“I told them not to wake you under any circumstances,” Jones informed Miss Bennet.
Elizabeth had not noticed Mr Jones was still present. She turned towards him. “Why?” was all she asked.
“For the simple reason, Miss Bennet, that if you did not get some sleep, you would have made yourself ill, and how would you help anyone if you are infirm yourself?” Jones challenged.
“I know I am Miss Bennet now, but how I wish I were not,” Elizabeth sighed. “I suppose you all agreed with Mr Jones?” She looked at her aunt and uncles.
“He is right, Lizzy,” Gardiner stated firmly. “You were looking rather wan. By the time you fell asleep, there was nothing you could have done to stop it. Had Jones not insisted you be allowed to sleep, I would have.”
“As would I have,” Madeline agreed.
“And that makes four of us,” Phillips added.
She knew they were all correct. In her head Elizabeth could hear Janey’s voice telling her she needed her sleep. Sheraised her hands in surrender. “Please accept my apologies for my irritation. You were only doing what was best for me. Thank you for not moving me away from Janey’s side.”
Madeline gave her husband an ‘I told you so’ look.
“Have my parents and younger sisters been informed?” Elizabeth enquired. “My anger with my parents aside, they need to be told.”
“No, they are as yet unaware,” Gardiner responded. He saw his brother’s questioning look. “Later,” Gardiner mouthed to Phillips. “Will you write a note, or should I. They need to know before the body is moved to Longbourn.”
“I will write the missive,” Elizabeth decided. She saw the looks from her Gardiner aunt and uncle. “I will not remonstrate with them. There will be more than enough time for that later. Besides, I have much on which to cogitate before I speak to my parents.” She looked at the remains of her sister. “Unlike Jane, I have time available to me.”
Elizabeth sat herself at the escritoire in the sitting room. Before she wrote the letter, she edged it with black ink. As soon as it was dry, she wrote.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The Hills had just entered the kitchen when they heard a clatter as Cook dropped a pan on the floor. It was followed by a cry of sadness. The couple rushed towards cook and froze in place when they saw the black edged letter in Cook’s hand. A Netherfield Park groom was standing cap in hand at the door, his eyes to the floor.
Tears began to run down Mrs Hill’s cheeks as her normally unflappable husband’s eyes looked suspiciously moist. They had all been prepared for this eventuality, but the reality was no easier because of their foreknowledge. Hill looked at the lad and cleared his throat .
The groom looked up and saw the butler’s questioning look. “Me master tol’ me ta wait ‘ere in case there be an answer,”the lad said.
Hill turned to Cook who was still staring at what she held in her hand as if it would change to something else. It did not. He gently reached out and took the note from her hand and saw the direction was in Miss Lizzy’s script. Knowing the master was in his study, Hill made directly for that room. He knocked once on the thick oak door.
“Come,” Bennet called out. He saw Hill and then his world came to a sudden halt when he noticed the black edged letter in the butler’s hand. His hand was shaking when he extended it to accept the news he had hoped never to read in his life time. A parent was not supposed to bury a child.
With great trepidation he broke the seal and read the words Lizzy had penned.
18 October 1810
Father, Mother, and Sisters,
It is my sad duty to inform you that your daughter and sister passed away not long after midnight. Jane is with God now.
Her remains are ready to be brought home to Longbourn as soon as you send the undertaker to move the body.
I am not alone here, Aunt Maddie, Uncle Edward, Uncle Frank, and my four young cousins are with me. That is not to mention the residents of this estate, who, for the most part, have been most welcoming, helpful, and sympathetic.
Uncle Frank is leaving soon to return home to inform Aunt Hattie of the tragedy, but the Gardiners will remain here with me until arrangements to transport Jane’s mortal vessel to Longbourn have been made.
In great sadness, your daughter and sister,
Elizabeth
As much as Bennet did not want to hear his wife wailing and making this about herself as well, he knew he could notdelay telling her their eldest had been called home to God.
First he wrote a note to be given to the waiting groom, telling those at Netherfield Park that he would shortly go to see Mr Kettering, the undertaker, and then inform them when to expect him and his carriage as soon as he knew the information.
