Mr. Glidding’s chest was so puffed up, Elizabeth was concerned he might lose a button. She moved to her mother’s side to peer at one with soft white wisteria set against a misty green background.
“It would be too much on its own, of course, but with solid-coloured curtains and a white wainscoting below, it will be just the thing,” Mamma said.
Elizabeth reached out to touch the paper, not surprised to find it silk, like the curtains. It was lovely, but would be expensive, more than they had intended to spend.
“Mamma . . .”
“I know, Lizzy.” Mamma, quite unlike her wont, spoke quietly. “But I promise we shall economize elsewhere to make up for the cost. It is for the drawing room, where you will meet your neighbours for the first time. If we are to spend more on any room, I think it must be this one.”
Her mother was perhaps too invested in what others thought of them, but there was something reassuring about the way Mamma was making her argument so calmly. Elizabeth wished to encourage her mother in this, and besides, therewassomething important about first impressions.
All three of her mother’s final choices were lovely, so it did not matter to Elizabeth that Mamma had chosen her favourite to promote. She moved in closer to study them.
Mr. Ellis had left her not only the house but the money he had saved over the past thirty years, and the man had not spent much on himself. Even after putting some of it aside for her sisters and for the sort of charitable endeavours the bequest required, there would be ample to fit up the rooms. Even so, it would be safer to put the refurbishments on a sort of rotation, for one never knew when a poor harvest would make additional funds necessary for more pressing things. Hoping she was not setting a precedent for overspending, Elizabeth patted her mother’s hand. “Not all the rooms require redecoration. Some only require small repairs and a good cleaning, and some require nothing at all.”
Her mother began to protest, but Elizabeth simply lifted an eyebrow. “If we decide to tend to only those rooms most in need of it this year, then we shall have the funds to purchase the finer materials you prefer. We can then redecorate the other rooms a few at a time, depending on the estate’s income that year.”
This cut off her mother’s complaints about Elizabeth’s standing in the neighbourhood.
“We should begin with the public rooms. And your sisters’ rooms.”
Her mother did not mention her own chamber, which surprised Elizabeth. “I think we ought to wait, Mamma. By the time my sisters come to live at Hollydale, fashions will have completely changed. And you know, they may even all be married by that time.”
“Yes.” Mamma fingered the wallpaper. “That is true. Although you might consider corresponding with Jane about her chambers.” She gave Elizabeth a knowing look. “For of us all, she shall likely spend the most time here.”
“That is hardly likely when we cannot remain here on our own.”
Her mother simply tutted. No doubt happy visions of Elizabeth’s marriage to a yet unknown man were already dancing in her head. But Elizabeth would have to be even more careful choosing a suitor now than she had been before. She would need a suitor who was active, charitable, dutiful, kind. Wherever was she to find such a creature—and how would she know he was all these things before they wed? Men and women were hardly allowed any time at all together until after the marriage.
She dragged herself back to the matter at hand. “We shall see, Mamma. For now, let us deal with the drawing room?”
As the shopkeeper brought out samples of his more expensive papers and began to go over them with her mother, Elizabeth’s mind drifted back to the feeling of Mr. Darcy’s strong hands steadying her, the warmth of his touch through her coat sleeve.
“What a fine home we shall have,” Mamma cooed as she turned the pages of the sample book she had before her. “It will be the envy of all Lambton, I am sure of it.”
Elizabeth mumbled something about her mother’s excellent taste, but her eyes were not on the task before them. Instead, they strayed to the shop window, half hoping to catch another glimpse of Mr. Darcy’s tall figure passing by.
Chapter Four
Longbourn, Hertfordshire
8 October 1810
My dearest Lizzy,
Your news has left me nearly as astonished as you must have been. An estate—I can scarcely believe it, though I know you incapable of such deceit even in the service of a joke. Hollydale House—what a lovely name. And how wise of Mr. Ellis to choose you to be its mistress.
I am particularly overjoyed to hear how Mamma and Papa have been so positively affected by your good fortune. Perhaps all they required was a fresh start in new surroundings and the peace of a shared burden lifted. The thought of Mamma bustling about with her plans for refurbishment pleases me, and I have no doubt she has taken to the task with enthusiasm. I am sure the house will be splendid by the time she has finished, and I need not fear for your fortune, for you are too prudent to allow her to overspend.
The woods sound enchanting, and I can imagine you there, walking through the trees, contemplating all manner of things, as is your way. I am sorry that you will not have much time to enjoy the grounds just yet. But knowing you, I am sure you will find a moment to steal away for a long ramble before too long.
We are all well here, though I confess your absence is felt most keenly, especially during our evenings, which are not so lively with you and Mamma both away. I miss you, Lizzy, but we shall all be able to visit you at Hollydale one day soon. Until then, I am eager to hear all about the improvements to the house and how you are settling in. May this good fortune bring you all the happiness in the world, for you deserve it. Your loving sister,
Jane
Elizabeth read Jane’s letter slowly. Her elder sister’s warmth, her unwavering love and unshakable optimism were evident in her words, as always. But as she read, a pang of guilt struck a discordant note in her heart.
Elizabeth stood and wandered toward the window, gazing out over the gently sloping lawns of Hollydale, though her thoughts were far from the beauty outside. Jane would be thrilled to know of Christmas House. But then she imagined Jane’s face, alight with delight at the news, paling with anxiety over how to keep such a secret from their parents. Jane had never been good at keeping things hidden from their mother or father, and the strain of concealing something so significant would weigh heavily on her.
