“Lizzy?” Jane’s touch brought her back to reality. “Is November too soon?”
“Forgive me for being distracted, dearest. Yes, November will be fine. Mr. Darcy will have completed the harvest and winter preparations and will be at his leisure. I shall inform him of your desires.”
“Thank you.” Jane squeezed her sister’s hand and smiled.
The month of October passed quicker than Elizabeth thought it would. She occupied herself with household matters while her husband managed the final stages of the harvest. They did not attend the yearly harvest dance given their mourning, but they sent baskets of goods in their place. Before she knew it, their trunks were packed and secured to the back of a carriage, and they were ready to depart.
Darcy and Elizabeth rode with Jane and Henry in one carriage. Mrs. Moore, Smith, Darcy’s valet, and the other servants traveled in another. Their progress was slow with frequent stops, and with every mile that they drew closer to Longbourn, Jane became more reserved. After a leisurely five-day journey, the carriages entered Meryton.
Chapter Forty-Two
November 7, 1812
Longbourn
Jane
The black wreath on Longbourn’s door was all that waited to greet the new arrivals. It stung that Mama and her sisters had not appeared to welcome them. She mentally chastised herself.Perhaps something keeps them indoors. It is certainly not the weather.
Indeed, the November air was warmer than usual. Elizabeth would be pleased; it meant she could enjoy the outdoors more before the winter cold set in.
Dear Lizzy. Jane felt relieved to have her sister with her. Elizabeth exited the carriage first, Darcy helping her down, before she followed. Her brother-in-law took her elbow to steadyher. Jane thanked him; Henry lay swaddled in her arms, and she could not take Darcy’s hand to step down.
“Where is everyone?” Elizabeth sounded cross. Jane could hardly blame her. The normally stalwart Mrs. Darcy had suffered from nausea during their ride. Her attempts to hide her malaise from her husband had caused the bad temper. Now that they were here, she would doubtlessly seek her bed to rest for a time.
“Inside, I suppose.” Jane carried Henry to the door and opened it, not bothering to ring the bell. Darcy and Elizabeth trailed behind her. The footmen and servants unloaded the trunks and carried them into the house through another door.
“Jane!” Lydia appeared from the small parlor and came forward. “What are you doing here? We had no idea you were coming!”
She frowned. “I sent a letter to Mama two weeks ago telling her when we would arrive,” she said. “Did you not hear of it? Did the letter go astray?”
“Two weeks ago, you said? Why, that is when Mama took to her bed. She claimed ill use and all manner of things. Whatever did you put in that letter to vex her so?” Lydia snorted, shaking her head. “Oh! It is Lizzy and Mr. Darcy, too! We shall make a merry party! I long for some amusement. Uncle Phillips says we cannot go into Meryton or attend any events because we are in mourning.”
“Our uncle has the right of it,” Elizabeth cut in. “I promise we shall attempt to provide you with amusement to satisfy your boredom.”
Hill appeared a moment later, her shock as evident at Lydia’s. “Why, Miss Jane! Or rather, Mrs. Collins. Welcome home!”
“Thank you, Hill.” Jane nodded to the old housekeeper. “I can see you, too, were not informed of our coming. We shallneed chambers prepared. Put me in my father’s rooms, since my mother has not vacated the mistress’s chambers as I instructed.”
“I am afraid I do not understand. Where is Mrs. Bennet to move?” Hill’s confusion only stoked Jane’s ire.
“My mother may have any vacant room in this house except the master’s and mistress’s chambers. Since I am mistress of Longbourn until my son comes of age, those rooms are mine and his by right.” Jane stood taller, affecting a serious look. “I shall speak to my mother about her choice. Meanwhile, put Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth in the chamber they last occupied. Ah, here is Mrs. Moore.”
Jane turned to the wet nurse and handed her the baby. “Mrs. Moore will need to be shown to a clean room. Perhaps Mrs. Darcy’s old chamber—I assume the nursery has not been aired as I requested.” A maid appeared and led the nurse and her charge away at Mrs. Hill’s word.
“I am sorry, madam. None of us knew you were coming.” The poor housekeeper wrung her hands anxiously. “Do forgive me!”
“It is not your fault, Hill. Pray, send a messenger to fetch my Uncle Phillips, and then inform the kitchen there will be more for dinner tonight.”
Hill curtseyed and hurried to do her new mistress’s will. Meanwhile, Jane turned to Darcy and Elizabeth and shrugged. “She likely read my letter and took to her rooms, hoping that if she were still there when I arrived that I would not force her to move.”
“Are you going to speak with her now?” Elizabeth asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I am. Will you accompany me?” She turned to Hill. “I would like Sally, Molly, John, and James to come as well. They will be helping to transport my mother’s belongings to another chamber. Since she has not bothered to pick her own, we shallselect one for her. I think the room at the end of the hall will suffice.”
She should not feel so satisfied with herself. It had been expected that Mrs. Bennet would throw a fit about relinquishing her chambers, but it had to be done. The room at the end of the hall was not the smallest, but neither was it the largest of the remaining empty family chambers. The décor in the room might be a little dated, but it would be suitable for Mrs. Bennet for now.
The maids and the footmen scrambled to obey their new mistress. Jane linked arms with Elizabeth, and both ladies nodded to Mr. Darcy before starting up the stairs. Hill and the servants followed, and when they reached the mistress’s chambers, Jane tried the handle without bothering to knock. Naturally, the door was locked.
