“Well, my dear. You have successfully navigated the first hurdle of being mistress of this quaint little house.”
“Quant! Little!” Lady Rumley cried out. “I thought Tetherwood was massive, but this monstrosity, in the middle of the city, is absolutely ridiculous. What do people do with houses this big?”
“They host outrageous parties and dine in a different room each evening,” her husband teased.
“Oh, you!” she huffed out with impatience. “I now understand why Cousin Arthur and his wife preferred to remain in Bedfordshire. We have only just arrived, and I am already exhausted.”
“You will adjust, Franny. I have every confidence in your abilities.”
“I agree with Papa,” Elizabeth said, having joined her parents after checking out her new suite of rooms, which was connected to Jane’s by a sitting room. “You were a good mistress of Longbourn, and a wonderful hostess. Nothing much will change except for the number of attendees, and their rank.”
“Sir William and Lady Lucas were the only people of rank I knew. How am I supposed to behave in the presence of earls, and viscounts or — heaven forfend — a marquis or duke?”
“Try to remember that everyone puts on their clothing, one article at a time, regardless of their rank,” Jane said upon entering the room and taking a seat beside Elizabeth. “I could not help but hear from the hall that you were anxious, Mamma. Please remember that everyone, regardless of who they are, experiences some form of nerves or anxiety. They have just learned to cover it with afaçadeof calm.”
“Much like you?” Elizabeth asked. “You are famous for your serene countenance and enigmatic smile.”
“It served me well when I was overwhelmed with gentlemen seeking my company and I was not even sixteen at the time.”
“Oh, Jane, I am sorry I ever pushed you out at such a young age,” Lady Rumley fretted, bringing out her faithful lace handkerchief and twisting it beyond recognition. “I was so worried about the entail…”
“Mamma,” Jane soothed. “That is all behind us. I am only explaining how I dealt with the experience, and that I see othersdoing the exact same thing. I mean no disrespect.”
“Thank you, Jane. Thank you, Lizzy,” Bennet said from his comfortable seat by the fireplace. “Our family has gone through many changes since last November, and I, for one, am proud of you all.”
“Speaking of all,” Elizabeth began, “how is Mary? She has not written to Jane nor I.”
“Your sister is doing well,” her father said. “Your Aunt Phillips has written that Mary continues to practice on the piano, and under the tutelage of an excellent teacher we hired from St. Alban’s, she is progressing at a remarkable rate. Also, she is very close to Mr. and Mrs. Allen, who continue to guide her in her spiritual journey. You will be glad to learn she has tossedFordyce’s Sermons for Young Ladiesinto the fire.”
“Oh, thank goodness!” Elizabeth said, heaving a heartfelt sigh of relief. “She clung to that book like a child with its favourite blanket.”
“She did at that.” Bennet glanced at his wife and lifted a brow. She responded with a slight nod of the head. “I have some information that should have been related to the two of you many years ago, and I hope you will let me tell you all that happened before asking questions, or hurling recriminations in my direction.”
Jane and Elizabeth exchanged glances before giving their promise to wait on judgement. Having gained their assent, the earl began the task of crushing his daughter’s belief in his honour and how Mary came to join their family.
“And Mary has no idea that she is your natural daughter?”
“She does now. Mrs. Allen wrote only two weeks ago that Mary had approached her to ask why their features were so similar. She thought all of us were related somehow, and thatonly she had the same shape of face, and nose.”
“Her answer must have surprised Mary. She is very moralistic and although she likes to portray herself as a strong, independent young woman with many accomplishments, she is very shy and retiring.”
“You have the right of it, Elizabeth, but Mrs. Allen knew our Mary could handle the truth, and your mother wrote to her over a month ago to tell her how much she loved and cherished her.”
“You did?” Elizabeth turned wide eyes in the direction of her mother. “Forgive me, Mamma, it is just that you have not always favoured Mary, or me and Kitty, for that matter. I am glad you extended the hand of a loving mother to our sister.”
“I may not have shown it, but I have loved that little girl since the moment she was placed in my arms. Yes, I went about everything wrong, but it does not change the fact that I love all my daughters, born of my body or not.”
“Mamma!” Elizabeth went to her mother and knelt by her chair. “Let us strive to remember only the things that bring us pleasure. We all have changed much since last year, so who am I to hold past grievances against anyone?”
Mamma cupped her second daughter’s cheek and smiled. A soft, sad kind of smile.
“My hoyden. I despaired of you ever becoming a lady, and look at you. Exceeding every goal, I thought you should attain.”
Elizabeth leaned into her mother’s palm.
“I could have been more gracious. More like Jane.”
“Then you would not have been my Lizzy,” her mother countered.