“Uncle, I have told Jane that the carriage will await her by the hermitage.”
“That is very good, Elizabeth. My footman will have no difficulty finding the place. Your aunt has decided to take you and Lydia on an excursion to the Tower of London to view the royalmenagerie. It will occupy the time while you await Jane’s arrival from Hertfordshire.”
“Thank you, Uncle.”
Elizabeth kissed her relations and retired for the night.
When she opened her eyes the following morning, she wondered for a moment where she was. The ceiling above her was painted white and ornamented with plasterwork of vines and birds extending around the room. Memory returned to her at once. This was the day Jane was to be collected from Longbourn.
Elizabeth rose at once and rang for the maid. After a few minutes, there came a tap at the door.
“Come in,” she called.
Sarah entered and curtsied. “I brought your bath water, Miss Lizzy.”
“Thank you, Sarah.”
The servant entered with two buckets of water. Elizabeth drew the hip bath from the corner and placed it near the fire. Sarah added the hot water, then withdrew. After bathing, Lizzy hurried downstairs, hoping to see her uncle, but he had already departed. Mrs. Gardiner met her in the entryway.
“Never mind, Lizzy. Your uncle arranged everything before he left. I expect Jane to arrive about two o’clock.”
Elizabeth relaxed her shoulders. “All seems in order. I am grateful that we are going out today, lest I spend the day worrying about my poor sister and her suffering over Mr. Goulding.”
“And how do you know this man, Lizzy? Does he attend church?”
“No, Aunt Maddie, he does not. He attends the assembly each month and stands apart, watching the young ladies as they pass.”
“Does he ask anyone to dance?”
“No. He merely stands and stares. Of late, Jane has caught his eye. She keeps as far from him as she may in our small assembly room, but it is never far enough to escape his notice. I do not know which of his vices is stronger, his love for money or his love for youth and beauty. Thus far, he has married for money, but now he has turned his eye to our dear Jane.”
At that moment, Lydia’s laughter was heard in the hall, and they looked up to see her skip into the room.
“Aunt Maddie, your house is large and handsome, and now I understand why Mamma does not like you. I believe she is jealous of your husband, your house, and your sweet little boy. Edward is awake, and he allowed me to play with him. He is the sweetest child I have ever seen.”
Mrs. Gardiner caught Elizabeth’s eye and lifted her brows.
“Mamma is jealous of Lizzy as well, for Papa thinks her clever, and everyone believes Lizzy a great beauty.”
Lydia paused. “I believe Mamma hates Lizzy.” She turned to catch her sister’s eye. “Do you think she hates you?”
“I do not know. I have never considered it before.”
“Come, girls. Let us eat breakfast, and then we shall go to the Tower to see the royal menagerie. Lydia, I believe you will enjoy this outing. They have capuchins there, which Edward delights in seeing. He believes they are toys that move.”
“I have never seen a monkey. When shall we go?”
“We will leave at ten o’clock. After, we shall take tea from one of the vendors and sit outdoors, so be sure to bring a bonnet. It will not do to burn your skin on your first day in London.”
Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner walked together through the exhibits, while Lydia held Edward’s hand and ran with him from one enclosure to the next. When he tired, she carried him. They spent two hours at the menagerie, after which they purchased tea and cakes and rested upon a bench beneath a great oak.
Once he finished his tea, Edward began to run, inviting Lydia to chase him.
“Lizzy, do you believe your mother hates you?”
“Perhaps. She is sharp with me, but I do not repine, for mother seldom speaks well of anyone, and I find it wearisome to be in her company. I prefer to walk to the oak grove and read my book.”
As she finished speaking, Edward stumbled over a small stone hidden in the grass. A ginger-haired gentleman set him upon his feet. Edward ran at once to his mother, crying, and buried his face in her skirts.
