“Lizzie, I…”
“I recognised Mary’s writing from the envelope, dearest. Was it bad news?”
They drifted across the room together to the window. It gave them a fair view of the garden, where a sweet pea and a honeysuckle were hugging a warm brick wall and competing for the first bloom of the season. Elizabeth had asked the gardeners to let the grass grow a little longer beside the window, so that daisies could peek out from between the blades.
It was slowly becoming like the pretty ‘wild’ garden which she had loved in Longbourn. Then, she used to hide behind a gnarly oak tree whenever she was unhappy. Now, she felt the same comforting balm just by seeing the untouched flowers.
Jane felt similarly and often found it easier to speak of difficult things when they were in the garden, or at least looking at it. Lizzie wrapped her arms around her sister’s waist and kissed her cheek, waiting for bad news.
Jane surprised her: “No - indeed, one detail brings me much joy! Our sisters ask if they can attend the ball.”
Elizabeth beamed, for she missed the younger girls immensely. Guessing as to the topic of the rest of the letter, she ventured:
“What of mama?”
“She asks for no invitation, for she claims none is required in her own daughter’s house. She has already commissioned a gown, I understand, but only for herself. Father is still unwell, and our mother has no intention of bringing the rest of the family. Mary says to expect her within the month.”
“We did guess she would try something like this. We are prepared, Jane. I shall write to Mary at once and tell her that rooms will be prepared for our sisters. They must come as soon as they can, since mama has decided to leave them to their own devices. You must tell them not to worry about their gowns; I will ask the best dressmaker I know to tend to them. As tomama, if she intends to surprise us then she must know that we are not ready for her visit. She will certainly not be housed in the family rooms, for they shall all be occupied by people whowereinvited.”
Jane smiled, her lips trembling. Most of her beauty had returned, nurtured by her family’s kindness and love. The mere thought of seeing her mother again had brought the pinched look back to her cheeks.
“Miss Bennet?”
Her head shot up at once. “Mr. Bingley?”
The man hovered beside her with the nervous, puppyish desire to please that they knew so well. “May I be of assistance, madam?”
Jane went pink, “I thank you sir, but…”
“Yes!” Elizabeth interrupted, grabbing Jane’s hand to silence her. “Mr. Bingley, my sister has a slight headache. Perhaps some fresh air will revive her. Will you walk with her? Around the lake, perhaps?”
“Lizzie!” Jane hissed.
Bingley offered his arm at once; Elizabeth helpfully transferred Jane’s unresisting hand to his care. The man patted her fingers comfortingly, making light conversation about her pretty blue dress and how it would match the beautiful bluebells outside.
“Are you joining us, Mrs. Darcy?” he ended, offering her the other arm.
“I am afraid I cannot, sir. I have pressing business here.”
“Very pressing.” Jane muttered as she was led away.
Still, Jane could not pretend to be cross for long. Even her irritation at her devious sister could not eclipse her delight at spending the morning arm-in-arm with Mr. Bingley.
She was becoming quite fond of him, even when he smelled of sausages.
Chapter 45
The poison had caused great damage to Georgiana’s lungs. Indeed, it was that which had nearly killed her. Darcy still had nightmares where he heard her harsh, rattling breaths choking wetly in his ears. Worse, though, was the sudden silence which sometimes followed.
For an awful moment, after she had drunk the poison, Georgiana had lain on the floor in silence. Her skin was so white it looked blue, and her frightened panting turned into a single, wrenching rasp and then she was… still.
Thank God the doctor had been there.
In his nightmares, as in real life, Georgiana had clung to her brother as the poison took hold. Her last words burned his ears.
I’m scared! I’m scared, Fitz! Don’t let me go!
The nightmares sent him reeling and retching from the bed. When the terror really took hold, Darcy had to run to Georgiana’s room to make sure that she was just sleeping.
