Page 51 of The Cherry Trees of Rosings
But once Elizabeth’s tears dried, Charlotte promptly handed her a cup of sweet tea. It had lost most of its warmth though. “I shall have Janet bring us a fresh pot.”
Elizabeth simply drank down the entire cup in one breath. She was parched.
“Here, have some more,” Charlotte said, filling the cup again and adding another generous helping of sugar to it.
Elizabeth winced. “Charlotte–”
“Just drink it, Eliza. You will see.”
It was awful. Too sweet. Too cold. But Elizabeth did feel better afterwards. Enough that when Charlotte returned to her seat after instructing Janet, she said what was truly weighing on her heart.
“Could you write to Colonel Fitzwilliam about the pages I left behind?” Elizabeth asked. “I do not think he will bother with anything I send. And Mr. Darcy’s physician… Dr. Goodman said that he may not live…” She twisted her fingers into fists. “I do not want… all that effort to be for nothing.”
Charlotte looked at her kindly.
“I will do it.”
Elizabeth nodded and fixed her gaze on her hands as they rested over her knees. Her eyes were prickling again.
“Then… I believe all shall be well.”
Chapter 33:
Oakham Mount
Elizabeth was darning some clothes for Longbourn’s tenants in the east parlour when Mrs. Bennet burst in through the door. She was overwrought with excitement.
“Mr. Bingley is returning to Netherfield!” Mrs. Bennet cried. “Mr. Bingley is returning!”
Stunned silence greeted her for a moment.
Then, Kitty and Lydia shrieked.
Excited words flew through the air, even as Elizabeth and Jane sat frozen. Both for different reasons.
“Jane! Jane! Is that not wonderful news?” Mrs. Bennet asked, plopping herself on the chair next to the eldest of her five daughters. “I always knew Mr. Bingley would return. You could not have been so beautiful for nothing!”
Jane blushed. “Yes, mama.”
“Oh! I never doubted him,” Mrs. Bennet continued, contradicting every behavior and word of the last many months. “And now Mrs. Dudley tells me that they have reopened the house. He shall be here any day now! Oh, what good times we shall have!”
Mrs. Bennet fanned herself with her handkerchief.
“I shall remind him that he owes us a dinner at Longbourn. Oh yes, I shall.” She fanned herself faster.
“There will be three full courses—and better than any he might have anywhere in the King’s lands! Oh, what a marvellous day it is! Kitty!” She screeched. “Open the windows! It is awfully warm in here! And bring Mr. Bennet from the book room. We have much to discuss…”
Elizabeth stifled the sharp pain in her heart as Mrs. Bennet’s effusions continued.
She closed herself off to the almost-festive atmosphere in the parlour. After all, it was not as if Mr. Bingley’s friend would be with the Netherfield party this time.Thatwould be too farfetched to expect!
Eight months had gone by since news reached her that Mr. Darcy was well and truly out of the clutches of death.
…a full year since what had happened in Rosings.
Yet she had not heard a word from him.
Not a line to acknowledge the strange experience they had shared.
