She tapped on the door. “Mama, open this door now, or I shall have Hill do it!” No sound came from within and so Hill stepped forward, holding up a key and then sliding it into the lock. The sound of the tumblers alerted Jane that their endeavors were successful, and she tried the handle again.
The door came open without issue. She and Elizabeth stepped inside, leaving the servants in the hall for the moment. The dark room smelled heavily of perfume. A few candles burned near the bed, but the drapes were drawn, making it hard to see. Elizabeth strode across the room and threw open the drapes, letting light in.
“What has happened in here?” she said in shock.
Their mother’s room sat in a state of disarray. There were gowns and other things thrown on chairs and footstools. The cluttered dressing table seemed to be spewing forth jewelry and hairpins.
“Has anyone been in here in the last two weeks?” Jane asked, turning to Hill, who stood in the doorway.
“Just Sally, madam. She was directed to leave the tray. We always collect the old tray when we bring a new one.”
“Where is my mother?” Elizabeth said, looking around. “She is not here.”
Jane frowned and moved to the door that adjoined the master’s chamber. She turned the handle and pushed it open. Elizabeth followed her through the door. There, in Mr. Bennet’s wingback chair by the window, sat Mrs. Bennet. She still wore her dressing gown and nightcap, the lace and frills making her look exceedingly ridiculous.
“You cannot remove me!” she screeched. Mrs. Bennet stood, swaying a little. “I am the mistress of Longbourn! Only me!”
Jane wrinkled her nose, noting the half-empty bottle sitting next to their mother. “Lizzy, what has she been drinking?” She pointed to the bottle and the glass next to it. The dark liquid did not look at all like wine.
“That appears to be Father’s best brandy.” Amusement colored Elizabeth’s tone.
“I might have known, Miss—hic—Lizzy!” Mrs. Bennet cried, pointing a finger at her daughter. “My dear, sweet, Jane would—hic—never cast me out. Butyou! You would do it!” She swayed again before dropping back into the chair. She began to cry, weeping noisily. “My husband is dead. Mr. Collins is dead. And yet I shall still be thrown to the hedgerows!”
“I said nothing about the hedgerows, Mama.” Jane tried to be patient, but this entire thing was ridiculous. “You will have a nice room down the hall.”
“That is notmyroom!”
Jane sucked in a breath. “I shall not argue with you while you are in your cups, Mama.” She turned to the footmen. “Help Mrs. Bennet to her new accommodations. Sally will accompany you and see that my mother rests.”
The footmen came to either side of the chair, helping Mrs. Bennet to her feet and leading her away. She stumbled drunkenly, weeping and wailing as she went. When all was silent, Jane sighed loudly and sank down on a footstool, putting her head in her hands.
“That was well done, Jane.” Elizabeth came and stood next to her, placing her hand on her shoulder. “Whatever was Mama thinking, drinking half a bottle of brandy?”
Jane started chuckling. Elizabeth joined her and they both laughed until tears came. When their mirth ended, Jane stood, brushing her hands on her skirt to free it of wrinkles.
“Start in the mistress’s chambers, Mrs. Hill,” she directed. “You and Martha will have my mother’s things removed before bed tonight, please.”
Mrs. Hill nodded, and she and Martha got to work. Promising to return shortly, she left the room with Elizabeth in tow. “I have yet to see Kitty or Mary,” she mused. “Where do you suppose they are?”
A few moments later, they found the two missing sisters. They were both in the larger parlor. Mary played the piano and Kitty drew quietly in the corner. Lydia, too, had joined them there and sat at a table pulling apart a bonnet.
“Lydia said we had best wait to greet you,” Kitty said, standing and tossing her drawing paper aside. “Welcome!” She hugged both her sisters, as did Mary, and they expressed their congratulations on the birth of their nephew.
“Has our mother kept herself locked away for long?” Jane asked.
“It is as I said earlier,” Lydia replied. “It has been two weeks. Since the time you claim a letter should have come.”
“Her behavior is understandable.” Mary came around the piano. The black gown she wore made her look ghastly. “Shehas been mistress of Longbourn for above two decades. Stepping aside for her daughter must be difficult.”
“What did she expect would happen?” Elizabeth rolled her eyes.
“Oh, that is easy. Mama went on and on about how she would not lose her place since Jane is so obliging.” Lydia snorted again. “I thought she would be right. But Jane, you have surprised me, which is no easy feat, for I am never surprised. I thought you would return to your old chamber with your baby and live there forever.”
“I am sorry to disappoint you, Lydia, but I have no intention of ceding my place as mistress.”I have earned it,Jane thought bitterly.
“I am just happy you have come! Now I shall not be so bored!” Lydia tossed her curls and picked up a ribbon, wrapping it around the brim of the bonnet.
“Where is our nephew?” Mary asked tentatively. “I should like to see him.”
