Chapter 25

25

E lizabeth sank into the coach with a sigh. "Oh, Charlotte, thank you for agreeing to come to town, and with such little notice, too."

Her friend laughed, and Elizabeth noticed her eyes were bright and excited. "I am delighted you asked me, and I will not allow you to wallow in what you have suffered for very long. We are going to enjoy ourselves."

Elizabeth straightened. "You are right. We have at least a month before we go home with my aunt and uncle for Christmas, so we must make the most of it." She beamed at her friend. "What are you most looking forward to?"

"Everything!" Charlotte laughed. "No, I know it sounds prosaic, but I really want the opportunity to sit down with your uncle and discover whether my security is improving, and learn from him how to invest safely. If I am going to be a spinster, then I do not want to be poverty-stricken."

"Oh, Charlotte!" Elizabeth shook her head. "Even if you do not marry, or your earnings never pay you more than pin money, know that you will always have a home with me. I need you to keep me safe, and to keep my feet firmly on the ground."

"And what happens if you marry and your husband will not permit that?" Charlotte's voice was quiet.

"I would never marry a man who would be so cruel," Elizabeth declared. "But at the moment, I think that I might be even happier as that widow and friend we talked about before!" She sat forward.

"But I will not let the conversation stay like this. Is there a particular play you wish to see while we are in town — and we must not forget the Academy — the paintings are magnificent."

"I like your aunt very much, but I do hope she does not think me presumptuous for coming with you." Charlotte sounded anxious.

"She sounded delighted at the thought of getting to know you better," Elizabeth reassured her, "and that you will be around to entertain me when she is out doing the charitable work she does at the orphanage."

Charlotte looked a little happier, and Elizabeth relaxed somewhat. "And what do you think we need to work on next for Santorio?"

"I think you finish a few duets, Lizzy, and then you need to do another marching sort of one to accompany the one you've already sent." Charlotte put her head on one side. "But you don't usually ask what comes next, you just write what comes into your head."

"I thought you wanted me to be more business-like," Elizabeth glanced at her. "And I want you to feel more secure financially."

Charlotte shook her head. "Never think that, my friend. Your spontaneous musicality is an intrinsic part of you; it is what makes your music so compelling and you must never lose that, or people will not covet your work so much."

Elizabeth slumped back. "But I will still be in danger from men who wish to possess me."

Charlotte laughed. "Mr. Darcy looks at you a great deal, Eliza. And you have told me that he has played chess with you, rescued you from your cousin and asked about your childhood. If you marry him, then all those possessive men will have to find someone else to covet."

Elizabeth burst out laughing. "Charlotte, my dear, you have the most wonderful imagination for stories. Mr. Darcy will never look at someone so low-born as me, with or without the music." She ignored the sceptical look from Charlotte and turned to the window. "I believe we are nearly there, so let us tidy ourselves." She would never admit that her heart did beat a little faster when she was in company with him.

Dinner that night was peaceful and cheerful. Her little cousins had reluctantly gone to the nursery, and three of Elizabeth's favourite people were with her. Only Papa was missing. Jane was another she loved, but, not knowing about Santorio, would make it difficult to be open with her uncle.

The conversation stayed superficial until they had been served with their meal, and the servants had all left the room. "So, Lizzy," her uncle spoke first. "Your father tells us you were finding Longbourn uncomfortable?"

She shivered. "I was. Mr. Collins was very difficult to be around because Mama had told him I was available to marry him, I think. He was very overt in his attentions."

Her aunt shook her head. "And of course, your mother still has high hopes of Jane and Mr. Bingley."

"Yes, in her mind Jane is for Bingley, Mary is for spinsterhood and looking after her and Papa in their old age, Kitty wouldn't stand up to Mr. Collins when he becomes master of Longbourn and Lydia is too special and too young." Elizabeth shivered. "I am the only one possible in her mind, and Mr. Collins is relentless."

"At least your father arranged for you to come to town," Charlotte ventured.

"I'm exceedingly happy for it — and that you permitted me to come." Elizabeth beamed at her relations.

"You're always welcome here, Lizzy, at any time." Her aunt turned to Charlotte. "And I'm delighted to have the opportunity to come to know you as well, Miss Lucas. You have been a very good friend to our niece."

Elizabeth glanced at Charlotte, who was blushing. "Don't embarrass her, Aunt. Charlotte doesn't even like me thanking her for all she does."

Uncle lifted his hand. "Let us talk more after this remove." Aunt rang the bell and the servants efficiently cleared the table and brought in several desserts. Elizabeth's mouth watered.

"Lemon cream! You always make what you know I love, Aunt. Thank you."

Her aunt laughed. "You earn it, Lizzy, when you entertain the children so well."

Once they were settled, her uncle turned to her. "So you and Miss Lucas are here merely to escape Mr. Collins? Or are you here for a positive reason as well?" His smile robbed his words of any censure.

"Oh, there is a lot we intend to do, Uncle!" Elizabeth laughed. "Theatres, music salons, galleries, playing with the children — and a great deal of music without fear of compromise!"

Her aunt turned to Charlotte. "And what do you wish to do, Miss Lucas? Do not feel you must only follow Lizzy's wishes."

Charlotte smiled at Elizabeth. "All those things are what I wish, too. Except that I would also wish to trouble you, Mr. Gardiner, for a short while if you may spare me the time. I would value your advice regarding financial matters."

He laughed comfortably. "I would be glad to, Miss Lucas. In fact, it may be best that you sit in with Lizzy first, as she has requested, and then, if you have further questions, I may answer those in private."

"Oh, no, sir, I have nothing to hide from Eliza. Please do not think it. If we speak to you together, I will be just as content."

"That is well," he nodded. "We may begin tomorrow. I expect you are tired from the journey."

But it was early the next afternoon, as Elizabeth and her friend sat in the lounge with the children, who had finished their lessons, listening to tales of their adventures, when the doorbell pealed.

Elizabeth didn't look up. "Don't worry, Charlotte. This is a busy household, and thankfully this will not be for us."

She discovered she was in error within a very few minutes, as Aunt Gardiner preceded Papa into the room.

"Papa!" Elizabeth leapt to her feet. "What has happened? Is all well at home? No one is hurt, are they?"

He patted her on the back. "No, no, Lizzy. All is well at home — except what we expected, of course. Your mother is vexed that I have sent you to town, and my cousin is following me around with an injured expression. Other than that, all is as normal."

She breathed a sigh of relief. "I am surprised that such normality has sent you to town then, given how much you dislike it."

"Ah, well. I have received a letter." He frowned. "The implications are worrying, and I thought it might be better to come at once to discuss it with you and all those who know the secret."

"Secret? What secret?" Little Maddie Gardiner jumped to her feet. "We like secrets, Uncle Bennet. Tell us!"

He gave Elizabeth a rueful smile before bending to Maddie and riffling her hair. "I'm sorry, Maddie, you and your sister and brothers are to be commended for being so quiet I hardly noticed you." He patted her shoulder. "No, I am afraid this is an uninteresting grown-up matter, but for now, you may continue with your stories to your cousin Lizzy and Miss Lucas." He straightened up and turned to Aunt Gardiner.

"I am sorry to impose, madam, but I would like to have a conference with you all, and wonder when my brother might be home from his warehouses as this will be of concern to him, also."

"Of course," she said graciously. "I will arrange a chamber for you and send someone to fetch my husband home."

Papa bowed. "You are very kind. But I can stay at my club if an extra room is an inconvenience."

"Not at all." Aunt Gardiner flashed a smile at Elizabeth. "Lizzy and Miss Lucas are already sharing a room, probably so they can talk into the early hours, so there is a chamber free."