She supposed she had known, in the back of her mind, that there would be no visits of condolence from the ladies of the neighbourhood while the gentlemen attended the funeral, but to hear it spoken of drove a fresh spike of grief into her heart. Her mother, whatever her failings, did not deserve to have her death pass without even the observation of the most commonplace forms. The injustice of it made her catch her breath, and Mr Darcy frowned as she composed herself.
“Forgive me,” she said. “I was overcome by my feelings. Yes, I believe I should like to spend that time with my younger sisters. It is not right that they should be alone at such a moment.”
Darcy nodded. “I shall arrange it all.”
* * *
Mary’s letter was shorter than her usual report.
Dearest Lizzy,
By now you have learnt that our mother is gone. Sister, I wish so much that you were here. I wish that Jane was, too, but you are the resolute one and I want so much to lean upon you now. It is selfish, I know, but I so often feel too weak for these burdens.
We still fear for Lydia’s survival, for she is so frail and only now entering the phase of which Mr Jones most particularly warned us, but I continue to truly fear for her spirit. She has naturally been brought low by the partial loss of her sight and the likely loss of her appearance, and Mother’s death is a further blow from which I am uncertain she will recover. I do not know how to help her, though I have done my best to apply your good advice; I think my nature is more inclined to scolding than to enlivening. She has become so very dear to me, and I am now afraid that I am precisely the wrong person to tend to her. Tell me the truth, Lizzy—ought I to give her care over to Kitty?
Mary
“Oh Lizzy! Poor Mary sounds so very despondent, and I fear for Lydia, also,” Jane said after reading Mary’s communication at her sister’s request.
“Jane, all will be well, but dearest, I must go to Longbourn. I had already intended to do so, and this makes matters even more urgent.”
Jane frowned. “You do not mean to walk there, in this cold weather, do you?”
“Mr Darcy has offered to arrange it all,” Elizabeth reassured her. “We will go in the curricle, so all will be proper, and we will not risk coming upon anyone who has not already been exposed to the illness. It will be cold, but much quicker than walking.”
Elizabeth expected some further resistance, for Jane had never been one who bent, much less broke, rules—her correspondence with Mr Bingley the sole exception. But to her surprise, her sister only nodded and said, “Then of course you must go.”
* * *
Charles,
I am writing to you—are you satisfied? I have been busy of late, for I was able to engage a companion and have been catching up with those of my friends who are in town. I am perfectly well, and all the better for being away from the savage society of the country and among civilised people. I attended the theatre last night with Miss Symonds and her family, and though the crowd was thin there were enough people of interest there to make an entertaining evening. Far more so than playing Cassino at Netherfield, to be certain. You really ought to join me just as soon as Hurst recovers, before the unwashed farmers of Hertfordshire bring forth another disease to assail you. Darcy must long for decent company, and Louisa would surely prefer to be here.
I have instructed the housekeeper to freshen your rooms, and anticipate seeing you all very soon. I have been invited to pass Christmas with the Symonds family, and you would be more than welcome, too, I believe. My friend asks after you often, and I know you enjoyed her company before our unfortunate relocation. Come back, Brother, and renew your acquaintance with a lady of accomplishment and fortune. There can be nothing to keep you in Hertfordshire any longer, now that Miss Bennet’s pretty face is no more.
Yours,
Caroline
* * *
On the morning of Mrs Bennet’s funeral, the parson’s manservant arrived an hour early to assist Mr Bennet in placing the coffin in the carriage which would bear her earthly form to the church for the service. Shortly thereafter, Mr Darcy’s fine coach rolled to a stop before Longbourn, and behind it, a curricle, driven by Mr Darcy and bearing also…
“Lizzy, my Lizzy!” Mr Bennet cried as the smaller vehicle came to a stop and his second daughter leapt down and ran to him. He swept her up into his embrace, both of them laughing and sobbing and gripping each other fiercely. At last she pulled back and took his face between her hands.
“Oh, Papa, how pale you are!”
“Say nothing of that!” He covered one of her hands with his own. “Are you my dear girl, or merely a bundle of twigs in her dress?”
Elizabeth laughed a little at that. “The last weeks have been difficult, but truly, I am well, and so very happy to see you. Jane sends, and I quote, every bit of her love to her dear family.”
Someone cleared their throat nearby, and both of them looked up to find Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley standing by the door of the larger vehicle. The curricle and horse were being led away by Longbourn’s stablemaster. “Forgive me, sir, for interrupting, but we should be getting on to the church soon,” Mr Darcy said. “Will you join us in my carriage?”
Mr Bennet was suddenly conscious of the tears on his cheeks and hastily availed himself of his handkerchief. “I thank you, that will be most welcome. Let me just take Lizzy inside to her sisters.”
He had not much time to indulge in watching the reunion of Kitty and Lizzy, nor was he in any frame of mind to enjoy Kitty’s surprise when her elder sister appeared in the doorway at his side, but he did linger for a moment, nodding to himself as two girls who had hardly found a word to say to each other for the last several years clung to each other as sisters ought in times of trouble.
* * *
