Page 75 of A Matter of Murder
“Of course, madam,” Mr. Grigson said, and began to direct the footmen accordingly.
“It’s impressive,” Charlotte reassured her. “Can you just imagine the parties that were held here?”
“There must have been plenty when it was first built, to justify the expense of this room,” Jane said. “The frescoes aren’t in terrible shape, but I wanted to replace the drapes before we entertained.”
Lizzie didn’t think anything in the ballroom looked shabby—not with its gleaming wooden floors and high ceiling, the tall windows framed by sumptuous (albeit faded) velvet drapes, and the crowning jewel, of course: the enormous crystal chandelier that hung in the middle of the room. It was three tiers, with the widest ring of crystals at the top, tapering into a tip upon which hung the largest crystal Lizzie had ever seen. It was capable of holding a small fortune in candles, and although it was unlit now, it sparkled in the morning sun. Lizzie could only imagine how stunning it would be when the candles were aglow and the room was full of people and music.
“No one will notice the drapes, and the frescoes will pale in comparison to the chandelier,” she reassured her sister.
Jane followed Lizzie’s gaze upward. “Oh, that will need to be polished and fitted with new candles. I do hope Mrs. Reed received our order from the candlemaker.”
“Would you like me to polish the chandelier next, ma’am?” Lizzie turned to find Agnes, holding a bucket and mop. In the wake of losing local help, all of the servants in the Bingleys’service had been deployed to prepare for the ball. The maid’s red hair was slightly disheveled, and there were two high pink spots her cheeks. Despite her recent exertion, she looked cheerful. “’Tis no trouble.”
“Yes, please,” Jane said, “but do catch your breath first, Agnes. It won’t do to have anyone fainting.”
“Of course, ma’am. Thank you for your concern. I’m quite all right.”
“Get one of the footmen to help,” Jane said, already turning to see if she could spot someone ready for the next task.
“Excuse me, Mrs. Bingley!” Sally had been polishing a set of silver candelabras in the corner, and now she marched over to Jane. “I really ought to take care of dusting the chandelier myself. She’s old and finicky, and I’m familiar with the mechanism for lowering her down within reach.”
“I don’t mind,” Agnes began to say, but Sally cut her off.
“I insist. I don’t want anyone getting hurt.” Her words were heavy with meaning.
“Neither do I,” Jane said. “Thank you, Sally. Agnes, can you find Mrs. Reed and see if she needs assistance airing out the lounge? I want to set up card tables in there for the gentlemen.”
“Yes, Mrs. Bingley,” Agnes said, darting a final glance up at the chandelier before heading out of the room.
“I’ll see to the chandelier next, madam,” Sally said.
“Thank you, Sally,” Jane said.
Sally went back to polishing the candelabras, and Lizzie’s gaze lingered on her a few moments longer. Despite yesterday’srevelations, she wasn’t about to try to press information out of Sally again quite so soon. The coins were locked away in Bingley’s strongbox, and he and Darcy were making inquiries about moving them to a safer location in London, but such preparations had to be carefully made.
The ladies were interrupted from their inspection of the ballroom by the sound of distant knocking. Jane stopped and cocked her head, listening. “Is that the front door? I’m not expecting anyone, and if someone is calling today, of all days—”
“I’m terribly sorry, madam,” Mr. Grigson said, turning on his heel and walking out of the room at a brisk pace. It was the closest Lizzie had seen the butler look to frazzled. Charlotte trailed after him.
“I’m a monster,” Jane whispered. “Even Mr. Grigson jumps when I speak.”
“What? No.” Lizzie nudged her sister so she was facing her. “Tensions are a little... high. But they always are before big events. Mr. Grigson just wants to see you happy. We all do.”
Jane bit her lip, and for a moment, Lizzie thought she was about to cry. “I am starting to think this was a very silly idea.”
“Of course it was,” Lizzie said with a straight expression. “I was the one who came up with it and announced it to half of Meryton society without consulting you.”
Jane smiled at that. “Yes, please no more rash invitations on my behalf. My nerves can’t take it.”
“Now you’re starting to sound like Mama,” Lizzie said, which made Jane pull a face.
“Lizzie, Jane,” Charlotte said from the door to the ballroom. “I think you might want to come here.”
They both turned, and that’s when Lizzie registered raised voices from down the hall and in the foyer. Curious, the Bennet sisters walked to the foyer, where they found Clara Jeffries standing just inside the door.
The young lady was panting heavily, and her hair was in disarray. Her shoulders sagged, and she held her right side, as if it pained her. “You must fetch her,” she was saying. “It’s urgent.”
“If you’re here to call on a servant, then I must ask you to knock at the kitchen door,” Mr. Grigson said stiffly. He looked up at the sound of their footsteps. “Mrs. Bingley! I do apologize about this—”