Page 45 of Count the Cost (The Secrets of Elizabeth Bennet #2)

E lizabeth was tired. She had been at the warehouse with her uncle for the better part of the day, working in his office and writing up her plans.

Over lunch, she and Uncle Gardiner continued to work, discussing her notes and agreeing with him that she would write to Mr. Reed, explaining that she wanted to hire a man like him in India to do a similar job there, touring the rural areas to find beautiful and unique objects that would be easy to sell for a good price, representing the scarcity value.

He would be able to liaise with the merchants from whom they imported the great bolts of fabric.

They would also need to find a trustworthy contact in China.

The silks there could be valuable to her business, and that of her uncle, too.

She walked quietly on her uncle’s arm back to Gracechurch Street. It was not far, and she relished the fresh, chill air despite the smoke from almost every chimney. It was good to be in an area where her walking attracted little attention.

But they were in time for dinner, and then Elizabeth thought she might have an early night.

Aunt Gardiner greeted her with a hug. “I am sorry, Lizzy, but you have two letters. It bodes ill that your mother has written. The other is from Jane, but her handwriting of the direction is rather less neat than usual.”

Elizabeth grimaced; her mother had not written in all the time she had been away. “I hope she does not want me to bring my sisters out into society.”

“Oh, I’m sure she won’t be writing about that, Lizzy.” Her uncle remonstrated. “After all, that is not so urgent and she will wish to put pressure on us when we are there at Christmas, will she not? In any event, she does not know of your wealth and that you are out in society here.”

“Of course. You are right, Uncle,” she said in relief. Then she glanced over at her aunt. “May I just look at them before dinner, Aunt? Then, if there is anything to discuss, we can do so.”

“Of course, dear. I’ll just go up and say goodnight to the children.”

Elizabeth sat on the sofa. A letter from Mama, and one from Jane. She didn’t know which she ought to read first. But it was no good wavering over it, and she took the first that came to hand, which happened to be the one from Mama.

Elizabeth broke the seal apprehensively, and closed her eyes briefly while she took a deep breath.

Lizzy,

You must come home at once, dear! The most amazing thing has happened. Your father’s heir died a few years ago, so his son is the new heir. He is a young man, just right for you, and has an excellent living until he becomes Master of Longbourn.

He has come to visit, his patroness has generously given him leave to stay here — his patroness is a great lady, the daughter of an earl! And Mr. Collins wishes to marry one of my Bennet daughters.

I was hoping for Jane for him …

Elizabeth gasped, holding her hand to her mouth, and knew that her uncle, sitting quietly across the room, looked up anxiously. But she must continue.

I was hoping for Jane for him, but suddenly Mr. Bingley arrived and offered for her.

I am sure I do not know what took him so long, but he has, and Jane will be so well-settled at Netherfield, and then you and she will be close by, once you are Mr. Collins’ wife, and I will never have to leave Longbourn.

Oh, Lizzy, I am all a-flutter with arranging the wedding and you must come home at once and marry Mr. Collins. Kitty and Lydia are too young, of course, and he has no interest in Mary.

If you come and behave properly, I am sure you can secure him very easily, for he is eager to be pleased by all I say.

Come at once, I have had Hill get your bed aired for you.

Oh, I knew Jane could not be so beautiful for nothing. But it is winter, and there will be no flowers for the church. I hope I can persuade her to wait until after Easter — after all I will have your wedding to plan first, as Mr. Collins must be secured as soon as may be for the family.

You must come first thing tomorrow. Mr. Bennet has agreed that I can send the coach for you. It will leave at dawn and you must be packed and ready the moment it arrives!

Your Mama

Elizabeth put down the letter slowly, as if it might bite her.

Silly, foolish Mama! How did she think making Elizabeth marry a man she had never met would predispose her daughter to allow her to remain at Longbourn as a widow?

She shook her head, and then picked up the letter again, reaching out to hand it to her uncle.

Her aunt had returned downstairs and sat beside him so they could read it together.

Elizabeth turned to Jane’s letter. That at least would hold happy tidings, she knew. Jane and Mr. Bingley suited each other so well, and it was good of him to offer if he thought Jane was being pushed at Mr. Collins — because that was what must have happened.

My darling Lizzy,

I know Mama is writing express, so I am as well. It means you will at least have some further information to understand her effusions.

She is still very excited by my news, and I am sorry not to have had the opportunity to tell you first, as Mama will have blurted it out.

I am the happiest person alive and I only pray that you will be as happy as I am, when you do decide to seek a husband and will marry a fine man.

It has been quite difficult here at home since Mr. Collins came to stay, and I know Papa wished you were here, as our cousin is, to be honest with you, a foolish man. I think you would describe him far more vehemently than that, but I cannot.

The poor man had a very difficult start in life, his father, I understand, was quite brutal and uneducated.

His son is to be admired for having worked through such a difficult childhood and having seen to his education and university himself, and now he has a very good living in Kent under the patronage of Mr. Darcy’s aunt.

That is a surprising coincidence, do you not think?

I think Mama had begun to despair that Mr. Bingley might be toying with my affections as he had not requested a courtship or offered for me. I am afraid Papa would not speak to him of his intentions …

Elizabeth huffed a laugh. Of course not, Papa was far too indolent for that. She went back to the beginning of the sentence.

I am afraid Papa would not speak to him of his intentions, so Mama decided that it was much more important to secure Longbourn, and she began telling me that I must pay Mr. Collins very much attention.

Mr. Collins was very pleased, of course, that Mama was amenable to his wishes, and he would sit beside me and read sermons, and make little compliments.

Oh, Lizzy! I did my very best, but I was distressed at how agitated Mr. Bingley was whenever he called here. He began to call and would sit silently beside me every day, looking from my face to Mr. Collins’, and then, with a troubled expression at Mama’s satisfaction.

Then, this morning he called upon Papa before I knew he was here and he gave his permission for Mr. Bingley to have a private audience with me.

Oh, Lizzy, I am so, so happy. Mr. Bingley said that he loves me very much, and that even if I could not return his feelings in the same way, he hoped that he would make me a better husband than Mr. Collins, and that he would do everything in his power to make me happy in every way.

Of course I was able to tell him that I love him just as dearly, and we are determined to be the happiest couple in the world.

But the terrible thing is that Mama has decided that you must now marry Mr. Collins, and is singing your praises all around the house, to Papa’s amusement.

He has, of course, agreed with Mama that you must come home — not that he will agree to your marriage I hope, but because he finds Mr. Collins so droll and ridiculous.

I cannot say I agree with Papa’s attitude, but I believe you will side with him.

Anyway, I should finish now and then my express can go with Mama’s so at least you will not have to read her letter in isolation.

She is making great efforts to get us to agree on an Easter wedding, but I am trying to stand firm. I want to marry much sooner than that, and I care not that there will be no seasonal flowers in church.

Your loving sister, and I am looking forward to embracing you, dearest Lizzy.

Elizabeth folded the letter and sighed, knowing that her aunt and uncle were still shaking their heads over Mama’s. She smiled and handed over Jane’s letter. “Do read that, and then we can talk over dinner, perhaps.”

As they sat over coffee after dinner, her uncle sighed.

“I think you will have to go home tomorrow, Lizzy. It is very difficult for you, I know, with so many things going on regarding your business, but it is running very smoothly at the moment, and all your new ideas will be better begun after Christmas so there is no disruption.”

Her aunt laughed. “You can both still continue by letter, of course. You keep a number of men gainfully employed at the post, I believe, so it is a good thing. And …” she looked meaningfully at Elizabeth, “you are a very strong young lady. You will not accept this Mr. Collins if he does make you an offer, and you will not allow your mother — or even your father — to push you into matrimony.” She smiled.

“I can even feel a little sorry for your father’s cousin.

For even Jane to admit he is foolish — well, you will have the advantage of him when you ask what are the advantages to women of being married. ”

Elizabeth nodded her amusement. “And I suppose that you might be kind enough to let me return here with you after Christmas?” She sent them a pleading look. “I cannot tell you how empty it feels, to suddenly find that I don’t want to go to Longbourn; where it no longer feels like home any more.”

“At least you will see Jane and your Papa. And yes, of course you can return with us in the new year.” Aunt nodded. “You will always have a place here.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “You must not say that. I love being here, of course, but you have growing children. They won’t always be in the nursery, and I can tell you that Lydia and Kitty take up a great deal more space than they did when they were small!”

She would have to think in the coach tomorrow. Her living arrangements might need some deep consideration going forward.