A Sister's Sacrifice by Lelia Eye

Author:Lelia Eye [Eye, Lelia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: One Good Sonnet Publishing
Published: 2020-11-07T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter XII

When Lady Catherine left the three Bennet sisters in the drawing-room while she went to speak with the housekeeper, Elizabeth seized the chance to talk to Jane. She could anticipate the results of their conversation, yet she felt it necessary to try to persuade her sister against a loveless marriage.

“Jane, I have been worried about your well-being,” began Elizabeth. “I do not believe Mr. Henry Darcy to be the sort of man who could bring you any measure of happiness, and I believe the most prudent decision would be to break off the engagement entirely. I know you and your fiancé have no love for each other.”

“Lizzy,” said Jane gently, “you need not be concerned. I shall marry Mr. Henry Darcy without any regrets. I know it is not what either of us had imagined for my future when we were young girls, but I must do what I can to aid my family. Should something happen to Papa, then my mother and sisters shall need a place to stay. This marriage will bring our family security, and it shall only prove the advantage when it comes time for all of my sisters to wed.”

Elizabeth, who feared that Mr. Henry Darcy would not escape the taint of scandal when he became a married man, could not share Jane’s certainty in the advantageous nature of Jane’s upcoming nuptials. “You know we care little for that, Jane.”

“It is important to me,” said Jane quietly.

“But you do not love the man,” said Kitty. “How could you marry a man you do not love?”

The notion was not as foreign to Elizabeth as it was to Kitty, but Elizabeth nonetheless agreed with her in part. She did not see how Jane could flourish in a relationship that did not involve some small measure of love.

“I love my family,” replied Jane, “and that brings me comfort enough.”

Elizabeth looked down at Jane’s hands, which rested in her lap. The young woman had clenched them together so tightly they had turned white. This sign of her sister’s distress tore at Elizabeth’s heart, and she knew she could no longer try to convince her.

“I wish to go outside for a walk,” murmured Elizabeth, mostly speaking to Kitty.

Kitty moved to stand at the window and peer out of it. “Are you certain? I believe it may rain, Lizzy.”

But Elizabeth felt stifled and trapped, and she could not remain in that room any longer with Jane, whom she viewed as a lamb waiting to be led to slaughter.

“I shall not be gone long,” said she. “I find my legs in need of stretching.”

Before Kitty could protest further, Elizabeth stood and left the room.

***

After gathering her outdoor accoutrements, Elizabeth hurried away from the house. She felt its presence at her back like some sort of weary beast, its windows cold eyes that bored into her back and caused a chill to pass over her. She pulled her wrap tighter, but it did little to instill her with any sense of warmth.

In

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