Chapter 7 #3
“I have never traveled so long,” Jane smiled in agreement. “But I must say I agree. It will be nice to be at Netherfield this evening and to sleep in my own bed, even knowing that there will be so much to do to prepare the house for moving.”
“We will have nothing worth sitting upon if we do not get to London to place our orders,” Caroline harrumphed, her gaze turning cunning. “Charles, it would save us a good deal of time to just go straight to London rather than stopping at Netherfield first.”
“I suppose,” he hemmed.
“In fact, it is not as if we are needed to direct the servants after all.”
“That is true…”
Jane looked back and forth between them, but her husband was avoiding her gaze. “It really is necessary that I am there, Caroline. It is my responsibility to oversee the packing of the house and either Charles or I must go through the lists of inventories and approve any missing or damaged items.”
Caroline wrinkled her nose, knowing full well that any breakages were as a result of her temper. “Well, then you can travel to the estate while Charles and I go to London to begin the shopping.”
“I suppose that would be fine,” Jane said slowly, again attempting to catch her husband’s eye.
“Oh good!” Bingley exclaimed. “Divide and conquer!”
“Exactly,” Caroline smirked and thumped on the wall of the carriage. “The servants should be along momentarily. Do you wish to take your work bag?”
“It would save us nearly two hours on our trip,” Bingley lit up at the thought of arriving sooner than he had hoped. “You would not mind, do you my dear?”
Jane stared. Not mind riding in the servants carriage? Did he care at all for her embarrassment to be seen riding through Meryton in such a manner?
“Of
course dear Jane would not mind, Charles. She is always so kind and accommodating to other’s convenience.”
Jane froze and before she knew what was happening, Bingley had assisted her down, handed her the work bag and reticule, and bid her farewell.
They had not even waited for the servant’s carriage to arrive!
Jane fought her tears as she stood, abandoned, on the side of the road.
It was nearly ten minutes before the second carriage appeared and the coachman nearly did not stop as he never imagined that his mistress would be standing on the side of the road like a vagabond.
“What happened? What do you do here?” he cried, as the carriage lumbered to a stop, the horses shivering against their harnesses. “Do I need to send a rider for the constable?”
“It was decided that it would be faster if I rode in your carriage to Netherfield.” Jane said, her voice its usual calm, placid tone despite the flame of mortification and irritation which had lit in her breast.
“I hope she does think that I shall give up my seat for the likes of her!” the voice of Caroline’s maid declared. “Of all the ridiculous notions!”
Bingley’s man agreed. “She can ride on the bench with the coachman if she likes!”
Jane’s cheeks burned.
“She may have my seat,” the blessed voice of her own maid declared. “I could use some fresh air.”
Jane pretended she had not heard a thing as the footman climbed down from the box and opened the door before assisting her maid to step out. Jane thanked her earnestly and apologized for the inconvenience.
“Not that she would apologize to us as we are the ones that will have to travel out of our way and shall not arrive in London until long after my mistress. She will be livid to discover that I am not there to assist her with her toilet.”
Jane’s cheeks burned brighter but she held her peace as she was assisted into the cramped conveyance and squished into the corner of the seat with the other two women.
Bingley’s valet refused to move his legs in any manner and in order to avoid them she held herself against the wall, only to receive a sharp smack when the door was swung shut.
She winced and affected a blank expression despite the man’s smirk which he had not bothered to hide.
They traveled into Hertfordshire and stopped to rest the horses at their usual inn.
Jane let out a puff of air, relieved to be free of the awkwardness of the carriage.
She looked about in surprise, unsure what she ought to do as the servants quickly abandoned her for the main dining room without a single thought for her comfort.
“Excuse me, sir,” Jane bit her lip as she addressed the frazzled innkeeper.
“Whatd’ya need!” he barked, pointing the stable boys toward the mail coach which was preparing to depart.
“Would— would you have a private room available where I might refresh myself?” she whispered.
“What?” he turned, unable to hear her over the noise.
“A private room to refresh myself!” Jane cried, surprising them both.
He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, “Well, miss, I suppose there might be a place. Would you be wantin’ somthin’ ta eat?”
“Tea and perhaps some cheese and bread, or cold meats, if you have it available?” Jane asked, her stomach growling angrily at her neglect.
The innkeeper took pity on her and waved for a girl to take her above stairs, instructing her to fetch the lady a pitcher of water as well.
Jane was near tears once more as the door closed behind her, leaving her alone for a moment.
She hurried through her ablutions and then waited with bated breath for the food to arrive.
She had never felt so hungry in all her life and was nearly to the point of nausea.
She rubbed her still flat stomach, thinking of her poor babe starving away.
The maid appeared with a tray of cold beef, cheeses, and fresh rolls as well as a pot of tea.
Jane was able to hold herself back until the girl closed the door once more but then she fell on the food with a ravenous will, eating nearly the entirety of the tray.
She relaxed back into the chair with a teacup and groaned, replete.
There was a knock at the door and the frowning innkeeper appeared.
His discomfort was obvious as he demanded that she settle the bill for herself and the servants.
Jane blinked in surprise, as she had never done such a thing in her life, but hurried to hand over the requested amount from her dwindling funds.
“In the future, madame, it is customary that you give the funds to one of your men to take care of such things.”
“I am so sorry!” she exclaimed, hurrying to gather her things. “Be assured in the future it shall be so.”
She was following the man down the stairs when the sound of her servants chatting near the fireplace just inside the door of the dining room carried over the general din.
“I thought the master gave you a purse for incidentals, Mr. Doorman.”
“Oh, he did, but that stupid cow does not know it and it is only right that she pay for our discomfort when she is forcing her presence on us all. I am sure the innkeeper gave her a piece of his mind as well,” he laughed, “he hates asking women for money!”
They laughed again as Jane stepped into view.
Her maid flushed brightly, certain they had been overheard, but the others merely looked at their mistress as if daring her to say anything.
She asked, quietly, if they were prepared to depart.
Mr. Doorman, leaned back in his chair, insolently refusing to rise when she had approached, and took a final swig from his small beer before releasing a belch.
“Shall we?” he finally declared, and the others rose and followed him out of the door.
They took their seats in the carriage leaving Jane to enter last and she once again folded herself into the corner, and they continued on to Meryton.
Forty minutes later the carriage rolled to a stop before the entrance of Netherfield and Mr. Doorman grumbled that they ought to have been pulled to the rear entrance as he had instructed.
Jane, yet again, ignored the audacity as she was joined by her dusty maid as they climbed the stairs to enter the house.