The Other Bennet Girls

The Other Bennet Girls

By

Sandy Grissom

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 by S.K.G. Haag

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Cover image by: David Austiss used under Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike 2.0 Generic License

I dedicate this book to all the other Pride and Prejudice fans who like me have read the book and watched the movies along with the television mini series. I recall reading somewhere that Jane Austen imagined how life would go on for the characters in her books. I simply had to know what might have happened to the two remaining Bennet girls. This book is my version of those events. Along with a twist that satisfied my devious plotting.

Chapter One

I have been thinking, Mrs. Gardiner said to her husband at the breakfast table one morning.

About what, my dear, Mr. Gardiner asked.

About my unmarried nieces. You know how we helped Lizzy get on with Mr. Darcy. I thought we might do the same for one of the other girls.

My dear, that relationship was ongoing before we ever travelled to Pemberley and met Mr. Darcy.

Yes, I know that now. But we didn’t at the time and I do think we helped it along a little. We got invited to dine at Pemberley where Lizzy met his sister, Miss Georgiana. That introduction was no small thing, you know. I believe the visit surely pushed things in the right direction. I can’t help recalling Mr. Darcy saying to Lizzy, ‘Would that I could help you’ when we learned what Lydia did. It was apparent that he hurt for Lizzy. That certainly showed his deep regard for her.

And help Lizzy, as well as the whole family, Darcy did. Oh, he spoke of his responsibility not having warned people of Mr. Wickham’s character. Nevertheless, I agree with you, my dear, that it was for Lizzy that he did it. And at no mean cost, I might add. The relationship and marriage between he and Lizzy almost didn’t happen because of what that foolish Lydia did. Would not have if Mr. Darcy had not interceded in the situation.

Fifteen years old and not a brain in her head, Mrs. Gardiner said of Lydia.

Sixteen, nearly seventeen now, and not much smarter. Though she surely must be learning by now that her dear Wickham, as she calls him, is not so wonderful as she earlier thought he was.

She would have ruined her sisters, the whole family, almost did, if not for Mr. Darcy. I wonder if she understood the effect of what her action would have caused on her family. Or even cared. I say that because of the way she acted on her return to Longbourn. As if it were a triumph, not a disgrace.

Mr. Bennet should have taken a firmer hand with that child, he lamented.

He should not have had to. My sister should have been the one to shake some sense into that girl’s head. I never saw a child so wild as she was allowed to behave. But then my sister still acts like a child herself sometimes. How could she be expected to be a good influence on her daughters? You are correct, sir, that Mr. Bennet should have realized that and intervened with the child.

Your sister did fine with Jane and Elizabeth, Mr. Gardiner corrected.

Yes, and Mary is all right, too. A little too quiet perhaps, a bit judgmental with a terrible voice, but other than that, she is becoming a lady. Mary is nineteen now. A little guidance and both she and Kitty would be much better off. Perhaps my sister just got tired after the first two girls.

That is no excuse, Mr. Gardiner expressed in no uncertain terms. So that makes Kitty how old now, he asked.

Eighteen, Mrs. Gardiner replied. I almost feel sorry for Lydia these days, the lady returned to their prior conversation. Married to that horrible Mr. Wickham.

Yes, I know but it was the only way to save the family’s reputation. Fortunately for all of us, Wickham is stationed in the north permanently. Whatever mischief he causes doesn’t seem to drift down this far. I do keep an eye on the man, though. He gambles away most of his pay, you know. I don’t know how Lydia manages the household. I suspect there might be other women, too.

I am a little surprised about that. Lydia is almost as wild as Wickham. I suppose not quite as depraved, however. At least not yet. That of course, is due to her naivety. As to the other, their finances, I think Jane helps them out some. Perhaps, Lizzy a bit though I doubt Mr. Darcy would allow more than pin money to go to the aid of Mr. Wickham.

And rightfully so. Only he, Lizzy and us know that he took care of that whole awful mess. He spent his own personal funds to clean it up as best as it could be, Mr. Gardiner replied.

In the only way possible for all concerned, his wife added in agreement.

He did it all for Lizzy, certainly not for Lydia or Wickham. Darcy said at the church that day that not one pence more would he ever give to support Wickham.

Mr. Gardiner shook his head in remembrance.

I couldn’t have been more surprised when Darcy showed up at our door that day. We’d barely gotten back to London and he had made it to here as well. Taking full responsibility for what happened, though we all know that none of that debacle was in any way Mr. Darcy’s fault.

"I agree. Mr. Bennet knows what Mr. Darcy did, though. He knows the circumstances because Lizzy told her father when Mr. Darcy asked for her hand. Mr. Darcy spent his own money to locate the couple after Lydia ran off with Wickham. Then he paid for the wedding and Wickham’s commission, besides. Then refused any reimbursement for the expense. Though how Mr. Bennet could have paid him back I can’t imagine. It was beyond generous of Mr. Darcy. He is such a good man.

"I doubt Mr. Bennet told my sister any of what occurred. Else that bit of information would be all over the countryside. Even while still a girl, my sister couldn’t keep her mouth shut about anything. It was as if something that went through her silly brain simply had to come out of her mouth.

"I was made aware by several acquaintances near Meryton of the outrageous comments my sister made to them that might have ruined any of the girl’s chances of finding a husband. Her behavior at the balls was equally bad and no doubt gave Mr. Darcy pause for careful consideration before making any addresses to Lizzy.

Jane almost lost Mr. Bingley, as well, and that was also partly due to her mother. It was many months before he returned to Netherfield Park. It was a miracle that Jane and Lizzy were able to marry the men they fell in love with.

Too true, my dear, Mr. Gardiner shook his head in agreement.

I have never understood why my sister rambles on about family matters the way she does, Mrs. Gardiner went on. Regardless of who is around to hear her. It seems that she turned from a silly woman into a most desperate one, extremely anxious to secure a future for her equally silly younger daughters. While obviously going about that purpose in the worst possible way. It was only because Jane and Lizzy had beaus that truly loved them that the men forged ahead and proposed to my nieces in spite of the woman.

Fortunately, Mr. Gardiner interjected, Lizzy doesn’t live near their mother now. Which no doubt pleases Mr. Darcy. And Jane is here in London so she is only close when she and Mr. Bingley visit Netherfield Park. But then both Jane and Mr. Bingley are so amiable, they seem to overlook your sister’s ignorance.

Just so. And my sister’s mouth is at least contained to a very small part of England. I know that Mr. Bennet has visited Lizzy at Pemberley on occasion but he doesn’t take my sister with him when he goes.

"He would. Lizzy always was his favorite child. Mr. Darcy was kind enough to invite us for a month’s visit a half year after their wedding. And we have an invitation to go again next fall.

Thoughts of Mr. Darcy always sent Mr. Gardiner’s mind back to Lydia and how astutely Mr. Darcy handled the situation.

I was there with Mr. Darcy so I know how terribly expensive it was for him to take care of the mess Lydia made with her foolish elopement. The wedding and a military commission for Mr. Wickham. All that money spent to smooth over Lydia’s reputation along with that of the rest of the family.

The girls especially, Mrs. Gardiner put in.

Mr. Darcy was in London looking for Wickham almost before we got back, Mr. Gardiner replied. "Before he even came to see us, he was already making inquiries. He was that worried about Elizabeth and her family. He must have quit Derbyshire not long after we were able to get away from Lambdon, though we left as quickly as possible. His rush to get here had to be the reason Mr. Darcy found them before an even worse scandal was raised.

Then after that was all settled, he encouraged his friend, the shy Mr. Bingley, to propose to the even more modest Jane. Even went along to Longbourn with him to support his friend in that quest.

Yes, I always wondered about that, Mrs. Gardiner pondered. Mr. Bingley was giving Jane the rush, then he just suddenly stopped. He quit Netherfield Park just as suddenly. I always imagined it was Miss Bingley who held up the proposal at that earlier time. Sometimes I think Mr. Bingley’s sister feels uneasy in society. Maybe that is why she goes beyond what is proper in an attempt to fit in. But then only to come across acting as if she feels that she is better than most people, Mrs. Gardiner proposed.

I know that she intimated to Jane that her brother was interested in Miss Darcy as a wife. In a letter to Jane, she called Darcy’s sister, her sister. That was cruel and it was not true. I wonder now if there might have been a veiled meaning behind her words. I say that because there was a time I wondered if she wanted Mr. Darcy for herself. Such an alliance would also make his sister, hers. Not that that was ever going to happen. I think she bored Mr. Darcy senseless with all her uppity and manipulative ways. She seems to always work to make herself look better and others worse. She especially did so when it came to Lizzy.

Mrs. Gardiner sighed then, having gotten the preliminary matters out of the way before going on.

So it has been well over a year now since Lydia almost ruined the family, she said. For the most part, the talk died down rather quickly after the marriage. Happily, Jane is ensconced with her husband, Mr. Bingley, here in London. Elizabeth is married, too, and is with Mr. Darcy whether in Derbyshire or London. In fact, he takes her wherever he has occasion to go, whether it is for business or for pleasure. As if he cannot bear to be separated from her. Now that is what I call love.

Do I not take you everywhere I go, Mrs. Gardiner, Mr. Gardiner asked.

You do, sir, and that was exactly what I meant.

Mrs. Gardiner paused then to reflect on how sweet love could be. She and Mr. Gardiner were a love match themselves and had experienced many happy years together. Their only regret was not having children of their own. Perhaps that was why the lady concerned herself with her nieces to the extent that she did.

Which leaves two daughters at home, Kitty and Mary, she began speaking again. "Knowing my sister as I do, she will make a muddle of any relationship that might show promise for either of them. And likely before it has a chance to even begin if the girls are not wise.

I brought all this up to see if we might not ask one of the girls to come and stay in London with us for a time. She could see Jane often and we could introduce her to some decent marriageable men instead of the few and mostly less than desirable ones her mother would throw at her back in Meryton.

Yes, I see, Mr. Garner said. "I think your reasoning is sound. Jane would have a good influence on her sister