Page 115 of Ashes and Understanding
“But that is because you do not care about dancing,” Kitty replied from behind their closed door. “You only want to read essays and talk about funerals.”
“I do not! I—” Mary’s voice cut off abruptly, as though she had caught herself mid-sentence.
A thump, a sniffle, and then more footsteps followed—Mrs. Bennet’s, no doubt.
Elizabeth winced and glanced at Jane in the mirror. “Shall I guess how long it will be before Mama tries to reverse her own ruling?”
“She has tried twice already,” Jane said with a fond sigh. “Papa has stood firm.”
Down the hall, Lydia’s complaints reached a new crescendo. “Elizabethalwaysgets to go! She always getseverything—and she is not even pretty! Just clever, and she always knows who people are bysmell, like a dog!”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes but smiled despite herself. “Charming, is she not?”
Jane’s mouth twitched. “You must admit—it is something of a gift.”
“Well, let us hope it proves useful this evening.” Elizabeth turned back to her reflection and reached for a silver hairpin shaped like a laurel leaf. “I do not suppose my sense of smell will help me identify a disguised murderer, but I dare say it may help me detect his strong cologne in a crowd.”
Jane arched a brow as she arranged Elizabeth’s curls, coaxing them into soft waves. “You speak as though you are not nervous.”
“I am utterly terrified.” Elizabeth gave her a smile that trembled at the edges. “But I am doing my best not to show it.”
They stood in silence for a few moments as Jane finished with her hair and then turned to her own preparations. Mary passed their room once, pausing long enough to ask in a small voice, “Do you think I should wear the green ribbon or the ivory?”
Elizabeth looked up in surprise. “The green, I think. It brings out your eyes.”
Mary nodded, clearly trying to conceal how much the compliment pleased her and disappeared down the hall without another word.
Before heading downstairs, Elizabeth stopped at her mother’s room. Benjamin’s cradle had been moved to Mrs. Bennet’s changing room, which did not have any windows and could therefore be better guarded. It would also allow any crying or candlelight to be prevented by being seen from the outside, in case Le Cordeau was watching.
The lad sat on the floor with a few toys, having only recently learned to sit up on his own. She reached down and placed a soft kiss on his head. “Be brave, my dear boy. Remember that no matter what happens, you are loved.”
“We will keep him safe, Miss Lizzy,” said the nurse, a fierce expression on her face.
“Thank you.”
By the time Elizabeth moved to the stairs, the rest of the household was in a flurry of shawls, gloves, and final instructions to the footmen. A carriage basket had been stuffed with a doll wrapped all in blankets, giving the appearance that Benjamin was going with them to Netherfield.
She paused at the top to take a steadying breath before descending. Her father stood waiting at the base of the stairs.As she approached, his expression softened into something both proud and wistful.
“My dear,” he said, offering his arm, “you are a vision. Mr. Darcy will be speechless—though as I understand it, that is not saying very much.”
Elizabeth flushed but smiled. “Thank you, Papa.”
He leaned closer and whispered, “Though I will admit, if he does not look at you with worship in his eyes, I shall begin to suspect he is not half so clever as we have all been led to believe.”
“I shall try not to notice,” she whispered back.
Moments later, the family assembled for departure. Jane was radiant in a gown of soft rose with delicate embroidery at the hem, her expression a portrait of serene delight.
“Mr. Bingley has asked me for the first dance,” she confided as they settled into the carriage.
Elizabeth raised a brow. “That is wonderful. I hope it is the first of many.”
“Do you have a partner?”
“Mr. Darcy asked me for the first,” Elizabeth murmured.
Jane turned to her, eyes wide. “Mr. Darcy? Truly? I would have thought he would ask Miss Bingley, given she is his hostess.”
