Page 71 of Count the Cost (The Secrets of Elizabeth Bennet #2)

L ongbourn. Elizabeth gazed out as the house drew closer, then glanced to the side where William rode beside his coach.

It had seemed a long ride today. London to Oakfield in convoy with her own coach and Mrs. Bailey; the discussion with Charlotte, who decided to stay at Oakfield and was pleased when Elizabeth offered to leave coach and companion for her.

Now they were approaching her former home in William’s luxurious carriage and she could see her family all spilling out onto the front steps to see who was arriving so late in the afternoon.

Elizabeth glanced at her maid. “I will introduce you to the housekeeper, Emily. Mrs. Hill will show you where my chamber is, and arrange your accommodation.”

Then the coach drew up outside the house. William dismounted and came to the coach door, a gentle smile just for her, and as he handed her down Elizabeth felt the jolt of heat through their gloves that was becoming wonderfully familiar.

Mama was looking between William and Elizabeth, seemingly rather bemused, and Elizabeth decided to broach the subject immediately. She tucked her hand into his arm.

“It is wonderful to see you all, and I am sorry it’s late in the afternoon, but I could not wait another moment. Mr. Darcy and I are engaged.”

There was a moment of silence. Elizabeth smiled fondly, her mother would not allow that to continue, and she was right. Just as Papa stepped forward, his hand outstretched towards William. “Pemberley, is it? I suppose …” he was gracelessly interrupted by Mama.

“Good gracious me! Lizzy, married to Mr. Darcy of Pemberley! Ten thousand a year, and more, I’ll be bound — oh, I shall go distracted!”

Jane stepped forward and laid a hand on Mama’s arm. “Mama, please allow Papa to speak to Mr. Darcy. Shall we invite everyone into the house?”

Elizabeth looked behind the family and saw Mr. Bingley standing a few paces behind her sister, beaming. They must have only recently returned from their wedding tour, and had probably called here to prevent Mama going to Netherfield too often.

She glanced up at William’s face. He was smiling slightly, and she was happy that he was not too discomposed by the chaos around them.

Kitty and Lydia bounded up to them. “I am glad you are going to be so very rich, Lizzy, now you can afford to buy the ribbon for me like Jane’s blue one. You did promise.” Lydia tugged at her arm.

“I did promise, Lydia, and the ribbon — I expect you want it for the gown you will wear to my wedding — is already being made.” Elizabeth glanced at Kitty. “And yours, too. It is very different from Lydia’s.”

They walked into the house behind the married couples, and Elizabeth looked around the hall of her former home. It was no longer her home, and she was glad that she had already bid farewell to her girlhood before she would need to move to Derbyshire.

“Who would have thought it? My wild Lizzy, catching the greatest match in England! I shall always be able to hold my head up with pride!” Mama’s voice echoed down the corridor.

“Oh, Mr. Bennet, you must congratulate me! Two daughters married, and one of them to Mr. Darcy! Kitty, fetch my salts — I am quite overcome!”

William squeezed Elizabeth’s hand against his arm and lowered his head. “Do not be embarrassed on my behalf, Elizabeth. Your mother is excited for you, but there is no malice in her.”

Elizabeth nodded. “I don’t think the gossip can have reached her, or she would have much to say on that,” she whispered back.

Then she turned to the housekeeper. “Mrs. Hill, my maid is with me. Please show Emily my chamber and arrange a bed for the night for her.” She smiled, “I think Mama has assumed we will stay for dinner. I hope Cook will not be too upset.”

“I am sure she will not be, Miss Bennet. You know what she is.” Hill bustled off and spoke quietly to Emily, who followed her to the back of the house.

As they arrived in the sitting room, Jane was waiting for her. Calmer, even more serene than Elizabeth had ever seen her, and radiant, too.

“I am so happy for you, Lizzy.” She embraced her sister and whispered in her ear. “I always knew he loved you, dearest.”

Elizabeth held her tightly for a moment.

Though they had always been close confidantes, her secret had been something between them and she had regretted it.

“Jane, you look wonderful. The very picture of happiness.” She lowered her voice to a whisper.

“William is intending to take a room at the inn. Might you invite him to stay with you at Netherfield just the one night?”

Jane pulled back. “Of course. I would not dream of expecting him to take a room there.” She smiled at Elizabeth and crossed the room to whisper in her husband’s ear. Husband! How strange that my sister is a married woman — and soon I will be, too.

She caught William’s eye, and he smiled faintly as if he knew what she was thinking. He turned to Papa. “Mr. Bennet, I wonder if I might have the honour of a private word with you?”

Elizabeth softened. As she watched them depart to the library, she knew Papa would be pleased that William wished to include him in asking for her hand and in approving the settlements.

Uncle had already given his consent, of course, and Papa had long ago left her in his charge once her business grew so successful that she needed Uncle’s guidance.

But still, it would gratify him to feel remembered and honoured as her father.

She crossed the room and sat next to Mary. “How are you, Mary? Is there any new music you are enjoying?” She did not know her sister, not really, and she regretted it. These pleasantries were all her sister would allow, and she wondered if Mary was happy to push people away.

She listened attentively while Mary spoke ponderously about the new pieces she was working on.

Perhaps she could send her some newly published music when she got back to town.

That might help establish some connection between them.

And then, if she found William’s sister friendly, perhaps Mary could come and stay with them.

William had said that Georgiana loved music.

Across the room, her mother waved her handkerchief wildly. “Oh, these dreadful kitchen smells. What will Mr. Darcy think?”

Elizabeth’s attention was caught. She smiled slightly and then her thoughts sharpened. Scent. Scented goods.

What if, instead of scent added to paper, she could have the paper constructed around the petals of flowers?

Violets, perhaps. Or lavender. If they were embedded in the paper at the manufacture, the very paper textured with lavender or another bloom — except where the direction was to be written, then the heavier stock could be made into envelopes, the fragrance lingering even as the post was carried on the letter tray.

And if envelopes were used — she was sure she could promote the fashion — a little dried flower or sprig of lavender could be enclosed in each envelope to hold the scent for longer.

It would not fall out as it might merely with folded sheets.

And what about offering envelopes for ladies who wrote to their husbands or sons?

Masculine scents and sprigs. Sage, perhaps, or bay, no, juniper — that would please a man’s dignity more than violets ever could.

She was startled out of her reverie when William returned from her Papa’s library and crossed the room to her.

“Elizabeth, dearest, your father would like to speak to you if you can disentangle yourself from your family.” He smiled wryly.

“I think I know that look in your eyes. Perhaps you can set that thought aside for later.”

Elizabeth subdued a chuckle, and rose to her feet. She took William over to join his friend. Jane was also standing nearby. “Jane, look after William, will you? Papa wants to see me.”

She saw William give Mr. Bingley an amused look, before he clapped him on the shoulder. “You look very much at ease, Bingley; as if you have been master of Netherfield for years. It must be that you were meant to have Mrs. Bingley beside you.”

Elizabeth didn’t wait for the response, but slipped out of the room.

“Papa.” She shut the door behind her, smiling at the box on the table. “I see you have the special chocolates ready.”

“I do indeed,” he smiled rather mistily at her. “Only one, remember.” He watched her, his gaze soft, but also with no little sadness.

“My brother Gardiner wrote to me about the scandalous whispers, Lizzy. Can you assure me you are not marrying from a sense of necessity?”

“I am not. If we did not love each other, I might have to marry him anyway, because of the risk of damage to my sisters, but I am convinced William loves me. And I love him dearly.”

Papa slumped in relief. “I had thought so, looking at you both, but I know I have been wrong about people before, so I wished to be assured of it.” He sat up straighter.

“Now, your uncle approves wholeheartedly, and having had a look at the settlements your betrothed has just shown me, I believe he must love you. There is no other reason for a gentleman to take such drastic measures.”

Elizabeth felt tears start to her eyes. “He listened to me, Papa, understood my fear of trusting other people, and I am so happy about it.”

Her father reached over and patted her hand. “Do not become too emotional about it, Lizzy, or I might have to part with another chocolate.”

She stifled a laugh. “You can always puncture emotion!”

“With six ladies in the house, it has been necessary.” His sadness showed through for a moment. “No, only four — but they are the silliest!”

“You do approve of him, don’t you, Papa?” A sudden anxiety had her wanting Papa to be serious for just a moment, and he must have sensed that.

“I do, I could hardly bear to part with you if I did not. But I am convinced that he will be very good to you.” He leaned forward.

“He told me how he had discovered your secret, and since then he has kept it. As his wife, it will be easier to keep from people, and thus, you will be safer.” He chuckled.

“And if you wish it to be known, then as Mrs. Darcy you will not be belittled or disdained for it.”

She raised an eyebrow. “You think not? I believe I will always have to keep the secret for the sake of our children.”

“Well, I suppose that is true. But at least you will not be alone in the doing of it.”

As she left the library, Elizabeth’s heart was full. Love for her family, her father’s approval, and the love of the best man on earth for her. Whatever was to come, she knew she would be happy. And she could bring him happiness, too.