“Of course, my dear.”
Elizabeth waited, having no wish to prepare for bed until she had spoken with her aunt and uncle. She drew Mr. Wickham’s note from her reticule and laid it upon a small table. Nearly twenty minutes later, Mrs. Gardiner returned.
“I beg your pardon for keeping you waiting, Lizzy, but your sister was quite taken with the toys I purchased for little Edward. They are kept in the spare chamber where she will sleep. Yet perhaps I ought to keep Edward apart from you both until we are certain of your health.”
Elizabeth gestured to the chair opposite her. “Aunt, allow me to explain.”
She handed her the note and watched as her aunt read through the short missive. When she had finished, she turned it over, finding the reverse blank.
“Who is G. W., and who is my dear girl?”
“G. W. is Lieutenant Wickham, who is eight and twenty if he is a day, and my dear girl is our own Lydia.”
Mrs. Gardiner’s expression reflected the revulsion Elizabeth had hoped to see. Elizabeth then related all that had occurred at Longbourn.
“I came here in hopes that our uncle might place Lydia in school. Papa has enough income to pay the tuition if he would but exert himself. As for Jane, she is as good as lost if she becomes Mr. Goulding’s third wife. He is at least sixty, though he looks nearer seventy, and his manner of life is written plainly upon his face.”
“Lizzy, you wish to speak with your uncle.”
“Yes, please. My mother intends that I remain with you for a week, but in light of all that has happened, I wish to remain with you for some weeks, for my mother will be very angry with me.”
“I sometimes wonder at your mother’s judgment.”
“She is intelligent, Aunt, but driven by a determination to see all her daughters married. She considers only wealth, and never the moral or spiritual worth of the man.”
Mrs. Gardiner rose. “Come with me to the green salon. The fire still burns there. I shall give this note to your uncle and relate the most pressing details, and then we shall both return to you.”
“Thank you, Aunt Maddie. I know we impose upon you, but I did not know where else to turn. Aunt Phillips is no better than mymother, and Uncle Phillips, though kind, cannot stand against either sister.”
Elizabeth waited nearly an hour before her relations returned. Edward Gardiner seated himself beside his niece.
“I have written a letter to your father and informed him that Lydia will be placed in an academy here in London. I expect the tuition for the year to be sent by express no later than next week, and I shall send the letter by my own footman. Would you wish to send any message to Jane?”
As Elizabeth considered his question, he added, “Your father has more than enough means to see that child properly educated. There is no need for his income to be squandered on fripperies while his daughters fall into ruin.”
Elizabeth began to weep. “Thank you, Uncle Edward. What you do not yet know is that this same Wickham assaulted the butcher’s daughter. They now wait to see whether she conceives. But for chance alone, my sister might be in the same situation.”
Mr. Gardiner handed her his handkerchief. “I am grieved that matters should be reduced to this. But now, Lizzy, tell me of Jane. She is feigning illness?”
“Yes. When I saw her near to fainting at the prospect of becoming Mr. Goulding’s third wife, I told Mamma that I feared she had fallen ill. Mary sits with her and keeps both Mamma and the apothecary away, though the deception cannot last.”
Mr. Gardiner replied. “Do not trouble yourself, Lizzy. My coachman and groom will travel with me into Kent tomorrow, but I shall hire a coach before I leave and will send my footman and the stable boy to collect my niece.”
Elizabeth embraced him. “Thank you, uncle. I shall run up and write a note to Jane. That one member of a family is capable of destroying the rest is a bitter truth.”
“I lay the blame upon your father. He has not restrained my sister, and she now governs the household.”
Chapter 6: Gentlemen of Consequence
Elizabeth ran up to her bedchamber and seated herself at the small table supplied with writing materials.
Dear Mary,
This letter is written for Jane and sent in your care. Uncle Gardiner has sent a carriage to collect Jane, and she is to be dressed and ready to depart at once. I fear she may bring nothing with her that does not fit into her reticule or a small portmanteau. I have instructed the footman to wait for her near the hermitage. Uncle is arranging for Lydia to be placed in a girls’ academy. I have explained all regarding Mr. Goulding, and Uncle Gardiner has set himself to find a husband for Jane, so we need no longer fear for her. Please keep watch over Kitty, as she has little more sense than Lydia. Be strong. I shall see you soon.
Lizzy
Elizabeth sealed the note and carried it downstairs, where her relations still sat in the drawing room, engaged in discussion of matters at Longbourn.
