“Aunt Maddie, may we run up and meet baby Aimee?” Lydia asked eagerly.
“Of course, my dear,” Mrs. Gardiner replied with a smile. “Nanny Judy is with her in the nursery. Edward is napping, so try not to wake him, or you will be running after him all afternoon.”
“I would love that above all things, Auntie. Edward is the sweetest boy I have ever seen.” Lydia giggled as she and Kitty hurried upstairs.
Bennet turned to his sister-in-law. His face was grave. Mrs. Gardiner returned his gaze, a question in her eyes.
“Something is wrong, Thomas. I trust Frannie is well?”
He nodded. “I must speak with you, Madeline. May we go into the drawing room?”
She studied his expression a moment longer, then gestured for them to precede her. Her eyes flicked toward Mr. Collins.
Bennet cleared his throat. “Excuse me, Maddie. This is my cousin, Mr. Collins. William, this is my sister-in-law, Mrs. Gardiner.”
Collins bowed. “A pleasure, madam.”
Once seated, Bennet began. “I will not toy with your sensibilities, Maddie. My family stands on the brink of ruin thanks to Lydia.”
He told her of the wager and Lydia’s part in it. “I thank heaven that both Collins and Lizzy learned of it before the neighbors did. Collins is to search out a ladies’ seminary while I find a school forLydia.” His face flushed slightly. “Madeline, I know I ask much, but may I leave Lydia with you until I find a proper school? She can watch little Edward for you. She loves children and will be well occupied. She must be constantly watched, or she will fall into more mischief.”
Mrs. Gardiner nodded slowly. “I could use her help, Thomas. I prefer Elizabeth, for there is no one so practical and level-headed as Lizzy, but Lydia will do well enough. She will be under Nanny Judy’s supervision, and Edward will keep her too busy for her to find trouble.”
Thomas laughed. “Is that so? You must be exhausted indeed if you can say that without a groan. I promise she will be placed within two to four weeks. I need time to find a school strict enough to keep her out of trouble.”
Madeline shook her head. “Do not search for a school. Lydia and I will manage. She is not bad; only very young and in need of guidance. And I could use the help.”
“You will write to me if things change,” he said. “She is too much for Frannie to handle. She may wear you down as well.”
“I doubt that,” Madeline replied with a knowing smile. “Frannie and I are very different women. Let me try. I will write if she proves too much.”
The following day, Bennet and Collins set out to tour schools. Each carried a newspaper with advertisements. They went in different directions to search for a school with a good reputation that Bennet could afford. After two weeks of inquiries, Collins found one they both approved.
They rode together to inspect it. When Bennet had paid the tuition, they returned to the carriage.
“Well, that is done,” Bennet said heavily. “You did well, Collins. A modest school with a fine reputation, yet affordable. Best of all, the headmistress is strict. Kitty will be safe there. I dare not leave her to her own devices with a regiment full of soldiers in Meryton.”
Collins shook his head somberly. “Being a father is no light burden, sir.”
Bennet looked him squarely in the eye. “Especially where handsome young men are concerned. Collins, you will take care in your dealings with my Lizzy?”
The man flushed. “Of course. I would never dream of hurting my cousin, sir.”
Bennet nodded but said no more. Kitty was to be admitted the following Monday. By then, the men would have been away from Longbourn for sixteen days.
Collins felt the press of time. He needed to be betrothed within two weeks and married by July or risk losing his living. He meant to court Elizabeth and secure her acceptance swiftly. He had hoped to marry and settle at Longbourn, but Bennet’s large family made that impossible. He would remain in Hunsford until circumstances changed. He was determined to put Mrs. Bennet in her place and not allow her to mistreat Elizabeth as she did now. He had once dreaded marriage, but the prospect now held appeal.
As for Elena, she was a widow with other protectors. He would visit her once more, then break with her.
Elizabeth stood basking in the morning sunlight, with Jane, Mary, and her weeping mother on the front steps of the manor. She was quietly relieved to see both Lydia and Mr. Collins leaveLongbourn. Papa had said they would be gone for a fortnight. She took a long, luxurious breath. Two weeks of peace.
Jane wrapped her arm around their mother’s shoulders. “Come, Mamma. Let us go in and have a cup of tea. It will make you feel better.”
Mary shaded her eyes against the sunshine. “Is there something we have not been told? Why are you crying, Mamma? Will Lydia be gone long?”
Frances sniffed. “Lydia is to remain with Maddie to help with little Edward. Maddie is exhausted with the new baby and needs Lydia’s help.”
“And Kitty?”
