Her husband chuckled. “Such a rambunctious boy.” He reached unconsciously for the black band situated on his arm, and Fanny wondered what memories danced in his thoughts. Mr. Bennet rarely spoke of his departed family, for the grief was still too near.
Mrs. Bennet ceased her ministrations and moved to her husband’s side. “I wish to send out inquiries for a governess,” she said. “I told the nursery maid I would do so. Besides, Jane and Thomas are too advanced for my help anymore.” The admission rankled. Mrs. Bennet had been educated like many young ladies and given just enough knowledge to manage a household. She wanted more for her girls, though. Young Thomas especially needed more education than she could provide.
“Elizabeth seems more knowledgeable than Jane or Thomas, despite being younger.” Her husband glanced up. “She reads and writes very well.”
“Yes, though the particulars of her background are unknown to us, it is evident her education was not neglected.” Mrs. Bennet moved around the desk and sat in the chair that faced her husband. “Did you know she went on and on about cotton textiles the other day? I could barely follow the conversation.”
“It is peculiar.” Her husband frowned. “Worry not, my love, we shall see to her well-being.” The gash hidden by Elizabeth’s hair was a daily reminder that she had suffered horrors they did not know. Her memory had not returned. True, she could read and write and speak. She remembered her Christian name, and that she had recently turned eight, but everything else about her life remained lost.
“I know we have only just taken possession of Longbourn, but already there is much to be done.” Mr. Bennet gestured at the book in front of him. “Father relied on antiquated farming methods. I intend to make immediate changes. Spring planting is only just beginning, which makes it an ideal time to introduce improvements this season, with more to follow next.”
“Is there a steward here?”
Mr. Bennet shook his head. “No, Father never hired another after Mr. Simms died. I plan to send out inquiries today—and shall include one for a governess.” He picked up another sheet of paper. “My father meant to purchase three farms adjoining Longbourn. They are part of the Purvis Lodge estate. I believe I shall see the transaction through. The additional income may be invested for our daughters’ dowries.”
She nodded. “Very good. Will you have time to review the household accounts with me later? Hill is looking them over at present, but she has not your experience.”
“Yes, we can do that after tea.”
And so, the Bennets settled nicely into a new routine at Longbourn. Their new neighbors came to call, expressing their pleasure at making the acquaintance of the family, and offering condolences at the loss of Old Mr. Bennet and his eldest son. The sentiments were graciously received, and in time, Mr. Bennet began to heal from his grief.
The children adjusted to their change in circumstances with ease—the young are often more resilient than adults. Even Elizabeth seemed to settle comfortably into her place at Longbourn. She at first addressed her benefactors formally, but within six months, she began calling them ‘mama and papa.’ This pleased both Mr. and Mrs. Bennet greatly, and soon they resolved to forget that she had ever been anything but their own dear child.
There were a few instances that caused alarm during the first year at the estate. The four older children engaged in a game ofapodidraskinda, an activity Mr. Bennet taught them after reading of it in one of his Greek tomes by Julius Pollux. One child would hide and count to one hundred whilst the others hid themselves somewhere in the house. The seeker would find the others. The last person found would win the game.
Mrs. Bennet could hear Elizabeth counting in the hallway outside the parlor. She smiled happily, listening as the child counted first in English before reverting to French at fifty. Finally, she reached one hundred and cried loudly, “You have had your time–now I shall seek you out!”
There were giggles echoing in the hall. “Found you, Tommy!” Elizabeth cried. Her adopted brother shouted, “No fair!” but came to the drawing room anyway, the place designated as where those who were ‘out’ would wait.
Tommy played with the drapes as he waited for his sisters. Mary joined him next, and they played with a basket of blocks at Mrs. Bennet’s feet.
Suddenly, the peaceful atmosphere was shattered by a terrified scream. Mrs. Bennet jumped up, heart racing, and ran from the room. She made her way down the hall toward the study. Pushing open the door, she stepped inside. Jane stood in front of Elizabeth, patting her cheeks and crying. The other girl stood frozen, the horrible vacant look from when they found her back in her eyes. Mrs. Bennet put her hand on the child’s shoulder, and she promptly collapsed.
“What happened?” Mrs. Bennet asked after lowering herself to the floor, Elizabeth in her arms.
“I do not know! I was hiding under Papa’s desk. Elizabeth came in looking for me. She became very quiet. I peeped out because I thought she had gone, but she had not. She saw me and went stiff—just froze! I do not know what happened, but then she was screaming! Oh, Mama, is she well?”
“I believe she will be. Run Jane, fetch your father.”
Mr. Bennet came quickly, having just returned home for tea. He carried the still unconscious Elizabeth to her bed in the nursery, instructing Nora and the governess, Miss Lynd, to inform him when she awoke.
Mrs. Bennet stayed by Elizabeth’s side, holding her hand until she woke.
“Mama?” she asked timidly. “Where am I?”
“You are in the nursery, Lizzy.” Mrs. Bennet brushed a curl from Elizabeth’s forehead. “Oh, what a fright you gave me, child! Are you well?”
“I hardly know.” Elizabeth pushed herself into a sitting position. “I do not recall what happened.”
Mrs. Bennet related Jane’s tale. Her adopted daughter frowned in confusion. “What could have possibly caused me to behave in such a manner?” she asked. “We were only playing a game.”
“Perhaps it caused you to remember something,” Mrs. Bennet postulated. “Tell me, do you? Is there anything?”
Elizabeth closed her eyes in concentration. “I see a man’s face,” she whispered. “He wants me to be quiet. He did not seem angry… That is all.”
Mrs. Bennet struggled to hide her emotions.Surely, this man has a connection to my daughter,she thought.But why did she scream? What is there to fear from him?
“Well,” she said aloud. “All will be as it has been. Let us just stay out of Papa’s study when we play our games, hmm?”
