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Mrs. Hill had anticipated them and was supervising the two scullery maids as they carried sealed barrels from the back of a storeroom.

“Oh excellent Mrs. Hill. Mary, while I am in Meryton could you select a dress for each of us to be dyed?”

“Of course Lizzie.”

With a quick embrace they parted and Elizabeth mounted Daisy and headed the one mile into Meryton. She disliked riding but knew the essentials. There was no time to be wasted over her preferences. She was nearing the outskirts of the small town when she spotted the Philips’ carriage heading towards her. She turned Daisy around and waited for the carriage to pull alongside. Her Aunt Martha was sobbing quietly into a handkerchief so it was her Uncle Paul that spoke as they returned to Longbourn.

“It was good of you to come and check that we had received the news. Thank you, Lizzie. How is everyone?”

Elizabeth pursed her lips ruefully.

“As expected. Mama is.”

Elizabeth stopped.

“She is shattered. She has worried about Papa dying and our future for years. But she always assumed Uncle Edward would be there. That he is so grievously injured and Aunt Madeline is dead. Well, her grief is deep.”

Her aunt had said nothing so far but Elizabeth could see her nodding behind the handkerchief. It was only a few minutes before they were at Longbourn and Elizabeth led the Philips into the parlour.

“Oh Martha, our poor dear Edward, and Madeline dead as well.”

The arrival of her sister gave fresh voice to Mrs. Bennet’s grief and set off her two youngest daughters as well. Aunt Philips’ arrival did allow Jane to slip away and she and Elizabeth embraced in the hall. Their twin questions of ‘how are you?’ were said over each other. Even at this time of sadness it generated a small smile. Elizabeth indicated that Jane go first.

“I had just managed to get Mama to calm down when Aunt Philips arrived. Kitty and Lydia are following her example.”

Elizabeth nodded.

“When Papa first read the news they did not seem to know how to act. When Mama started wailing they followed her example. The four of them will calm down eventually I am sure.”

Jane nodded.

“How are you Lizzie? And where is Mary?”

“I am doing as well as can be expected, trying to keep busy. Mary is with Mrs. Hill identifying dresses for us all that can be dyed. If we can get them dyed before dinner then they should be able to be worn tomorrow.”

“Thank you for getting that started. I will go and help Mary and Mrs. Hill.”

The parlour door opened and Mr. Bennet and Mr. Philips left the room, the latter closing the door behind them.

“Lizzie, can you join us in my study please.”

With a squeeze of their hands Jane and Elizabeth separated. She followed her father and uncle to the study. It was also his library, or his ‘bookroom’, or the estate office, depending on the occasion. Once her father was sitting behind his desk she returned the two letters, laying them flat on the surface.

“Did you receive the same letters as we did Paul?”

Elizabeth watched as her Uncle Paul produced his letters. It took only a cursory glance to see that the letter from the solicitor was identical.

“There is a lot that we need to do, and we do not have much, if any, time. It is the summer and Madeline needs to be buried as quickly as possible. Thomas, do you have black suit?”

“Er, yes I do.”

“Good, so do I. Once this meeting is over I suggest that you head to London immediately to deal with the identification and the undertaker. If we can get that dealt with late this evening then Madeline can be buried tomorrow.”

Thomas Bennet was nodding absent-mindedly.

“Uncle Philips may I make a suggestion?”

“Of course you can Lizzie.”