Anne and Lady Catherine greeted them on the steps as they were handed down from the carriage. “Welcome, all of you! Was your journey quite comfortable? You look like you have grown again, Georgiana, you must stop that. How are you, Priscilla?” exclaimed Anne as she embraced them all in their turn.
“You made excellent time, we did not hope to see you before dinner. The change of horses must have increased the speed of your journey, those were my horses I sent for your change at Bromley,” said Lady Catherine as she looked on in approval as the ladies displayed their curtsies to her. “Miss Bennet, that is a handsome travelling gown, you have excellent taste. I predict that when my nephew’s funds are added to your discernment, you will be well dressed indeed. Miss Lydia, that curtsey was very nicely done. Come inside all of you.” Lady Catherine was pale and gaunt. She had grown rather thin since leaving Meryton.
Due to the closeness of the dinner hour, instead of repairing to the drawing room for tea before going up, their hostesses led them directly upstairs where they were installed in their rooms. There was hot water for washing, and Elizabeth felt the benefit of being thus refreshed and more presentable when she had made good use of it and changed her clothes. A maid had been assigned to help her, but Elizabeth dismissed her for the evening, needing no assistance with the simple but elegant evening gown that she wore downstairs an hour later.
The ladies all entered the drawing room within a few moments of one another, and they barely had time to speak before the butler, Mr Torrens, entered to announce dinner. Once they were seated and the first course had been served, Lady Catherine opened the conversation. “How is my brother, Priscilla? Is he minding the doctor? Reginald was always difficult. Only I could keep him in his bed if he was injured. He broke his collarbone when he was five, and his arm when he was nine.”
“Father will ever be thus. Thankfully, Ashley and his family came north to keep an eye on estate matters, so Papa is the recipient of my mother’s undivided attention,” Lady Priscilla answered mirthfully, referring to her brother, the Viscount Carlisle.
“Your mother knows well how to manage your father. He did well the day he chose Lady Eleanor Ashley,” said Lady Catherine approvingly. “Miss Lydia, have you mastered an instrument yet?”
“I have not,” Lydia replied, glancing at Elizabeth nervously. “I have little interest in the pianoforte, and we have no violin. I have been applying myself to my sewing at home. I am making a quilt for our elderly cousin who lives in Ashwell.”
“We will bring the harp with us to Eastbourne, and Georgiana will begin your instruction. You play pianofortebeautifully, niece, but I fear you neglect your practise at the harp. Miss Lydia, I have ordered a new harp for our music room here. The one we have is old, and I will have the best, even if I do not play myself. If you take to the instrument, it will be yours to return home with you, for we will have no further use for it. I admit I enjoy listening to the harp greatly, so I will take great pleasure in listening to you both practise.”
Georgiana did not at all neglect her practise at the harp, at least when she had one at her disposal, which she had not at Netherfield. She had, however, come during her time there to just let her aunt's words wash over her without taking them as criticism. Georgie had learnt that while her aunt’s words were not always presented tactfully, they were always well-meant, and that her aunt approved of her thoroughly, even if she seemed stern or critical. Georgie was adept at the harp, and had no objection at all to helping Lydia, and said so. Lydia thanked Lady Catherine for her consideration and generosity, a little daunted by such expectations, but willing to put forth the effort. She had never considered the harp, because they never had one. No one in Meryton did. Lydia thought she might not mind the distinction of being the only lady in the village to play.
“Elizabeth, I am determined to bring my phaeton to Eastbourne with us. I do love to drive, but Mama fears me driving alone outside of the lanes around Rosings. Do say you will join me on the trip there,” Anne begged.
“Of course I will. Lady Catherine, I was a passenger in Mr Bingley’s little trap with Anne several times in Hertfordshire, I am confident that her skills are equal to the journey,” Elizabeth assured the two ladies.
“Aunt, tell me of this doctor in Eastbourne,” Lady Priscilla demanded suddenly. “Has he some miracle treatment that might help you?”
“It is more likely that he is a butcher, but Anne insists that I go, and I cannot deny her,” said Lady Catherine. “She and Darcy have been sneaking about researching doctors and treatments, and they insist this man is the best. I do not believe I will agree to the ghastly operation this surgeon is said to perform, but I will go and receive his advice and take it under consideration, if it will ease Anne’s mind.”
“I want my mother to live; that would ease my mind,” said Anne with an edge to her voice. It was obvious to everyone that this was not the first time the subject had been discussed. “There is no point in hearing advice if you do not go with an open mind to the possibility of taking it.”
“You are asking too much, Anne. ‘Tis mutilation,” her mother said sternly. “You threw away all of your potions and tonics at Netherfield, and declared that you were a grown woman, and would do as you wish with your health and body. Pray, extend to me the same consideration.”
The table was hushed for a few moments. It was not proper to speak of in detail, but all of the women at the table knew that Lady Catherine had a cancer of the breast. It was a terrifying disease from which women died painful and horrible deaths. There were whispers of procedures of mutilation carried out by specialists in the cities. Mutilations thatmightgive the patient a few more years, occasionally longer, but were carried out while the patient was awake, for there was no opium strong enough to sedate a person for such horrors. Few women underwent the knife, and those who were brave enough did not always survive it. The idea of escorting Lady Catherine to Eastbourne to consult with a physician about such a procedure was a sobering thought.
Lady Catherine spoke again. “Do not let my troubles cast a shadow upon our journey or our meal, ladies. I must admit to you all that once I allowed myself to accept that Anne will be safe when I am gone – and that my time is limited, and I must makethe most of what is left – I came to like all of you, and learned to enjoy your company a great deal while visiting Meryton. That is why I invited all of you in particular to join me. You girls bring me comfort and courage, particularly you, Miss Bennet. Georgiana, you bring me the comfort I once received from my dear sister. I am grateful that you all consented to join me.”
CHAPTER 25
Two days later, the merry party of ladies were on their way to Eastbourne, with Priscilla, Georgiana, and Lydia keeping Lady Catherine company in her carriage, and Anne and Elizabeth following in the phaeton. Georgiana’s carriage followed with the luggage. The distance was just over forty miles, but it was made easily with horse changes. A full carriage pulled by two horses might have only made the distance of thirty miles in a day, but Lady Catherine’s carriage and four made light work of the trip, and Anne’s neat phaeton and two had no trouble keeping up. Lady Catherine insisted that once the horses changed, and Anne was no longer familiar with the beasts pulling her carriage, that the two young ladies repair to her carriage with the others, and to leave the rest of the drive to the grooms. Anne’s horses would follow them to Eastbourne. Elizabeth and Anne had no objection. They had enjoyed the adventure, but after stopping for a rest and a meal while the horses were changed, they were all too pleased to join the other ladies in the carriage, and to have some new conversation.
Lady Catherine had rented an enormous house. She had been unsure of how long they would stay, or how many relationsmight turn up, so she ensured that it would be large enough for anyone who travelled to visit them. The house even had a bachelor’s wing, miles away from the family wing where the ladies were housed, making it more appropriate for Darcy to stay in the house while courting Elizabeth. The house was perhaps a half mile from the sea, and the delights of the town. The ladies dined together and retired early, some planning to rise early and begin attending to the pleasures of their new residence immediately. Elizabeth was aching to see the chalk cliffs and the sea, never having done so before, and Lydia was no less eager. Lydia was eager enough to be willing to walk out with Elizabeth at dawn. Georgiana and Lady Priscilla, having visited the coast before, intended to sleep a little later, but would ride out to the cliffs later in the day, both eager to employ their pencils to the scenery.
Anne had promised each of the ladies a drive in her phaeton in their turn, one per afternoon, and the women planned their adventures with excitement. Lady Catherine was rather more sober, for her adventure in Eastbourne was to be rather more solemn, but she was glad to see the delight of the young women, and took heart from their enthusiasm and company.
Elizabeth and Lydia returned from their walk the following morning barely in time for breakfast, blowsy, and in fine spirits. Elizabeth had much to write to Jane about, and Lydia wished Kitty might have been invited to see the place. Her sister, who had recently rediscovered an interest in drawing, would have loved the views they had discovered this morning. Elizabeth wished she might walk to such a place every day, though she acknowledged that the proximity to the coast must be bitterly cold in winter. They described their adventure to their companions as they ate, then the ladies discussed their day. Georgiana and Lady Priscilla would go in the carriage to the cliffs and begin some sketches. Anne, Elizabeth, and Lydiawould spend the morning with Lady Catherine, who wished to visit the market town and the assembly rooms. Later, in the afternoon, Elizabeth would go for a drive with Anne in her phaeton.
The women enjoyed their visit to the town, which was small and not at all the equal of Ramsgate or Brighton, though this meant nothing to Lydia and Elizabeth, who had never seen either. There were only a few genteel amusements, for Eastbourne had not received the attention of society yet. Only those who came to visit a particular physician, or who wished to avoid the crowds of the more popular seaside resorts visited. There was a small theatre, and Lady Catherine said that when Darcy arrived, that they might go.
The ladies visited the library, and each purchased a subscription. They visited the Assembly Rooms, and Lady Catherine purchased a subscription for their household. Lady Catherine met two of her acquaintances there, people she had not met since her husband was alive, and the de Bourghs still travelled to London for the season. Sir Alfred Fletcher was a gentleman who had been friends with Sir Lewis. He had two daughters already married, and his youngest, The Honourable Miss Amanda Fletcher, was a sickly girl who had come to take the cure of bathing in the sea. Mr Woodhouse was a man whose late wife had come out with Lady Catherine, though their families had lost touch when the woman died. This was on account of Mr Woodhouse becoming a hypochondriac when his wife passed, turning reclusive, and imagining himself ill for years. His eldest daughter had escaped by marrying one of the only two suitable gentlemen in the vicinity of her village. His youngest, Emma, had remained with her father for lack of other opportunities, and out of love and obligation. Thus was their life, until Miss Woodhouse became ill, and all thoughts for himself left Mr Woodhoouse. He was determined to do anything to helpher, and had brought her to Eastbourne to take the sea air and consult a specialist.
Anne also planned to sea bathe as often as possible. She had been building her strength since visiting Hertfordshire, and she was interested to see what the cure would do for her. She made plans to visit the young women, and to take the cure with them the following day. Elizabeth and Lydia were happy to agree to join them. They none of them spoke of their reason for visiting Eastbourne in the company of their new acquaintances. They all knew that Lady Catherine had an appointment to visit the physician in two weeks. Anne was determined to accompany her mother and would brook no argument. They did not speak of the event, but it loomed over them all like a dreaded shadow, and they were all filled with trepidation of the choice their hostess was contemplating.
Elizabethquite unintentionally became a hero in the little town on the very first afternoon. She was exiting the assembly room with Lady Catherine, Anne, and Lydia, when suddenly there was a yapping in the street, followed by a woman’s scream.
“Charlie! Stop!” screamed a lady on the other side of the street, as a small puppy ran into the road, followed by a small boy, directly into the path of an oncoming cart.
Elizabeth jumped into action immediately, with Lydia close behind. There was an ear piercing scream from the lady as Elizabeth rushed into the street and snatched the boy to her as Lydia scooped up the puppy he was chasing, and the ladies drew back just in time to be missed by the pounding of the horses hooves and the terrifying wheels of the carriage as the beasts reared up..
The man driving the carriage jumped down and began to rage at the boy, who began to sob as his mother rushed across the street and swept him into her arms. Lady Catherine began to berate the driver emphatically for driving too fast in the middle of the market town, and when the boy’s mother took up the charge as well, the man quickly boarded his cart and drove away.
Introductions were exchanged with the assistance of a new acquaintance from the assembly room, and they learned that their new friend was Lady Gordon, the wife of Sir Charles Gordon, the local magistrate, and the little boy was her youngest son, Charlie. Lydia placed the puppy, dubbed Sir Galahad, back into the arms of young Charlie, and advised him to obtain a proper lead for his young hound. Lady Gordon declared that her family would be indebted to Elizabeth forever, and the ladies made promises to exchange invitations.
