Very odd.
Her father lowered his book just enough to look over the edge of it. “Well, if someone has finally decided to conduct Longbourn’s business sensibly, I entirely approve.”
Under ordinary circumstances, Elizabeth might have smiled faintly at the remark.
Instead, unease settled coldly into her stomach.
The folded packet was damp around the edges from travel, the seal partially cracked. Elizabeth recognized neither the handwriting nor the hand that had addressed it.
Certainly not her aunt’s.
Elizabeth broke the seal with unsteady fingers and unfolded several closely written sheets. The handwriting was cramped and uneven, as though written by candlelight from exhaustion.
Her eyes immediately flew to the signature at the bottom.
Mrs. Thompson?The name was not familiar.
A terrible chill swept through Elizabeth, and her hands trembled as she read.
Gracechurch Street
London
29 January 1809
Miss Elizabeth Bennet,
I pray you will forgive both the boldness and disorder of this letter. We are not yet acquainted, as I have been in the position of housekeeper for but two months.
Your aunt instructed me most particularly, should the worst occur, that I was to send immediately for you and for no one else.
I scarcely know how to put into words the horrors of the past five days.
The flooding in London has been beyond anything I have witnessed in all my years. The rain fell without ceasing upon ground already frozen hard from the bitter cold earlierthis month. The waters rose so swiftly that entire streets disappeared within hours. Cellars filled first, then shops, and finally even the lower floors of many homes.
The Thames overflowed its banks dreadfully. Warehouses near the river were inundated, and many persons were swept away in the waters.
On the morning of the 24th, Mr. Gardiner went himself to inspect the warehouses, fearing for the goods stored there. The current became so violent near the river roads that witnesses report several carts overturned entirely.
Your uncle never returned home.
We held hope for two days, believing perhaps he had found shelter elsewhere within the city, but his body was recovered yesterday morning downstream amongst debris near Wapping.
At the news, your poor aunt was taken immediately with pains far before her proper time.
Under ordinary circumstances, we should at once have summoned both physician and midwife, but the flooding rendered the streets nearly impassable. No carriage could pass. Even foot travel proved dangerous in many places. Several attempts were made to fetch assistance, but none could reach us in time.
Your aunt suffered greatly.
The infant—a little boy—was born alive but exceedingly small and weak. He survived less than an hour.
Mrs. Gardiner herself lingered through the night.
I remained with her throughout.
Toward the end, she became very calm and spoke repeatedly of you.
She said you were the only person who would know what must be done.
