Page 29 of Ashes and Understanding
“Oh, quite,” Elizabeth assured her, waving a hand dismissively. “It was nothing of consequence.”
“Speaking of disappearances,” said Mrs. Bennet, turning to Mrs. Gardiner, “we were quite disappointed to not see you and your husband last night. I hope everything is alright at home?”
“Yes, I was truly sorry to miss out, but the children had a bit of a fever,” Mrs. Gardiner explained, “and Mr. Gardiner was quite exhausted from matters of business.”
“How is everything going with your new home?” Lady Lucas asked eagerly. “Have you made many changes yet? The drawing room is not as large as I would like, but at least the attics are not as dreadful as those at Purvis Lodge.”
“Stoke Estate is coming along well enough—”
Mrs. Gardiner was cut off by a squeal from Mrs. Bennet. “Stoke Estate—oh, how wonderful that sounds! It is such a comfort, my dear sister, that you are now in possession of your own property. When Mr. Bennet dies,” the lady threw a glare in the direction of her husband’s study, “any of the unmarried girls and I will be taken care of. Not Jane, of course, as she will be settled at Netherfield as Mrs. Bingley by then. I quite despair over Lizzy and Mary, though…”
Her voice trailed off, and Mrs. Lucas once again asked Mrs. Gardiner about her plans for the estate.
“Unfortunately, we will not be making very many changes as of yet. The plan had been to use the money from leasing our London house. After the fire, we spoke to the insurance company to claim payment, but they have been slow in responding.”
“That is unacceptable!” Mrs. Bennet cried indignantly.
“Surely they must know how many families have been affected,” Jane said in a soft voice. “Why would they not provide the help that is so desperately needed?”
“They may not have enough money to pay everyone who lost their property,” Elizabeth explained.
Mrs. Gardiner nodded. “And now an inspector has written to inform us that he will be coming to Meryton to make inquiries about the fire.”
“What kind of inquiries?” Kitty asked.
Mr. Gardiner’s mouth twitched. “It seems that some of the servants at Hyde Park mentioned that our group was among the first to arrive. The inspector finds it curious that we left our home before many others had even woken. He finds it…suspicious.”
Elizabeth blinked in surprise. “Suspicious?”
“He wants to know how we became aware of the fire so quickly.”
Charlotte let out a laugh. “Well, Lizzy, it seems you may have to prove your remarkable sense of smell to an inspector now.”
Lady Lucas chuckled. “Indeed! He will have to be made to understand that Lizzy could detect the fire before anyone else had even noticed.”
Elizabeth groaned theatrically. “If he wishes to be convinced, he may sit me before a tray of spices, and I shall identify them all with ease.”
The room erupted into laughter, but Mary cut it off with a stern admonition. “We must take care not to make light of the trials suffered by our fellow man.”
The room fell into an awkward silence for a few moments, and Benjamin began to stir in Elizabeth’s arms. “How is this little one doing?” Mrs. Gardiner asked, changing the subject. “Has his birthmark faded at all?”
Elizabeth smiled, adjusting the baby in her arms. “Not in the least. It is still as clear as the day I first saw it.”
“Birthmark?” Charlotte echoed curiously.
“Yes,” Elizabeth replied. “The first time I changed his nappy, I discovered a heart-shaped birthmark on his thigh—about the size of my thumb.”
“Oh, how charming!” Lady Lucas cooed.
Charlotte grinned. “A little mark of love for a little boy so well adored.”
Elizabeth pressed a light kiss to Benjamin’s forehead. “Indeed. He has captured all of our hearts, has he not?”
Mrs. Bennet sighed. “He was meant to be ours, from the very beginning.”
For a few moments, the conversation drifted to lighter topics, filled with shared laughter and memories. It was a moment of peace, a brief respite from the challenges ahead.
But in the back of Elizabeth’s mind, she could not help but wonder—whatwouldthat inspector make of her ability to smell the fire before anyone else?
