Page 30 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Elizabeth returned to Longbourn late in the afternoon.

She found Mary and Kitty together in the drawing room.

“Where is Jane?”

“Upstairs,” Mary said. “She has been crying ever since you left.”

“Because of Mr. Bingley.”

Kitty looked down at her hands. “She says she cannot bear to leave him.”

Elizabeth sank into a chair.

“We have lost everything, Lizzy,” Mary said.

“No. We still have one another.”

“For now,” Kitty whispered.

A carriage drew up outside, and Kitty went to the window.

“It is Mr. Bingley.”

Within minutes, Hill showed Mr. Bingley and his sister into the drawing room.

His smile disappeared when he saw them. “Miss Elizabeth, what has happened?”

“We have received word regarding Longbourn, sir. Mr. Collins died in March, but he left a five-year-old son. His widow intends to lease the estate, and we must leave.”

“Leave Longbourn?”

“Yes. Her solicitor will write to Uncle Phillips with the arrangements.”

Caroline came to Elizabeth and took her hand. “Oh, Miss Elizabeth. I am so sorry.”

“Thank you.”

Bingley glanced toward the door. “Where is Miss Bennet?”

“Upstairs. She is very distressed.”

His brow furrowed. “May I see her?”

“I will ask her.”

Elizabeth went upstairs and found Jane sitting on the edge of her bed. Her eyes were red from crying.

“Mr. Bingley is downstairs. He would like to see you.”

Jane looked at her.

“He knows about Longbourn?”

“Yes.”

Jane pressed her handkerchief between her fingers. “I cannot let him see me like this.”

“He is worried about you.”