“Mr. Collins will be eager to take possession of Longbourn.” Kitty spoke emotionlessly, though Elizabeth knew her words to be true.
“Never fear. We shall take care of everything.” Mr. Darcy’s entrance to the conversation warmed her heart.He is very good.Though he had disdained her family, he proved his worth again by declaring openly that he would not let them suffer.
She took his hand and squeezed, smiling when he turned to meet her gaze. “I am tired,” she confessed, turning back to Mary. “Our trunks should be in our rooms by now. Where have you put us?”
“In Jane’s old room,” Lydia spoke up. “It is the largest in the family wing, besides…besides…” Lydia choked on her words, tears falling from her eyes, and she turned and fled the room.
Elizabeth wondered if her tears were of genuine sorrow for their father, for Lydia had never been close to him, or if they were due to the change in circumstances that now approached. Shrugging mentally, she led her husband to their chamber and directed Georgiana to the door next to it, where she had spent her childhood years.
Dinner was subdued, and the atmosphere was depressing. Everyone but Georgiana had dressed in black, but even she wore gray to honor Mr. Bennet. Elizabeth was touched by her new sister’s compassion and thanked her with a fierce hug. That night she cried herself to sleep in her husband’s arms. It ached to know that her father’s chamber was just down the hall, and that he was not in it. Instead, she and her sisters took turns sitting in the drawing room, keeping watch over him until his interment.
The next morning, they accepted condolence calls from their neighbors. The entire process exhausted her, and Elizabeth felt unaccountably irritated at the number of people coming and going from Longbourn. She wished to be alone with her family—- alone in her misery. Later as they dined, the bell rang, and Mr. Hill brought in an express. He looked distraught; Hill had never been as stoic as butlers were wont to be.
He brought it to Elizabeth, hesitating between her and her husband as if unsure who to hand it to. Darcy gestured to her, and she took it, thankful for his consideration.
“It is from Hunsford!” Panic filled her as she noted the black edging. Her sisters gasped in unison as they, too, noted it. Elizabeth hurriedly tore the seal and read aloud.
Dearest Lizzy,
I am sending this express to Longbourn, where I assume you have gone after receiving our family’s missive. I am afraid I am unable to come to you at this time. You see, Mr. Collins has died, and I must attend to things here.
I will write more tomorrow when I have time to think.
Yours,
Jane
The silence in the dining room was deafening. Then, chaos erupted.
“Mr. Collins, dead? Who is to inherit now?” Lydia cried far too happily.
“Where shall we go? What shall we do?” Kitty said simultaneously.
Mary simply gaped, unsure how to respond.
“Quiet!” Elizabeth said, calling their attention to her. “I shall inform Uncle Phillips tomorrow. Jane is expecting, as I am sure you know. Her babe is not due until September. Until we know if she carries a son or not, the state of the entail is uncertain. If she has a boy, then he will inherit when he comes of age.”
“Then Jane will come here! We are saved!” Lydia bounced excitedly in her chair.
“Enough, Lydia.Twomen have died. It is not right to rejoice in death.” Elizabeth chided her sister gently. Secretly, she, too, was glad that Jane was free of a life attached to their cousin.
Chapter Thirty-Five
June 20, 1812
Hunsford, Kent
Jane
Jane looked up as Martha shuffled into the room. The girl’s shameless behavior had prompted the desire to relieve her of her position, but Mr. Collins had overruled his wife’s decision and retained the disloyal maid.
“An express, madam.” Martha handed her the letter and curtseyed.At least she does not treat me with disdain,Jane thought, rubbing her bulging stomach. Her child kicked within her, and she smiled.
Her good humor dissipated as she noted the black edging on the express in her hand. Longbourn’s seal told her of its origins, and she tore it open, her heart sinking.
Dear Jane,
Papa died during the night. We are all well, except Mama, who has taken to her rooms in distress. Pray, come as soon as you are able.
