“How did you accomplish all this?” she asked.
Mrs Bennet smiled through the tears that still flowed freely.
“After you left, I resolved to have everything repaired. I had to occupy myself with something, for at Mrs Phillips’s houseI was treated like a princess. I believed we should find a house to rent in Meryton—”
“As we had planned.”
“Exactly. And wherever we settled, I meant to bring our furniture.”
“And the library?” asked Elizabeth with some apprehension, for she had hoped that room might remain untouched for a future day when she possessed a home of her own.
“I brought everything. We have a vast attic here, perfectly dry, and clean.”
Then, to the surprise and delight of the ladies, Elizabeth opened a trunk and began distributing gifts amongst them.
Having left Derbyshire in haste, she soon realised that there was little purpose in rushing. It was unlikely that Mr Darcy would find the fugitives immediately. She had therefore stopped at Leicester, renowned for its leather goods and shoes, where she committed the extravagance of purchasing presents on a scale rarely seen in their family. She had felt an irresistible desire to bring them some happiness, and for a long while, the room echoed with their thanks and delight.
When tea was brought in, Elizabeth finally had the time to look at each of them. She would speak privately with every one of them in due course, but first she wished to offer some comfort.
“You know my friend, Mr Darcy.”
Every eye immediately turned towards her.
“He left for London before I did, intending to seek out certain acquaintances of his who may be able to help.”
“Oh,” said Mrs Bennet, pressing a hand to her breast, the only outward sign of her distress. “He wishes to find them?”
“Yes. He possesses some means of doing so, even if he does not know precisely where they have gone. He will certainly speak with Uncle Gardiner and Mr Bingley.”
“That is encouraging news,” said Mrs Phillips, inviting the ladies with a broad gesture to resume their tea, considering that conversation over.
Elizabeth supposed she would later go to her mother’s room and explain everything more fully, though there was little more to tell. Even in that imperfect manner, she had already shared all that she knew.
The ladies spoke warmly of Mr Darcy’s kindness, whilst Elizabeth turned towards Jane, who seemed almost radiant with happiness.
“I am so glad that you are happy despite everything that has happened,” she said.
“And certain of my fiancé,” came Jane’s whispered reply.
Those words could mean only one thing. Mr Bingley was in London, yet Jane felt entirely certain that he would return.
Though they had exchanged no confidence, Jane had lowered her voice and glanced towards Kitty. Unlike her own engagement, Kitty’s marriage, after Lydia’s dreadful adventure, could no longer be considered entirely secure.
Elizabeth wanted to spend time with her family, but looking at Kitty, she was overwhelmed with pity; her sister was pale and much slimmer than she had known her to be, so she rose, speaking with determination.
“I should like to place some flowers upon Papa’s grave. Will you come with me, Kitty?”
Everyone understood her intention.
The two sisters departed beneath the watchful eyes of Mrs Bennet and Mrs Phillips, both of whom had spent the last few days trying, without success, to reassure Kitty.
From the beautiful garden before the house, they gathered a basket filled with flowers of every colour and variety, then set out for the church, which stood only a short distance away.
“How wonderful that Papa is here beside us,” said Elizabeth.
Her voice trembled. During the past months, she had thought of him countless times, but always in the library at Longbourn and never in a churchyard.
“Mama has made nothing but excellent decisions,” said Kitty and Elizabeth immediately put an arm around her sister, sensing how close she was to tears.
