“I am certain that the glories of Pemberley, its grounds, its residents, and its library will keep me so well entertained that I should not have anything else to desire the whole of my visit.” Jane smiled at her friend. “I must say, I do adore dancing, so perhaps we might visit an assembly. Otherwise, I am certain that if there is anything I simplymustexperience in Derbyshire, that my hosts will know, and I trust you very well tosee to my enjoyment of your new district. I am certainly not difficult to please.”
“You are too good. Kitty already has a list a mile long, and she has not even been invited yet.”
“Miss Kitty is young, she has much to be excited about,” Jane said kindly.
“You are too generous with her. I cannot account for the behaviour of Kitty and my father yesterday at Flitwick Manor!” Elizabeth said as they rose and resumed their walk. “I quite agree with Lydia. Bringing her back in and not teaching her anything will not help her, and when Lydia is the sensible voice in the room, a person must re-examine their position and their motives. Although Idowonder if you are not responsible for Lydia’s desire to improve, as you are for so many other delightful surprises since your arrival.”
“Indeed not, for Miss Lydia approachedmefor advice. When she stated her position on the matter–like you–I could not disagree with her. She cannot improve without education. And even if the only reason she wants it is because she is tired of having delights denied to her that other ladies of good sense enjoy, any reason for improvement should always be regarded as a good one. As we read in Ephesians 4:22-24,‘You were taught to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the way you think and live, and to put on the new self, created in the likeness of God.’I fear it is not my place to instruct your father, but I could not help but beg that she be permitted to accompany me to Amwell. If you could only have seen how important it was to her, and she truly was very well behaved, and enjoyable company for the duration of the outing. If therewasany unpleasantness, it was due to Miss Kitty’s displeasure at her sister’s attendance. And it has not been embellished that Miss Lydia’s actions at the robbery provided the distraction the colonel needed to protect us, and frightened the other brigands away. We were fortunate she was with us.”
“So the trip to Amwell was just like yesterday at Flitwick Manor,” Elizabeth observed. “I confess I am mortified to think that Mr Hooper observed any part of it. I believe my sister Jane and I need to have a quiet discussion alone with Kitty and Lydia, and find out where this new animosity betweenthem originates.”
“Miss Lydia is very vocal that she is offered no guidance at home, and that, I am sorry to repeat this–it is not an accusation towards you, my friend–but she maintains that you and Mary are too proud to help her. I believe that it must be something like how it was with Kitty. That perhaps she is simply too afraid to ask.”
“I am ashamed to say that thereissome merit to her claim. Not that I would be cruel if she asked me for help, but that it may indeed have been some time since I have behaved as if such queries from her would be welcome, mostly because I did not believe her interested in asking.” Elizabeth stopped at a frequent resting point, released Jane’s arm, then began walking about in circles in frustration. “And I cannot tell you how upset I was when I learned from Kitty that when she asked Papa for a book three years ago, that he handed her one of the Greeks! Or that he suggested in front of Mr Hooper that Lydia might be too stupid to learn chess. What impudence! I will teach her myself!”
“I believe you will have help from Miss Darcy, who was similarly outraged on behalf of Miss Lydia,” Jane informed her. “Miss Lydia and Miss Kitty are now, and soon to be even more in the company of well educated, well mannered, polished women. It should not be so very difficult for them to learn what they must in the coming months.”
“I must speak to Mama before I leave Meryton,” Elizabeth insisted as she stopped her pacing and resumed walking along the path with Jane. “It seems too cruel to part her from all of her daughters at once, but she is not wrong. Mine and Jane’s marriageswillpush my three younger sisters into the paths of other worthy men. If Mama wishes them to benefit from these advantages, then the girls must take the opportunities now available to them to move more among the world, and to become the elegant, polished women that such gentlemen require. Darcy and I are considering asking one of the girls to come with us to Pemberley when we return with Georgie, and perhaps allowing them to accompany her to Matlock House for a few months as well. Lady Matlock has extended the invitation; Darcy and I are attempting to determine which of my sisters Miss Darcy will bond with the most before we extend the invitation. And one of them might visit my aunt in London for some months before we make other plans for them.”
“Perhaps one girl could accompany Georgiana to Matlock House and the other could accompany her to Pemberley,” Jane suggested.
“That is not a bad idea, for then no one would feel immediately left out, if such plans are already made. Whoever is left behind in Meryton will know they will go north soon, and perhaps they can spend time with Jane, or Aunt Gardiner, before my aunt and uncle leave London for their trip north in the summer.”
Elizabeth had led her on a new return route this time, and suddenly a familiar bubbling sound caught Jane’s attention. “What is that sound? Is that water that I hear?”
“Oh, that is the spring! It is just here.” Elizabeth led Jane off of the path, to a bubbling well almost identical to the one at Godmersham Park.
“A wishing well!” Jane exclaimed.
“I have never heard it called that, but I will not disagree with you about it.” Elizabeth was amused. “Do not stray too close. Charles really ought to place a fence around it. I will speak to him on the matter.”
“Meryton has been squandering a most valuable resource if your locals do not recognise this wishing well for the treasure that it is,” Jane informed Elizabeth matter of factly. “I believe that I have seen evidence that well magic can be powerful.”
“Have you?” Elizabeth was amused. “Please, instruct me on what I must do to make a wish.”
“Can your coiffure spare a hair pin?” Jane asked.
“Well we will find out, shall we not?” Elizabeth giggled, pulling a pin from under her bonnet. “Fear not, if I cannot spare a pin, it will not be the first time the locals have seen me with my hair falling. My curls are notoriously unmanageable.”
Jane pulled a hair pin out from under her bonnet and prayed that it was enough for her wish. Her last wish had been made with a sixpence, but she had no proper funds now, only accounts at a few shops in Meryton, by the generosity of Mr and Mrs Bingley.I swear, if I make this wish, and it brings me home, I will deliver an entire crown to the wishing well at Godmersham as soon as I am possibly able.
“You take your hair pin, or perhaps a coin, if you have one to spare, and step as close to the spring as you safely can,” Jane advised. “Thenyou close your eyes, and silently envision your wish, and throw the pin into the spring. If the well spirit is pleased by you, it might grant your wish.”
“And have you seen this work?” Elizabeth asked in amazement.
Jane hesitated. “I saw something that could not be otherwise easily explained, but I am not at liberty to speak of it.”
Elizabeth looked curiously at the woman who had become such a dear friend to many in her family. “Well, it seems thiswishing wellhas inspiredsomesort of memory in you, for which I am very glad. I believe that we ought to wish that your memory will return.”
“Oh, you should make your own wish!” Jane objected. “You are to be a new bride very soon, you must have many wishes for your future happiness!”
“The wish that was nearest and dearest to my heart – that I be reunited with my dear Fitzwilliam–has already been granted to me–and I have you to thank for it.” Elizabeth smiled. “I will be a frequent visitor to Meryton in the future. I can certainly return to make more wishes. I would far rather show my thanks for all the kindness you have shown me and my family by using my wish to request thatyoursbe granted. My mother is not wrong, each of my sisters have you to thank for something that means a great deal to them. Besides, ought not the well spirit look kindly upon a selfless wish?”
“I have done nothing for Mrs Bingley,” Jane corrected.
“Have you not committed to a labour of love and gratitude with your work on that lovely wrap? Jane will treasure such a gesture! And aside from that, you have helped each of her sisters, and our happiness means more to my elder sister than anything, except perhaps Charles. Do not underestimate my elder sister’s appreciation of your worth and goodness.”
“Lizzy, you are too kind for words.” Jane was nearly brought to tears by Elizabeth Bennet’s sincerity.
