Page 68 of The Cheapside Runners
“What they need to be. Maid, governess, companion, milkmaid, lady, countess… I have been each at one time or another.”
They all stared in stunned silence.
Kitty asked, “You said Mama would not starve, and Papa asked if you had that much power over Uncle Gardiner. I doubt he was within a league of the truth.”
Elizabeth turned her attention to her sister. “That is a clever observation, Kitty. I hope you keep it up.”
“I will try, but if I return to Longbourn it will be hard.”
“Most worthwhile things in life are. Do you think inventing Mrs Black from whole cloth was easy? Do you think it isfunto disguise myself as a servant or companion to protect an heiress?”
Apparently not to be intimidated, Kitty ventured, “Are those things so hard you cannot answer a simple question,” which left Elizabeth laughing.
“Our uncle has no respect for our parents… none at all. If your father died, he would send his men to set up a house and move the family, but he would not lift a finger beyond what they could afford with the interest from Mrs Bennet’s portion. That is, as I said, enough to live slightly worse than Mrs Phillips, but hardly starving in the hedgerows.”
“So… if Uncle Gardiner will not lift a shilling?”
Elizabeth sighed. “Now you know the secret. This course… this school… this curriculum… this house—they are mine. The obscene amount of money I charged Mr Darcy to beat some sense into Miss Darcy is mine. My business and the Cheapside Runners are mutually supportive. I help his business, and he feeds me clients, but the school is all me.”
Everyone stared at her in confused wonder, and Lydia finally asked, “Are you telling us you are wealthy, Lizzy?”
“That is a vulgar question, Lydia. I shall just say that whether our mother lives well or poorly after our father’s demise depends entirely on my mood at the time.”
“What about us?”
“What about you? I have beenbeggingour father to let you come to this course for years. The three of you are not old enough to marry, and you will have to stand up to your mother when you return. You will probably be married before your father dies, but assuming your behaviour is as I expect, you will always be welcome in my home, as are you all,” she said, including Maria and the Weatherbys. “After all, as I told you this morning,I am not an ogre!”
Mary laughed. “You do not need to be, since you keep two on staff.”
Darcy looked pensive at that, but let it go.
They had been talking for some time, so Elizabeth suggested they call for some tea and take a break.
23.Hows and Whys
A quarter-hour later, they were returning to the parlour in small groups, chatting excitedly, when Mr Darcy stepped up to Elizabeth and said, “Miss Rainbow, would I be asking too much to have a private word?”
Elizabeth laughed gaily. “Very clever… I just might use that.”
“Feel free,” he replied with a smile.
“Is the word about your sister? If so, you are premature.”
“Not about her… not at this time anyway.”
She pointed to another doorway. “I admit the rules of propriety do not necessarily apply when I am out and about my business, but they do in this house. I will leave the door open.”
He nodded and offered his arm, which she took after only a slight hesitation. He briefly wondered if that was because she was not comfortable with him, or she was just unaccustomed to having gentlemen in the house.
“Your parley, sir,” she said neutrally when they were far enough from the door to prevent eavesdropping.
He shuffled a bit before he could begin.
“I am uncertain this is the best time, but I wish to say something before you decide what to reveal over the rest of the evening, just in case my request has any bearing.”
“I see. I usually think that once a decision has been made, there is little profit in messing about. If you have something to say, I will listen,” she replied, with her curiosity aroused.
“I would like to court you,” he blithely replied.
