With a final hug, she turned, “I really must be getting back to Alex. Mrs Fletcher, thank you for your time today. I shall be in contact as soon as I hear back from Mr Graham concerning the disposition of the more… interesting artifacts.”
Looping her arms through both her aunt’s and Jane’s, Elizabeth’s chuckled, “You know, I have not yet written the news to Papa and Kitty.”
“Oh, Lizzy,” came from both ladies and their laughter followed them through the house. Proclaiming a return of life to the dark and uninviting space.
Chapter 24
Gracechurch Street
Elizabeth was in the back parlour with Alex and his nurse for company the next morning, composing a letter to Longbourn.
Gardiner Residence,
Gracechurch Street
Dear Papa and Kitty,
I trust this finds you both in good health. I have attached a small sketch of Alex. He has grown much in the weeks we have been here.
I beg you to be seated, as I have some astonishing news to share. Be not alarmed, we are all well here on Gracechurch Street. What I have to impart has to do with my dear Alex…
Completing her letter to Mr Bennet, Elizabeth wrote another to Mr Graham. Now that she was calmer and had toured the townhouse, she had many questions regarding what she, as mother to the earl, was permitted to do in regard to making changes tothe properties. The townhouse in Mayfair may not require a lot of work at this time, but it was in desperate need of refreshing to be deemed liveable. Receiving permission to sell off the new furnishings will allow those changes to take place.
She dreaded to learn the state the other properties might be in, specifically the family estate in Lincolnshire. With what funds was she meant to maintain the family seat for the next few years, and shall she even be allowed to make decisions about the estate for its growth and solvency?
Jane entered and approached where Elizabeth sat by the small table. “Lizzy, I can practically hear your thoughts in the other room. You will not be able to fix everything in one day. Come have some tea and sit calmly for a spell.”
Elizabeth took the hand Jane held out but did not rise from her seat. “Jane, I am not convinced this is the right decision. What if I cannot keep him safe?”
Patting Elizabeth’s hand, Jane smiled at her sister, “If anyone can keep their child safe Lizzy, it is you. Do you not recall how fierce you were during our childhood, standing up to all the neighbourhood children when they spoke unkindly, or pushed one of us around?”
“You were never on the receiving end of their bullying.” Now Elizabeth did stand and took Jane’s other hand. “You were too sweet and kind for any of us to treat you cruelly.”
“Do not shift the topic, we were discussing your fierceness and the way you protected our sisters.”
“We were children. Our little problems seemed so immense then.” She squeezed Jane’s hands. “This is far more formidable than simple name calling.”
“I imagine so, but I have a feeling Mr Darcy may have an interest in making sure you do not fail.”
“Hush, Jane. Do not say such things where others may hear you. I comprehend you merely jest but someone else may not.”
“Indeed, I do not jest. I believe Mr Darcy thinks very highly of you.”
“Do you? I seem to remember we have had such a conversation in the past.” Chuckling together, Elizabeth’s pensive moodseeming to have passed, Jane ushered her sister out of the little parlour to the front drawing room where tea and refreshments awaited.
The room was empty when they entered. “Will Aunt Gardiner join us?”
“She shall. She is just seeing to the children. They are such dear things, so serious about their studies.” Jane’s expression was pure innocence, as it tends to be, but Elizabeth grew suspicious.
“Jane, what did they make you promise?”
A blush pinked Jane’s cheeks, “They begged to be taken back to the park, because our last outing was aborted. I could not turn them down, Lizzy. We did return too early from the park that day.”
Shaking her head slowly, Elizabeth took a sip of her tea. “This will need refreshing.” She stood and arranged for more hot water to be sent.
Mrs Gardiner joined them and all three sat, quietly contemplating the information and disruption of the past couple of days. Each immersed in their own thoughts. A knock on the front door shook them all out of the solemnity of their contemplations.
A white-faced maid entered to hand her mistress a card. Taking one look at the name on it, Mrs Gardiner immediately said, “Show her in.”
