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  A Governess for Longbourne

  A Jane Austen Fan Fiction

  by Chelsea Fraisse

  The sun broke through the trees on a clear fall day in Hertfordshire finding Elizabeth on her usual early morning jaunt. The air was crisp and cool and a light breeze played in the curls framing her face. She watched; greatly amused at the two gentlemen galloping by on a pair of fine horses, the taller of the two pulling ahead within only just seconds. Although she wanted to spend the day rambling about the countryside as she was wont to do in years past; Circumstances had changed in recent months when her mother had become very sick. She still is leaving the care and instruction of the three younger sisters to Jane and Elizabeth. Rather than hiring a governess her father thought it was appropriate that she and Jane teach their younger sisters how to behave and how to contribute to their own amusement and betterment of mind, manners, conversation, kindness and morals, and those productive amusements that are required by Society for a young lady to be considered truly accomplished.

  Jane taught the finer points of needlework and such, while she focused more on literature and other improvements of the mind, and body. Many of the lessons she taught involved the girls reading great literature, and then discussing it on great walks about the countryside, moving at a pace that allowed for some conversation but not a stroll.

  Arriving home, she found her family gathered in the dining room for breakfast. The repast that morning was a goodly assortment of light bread, eggs and vegetables, and fried ham with pots of tea, and a small basket of apples on the table if one were so inclined. "What shall you be focusing on today in your studies my girls?" Mr. Bennett asked the room. "Well," Jane began. "I had thought that Kitty will focus on music this morning, Lydia on sums and histories and Mary's flowers are ready for the distillery." "Making perfume aye, Mary?" She nodded her ascent. "Mr. Gardiner writes that there are several new dances to debut in the coming season. " He remarked as he perused the morning's post. "New dances!" Lydia exclaimed. "Oh, I long for a dance!" Jane gave a mild reproof for her tone in saying, while Mr. Bennett continued. "Indeed, 'it's good then, that I have written to a dancing master to come and teach you all Monday, next." Which pronouncement was met with squeals of delight. "Indeed have arranged for the day at the assembly rooms, with other young ladies, He will be teaching just the new dances, so I think you shall all become proficient in them in only the day; quick learners, all." The girls all smiled, pleased at the rare compliment from their father. "It also seems, your Aunt Gardiner has sent some fabrics and fashion plates, so perhaps you will find time to go to town after morning lessons," Lizzie remarked how kind it was of Aunt Gardiner, and that, yes they would go to the Modiste; while the three younger sisters expressed varying degrees of enthusiasm and delight. Lydia and Kitty with greater decorum and more appropriate volume than won't to in the past, while to Mary it was not a wholly frivolous undertaking.

  The success of Mr. Bennett 's plan for the education of his younger daughters was on display for him that day. Kitty's playing was showing marked improvement, quite pleasant to the ear in fact, especially since she had previously shown no interest or aptitude. Lydia was more biddable and compliant, while still effusive and jolly, stricter and more boring lessons were now met with much less complaint, but still not quite where he wished her to be. The complaints were still there, and she would not apply herself to anything worthwhile until told to. Kitty was no longer dependent on Lydia's lead in everything and was emerging as a person with her own thoughts and proclivities. But in his mind, it was Mary who showed the most marked improvement over all, with Jane and Elizabeth's good influence; instead of severity, sermonizing and frowning on diversions, no matter how innocent, she had taken their advice to heart on all matters of improvement and now dressed more fashionably and with softer hairstyle, participated in conversation with good sense and some wit and more frivolous activities with some enjoyment. There were a great many changes in the mannerisms of his daughters since his wife had fallen ill, he thought with some regret. It was his great shortcoming that it was only after Mrs. Bennett was unable to cause division between their girls by playing favorites that he had set out to properly educate them all. He smiled though at how Jane and Elizabeth had stepped up when he asked, but now, he determined, he needed to do some instructing himself, or find someone to do the 'heavy lifting' as it were, and give his good girls a break from teaching.

  On that decision, he quit his study in search of Lydia, for music and the distilling of perfume he could not assist with, but sums and the application thereof, in practicality, he could.

  Last winter Mrs. Bennett had been going on about her nerves, in quite a dither when she suddenly froze and collapsed. Mr. Jones had pronounced it a stroke and had given a grim prediction of recovery. Even now, she could barely chew, could not speak and was paralyzed from the neck, down. She was never alone though, as when he learned her health and situation may continue much the same, he hired a nurse for her personal care, a cheerful, ladylike girl, Rebecca, from the village; with some education, being a happy but soothing presence and companion for Mrs. Bennett.

  Her friends had not deserted her, however; Mrs. Long, and Mrs. Phillips came weekly to fill her in on the gossip, and her facial expressions showed that their visits brought her much joy. Rebecca, Mrs Long and Mrs Phillips were not the only visitors to Fannie's room, for Lydia trounced in daily to prattle on about her lessons, complaining about the boring ones, and describing in minute detail the latest fashions and who wore what to every little event. Kitty would bring bouquets of flowers and visit or, when her assigned reading was a novel or poetry, would read aloud for awhile. Mary, however, having never had much positive interaction with her mother, kept her visits to mostly wishing good morning or good night. Jane and Lizzie would tell her about events and how the girls behaved, bringing well wishes from friends and neighbors, and also made a point to tell her of the girls great strides in education, manners, and decorum; only out of encouraging her mother's pride in her daughters, and that the assignments were originally out of effort to keep the girls occupied and distracted as to not worry about their mother overmuch: and in no way to disparage for Mrs. Bennett's lack in her teaching. Her beauteous smiles for every visit made all the difference in their worry for their poor mother. That she was in good spirits encouraged them: once, Father had commented that she was in better spirits now, after her stroke, than she had been in years before with her nerves.

  "That dress is too low cut on you, Lydia. The rose gold is much more appropriate and the color looks better on you than the blue ever could," said Jane is her soft voice and gentle tone, that would soothe Lydia, rather than Lizzie say the same thing in her forthright one and set her off on a litany of complaints about how they never let her do as she likes. Lydia rolled her eyes and retreated at top speed to her own room. Besides, Jane thought, the blue was Kitty's best dress; they were still trying to make Lydia understand that just because the girls shared a room, it did not mean that all that belongs to Kitty belonged to her as well. Also, that sharing rule had never been reversed; in Lydia's mind everything belonging to Kitty she could use or even take for herself, but Kitty could never borrow anything or take her own things back, which had caused Kitty much hurt over the years.

  Jane smoothed her dress, turning this way and that, examining herself in the mirror, she was satisfied with her appearance. She then put out a couple of candles and went to help, or rather, inspect Mary, Kitty, and Lydia to be sure that all were quite proper, and appropriately adorned for a dance at the assembly rooms. Lydia was likely to over do it with the frills and Mary was still likely to be the opposite.
Mary was dressed in a pretty pale green with ecru lace trim around the neckline and little rosettes on the sleeve cuffs. The bodice was cut in a Vee neckline, like her own, but the skirt was cut more flattering being a bit eased around the front, instead of the fashion flat fronted gown, not so noticeable as gathers, but just so-to be quite right for Mary's trim figure, the skirt flaring out lightly from a point closer to the natural waist, the overall effect being elegant and statuesque. Mrs. Hill had styled Mary's hair into a chignon with braids to soften around the ears. "You look quite lovely Mary!" Jane said. " The beauty of the heart should be what is seen, for external beauty is vain and fleeting." Mary began. "Would that all would look to the heart of a person for their true beauty before forming an opinion, Mary. But we must remember, even Esther, a woman of great faith, always took great care to present herself as beautifully as she could." Mary dabbed her nose with a bit of rice powder and rose to walk with Jane as voices grew louder in Kitty and Lydia's room. "It looks ill favored, Lydia! No! It becomes me very well!" The bickering began in earnest as Lizzie, Jane and Mary converged on the open door. "Enough!" Lizzie commanded and wrought immediate silence. "What is the problem?" "Kitty says not, but I think it becomes me very well!" Lydia proclaimed, looking hopeful that Lizzie would bear her out, modeling the blue dress. "That is Kitty's dress, Lydia," Jane said before Lydia's whine began again in earnest. "We shall be late!" Father bellowed up the stairs. With a flurry of skirts, the girls trooped to the staircase with haste while maintaining a measure of decorum. They lined up before him in good order; Mrs. Hill and Sarah stood by with their to help with their wraps. "You will do I suppose." Mr. Bennett said with a smile. "Are they quite presentable Jane, Lizzie?" "Yes." Lidia interjected. "Mary and Kitty are quite ready, Father, but Lydia however, is wearing Kitty's dress." "Jane told you to wear a different one, Lydie?" "Yes, Father." Lydia pouted while staring daggers at Jane. "We are all ready to go, Lydia, there is no time for you to change, you will not be going to the ball tonight. Don't!" he was quick to stop the coming tantrum with a wave of his hand. "You chose to not be ready on time, by trying to wear a dress that does not belong to you, nor were you given permission of the owner to wear it. Not going to the ball is of your own doing. Think well on your actions tonight, for the house should be peaceful enough for it." The party headed to the diversion of the ball filed out after Mr. Bennett while Lydia stomped and muttered about how unjust it was. After handing his daughters into the first carriage, he quickly gave instructions to Mrs. Hill. "Pay them for the evening's booking." Indicating the second, hired carriage waiting behind. And he whispered further instructions to her before mounting the carriage step, Mrs. Hill nodded her assent to his instructions and the footman closed the door.

  The music swirled as skirts and people twirled in gaiety, a good time being had by all who were in attendance. Lizzie, Jane, and Kitty had each danced most dances with quite agreeable partners, Mary had danced two dances with Mr. Phillips' law clerk, an unassuming and not disagreeable man, but not one for much conversation.

  The song ended abruptly; tapering off discordantly, the cause of the distraction quickly becoming the center of attention. The party from Netherfield had arrived in their finery Looking, almost to a man, quite put upon, amazed to be here in this backwater of England at such the height of the local season! The other, Mr. Bingley, it was quickly ascertained, was the only jolly face in the group and amiably declared to Sir Lucas that there was nothing he liked better than a country dance. Having already made the acquaintance of Mr. Bennett and, indeed, closed his lease with Mr. Phillips, Esq. The Bingley party soon made their way over. "Good Evening! Mr. Bingley said with cheerful goodwill and a quick bow that made the curls on his head bounce, giving the open, honest and gentlemanly manners a boyish charm. "Good Evening, Mr. Bingley. I am so glad you all could join us," Mr. Bennett's crack at the lateness of their arrival lost on all but Lizzy.

  "We-well I am very glad to be here." Bingley stumbled over his words, having just laid eyes on Jane. "May I be so bold as to request an introduction, Sir?" Certainly." Mr. Bennett softly smirked; enjoying this young man's simple folly, and deliberately began at the opposite side of the group from the one who had so stolen Bingley's attention. "You know Mr. Phillips, of course: this is Mrs. Phillips. Mrs. Phillips is my Sister in law, Mr. Bingley. On my dear wife's side." "Pleasure, Ma'am." Mr. Bingley bowed. "And, my daughters: Jane, Mary and Elizabeth, and Kitty is there, dancing." He said with of wave of his arm indicating Kitty who was dancing with Mr. Wentworth, a local landowner with a small, but comfortable estate. Mr. Bingley gave a polite bow of the head as each was introduced, then turning out a little to include another from his party, said. "May I present my friend: Mr. Darcy." The gentleman gave a formal bow to the group's greetings and stepped into the circle of conversation. Having been standing so close, full name introductions were not required, and Mr. Darcy stiffly greeted them all in turn. "Well, we did come to dance did we not, Darcy; May I have the honor of the next two, Miss Bennett? " Mr. Bingley said, his eyes having jumped straight back to Jane. "Delighted, Sir." Jane gracefully accepted with a pleased blush visible to none but her sister's eye.

  Having already checked the order of dances on the dance card, Darcy knew he could not embarrass himself with the next, being as they were quadrilles, and stiffly asked Miss Elizabeth. "I should be happy to, the next Sir, but I am afraid the second is already claimed." "The next, and the reel at the end of the set then?" "The reel is open, Sir." was acknowledged by a nod and a thin lipped smile from Mr. Darcy.

  Lizzie considered the gentlemen while pretending a token interest in the discussion of the weather and views hereabouts.

  Mr. Bingley seemed charming and lively, everything amiable; while this Mr. Darcy's temper, she could not pin. At first sight and consideration, had thought him insufferably proud. Arrogant would have been the word, but with this dance invitation, he showed a willingness to mingle with those of a lower status, those of lesser wealth and consequence for sure. Tall, dark hair, dark eyes, and a stern countenance contrasted sharply to Mr. Bingley's fair one. "Lizzy?" Mr. Bennett called her name again. "Hum?" Lizzy snapped out of her musings. Was the north path passable or a boggle of mud this morning?" "Quite walkable. Indeed it has been so since they made the improvements in the spring." Mr. Darcy began to ask regarding the improvements, about the methods and materials employed, but the current dance ended with a flourish, and he and Bingley claimed their partners and took their places in the square with two other couples, each facing the center.

  A quadrille is a stately, military inspired dance with marches forward and marches back corners and roundabouts. It was in the 3rd combination that Lizzy said, "I believe we must have some conversation Mr. Darcy or very little will suffice."

  "Do you often walk the countryside?" "Yes, quite often, 'most daily in fact." "So it is quite safe in the area then?" "On the contrary, Sir! Why just last week a group of young lads made off with Mrs. Smith's pies from her kitchen window." Darcy studied her face that said she was quite serious, but then he saw her eyes; sparkling with mirth, and cracked a corner of his mouth into a ghost of a smile. "It is a peaceful area Mr. Darcy, not too boring for you here I hope." "It is agreeable enough, much as I have seen, but the weather has been quite fine for the autumn." "Is the weather so different in London, sir?" "It rains too much." He said drolly, eliciting a laugh from the lively Lady.

  The carriage ride home to Longbourne was filled with laughter and reviews of the night's festivities. All of the girls having danced as much as they like.

  "The Netherfield party was rather stuffy, quite above their company." Kitty declared, wrinkling her nose, settling in near the fire between Jane and Elizabeth on the bench seat across from Father's chair. "The Ladies did keep their own confidences but did dance with the Meryton gentlemen who asked," Mary said genially. "Only when the invitation could not be avoided altogether." Lizzie laughed. "Mr. Bingley though receives all around approval, he seemed to dance every dance
with Jane!" "Not every dance, Lizzie." She said, blushing furiously. "Every other then!" Which aroused a round of laughter from the merry group. "Mr. Darcy though, he seemed quite proud, dour and wishing to be elsewhere," said Mary. "No, he seemed so at first, but he was quite polite and amusing during our two dances." Lizzie defended. "You are the only one he danced with Lizzie; other than Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst," said Jane.

  "Well Lizzie, did you make out his character as quickly as you have made out others? Or has this gentleman proven enigmatic?" Mr. Bennett teased. "Two dances Sir can hardly present enough of a person to fully illustrate their character." "Well, time has never been a factor before, maybe this one will prove too much for even you." The carriage stopped before the door and Mr. Bennett moved to climb out.

  Do not worry about disturbing Lydia when you go in Kitty. You have your own room now. Goodnight." Mr. Bennett dropped, heading for his library for quiet and solace: events like this had always taxed his strength.

  "Lydia was not too much trouble, Mrs. Hill?" Jane quietly asked with Lizzie as Mary and Kitty took their candles and went up to bed. "No Miss. Just wondered why I told her she should ask the Master. Not for all I knew either."

  Jane thanked her and wished her goodnight. "There was more to Lydia's reaction than that light description, I am sure." Lizzie mused as they mounted the stairs. "We shall hear of it in the morning, I am sure," Jane replied, yawning.

  "Mrs. Hill and the maids handled the moving last night quite deftly, I understand." "All that got broken was Kitty's new perfume jar." "Only?" Lizzy said archly. "Lydia will have to buy her new one." They conversed as they descended the stairs late in the morning.