Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
“For how long must we suffer that man’s company?” Mrs Bennet hissed at her daughters as they awaited Mr Bennet and Mr Vanderbeck to join them in the drawing room. “Have any of us been told? He treats this house as if it were his own, showing up without any notice.”
“Perhaps he sent word to Papa,” answered Jane soothingly.
Mrs Bennet gave an indignant snort, and Elizabeth decided it was better not to tell her mother that she and her father had known of his imminent return to England.
“And to bring more of those disgusting animals! I thought I made my wishes quite clear the last time he brought one of his mange-ridden creatures into our home. I do not care how rich and important he is, he should know to show better care to my upholstery.”
The door to the drawing room opened and Mr Bennet stepped inside. All the women fell silent. “Mr Vanderbeck has had a long journey and will join us for dinner later.” He glanced at Elizabeth. “But he wishes to speak to you, Lizzy, before he takes a rest. You may find him in my study.”
“I will go there directly.” Elizabeth stood, grateful for an escape from Mrs Bennet’s angry interrogation of her father regarding their visitor.
The corridor to Mr Bennet’s study was strewn with travelling cases and books. Elizabeth stepped carefully over a crate full of what she supposed to be musical instruments and pushed the door open.
“My little bird!” Mr Vanderbeck stood by the window, arms outstretched. “Let me take a look at you!”
Elizabeth crossed the room quickly to hug him, noting how sharp his shoulder blades were under the generous cut of his coat. “How wonderful to see you, Godfather.”
He beamed at her from under his large silvery-red moustache. “You have grown since I was away! Where is my little Lizzy, with scrapes on her knees from climbing the tallest tree in the orchard?”
She grinned. “Will you ever let me forget it? That poor chick had fallen from its nest, and I was so desperate to return it to its mother.”
“You climbed the thing one-handed! You would have made a fine lookout on a ship.”
“My parents might have objected to me spending a life at sea.”
Mr Vanderbeck chuckled loudly. “You would be a worthy addition to any fleet, my dear Elizabeth, but you will have me admit a lifetime of travelling is not for everyone.”
He gestured for her to sit, and he sat heavily on the chair opposite her, grimacing slightly as he caught his breath.
“Are you well?” Elizabeth moved to help him, but he waved her away impatiently. She drew her chair to be nearer to him and he smiled when he realised what she was doing.
“This reminds me of when you pretended to be a physician, and I had to be one of your patients.”
She laughed softly. “How unfair of you to talk of my childhood follies when I have no recollection of them.”
With a twinkle, he replied, “As I have grown older, I find my mind returning to those memories more often. I never had the adventure of parenthood. It is the one area in which I envy your father.” He leant back in the chair, his lined face still pale after his earlier episode.
“I am glad to have this chance to speak to you alone. I have been worried about you.”
“Worried?”
“Your father has been a faithful letter-writer to me all these years. Every month he gives me his views on politics or glimpses into his family life. I have never known him to speak of feelings or fears. Imagine my shock when I arrived in London four days ago and received a letter from your father, pouring out his heart and telling me of your unhappiness.”
Elizabeth stared at Mr Vanderbeck. “Whatever did he say?”
“That I would find you much altered. You were no longer the carefree child of old.” His voice rose and fell in his soft, lyrical accent. “You look upset. Have I said more than I ought?”
She gave a rueful smile. “No, I suppose he is right. It is just that I rather wonder at him noticing it.”
“I do believe he is beginning to see the vulnerable position his daughters are in. His greatest fear is what will become of you once he is gone.” He tilted his head to one side and placed his hand on top of hers. “I understand you were in some difficulty only a short while ago?”
Elizabeth’s cheeks grew hot. “There is nothing for Papa to be afraid of. I have learnt my lesson and shall stay well clear of peril.”
He looked at her shrewdly. “A bird might be safer in a nest, but it should never be denied the chance to fly. Now, dear not-so-little Lizzy, if you were given the power of choice, how would you choose to live your life?”
She frowned, uncertain of how to answer.
These quick changes of topic were so typical of her godfather; he had never been one for inconsequential chitchat.
He squeezed her hand lightly, and she realised then how much she had missed him.
“I would want to be happy. I would not care for riches or finery as long as those I love were safe and well. I would wish for a family of my own and the freedom to enjoy life where I may.”
“Is that all?”
“No,” she admitted softly, her cheeks warm. “There is something else. But this little hope of mine will never come into being and to talk of it, even in hypothetical terms, is painful to me.”
Mr Vanderbeck patted her arm affectionately and then turned his attention to her father’s desk.
“Look at this mess, dear girl. Have I not lectured your papa about keeping his life well-ordered?” With a crooked smile, he leant heavily against the chair to stand up.
“It is a good thing we do not listen to one another, or I would be required to stay in bed all afternoon.”
He reached for his cane. “Is now a convenient time to introduce you to the monkey?”