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“For many years she was not just my older sister but my closest friend, my confidante. The time apart has changed that, we are different now. It saddened me that she excused Caroline Bingley but remonstrated with me.”
Another sigh.
“She has not said it but I believe she thinks I should have agreed to marry Mr. Collins. She is more understanding, more forgiving of Charlotte Lucas than I am. But I remember what she was to me, what she still is. I feel I should help.”
“Do you think Mr. Bingley will return?”
“I have no idea. Mary did not mention his return in her letter. They seemed to be well suited but Miss Bingley could not have been clearer in her disdain for the match. I do not know what she wrote in the letter to Jane, but I have no doubt that it is skewed in some way.”
“Let us move on from the motivations and talk about amounts.”
“That was the reason I was asking about Aunt Madeline’s dowry.”
“If you tried to match it, the total would be £10,000. My business is going from strength to strength but it would likely take you five or six years to save that amount. No, that is wrong. It would take double that time as I will not allow you to save all your income. Some of it must be set aside for yourself.”
“You will not allow me to contribute to the household expenses.”
“Dresses, other outfits, books, some tuition from Masters, some travel, these will all take up plenty of your funds. You have already taken over the wages of Robert and Claire.”
He stopped and looked at his niece.
“It is not the responsibility of a sister to provide dowries to siblings. That is the rightful role of the father.”
She nodded.
“I have not talked about my money with any of my family. It feels deceitful to have this good fortune and not share it.”
“It is a tough situation to deal with, I know. But it would not exist with any of the others. Mary was just 14 at the time of the accident, she could not have taken over as you did. The youngest two were clearly not able to. Even at 16 it was incredible what you achieved. And that is just with the house. I believe that Jane could have done as well as you in the house, gone about it a different way for sure, but she would have run my house well. But Lizzie, you know better than anyone that only you could survive, indeed thrive, when dealing with the business. Your energy that first six months was vital in stopping the wolves from attacking, letting me recover and then start to grow anew.
“Yes, coming here was an opportunity that the others did not have. At the same time it took you, what, a minute to make up your mind to come to London? But if Jane had come rather than you the business would be substantially smaller, and we would not be having this discussion as there would be nothing to discuss.”
“I cannot refute your statements, but it does not change how I feel.”
“I understand. Will you be satisfied with saving no more than half of your income?”
“I will.”
“Then that is how we shall proceed. Set the money aside and we will discuss how to apportion the money if there is a need. Mr. Bingley was attracted to Jane while knowing she had no dowry. Should he return and make an offer, then I do not see the need for you to offer any funds. Rather than speculate let us save the money and deal with the situation when it arises.”
Elizabeth knew her uncle was right. It was an acceptable compromise.
Chapter 16
“Come in Miss Elizabeth, it is good to see you again.”
“Thank you, Lady Maria. It was generous of you to invite me to visit today.”
“Nonsense. I am glad you were able to accept the invitation, especially for the whole day.”
Elizabeth had written to Lady Maria Leonard informing her she was now permanently residing in London. Their exact relationship was unclear, at least to Elizabeth. She thought of Lady Maria as a friend, although she would not presume to call her that, unless the Lady acknowledged it so herself. Rather than a mother figure, Lady Maria was someone that she could talk to, someone who listened and let Elizabeth ramble on at times, and who offered words of wisdom. Upon receipt of Elizabeth’s letter, she had replied the next day and invited Elizabeth to visit. She expected her to stay for the day, luncheon was specifically mentioned in the response. It was two weeks since the announcement of her uncle’s baronetcy and the investiture was scheduled for the following week.
“I would like you to be candid today Miss Elizabeth. That you are back in London, and permanently, speaks to your return to Hertfordshire not going as planned. I was going to say that I do not wish to pry, but in truth I do wish to pry. This is a significant change to your situation, even more than that of ’07.”
Elizabeth sipped her tea while thinking about the blunt request.
“If I may speak with equal candour, I do not wish my private affairs to be bandied about the town.”
“I will not share anything of what we speak today without your permission.”
