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“So you responded by calling her a traitor.”
“Yes, I mocked her with a deep courtesy, then called her a Hapsburg for what she implied. Even they are not so cavalier with consanguinity. I did not call her a Catholic but did ask if she was working for a foreign power. Oh and I mentioned the Young Pretender’s brother who died four years ago.”
Claire joined her husband in laughing.
“So you implied that she was a Jacobite as well?”
Elizabeth nodded while smirking.
“So what is your plan?”
“We are leaving at first light. If Jane returns to her room before I retire then I will tell her direct. If not, then I will leave a note. We will walk back to Longbourn.”
She went to the window.
“At least it has stopped raining. Staying to the paths adds more than a mile to the journey but it will be significantly drier and cleaner.”
She smiled at her friends, who happened to be her staff.
“So are you ready for a four mile walk?”
There was a knock at the door.
“Lizzie?”
Robert quietly left via the servants’ stairs and Claire let Jane Bennet into the room.
“How are you Jane?”
Elizabeth got there first before her sister could say anything.
“I am mortified at the whole evening. I know Miss Bingley should not have spoken thus to you but did you need to make it so much worse?”
“You think I made it worse?”
“Yes.”
“I see. Well I am leaving at first light. Claire and Robert will be with me. I will see you at church.”
Elizabeth’s face was a mask, blank and bland. But her heart was saddened at her sister’s reaction. And her mind was raging.
“That is all you are going to say after upsetting Mr. Bingley’s sister?”
“We can talk about this tomorrow when we return to Longbourn. Claire will assist you in preparing for bed.”
When Claire returned to Elizabeth’s room she had not moved. Claire said nothing about Elizabeth’s red eyes or the damp handkerchief in her hand.
Chapter 11
Dawn was not until 7.00 but Elizabeth and her two staff left as soon as the morning light was sufficient for walking safely. It would be close to two hours to return to Longbourn and the first 30 minutes were silent, all three alone with their thoughts. Claire was the first to speak.
“May I enquire as to how you are feeling this morning, Miss Elizabeth?”
She was still thinking of the red eyes and tear stained handkerchief from the previous evening.
“Confused Claire, confused.”
Claire glanced at her husband and they waited for Elizabeth to say more.
