day has begun, dear sister,” said Elizabeth to Jane, who had pulled the covers over her head.

  “It is not yet time to rise,” protested Jane as Elizabeth grasped the bedding and pulled it from her sister’s grip. “Leave me to enjoy another hour of rest, I beg of you.”

  “I cannot while the problems facing our family wait for solutions,” said Elizabeth. “Dress yourself; I will wait for you at the breakfast table.” Turning from the bed, she left the room, leaving Jane to mumble her mild complaints as she did Elizabeth’s bidding.

  Jane joined her sister in the dining room some thirty minutes later when Elizabeth had just finished her meal. Her countenance did not bear the cheerful expression she habitually wore, but instead one of perturbation, no doubt the result of being roused from her bed at a time earlier than was her usual practice.

  “Welcome,” said Elizabeth as Jane sat and fixed her with a woeful stare. “As you can see, I have already eaten. I waited for you as long as I could before finally succumbing to my hunger.”

  “I was tempted to return to my dreams,” said Jane, “but curiosity pulled me from the comfort of my bed. Though you mentioned we were facing problems of some sort, I hope whatever you referenced shall be proven to be only minor irritants.”

  Before Elizabeth could respond, Jane’s attention turned to the plate Mrs. Hill had placed in front of her. As she began to eat, her eyes fastened upon Elizabeth, and she waited for an answer.

  “The problems we face revolve around our two weddings,” began Elizabeth. A noise from outside of the dining room interrupted her before she could finish, and soon Kitty and Mary entered the room, followed by Mrs. Bennet.

  “We will continue our discussion once you have eaten, Jane,” said Elizabeth, rising from the table. “I will wait in my bedroom.”

  When Jane entered her room, Elizabeth sat at the writing desk, composing a letter. As Jane waited, Elizabeth completed the missive. She then folded it and placed it inside an envelope bearing the name of “Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy” on its face.

  “You alluded to issues with our approaching weddings,” said Jane when Elizabeth turned to her. “I confess ignorance, as I was not aware of any problems.”

  “I discovered something was amiss only after speaking with Papa,” said Elizabeth. “I came upon him in his library this morning as I prepared for my morning walk. Papa stated he was engaged in studying the estate accounts and had been doing so throughout the night.”

  “It is not unheard of for him to spend additional effort reviewing the twelvemonth past,” said Jane. “It is the end of the year, with the new one almost upon us. I have observed his agitation myself as he studies Longbourn’s accounts. He voices his opinion of our wasteful behavior and states as fact the surety that he will be sent to debtor’s prison.”

  “I agree he is prone to exaggeration,” said E
lizabeth, “but our discussion this morning was unplanned. I found him seated at his desk, ledgers open before him as he voiced quiet oaths to himself regarding his current state of affairs. He was unaware of my presence until I made myself known.”

  “Was there a cause for his troubles? I would presume such a negative attitude happens each year-end. Papa never cares for the state of the Longbourn accounts and always wishes to spend fewer funds in the coming year. We are witness to this display each Christmastide, Lizzy. Why should we attach importance to Papa’s complaints this year?”

  “This year is not the same as the previous ones,” said Elizabeth to a look of confusion from Jane. “We are both engaged to marry in the coming year, and Mama has taken it upon herself to ensure the events are counted as the finest ever held in Hertfordshire.

  “According to Papa, she has made commitments to many of the merchants in Meryton concerning decorations to adorn both the church and Longbourn for the wedding breakfasts, not to mention her commitments with regard to the many delicacies she has planned for our guests. I have seen her speaking with Mrs. Hill, and when I inquired as to the reason, Mrs. Hill stated the discussion pertained to the two meals Papa mentioned. There is also the matter of the St. Stephen’s Day feast, which Papa has decided he cannot observe this year. He has stated that Mama’s commitments have emptied Longbourn’s accounts and left him unable to afford the meal.”

  “This cannot be true,” said Jane, distress clear in her trembling voice. “This tradition has been followed for many years. Our tenants and servants alike greatly anticipate this display of honor and affection from Papa. If he were to decide against it, there would be great disappointment. It would cause animosity and hard feelings on the part of many.”

  “It was while awaiting your appearance that I spoke with Mrs. Hill,” said Elizabeth. “My purpose was to inquire as to the veracity of Papa’s claims. In the course of our conversation, I was informed that the plans Mama has made are more excessive than Papa is aware. Mrs. Hill told me the cook will be required to prepare food enough to feed all of Hertfordshire, as Mama has extended invitations to everyone in this vicinity. She even plans to decorate the church itself! Mrs. Hill is not yet aware that the St. Stephen’s Day feast is to be canceled this year; I can only imagine what the consequences might be should this decision not be amended.”

  “What is to be done?” asked Jane. “If Mama continues, then Papa—and the Bennet name itself—will become a laughingstock, held in derision by all.”

  “In truth,” said Elizabeth, “these events will be known far and wide and discussed even in London, although for different reasons than Mama envisions.”

  “What of Papa?” asked Jane. “Is he not able to dissuade Mama from acting upon these misguided notions? If her ideas come to pass, then you and I will be unable to show ourselves anywhere near Longbourn ever again. We must speak with her and convince her of the foolishness of her plans.”

  Elizabeth shook her head and raised a finger to her lips to silence her sister. “You are as acquainted with Mama’s nature as I am. Do you expect we will find success in urging simpler displays to mark the occasions of our weddings? I for one do not think it possible to convince Mama of the error in her designs.”

  Jane gave a sigh. “I offer my hope, but I am unconvinced of the advisability in attempting to reason with her. What then can we do? We cannot allow Mama to proceed with these ridiculous ideas, and we must restore the Christmas meal to those who depend upon it. If we must cancel the wedding breakfasts, then so be it. I would much rather see Papa’s tenants and servants treated with respect than have those funds wasted on a celebratory breakfast we shall forget in a few short years.”

  Elizabeth knew Jane was suffering pain at the thought of the wedding Mrs. Bennet was planning. In Elizabeth’s heart also lay the fear of the reactions from Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley upon learning of the public spectacle her mother sought to force upon them. Unlike Jane, however, Elizabeth was not a girl prone to inaction at unforeseen news. She had pondered the dilemma throughout her morning walk and, after her conversation with Mrs. Hill, had arrived at a solution she hoped would be satisfactory to everyone.

  Her heart almost broke at the sight of Jane, who appeared to be on the brink of tears over her assumption that the tenants and servants, people whom she held in high regard for their hard work and service to the Bennet family, would be denied the meal they expected and certainly deserved.

  “Fear not, my dear sister,” said she to Jane. “I have given the problem much thought and have arrived at a solution I hope will be acceptable. It needs only your agreement to implement.”

  Jane regarded Elizabeth with hope, her countenance lightening at the prospect of rescue from their present situation.

  After gathering her thoughts, Elizabeth leaned forward and beckoned Jane to do likewise.

  “This must remain between us,” said she in a voice quiet as a whisper. “Should Mama discover our plans, she will oppose them.”

  “I promise to breathe not a word of this to anyone, absent your permission,” said Jane.

  “My plan is this,” said Elizabeth as she began to explain her suggestions to her sister. To Jane’s credit, she offered no interruption until the proposal had been laid out in its entirety.

  “If you are sure your idea is feasible, then I will support you,” said Jane when Elizabeth had presented her plan and responded to Jane’s questions. Jane had made suggestions, some of which Elizabeth accepted as beneficial, but the central idea remained unchanged.

  “Again, I urge you to discuss this with no one,” said Elizabeth. “I have written to Mr. Darcy to request his and Mr. Bingley’s attendance at Longbourn on the morrow; when they arrive, we will involve them in our subterfuge.” Elizabeth held aloft the envelope she had addressed to Mr. Darcy.

  “I will do as you ask,” promised Jane.

  “Then, I will have this dispatched to Netherfield at once,” said Elizabeth as they exited the room. Jane appeared relieved, as her step was lighter, and her countenance had regained its usual cheerful smile.

  “Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy are here to see you,” said Mrs. Hill to Jane and Elizabeth, who sat at the dining room table the next morning consuming their breakfast meal. “I have shown them to the sitting-room.”

  Upon entering the sitting-room to meet with their guests, Elizabeth said: “Jane and I thank you for your prompt reply to the note we sent.”

  Mr. Bingley stood from where he had been sitting, while Mr. Darcy, who had been pacing from one side of the room to the other, paused and looked at them.

  “The tone of your letter caused us to wonder,” said Mr. Darcy. He had a look of consternation on his face that was clear in the firm set of his mouth and the down-turned brows overtop of his eyes. “Mr. Bingley was determined to visit at once upon its receipt; only your request that we call upon you today kept him from having his horse saddled and galloping to Longbourn. What has caused such distress?”

  “It is Mama,” said Jane before Elizabeth could speak. “As it stands now, Papa is destined for debtor’s prison!”

  Mr. Darcy’s eyes widened in surprise at Jane’s statement, while Mr. Bingley gasped.

  “Is this so?” inquired Mr. Bingley of Elizabeth, who hurried to shut the sitting-room doors in order to afford them privacy.

  “I hope not,” said she upon returning, “but he has been fretting over the scope of her plans for our weddings. Mama has her mind set upon hosting a spectacle of enormous proportions, the fame of which will cause jealousy among high society in London. At least, that is what she expects to happen.”

  “Not an easy thing to accomplish,” remarked Mr. Darcy. “Has she voiced the details of her plans to you or Jane?”

  “She has not,” said Elizabeth. “She has, however, caused Mrs. Hill some concern with the instructions she has imparted regarding the breakfasts to be served on the wedding days. They are to be extravagant and extensive; in fact, she has stated to Mrs. Hill her int
ention of serving the meal to all of Hertfordshire.”

  “She is a woman who is proud of the good fortune that has fallen upon her two eldest daughters,” said Mr. Darcy in understanding. “She wants to share this bounty with friends and neighbors.”

  “But she will decorate the church!” cried Jane. “And with no feast for the tenants and servants, all will scorn and deride us.”

  “Mama has decided the church is to be gaily decorated and filled to the brim with attendees,” said Elizabeth in answer to Mr. Darcy’s look of confusion. “Furthermore, Papa has decided we cannot host our traditional St. Stephen’s Day repast for the residents of Longbourn due to commitments Mama has made to the Meryton merchants with regard to our weddings. Papa fears Mama will have him in prison before the weddings even take place.”

  Mr. Darcy watched Elizabeth from the chair he had claimed. His countenance, although still troubled, now bore a look of confidence. As he gazed at his fiancée, a slow, knowing smile crept its way across his mouth, and he relaxed, sitting back in the chair with a chuckle.

  “What about this do you find amusing, Darcy?” asked Mr. Bingley upon noticing the expression fixed upon the other man’s face.

  “Indeed,” said Jane, looking confused and perhaps even a little hurt. “Christmas is but a week away, and this news will lessen enjoyment of the day for everyone affected.”

  “During the short time in which I have been acquainted with your sister,” said Mr. Darcy, “I have come to appreciate her stoicism when unforeseen troubles arise. While observing her this morning, I have noticed she does not appear panicked at these developments; instead, she is almost serene.

  “Elizabeth, please advise as to why this dilemma does not cause you as much distress as it does your sister.”

  Elizabeth chuckled, her heart warmed by how well this man knew her. “That is because I have decided upon a course of action to ease our problem. Of course, it requires agreement from both you and Mr. Bingley for its success.”

  “You have aroused my curiosity,” said Mr. Darcy when she paused. “Please enlighten us.”