“Would tomorrow morning be too soon, Uncle?”
“Tomorrow!? Would you not care to hear the outcome of my meeting with Lady Catherine? Not to mention, it is possible we may also receive a communication from Mr. Darcy. He did say he would keep us informed of his daughter’s health by express, and surely he must have more to say on the subject of this monetary offer.”
“No, Uncle, I do not care to wait and shall trust your judgement on the matter. At the moment, my greatest desire is to see Papa.”
He frowned again, saying, “Frankly, with your foot being so badly injured, it would be wise to wait one more day. Are you up to traveling this soon?”
“Yes, Uncle. I know I could manage. Truly, when wearing my half-boots, it is not so bad.”
“Hmmm… Very well, then. I shall arrange a carriage for tomorrow morning if that is what you wish.”
With tears in her eyes, Elizabeth stood and extended her arms to embrace her uncle. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”
“There, there, Lizzy. Try not to fret so; I will see to everything.”
“Thank you, Uncle.”
“Madeline, it would be best if you spoke with our sister about the change in plans.”
“Yes, Edward.”
“Now if you will excuse me, I should like to begin making arrangements for your transportation.”
“Thank you, again,” Elizabeth said while watching her aunt and uncle leave the room. Then turning to Jane she continued, “Jane, I feel as though one prayer has been answered. I have wanted to see Papa for weeks now, and returning to Longbourn will indeed lift my spirits, no matter how it turns out with Mr. Darcy.”
Jane smiled. “I understand. Come; let me help you upstairs.”
Later That Evening
Elizabeth’s Room
“There! The last of my things are in the trunk. Now, to close it up.” She and Jane chuckled as they struggled to secure the lid. “My, with so many trunks and parcels, I cannot imagine there will be enough room in one carriage to accommodate all of us, not to mention the weight.”
“You are not to worry, Lizzy,” Jane responded. “Aunt Gardiner said Uncle has secured a larger carriage which should be sufficient to accommodate all of us and our baggage.”
“I am glad, although I hate to see Uncle incur the extra expense. Still, it will certainly be much easier traveling with my foot if we are not all crammed together in a smaller vehicle.”
About that time Mrs. Bennet tapped on the door, asking if she might come in. “Ah, Lizzy, I see you are all packed. ‘Tis a shame we could not stay longer, but under the circumstances I suppose it cannot be helped. No matter; until this business with Mr. Darcy is settled, I had best return home and focus my attention on Mary. It would be a great travesty if Mr. Edmond Barton were to cry off because of what happened to you.” Shesniffed, trying to repress her distress, and took a seat on the small sofa.
“With all of us going back to Longbourn, Mr. Bingley will have no opportunity to pursue our dear Jane.” She dabbed her eyes. “I had such high hopes for the man. If only Mr. Darcy had claimed your hand instead of going off to Kent. Without his commitment, we are all ruined.”
“Mama,” said Elizabeth, “until Uncle Gardiner has had more communication from Mr. Darcy, we must be patient and not speculate.”
“If you say so.” Mrs. Bennet sniffed again, looking down into her folded hands. “Lizzy, I … I believe I owe you an apology.”
“Mama?”
“I do not know what came over me at the ball,” she continued, needing to have her say. “It has been very difficult ever since your father’s collapse. And with that odious Mr. Collins continually dropping by unannounced, my nerves have been unmanageable. I could not believe it when he dared to ask Charlotte Lucas for a courtship. Had Sir William not increased her dowry, it never would have happened.” She let out a little sob. “To think she might one day be mistress of my home and throw all of us out into the hedgerows is more than I can bear.”
“Mama,” Elizabeth sighed, hobbling to where her mother sat and taking her hand after gingerly lowering herself onto the sofa.
“With all the excitement of coming to Town and the possibility of securing husbands for both you and Jane and possibly even Lydia, I simply got carried away. It was as though I had drunk too much wine and could not control my actions. Your aunt and I have talked much these two days, and if I was able to do it over again, I promise you, Lizzy, I would not be so foolish. I see now that I never should have supported Lydia and Eliza in their quest to compromise Colonel Forster. In the end it was for naught, and because of my impulsiveness, I may havecaused you to lose Mr. Darcy. He would have been such a fine match. Oh, Lizzy….” At that moment Mrs. Bennet looked quite pitiful. “Do you think you can forgive me?”
“Mama.” Elizabeth squeezed her hand with affection. “What you did was wrong, but I understand your desperation. I know it has not been easy worrying for our futures all of these years, and now with Papa so ill, it has been far worse. You are my mother, and regardless of what happened at the ball, I love you, and of course I shall forgive you.”
“Truly, Elizabeth?”
She kissed her mother on the forehead. “Truly, Mama.”
