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Elizabeth acknowledged she needed rest and did not fight Jane on her dictates. “Oh, I just remembered that tomorrow I was to teach the class. Who will go with Mary? I do not want her to do it on her own.”

“I would love to help her in your place if you do not mind?” Georgiana spoke up quickly.

She had talked with William at breakfast about the school and how they might try something similar at Pemberley.

Often, she felt of little use at home. She was not planning parties or teas.

She was not out and had no one to go on calls with.

If she had a project to work on, especially to help people, her days would have far more meaning.

“Not at all. I think you might enjoy it. They are all such dears. Please tell them I say hello,” Elizabeth murmured with a yawn.

“We will leave you in peace, Lizzie. Do you want another cold compress while you sleep?” Jane asked from the doorway.

“I think that would be nice. Thank you for being so attentive, Janie.” Elizabeth yawned once more before drifting off.

Kitty and Jane’s footsteps echoed in the hallway as they walked to the parlor, and Kitty murmured to her quietly, “I wanted to spare Elizabeth any distress, so I didn’t mention the news from home while we were in there.

Mr. Collins feels he has been very ill-used by our family and at Charlotte’s invitation, has been spending most of his time at the Lucases’s home.

By some comments he has been making, I think he will ask for Charlotte’s hand before he leaves on Friday. ”

“I believe Charlotte will be happy to accept, though I fear she does not fully understand how much living with Mr. Collins will affect her life. Or how much his patroness Lady Catherine will affect her life, for that matter,” Jane responded, genuinely concerned for the life her friend would lead if she made this choice.

Choosing a seat that seemed comfortable enough, Jane greeted both of the other ladies while trying to ignore the horrendous colors in the room.

Maybe Miss Bingley was colorblind; it was the kindest explanation she could come up with.

Signaling the maid, she asked that someone bring a cold compress to Elizabeth.

“How are you feeling, Mrs. Hurst? Any better today?” Georgiana queried from her spot next to Kitty.

“Yes, the tea Jane suggested has helped me so much. Being allowed to have the food I can stomach has also helped. Thank you, Mrs. Ansley, for being so considerate and asking me what would be helpful to serve. I love my sister, but she never took me into consideration.” Louisa smiled, so happy to be feeling better.

Mrs. Ansley smiled back, happy that she had helped someone to feel at ease.

“Oh, making sure all the people in a home are comfortable is the first obligation of a hostess. I truly enjoy making people comfortable. I believe that is why I became a companion, even though I was not obligated to, after my beloved Timothy passed away.”

“Miss Bennet, please do not think me presumptuous, but I overheard your earlier conversation. Do you have a connection with a Lady Catherine?” Georgiana asked while smoothing her skirt nervously.

“You can call me Jane if you wish. Our father’s heir, a distant cousin of ours, is a rector at the Hunsford parish, under the auspices of a Lady Catherine de Bourgh.” Jane attempted to keep her distaste for the man out of her expression.

“I am not sure you are aware, but Lady Catherine is my aunt, my mother’s older sister. I hate to say this, but she absolutely terrifies me. She is so critical of everything that I do, and the way she speaks down to everyone is just too much,” Georgiana admitted.

Kitty grimaced, remembering one of his recent lectures over the dinner table. “Somehow that is the image I have in my head of her. Our cousin never seems to stop pontificating about her and how she condescends to direct his life and the life of every other person within her sphere.”

“I have never met her rector, but if he is anything like the servile people she surrounds herself with, I can certainly imagine.”

Though it was nice that the girls were bonding, it was not the best conversation to have in the parlor, so Jane changed the topic. “Mrs. Hurst, how long have you been married to Mr. Hurst?”

“I have been married to him for just over a year. It was a rather trying first year. I hoped that a stay in the country would be a bit of a respite.” Louisa looked at the faces of the ladies in the room, remembering how Jane had stood up to Caroline.

They all seemed so kind. Maybe she had finally found some people who would be friends despite her sister.

Jane felt her chest swell with compassion for her new friend.

She also shuddered at the thought of having to suffer through Caroline’s grievances during the early stages of a marriage.

She refused to contemplate why this thought affected her so.

“I am sorry to hear that it was a painful year, especially as you were newly married. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.”

“I am not sure if any of you were aware, but I have just come out of mourning for both my parents and my older brother. There was a carriage accident. All three were gone in the blink of an eye. It was such a blow that I was quite blue-deviled. Some days I still am. I only hope that things will continue to improve.” Louisa was hopeful.

She had had a frank conversation with her husband the night before and he promised to work on the marriage with her.

It had never been a love match, but they had been friends until things went sideways. Maybe they could be friends again.

Mrs. Ansley’s heart went out to the woman who seemed to be beaten down by the world. “You poor dear. I know well how hard it can be to deal with the death of a loved one. I am always here to talk if you need a listening ear.”

“Yes, I am also available. Should you want to talk, I am certain my mother would be willing as well,” Jane confidently spoke up, grateful that despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Lizzie, things were starting to look up.