Yet another matter concerned her. Jane had never been a forceful person, and the thought of wresting the management of Longbourn from her mother made her feel weary. An idea struck her, though, and she hastened to find Elizabeth.
“Good morning.” Elizabeth turned to greet her from her position at her writing table. “How are you, dearest?”
“I have written to Uncle Phillips informing him of Henry’s birth.” Jane sat next to her sister and clasped her hands tightly in her lap.
“And yet I sense something has distressed you.” Elizabeth put her pen down and turned, giving Jane her full attention.
“I have to go back.” Jane closed her eyes slowly and reopened them, hoping the distress in her eyes was adequately hidden. “I never thought I would return alone, widowed with an infant. What if I do not have the strength to stand against our mother and take my rightful place?”
“You are stronger than you think, Jane.”
She shook her head. “And yet I am afraid. Will you—would it be too much to ask for you to come with me? Not just you! You and Darcy, of course. Having my dearest sister by my side would give me pleasure and comfort, and your husband’s expertise with estate management would be a boon. He could teach me…” She trailed off, waiting anxiously for her sister’s reply.
Elizabeth did not speak for several long moments. Finally, she sighed. “I shall ask him, but I cannot anticipate how he will respond. We are becoming more comfortable in each other’s presence after… well, that is best left alone.”
“I am not blind to what I ask. Mr. Darcy does not approve of our family, and surely, he will find it a great trial to be constantly in our mother’s company. She will be furious when I remove her from the mistress’s chambers, and he would witness it. No, I ought not to have asked. I am sorry.”
She started to stand but Elizabeth laid her hand on her arm to stop her. “Wait, Jane. That is not what I meant. I shall ask him. I know it would be difficult, but I will not abandon you.” Elizabeth stood and hugged her sister. “He believed you to be a fortune hunter, you know.”
“His discomfort around me has been obvious. I am glad he has started to call meJaneinstead ofMrs. Collins.” She smiled, pulling out of her sister’s hug and squeezing her hand. “I am not yet brave enough to be so informal with him.”
“Yes, I believe he grows more comfortable around you.”
“Then perhaps it would be best if I left. You deserve a chance to better know your husband now that your previous disagreements have been resolved. At least, I assume they have.” She looked at Elizabeth expectantly.
Her sister sighed and sank back into her chair, gesturing for Jane to do the same. “They have,” she confessed. “I was dreadfully wrong about Mr. Wickham. He is worse than a thief—he is a libertine. The stories my husband had to tell do not bear repeating. And we spoke about how he separated you from Mr. Bingley, about why I married him… but things are still awkward.”
“Exposing him to our mother and younger sisters will not be beneficial.” Jane spoke cautiously. She still hoped her sister and brother-in-law would accompany her, but she did not want to put undue stress on their fledgling romance.
“My husband is an honorable man. I shall present your case to him and let Mr. Darcy decide for himself.” Elizabeth noddedresolutely and stood again. “I shall find him now, if you will excuse me.”
Jane nodded but stayed where she sat. She hoped Mr. Darcy would agree to the journey. She desperately needed her sister during this tumultuous time, and her brother-in-law’s expertise.
Elizabeth
She checked the study and the library but could not locate her husband. He had nothing scheduled outside Pemberley today, and he had informed her he would be conducting business from home for the day. Yet, he was nowhere to be found.
Luncheon would not be served for another hour or so.Where could he be?she wondered. The enormous manor meant there were any number of places that her husband could be, and she did not wish to wander all over in search of him. Abandoning the search, she returned to her chamber, only to find him there, attempting to surprise her with a vase full of flowers from Pemberley’s garden.
“What is this?” she asked pleasantly. He jumped, almost dropping the vase of flowers he held as he turned to face her.
“It was meant to be a surprise.” He frowned playfully. “Now you have ruined it.”
“My apologies, good sir. Since I did not know you would be procuring flowers, I am now surprised, and you have been successful in your endeavors.” She smiled and came toward him, taking the vase and putting it on her dressing table. She leaned in and breathed in the scent of the flowers. “They smell heavenly. Thank you.” She straightened and turned to him,wrapping her arms around him and leaning against his chest. His arms came around her, and he stroked her back. After a few moments, she pulled away and took his hand, leading him to their shared sitting room.
“I have something to ask you,” she said. They settled on the settee, and she leaned against him, entwining her fingers with his.
“You may have anything you desire.”
She could hear the teasing in his voice but cautioned him anyway. “Be careful, sir, else you find yourself agreeing to something you will later regret.”
“Is it all that serious?” He seemed more attentive now, and she felt his lips press into her hair.
“Jane asks that we accompany her to Hertfordshire when she returns. She feels… unprepared for the task before her.”
Her husband did not speak. She felt his body tense against hers and her heart fell. It was too much to ask.
“Does Jane worry that she will not be able to take care of Longbourn alone?” he asked quietly.
