“No, ma’am. They have not yet returned.” He took their outerwear. “Cook has prepared a light luncheon for you. Shall I have it set out?”
“Yes, thank you, Christopher. We shall go upstairs to change out of our walking dresses and then come down to eat.”
“Yes, mistress.”
Mrs. Gardiner delivered Edward to his nurse and then retired to change her dress. By the time the three women descended, the front door was thrown open, and Jane was ushered inside.
Elizabeth hurried forward and wrapped her arms around her beloved sister, with Aunt Maddie and Lydia following close behind.
“Come, my dear niece. I am quite delighted to see you rescued from your mother at last. We were on the point of sitting down to a late luncheon. Will you join us, or would you prefer to go upstairs and change your gown?”
Jane laughed. “I have no clothing with me, Aunt, unless Lizzy will permit me to borrow a gown.”
“Of course,” Elizabeth said. “I shall come with you and help you dress. We shall join you shortly, Aunt, but please do not wait for us. I know you are both hungry.”
“I am starving, Aunt Maddie,” Lydia said. “It is quite late.”
As the two sisters ascended to the second floor, Elizabeth spoke in a low voice. “Jane, we met the most amiable gentleman today in the park. He has beautiful red hair, an excellent figure, and such handsome features that you will swoon the moment you lay eyes upon him. Best of all, he has invited us to dine with him tomorrow.”
Jane laughed. “Lizzy, I have not seen you so animated in years.”
“With a mother such as ours, who can afford animation. Yet, I believe you will be taken with Mr. Bingley the moment you see him. I very nearly was myself.”
She opened the door. “This is my room.”
They examined Elizabeth’s dresses, many of which had once belonged to Jane. Elizabeth drew out a gown of sapphire blue.
“How about this one?”
Jane took it in her hands. “Yes, that was one of my favorite gowns.”
Elizabeth fastened the small buttons down the back of the gown, and once Jane was dressed, they went down together to rejoin the others. The two elder sisters served themselves, and when they were seated, Mrs. Gardiner addressed the footman.
“Christopher, you may leave us. Please close the door behind you.”
“Yes, mistress.”
Mrs. Gardiner then turned to Jane. “Well, my dear, how did matters proceed? I read your uncle’s letter to your father. Was he much displeased?”
Jane’s expression turned grave. “Mary was in the drawing room with Mamma when Samuel was admitted to the house.” The women drew nearer, attentive to every word.
“He asked for Mary first and handed her Lizzy’s letter, then asked for my father and was shown to the study. Mary read Lizzy’s letter aloud, and we were both astonished. She locked the door while I rose from my bed and hastened into a gown. Mary gathered my night things and necessities while I pulled on my stockings and slippers and did what I could with my hair. I left a note of explanation and apology to Papa with my sister, then, with my night bag in hand, we crept down the servants’ stairs and out through the kitchen door. No one was about, and we were not seen.” She reached for Elizabeth’s hand and pressed it as if for reassurance.
“We ran to the hermitage and waited what felt like an age. I began to fear that I had been left behind. At last, we saw the hired carriage approach. Samuel leaped down from the bench and handed me inside. He gave this to me.”
Jane produced a thick envelope from her reticule and handed it to her aunt.
Aunt Gardiner turned it over in her hands. “It is addressed to your uncle, yet I shall open it, as Edward will not return for several days.”
She broke the seal and drew out several pound notes and a folded letter.
“It is a short note,” she said, and then she read it aloud.
Edward,
There is no need to be so severe in your judgment of my conduct, or my lack of it. I am well aware of my failings without your dwelling upon them. I have enclosed the full tuition for the year and will also have my brother, Phillips, execute a change of guardianship for Lydia, which should allow you to act on her behalf in any matter relating to her well-being.
As regards Jane, I understand your concerns. I would say that I should never have given my daughter to that man, though I know neither you nor Jane will be inclined to believe me, thinking me too weak to stand against my wife. Whatever your opinion, I have also enclosed fifty pounds toward a new wardrobe for Jane, as I imagine my daughter must have fled with little more than the clothes she wore. Ask her to write to me from time to time, so that I may know how she fares away from her mother.
