Page 14 of Count the Cost (The Secrets of Elizabeth Bennet #2)
E lizabeth sank into the luxurious cushions of her uncle’s best coach. How kind he was to send it and not the everyday one which he would use if he needed transport.
Mrs. Cousens sat opposite her, knitting needles flashing, content to remain silent unless Elizabeth wished to talk. Her aunt’s companion of many years was an older, motherly woman, as trustworthy as Aunt Gardiner, and Elizabeth found her company restful.
Up on top, Uncle had sent an extra two footmen, as well as the grooms and coachman.
They had to go back to town, of course, so Elizabeth could not object this time, but she was determined to speak to her uncle as soon as she could about it.
The more servants around her, the more attention she would attract, and the less safe she would be, would she not?
She reached for her book. Uncle had gifted it to her a few years ago, but she wanted to reread it before discussing further investments with him.
The author, Thomas Mortimer, had provided a lot of information about trading companies, even though as a woman, Elizabeth could hardly utilise it directly.
But she would be able to discuss with Uncle how he used the knowledge within.
Soon she was deep in the book, noting in her journal when she found something she wanted to remember.
She hurried into the house two hours later and embraced her aunt. “Oh, it’s so lovely to be back here, and thank you for suggesting it. Are you all well? The children?”
“They are well, Lizzy. Rather over-excited at the prospect of your stories, as you can imagine. But come through and take some tea. Your uncle has arranged to be home for luncheon today and will stay at home this afternoon.” Aunt smiled fondly at her.
“He is as impatient as you to catch up with all the news.”
Elizabeth sighed happily. This was worth it, coming here.
She was still rather worried about Jane; but her sister had chided her.
“I am more than two years older than you, Lizzy. You must not feel responsible for me. I understand what you say about Miss Bingley, but I have not known her brother nearly long enough to make any sort of decisions. And you’ll all be home for Christmas, won’t you? That’s only six weeks away.”
She was right. Six weeks would pass in a flash here, Elizabeth knew. The opportunity to be always busy was too good to miss.
She sat beside her aunt on the settee. “So, tell me all your news, Aunt. Are you happy at the orphanage? Is it very satisfying?”
Aunt gave her a sharp look. “It is. Have you been thinking of filling your life even more?”
Elizabeth laughed. “I do miss being useful when I am here. Mary and Jane and I can barely keep up with all the tenant visits and sewing garments for the children. I’m not sure how they will manage without me until Christmas.
” She stared into her cup thoughtfully. “So if Jane does marry Mr. Bingley, I think I may not be spared to come here.” She glanced up at her aunt. “I’m not sure what to do about that.”
Aunt Gardiner shook her head. “It ought not to be your problem, Lizzy. Your mother should be doing most of this, and Kitty and Lydia should be helping, too. I think we will need to do something soon about freeing you older girls from the responsibility that ought not to be yours.”
Elizabeth raised her brows. “However do you think you might do that?”
Aunt Gardiner shook her head. “We will be better discussing that when your uncle is here, Lizzy. But I must not keep you talking; you must wish to go upstairs and refresh yourself from the journey, and after that your uncle will be home and luncheon will be ready.” She patted Elizabeth’s shoulder.
“It is good to have you here, and there will be time for a lot of talking, provided you do not go to the warehouse every day.” Her light tone ensured she did not sound reproachful and Elizabeth dropped a kiss on her aunt’s cheek.
“I always feel so welcome here, Aunt. Thank you.”
Uncle Gardiner greeted her in his usual affectionate fashion, and Elizabeth felt the tension within her relaxing during the exchange of family news over lunch. Afterwards, they took comfortable chairs in the drawing room, and Elizabeth took a sip of her tea, and leaned back.
“I’m sorry to be saying it again, but it is so good to be here again, and thank you for saying I may stay until Christmas.”
“Don’t slouch, dear,” her aunt chided her gently, her own posture as ramrod straight as always, and Elizabeth gave a half-hearted laugh as she pushed herself up.
“I would like to see you try to correct Lydia’s posture, Aunt.” She noticed her aunt and uncle exchange glances, and her eyebrows went up. “I am not trying to get you to have Lydia here, Aunt, not at all. I love her dearly, but she does rather leave chaos in her wake — and it even precedes her!”
“I had noticed,” was the rather dry response, and Elizabeth looked curiously from her to her uncle.
He shook his head. “We have a lot to discuss over the next few weeks, Lizzy. There are the usual matters of business that we regularly cover, as well as what you wish to do with your life in the future, and how we can help you with that. In addition, we have been considering how we — the three of us here now — can assist your sisters rather differently to just having you work so hard to provide them with dowries.” He smiled uneasily.
“For example, rather than a dowry, your two youngest sisters are likely to benefit more from a governess who can rein in their behaviour which will be of far greater use.” He tipped his head to look at his niece. “I am sure you have the same immediate response that we had?”
Elizabeth nodded gloomily. “While it is the right thing for Kitty and Lydia, I don’t think it will be easy to persuade either Papa or Mama of the necessity; even if Papa — as I think he will — agrees that it is a good idea.”
“That is a discussion we must plan carefully before we speak to them,” her aunt agreed, and nodded briskly.
“But I know you must be tired from the journey, and the children will be down in an hour, very anxious to monopolise your attention, so do go up and have a rest on your bed, Elizabeth. There is always another day for these discussions, although we both know that you will come down with a selection of ideas from what we have been discussing.”
“I think I will, just for an hour, Aunt.” Elizabeth rose to her feet. It would be good to rest for a while, although the idea of a governess was a good one. She could easily afford it, even though the money must appear to come from Uncle Gardiner.