Page 9 of Saving Jane
“London?” asked Elizabeth, glancing at her mother who had not recovered her colour. “Why do you want me to go to London in theautumn Mamma? The season is over and there are no parties or balls with young men looking for wives.”
Mrs Bennet did not reply though Kitty sighed and said, “I wish I could see London!”
“I sent an express to your uncle this morning and we shall hear his answer Wednesday. I expect you will travel to town Thursday.”
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When Uncle Gardiner’s response arrived on Wednesday morning, it included the invitation for Elizabeth to come to Grace Church Street. The remainder of the day, the sisters set to mending any stockings that Elizabeth would need and then packing her trunk. Following a cold supper, the Bennet family retired quietly.
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Early Thursday morning, Mr Hill guided the family carriage into Meryton where Elizabeth left with the first post coach to London. By the afternoon, she was safely delivered to Grace Church Street where their aunt and uncle gave her tea before asking Elizabeth of the recent occurrences at Longbourn.
“Did your father tell you why he sent you to London?” Uncle Gardiner asked.
“He said that he wanted to lessen the noise in the house for his sake and for Mamma’s nerves. And Mamma believes the streets of London are filled by rich young men looking for a wife,” Elizabeth replied. “But I think Papa will soon send for me–he will tire of writing his business letters with me in town.”
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The first days passed slowly for Elizabeth–other than reading and walking in the park with her cousins she sewed a new dress for her cousin Emily and a shirt for baby Henry. Then she attempted to sew a shirt for young Edward, her aunt and uncle’s eldest child, but the shirt did not fit. The second time, her aunt helped her measure and cut new cloth, and she sewed a suitable shirt for her cousin by the end of the next day. Then Elizabeth pulled apart the first shirt and sewed a rag bag to hold scraps in the bench where Aunt Gardiner kept her sewing needles, threads and cloth.
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It was a full week after her arrival in town before a letter from Mr Bennet arrived for Mr Gardiner with the plans for Lydia’s marriage; the details were complete, and the settlement documents signed. The bride was to travel with her father and meet herhusband that very day for the wedding with a new gown made from the blue muslin that was to be Mary’s gown.
A second letter from Jane arrived and through bitter tears, Elizabeth read of her youngest sister’s departure from Longbourn.
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Dear Lizzy,
I am sorry to say that Lydia sees the whole affair as an adventure, and she does not understand why there have been no parties in farewell. Our mother is inconsolable and blames herself for Lydia’s fall. We have packed her clothing, spoken to her clearly again and again but she does not care for any of our advice. Sir William and Lady Lucas blame Lydia for Maria’s downfall, but they cannot speak of it in public without drawing attention to their daughter’s ‘elopement’ to East Bourn. The vicar preached about the sin of fornication again this Sunday and we did not invite him to dinner this week. Father promised that he will write to Mr and Mrs Gardiner again upon his return.
With sadness and resignation in my heart, I remain your loving sister. Jane
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It was ten days before another letter came from Mr Bennet and the most pertinent paragraphs contained important information.
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Lydia is now Mrs Angus Hamilton. The man has a busy tavern and prosperous future, but he welcomed Lydia’s dowry of two hundred pounds–a paltry sum to bribe the man to take my daughter and her unexpected visitor. They were married by common license in the church so he will have to keep her. She was laughing when I left, and I only hope her happiness lasts.
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Chapter 3.Jane’s News from Longbourn
Letters from Longbourn continued to be few though Elizabeth found something of interest to share in letters to her sisters and father almost every day. Uncle Gardiner brought ship captains to Grace Church Street for supper on successive nights and the men told exciting tales of privateers, pirates and sea monsters that Elizabeth included in her letters. Finally, one afternoon, an interesting letter from Jane was delivered to Grace Church Street.
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Dearest Lizzy,
Everyone has enjoyed your letters with the tales from the brave sailors on the sea bringing cargo to London to fill our uncle’s warehouses. I am pleased that you are enjoying your visit with our uncle and aunt. Have our cousins grown much since we saw them in summer?
And for once, I have news to share that will be unusual. Our Father announced that his cousin and heir was to visit and stay with us for a fortnight. He arrived yesterday and I am to tell you all. His name is William Collins, and he is a parson with a parish in Kent. Our cousin is a young man of five and twenty years with an education from university and tendency to speak over-long on every subject presented to his attention.
Mamma is quite taken with him and solicits his opinion on curtains, dishes to serve at supper and reading material for after supper for my sisters. I keep to my sewing. As his visit is only for two weeks duration, I believe we can bear with his company and see him off before the end of the month.
