Of Kindness and Kisses: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Jae George

Author:Jae George [George, Jae]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-02-26T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

After a few cozy but not particularly comfortable nights in her and Jane’s former bed, Elizabeth approached her father. “Papa, after Aunt and Uncle Gardiner leave this morning, I would like to move into the guest suite they have been using. My old bed is simply too short for my very tall husband.” She smiled and hoped her father would not take the opportunity to tease her about needing more room in their bed.

He did smile but said nothing other than, “Of course, you may take the larger room, Lizzy. It is very kind of the two of you to cut your honeymoon short to come home and help here at Longbourn. I know I have been withdrawn since your mother’s attack, but I am making an effort to be more involved again.”

“Since you have brought that up, Papa, I have been planning to discuss some other changes with you. I believe that I can train Kitty to assist me with the tenant visits. She is actually capable but reticent. I think that her sensitive and compassionate nature will make her a good fit for the task. And my goal is to work myself out of the job as soon as may be.”

Mr. Bennet met her eyes with a hesitant expression on his face. Elizabeth stiffened her spine, aware this was an overdue conversation. “Really, Papa, I know that you have never seen it, but both she and Lydia are intelligent and capable young women. I hesitate to speak ill of the dead, but they have merely not been instructed in the proper direction. Mama favored Lydia because she saw herself in her youngest and sometimes even encouraged her outlandish behavior. With no one else to offer her guidance, Kitty has just followed Lydia’s lead. As a matter of fact, Lydia has quite the aptitude for numbers, and I plan to teach her how to keep the ledgers.”

At this assertion, Mr. Bennet removed his spectacles and stared at his second daughter. “Lizzy, you cannot be serious! Lydia handling the ledgers? I think not.”

“Papa, have you not seen how Mary has changed since she began taking care of things here at Longbourn? It has been her success in first taking on the care of Mama and then the entire household that has brought about the change in her, her newfound confidence and lesser need to prove herself through excessive study and practice on the pianoforte. And your compliments and encouragement have played a considerable role in the changes.

“I think this is possible with Kitty and Lydia as well. I have been just as guilty of underestimating them. Do you know that Kitty is a gifted artist? When things are more normal, I hope to arrange for an art master for her. This kind of encouragement could do wonders for your youngest daughters.”

Elizabeth relaxed her shoulders and waited for her father’s reaction. “Very well, Lizzy. I agree to give them the chance to show that they can handle the responsibilities you have named.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.