The older lady clasped each sister's hand in turn, pressed it with sympathy, and withdrew.
Soon after, Elizabeth and Jane completed their business and stepped out onto the wooden platform in front of the post office. Jane held two letters, one addressed in Lydia’s hand and another from Mary. As she lifted her eyes, she perceived Mr. Goulding advancing in their direction. She drew nearer to Elizabeth and took her arm.
“Come, Lizzy. Let us hasten home to Papa. He will be glad to receive Mary’s letter.”
They set off together, increasing their pace along the lane. Jane bent her head toward Elizabeth.
“Mr. Goulding was making his way toward us, Lizzy. He is the last man in the world whose company I could endure.”
Elizabeth regarded her with understanding. “Mamma did us a grave disservice. He may imagine that you would receive an offer from him.”
Jane shuddered. “Thanks to our mother, we cannot conduct the simplest errand in our own village without apprehension, which is most vexing.”
“Come, Jane. I wish to call at the circulating library before we return home.”
They altered their course toward the bookseller, yet had not gone many steps before Lady Lucas emerged from the haberdashery adjoining it and intercepted them.
“My dear girls, I was shocked, quite shocked, when I learned that your mother was struck down with the influenza. I can scarcely believe she is gone from us. I continue to expect that I shall see her seated in church.”
Jane answered for them both. “Yes, Lady Lucas. We are each day endeavoring to accustom ourselves to her loss. And how does Charlotte fare? I understand she has been in London, visiting relations.”
Lady Lucas shook her head, unsmiling. “Yes, my Charlotte was resolved upon going. She declares she is not likely to secure a beau here in Meryton, for there are no eligible bachelors to be found, and so she has gone to seek her fortune.”
Elizabeth regarded her closely. “Then you do not expect her return in the near future?”
“No, Lizzy. She intends to remain in London until she is married. I miss her exceedingly. She was of great assistance in the kitchen, though Maria begins to render herself more useful.” Lady Lucas paused, then added, “And Lydia? I hear she has beensent away to school. Was there some reason she was removed from us with such haste?”
Jane stood as though deprived of speech. Elizabeth replied, her brows furrowed. “Our sister felt Mamma’s death most severely, particularly as she had been away in London at the time. My father and uncle judged it prudent to divert her mind by placing her in school. You know, Lady Lucas, that Lydia was Mamma’s favorite, and she feels the loss most acutely.”
“Yes, of course she would. Frances doted upon the child. I am sorry to learn that Lydia is so overcome.”
Elizabeth asked, “May we write to Charlotte? It grieves me that we were unable to take our leave of her.”
“Certainly, my dear. I shall write out her direction and give it into your hands next Sunday at church.”
Lady Lucas repeated her expressions of sympathy and withdrew.
Elizabeth released a breath of indignation. “The presumption of that woman, to attempt to raise scandal regarding Lydia.”
She met Jane’s eye. “Do you suppose she has learned that Wickham and Lydia exchanged notes?”
Jane reflected. “I doubt it. None of us suspected it, not even Kitty, who is Lydia’s particular favorite. Lydia was exceedingly artful in the matter.”
“Unless Wickham himself disclosed it among the officers.”
Jane considered this possibility. “He may have done so, yet how should Lady Lucas have come by such a tale? Aunt Phillips has always described the officers as quiet and gentlemanly. They would not repeat such conduct at a lady’s dinner table.”
Elizabeth pressed her lips into a thin line. “You are correct. Lady Lucas is well acquainted with Lydia’s disposition and was, I suspect, merely conjecturing in the hope that we might betray ourselves by look or word. That she should endeavor to draw us out for particulars is highly improper, not to mention unkind.”
“Pray do not dwell upon it, Lizzy. Let us complete our errands.”
Elizabeth could not restrain herself. “Jane, it only proves the depth of jealousy and rivalry between those two ladies that it should endure even beyond the grave.”
Together they entered the bookseller’s shop.
While Elizabeth examined the catalog on the counter, Jane conversed with the clerk.
“Miss Bennet, have you heard that Netherfield Park is at last sold?”
