“It signifies,” Lord Matlock replied, “that you have been living off funds intended for Miss Bennet’s care for twenty years.”
Mr. Bennet frowned.
“You said Trevelyan died fifteen years ago. How then were the payments continued?”
“That,” said Lord Matlock, “is a matter between the Trevelyan estate and this family. It need not concern you further.”
“Enough,” Elizabeth said, stepping forward.
“I do not belong here. I never did. To you,” she said, looking at Mr. Bennet, “I was a steward. Someone to keep the books, manage the harvest, and spare you the inconvenience of attending to your own affairs. To you,” she said, turning to Mrs. Bennet, “I was a reminder of something you resented. I could not win your approval because it was never truly available to me.”
Her gaze moved briefly toward Jane.
“You valued my usefulness and never once considered whether I was happy.”
Jane stepped forward, her eyes bright with tears.
“That is not true, Lizzy. I loved you always. Do not let this evening make you forget it.”
“I will remember you, Jane,” Elizabeth said. “Just as you are. I pray you get everything you deserve.”
She turned to Darcy.
“I am tired. I am done. I am ready to leave this house forever.”
He took her hand.
“Yes,” he said quietly. “It is time for you to come home.”
“I need to collect my things.”
“I will come with you,” Lady Matlock said, stepping forward before anyone else could speak.
Darcy and Lord Matlock moved without a word, placing themselves between Elizabeth and the Bennets.
Elizabeth directed Lady Matlock to her room, the smallest in the house. Lord Matlock said nothing, though Elizabeth suspected very little escaped her notice.
Elizabeth found the small bundle she had packed that morning and added the documents Kitty had brought her that afternoon. She looked around the room to see whether there was anything else worth taking now that there was no longer any haste, but there was very little in it she cared to keep.
“Are you all right?” Lady Matlock asked.
“I will be.”
“Is there anything I may do?”
Elizabeth was quiet a moment.
“I feel selfish simply leaving.”
“I think those below have given you far less consideration than you now give them.”
Elizabeth smiled faintly.
“That is not entirely true. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet did raise me, whatever else may be said of them. I think I turned out reasonably well.”
“Remarkably well,” Lady Matlock corrected gently. “Very likely despite them rather than because of them.”
“Perhaps. But some of the girls might have become very different women under different circumstances.” She hesitated. “One certainly. Perhaps two.”
