Page 2

“Mark my words, once the news gets out there will be a line of suitors at that door!” her mother went on, ignoring Elizabeth.

Mrs Bennet went on without a pause, speaking of ordering a whole new wardrobe for Elizabeth, and of course, her Lizzy would be so generous as to buy them all dresses and a new suit of clothes for her father, once she was married and settled with her inheritance.

Lydia loudly added her pleas for a new pair of dancing slippers, while Kitty mournfully supposed that she would probably be forgotten while everyone else had new things.

Amid the hubbub generated by her mother and younger sisters, her father came around from the other side of the desk and hugged Elizabeth.

“I am only glad that you will be provided for,” he whispered into her hair, then planted a peck on her forehead.

“I can think of no one more deserving than yourself.”

“I do not think I am anything particularly special,” she said with a small smile.

“And that is why you deserve it,” he told her with a wink. He turned and left her to her mother’s care, shooing them all out of his study.

“Elizabeth, my dearest daughter,” Mrs Bennet gushed on. “You will marry well now, I have not a doubt of it, and help your sisters to do likewise.”

The house was in an uproar for the next little while, as her mother called for a bowl of punch to be given to the servants.

A special tea was ordered and served in the parlour.

When callers came later that afternoon, her mother announced the joyous news to them all.

Elizabeth winced to see herself made the centre of attention in such a way.

She had never considered herself shy — would have laughed at the very idea of it.

But to be held up as a heroine simply because her uncle had been more generous to her than she deserved…

Rather than be allowed to take her walk about the property or read in peace, she was forced to sit in the stuffy parlour and listen to her mother go on about how they were all saved, now that she had an inheritance to look forward to.

All of Jane’s delicate hints could not stop their mother from boasting.

The crowning touch was Mrs Bennet’s proud declaration before all their callers that “I mean to see her married well before she is twenty-five, so that we may lay our hands on the money as soon as possible.”

With her embarrassment complete, Elizabeth was finally able to leave the parlour when the last of their visitors had gone.

Jane followed her up to the room they shared on the third floor.

Elizabeth let out a sigh of relief when the door was closed and the quiet settled around them.

“I have never been so exhausted in all my life.”

Jane cast her a concerned look. “You are not falling ill, are you, Lizzy?”

“No. Not in any physical way, that is. However, it makes my stomach turn to think of Mama telling all those ladies that I am an heiress now. Did you see the way they looked at me?”

“I did not notice anything particularly menacing,” Jane said and settled on the edge of the bed. She patted the mattress beside her, and Elizabeth sat down with a huff.

“It was not that they were menacing, nor even jealous. But they did look at me differently. I’ve always known where I stood with our neighbours. I am afraid this is going to change everything. That people will see me differently — treat me differently. Oh, no, I do not like it at all!”

Jane put an arm around her and gently rubbed her shoulder. “You only need a little while to get used to the idea, and to get over the shock, I daresay.”

Elizabeth frowned. “I suppose you are right. I do not understand any of this. Why would Uncle Alfie leave the legacy to me specifically, instead of all of us? Or to you? You are the eldest. It should have gone to you, not I.”

Jane clicked her tongue. “Nonsense. Uncle Alfred was very fond of you, and that makes me like him all the more. He had very good taste,” she said with a smile.

Elizabeth chuckled at her sister’s kindness.

“Now you are the one talking nonsense. You are the one who is perfect in every way, and the ‘beauty of the county’, as Mama would say. There is no logical reason he should have chosen me.” Guilt washed over her.

She loved her sisters dearly, and she would help them as much as she could.

Yet it felt strange to think that men would flock to Longbourn, as her mother had suggested.

“Perhaps all of this will blow over without anything coming of it. I should like to marry for love rather than convenience, no matter what our mother says about receiving the inheritance as soon as possible. And I cannot help but feel that I do not deserve this legacy.”

“You need not feel any guilt at this fortuitous turn of events, Lizzy. After all, it will give you the freedom to marry as you wish, as you have said. And it will help the rest of us to be raised in the eyes in the eyes of society,” Jane argued.

She brushed a hand over Elizabeth’s brunette waves in a motherly gesture. “All will be well, you’ll see.”

Jane was very nearly an angel, Elizabeth mused, as her sister got up and sat down at the vanity.

She smoothed her hands over her light blonde hair, undoing the neat bun she had made of it that morning.

Her good sense and sweet disposition would make her the perfect wife someday.

She had no lack of suitors, but none of them had proposed marriage to her, no doubt on account of her small dowry.

Each of the five girls would have their equal share in the five thousand pounds that Mrs Bennet had brought to her marriage — and likely nothing more.

When the word got around that Elizabeth was in line to receive a handsome fortune, would things change for her — not to mention Jane? Perhaps it would be a blessing after all, for they would be freed from the threat of homelessness, and the accompanying pressure to marry as early as they could.

“Well, now that our family’s fortunes have improved, perhaps you will soon find the man you wish to marry,” Elizabeth remarked, pushing herself off the bed and joining her sister at the vanity.

Jane rolled her eyes heavenward and gave a tight-lipped smile. “I am not the one being given a fortune, Lizzy. You are.”

“Still. If the inheritance changes anything, I should like to think it can help you in finding a superior man.” Elizabeth’s face fell, and the joviality ebbed out of her voice. “I do so want to see you settled and safe, Jane. But I shall miss you terribly when you marry.”

Jane turned around and took her hands, tenderly pressing them between hers. “Dearest Lizzy, I shall be lost without you.”

Elizabeth sat down on the floor and tucked her feet under her, resting her head against the bed next to Jane. “Promise me we shall find husbands that get along well and that we shall not have to live over ten miles apart.”

Sighing heavily, Jane brushed her hand over Elizabeth’s hair.

“I do not know what the future will hold, Lizzy. But I can promise that I shall always love you as my dearest and closest friend. If a great distance separates us, we shall have letters. And I will impress upon my husband, whoever he may be, that we will get together for the holidays at one of our fine, grand houses.”

Elizabeth laughed. “I would not know about fine, grand houses, but I do know I must marry a man who appreciates me for my mind more than the state of my bank account. Though with such a requirement, I suppose I may never get married.”

“You will, Lizzy. You are strong, spirited, and kind. And pretty as the day is long.” Jane smiled as Elizabeth stood up, wagging her finger.

“Lying does not become you, dear sister,” Elizabeth teased.

“I never lie,” Jane said firmly, then turned back to the glass and continued smoothing out her hair. “Do not worry, Lizzy. You will see this is a blessing when all is told.”

Elizabeth nodded, then planted herself on the hope chest to continue chatting with her sister. The inheritance was a blessing — surely it was. Yet somehow, Elizabeth could not help but wonder if such a blessing might come at a cost.