“Hmm?” Jane replied distractedly. “Oh, yes, I am well, Lizzy. Merely feeling a little poorly this morning.”
“Why, then, did you not make your excuses to Lady Catherine?” Elizabeth was perplexed. If Jane was ill, they ought not to venture out.
“I shall be returned to full health by this evening,” Jane assured her. “Perhaps it is best if I retire to my chamber for a rest until luncheon. Mr. Collins is attending to his flock. Will you ladies be content to occupy yourselves for the rest of the morning?”
“Yes.” Charlotte quickly agreed, and Elizabeth followed suit. They finished their breakfast quietly, the former excusing herself when she finished to see to her correspondence.
“Will you walk out, Lizzy?” Jane finished the last of her tea and stood.
“I believe I shall. I have a letter from Mama to peruse. It has sat unread for two days.”It is very bad of me; she has not spoken to me since…Elizabeth frowned as she realized her mother had not said a word to her since November twenty-seventh.
Jane chuckled, not noticing her sister’s sudden change of mood. “Yes, see what she wants. I have not had a letter in a week—maybe longer. I should be pleased to hear news from Longbourn.”
Elizabeth noted that Jane did not refer to Longbourn as home.I suppose it no longer is,she mused. Her sister left, and Elizabeth went upstairs to retrieve her letter and her outerwear.
She walked a different path, one that took her to a folly at the edge of Rosings’s parkland. Settling herself on a bench with a view over the tenant fields, Elizabeth broke the seal on her mother’s letter and read.
Dear Lizzy,
Oh, what a fuss in Meryton! It seems we have a thief in our midst. Last Sunday, Mrs. Long summoned the magistrate to her home. Someone pilfered four forks and five spoonsfrom her best silverware. The servants have been searched and the militia is on high alert. No one knows what could have happened. Mrs. Long claims the set was complete before her last dinner party, and then the missing utensils were discovered when the maid polished them the following week. Any number of dishonest people could have taken them.
Our four-and-twenty families agreed to search each of our own homes to discover if anything else was missing, and every one of us has discovered some item has been stolen. Lady Lucas claims her best candlesticks and Maria’s jeweled brooch is gone. Your uncle Phillips’s cufflinks have vanished. And my pearl necklace and matching hairpins are no longer in my jewelry case! Oh, what if the thief murders us in our beds?
So, Lizzy, the neighborhood is overwrought, and everyone is increasing security around their homes. Your father has done nothing for Longbourn other than tell the servants to keep an eye out for mischief. He spends all his time in his study, you know, and I cannot get him to stir except for meals. At least he appears to be doing estate duties. Heaven knows he ought to have done something about it years ago. He is interviewing men for the position of steward! What do you make of that?
I must close now. The officers are dining with us tonight. Lydia and Kitty are very excited, even though Mr. Wickham will not be among them. He is courting Mary King now, and rumors are that an engagement is imminent. I do hope he is satisfied with his choice. Her dowry may be grand, but her features are nothing tomygirls.
Be sure to do your best to secure a suitor while in Kent. It is unlikely another such opportunity will arise. Jane is very good to have such an ungrateful girl such as yourself in her home, especially since you were meant for Mr. Collins in her stead. My strictures from November are unchanged.
Farewell,
Mama
Elizabeth closed the letter and stuck it into her pocket.Oh Mama.She likely fretted unnecessarily. Papa would protect his family from thieves and miscreants, would he not? But hiring a steward? Hope filled her; mayhap her father finally meant to behave as a proper master ought. Mrs. Bennet’s words of rebuke were unsurprising, though acknowledging her mother’s continued displeasure and the reminder of her words in November unsettled Elizabeth.
Mr. Collins’s effusions could not be suppressed when he learned they had once again been asked to dine with Lady Catherine. His anticipation knew no bounds, and he expressed his enthusiasm that he was to meet two more exalted personages. The entire parsonage party departed a quarter of an hour earlier than necessary and arrived at Rosings Park before they were due.
They were shown into the sitting room where Lady Catherine awaited. None of the other guests had yet to join them.
“You are early, Mr. Collins.” Her words to Elizabeth’s cousin were harsh and filled with judgment. “Punctuality means you are ontime,not early, not late. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, your ladyship, though I must say my eagerness to be in your presence, and that of your noble guests could not be suppressed. Your condescension knows no limits. Thank you for your gracious invitation.”
“Yes, yes, Mr. Collins. Do sit down.” Lady Catherine waved at chairs, and they took their seats. They were barely settled when Sir Andrew came in with Miss de Bourgh on his arm. Mrs. Jenkinson trailed behind, a carefully blank expression on her face. Elizabeth glanced at Lady Catherine and noted the fierce scowl of disapproval directed toward her nephew and daughter.
“Sit there, Anne.” Lady Catherine pointed to the empty seat beside her throne. There would be no space for Sir Andrew tojoin her there. Miss de Bourgh complied, and Sir Andrew joined Charlotte on the settee. Elizabeth watched her friend and noted her displeasure. Charlotte was far from pleased.
Lady de Bourgh entered the room next. She looked every bit her station, from her fashionably styled hair to the satin slippers that peeked out from under her gown. “I did not hear the gong. Is supper ready?”
“Your age must have affected your hearing.” Lady Catherine sniffed in disdain.
“I did not hear it either, Mother.” Miss de Bourgh’s words were innocent, but the grimace on Lady Catherine’s face spoke volumes. The absence of the gong had been deliberate.
“You must have been resting. The gong rang, just as it always does.” Lady Catherine waved her hand, dismissing her daughter’s suppositions. “Well, now that we are here, let us go in.”
Lady de Bourgh, still standing, beckoned to Mr. Collins. “My daughter-in-law has yet to perform introductions.”
“That is Mr. Collins,” Lady Catherine said stiffly. “He is my parson.”
