Chapter 50 Parting Ways
Elizabeth’s family had been invited to Darcy House for dinner.
It was now mid-April, and this would be their last gathering for several months.
Now the meal was over, and Elizabeth and the women left the men to their port.
In the drawing room, Georgiana played on the pianoforte while Madeline offered Elizabeth a letter.
“Lizzy, you have not yet seen this. I shall forward it on to your father, but I wish for you to read it first.”
“Is it from Lydia?”
“It is from Mr. Adams. Lydia would not take the trouble to write, though she did scratch out a line or two. That child has not matured in the least. Everything is one grand party or ball to her. She lives for such things.”
Jane asked quietly, “Is Mr. Adams displeased with our sister?”
“No indeed. He believes Lydia is everything charming and beautiful, and since she is a great favorite among his circle, he considers himself quite fortunate that the belle of the ball is his wife.”
Elizabeth raised a brow. “Then I am happy for him, Aunt Maddie. Shall I take the time to read it now?”
“Yes. We shall listen to your sister-in-law at the pianoforte while you read, my dear, for I have held the letter more than a week already, and I dare not delay sending it any longer.”
Elizabeth opened the letter and began to read.
Mr. Adams possessed a fine hand and a succinct style of writing.
He wrote that they were happily settled in a bungalow in Chowringhee, within the European quarter of Calcutta.
He described his duties as a junior clerk and declared that his prospects for advancement within the Company were fair, provided he continued to work diligently.
He also wrote that during the months they had resided in India, the couple had attended numerous social events.
Elizabeth paused and remarked, “They appear to enjoy a surprisingly active social life, Aunt Maddie.”
“They do, Elizabeth. The Company does all it can to keep its employees contented, so that it does not lose too many back to the homeland.”
Elizabeth continued reading:
“We have heard that cholera has swept through several European households. One couple with whom we frequently socialize has taken ill, though we have not yet learned how they fare. I have warned Lydia not to eat raw fruit. She enjoys it far more than I should like. Those who have resided here for years insist that the consumption of uncooked fruit is dangerous to health, but my wife does not heed me. Perhaps, Mrs. Gardiner, you will write to her and add your remonstrances to mine.”
Elizabeth then reached the few lines written in Lydia’s hand:
“Aunt Maddie, I am considered the belle of most of the balls I attend. Is that not a great joke? I have surpassed Jane in both beauty and height. I detest the mosquitoes and must sleep beneath a mosquito net. The oppressive heat is beastly, but for the most part, I am very pleased to reside in India with my handsome husband.”
When Elizabeth finished the letter, she handed it back to her aunt. “I only hope she takes heed and listens to her husband. He seems a responsible young man, though he is scarcely older than Lydia herself.”
“Yes. If only Lydia would do as she is told, I do not fear for her comfort or well-being.”
Mrs. Gardiner then asked her eldest niece, “And what of Kitty? Will your papa send her to school?”
“I recommended it, but Kitty does not wish to go, and you know Mamma. She regards a woman's education as a matter of little consequence.”
“Yes, that is unfortunate. Will you take her with you when you return to Kent?”
“Kitty has no wish to leave Longbourn. According to Mamma’s most recent letter, Kitty and Maria Lucas have become fast friends, and the two spend a great deal of time in Meryton visiting the officers.”
Elizabeth huffed. “Mamma shall never learn. But what of Papa? Perhaps he is ignorant of Kitty's flirtations.”
“Perhaps you might take her north with you, Elizabeth? If you stop in Hertfordshire intending to collect her, your mother will hardly refuse you.” Madeline gave her a meaningful look.
“Yes, Aunt. I understand you. I shall speak with Fitzwilliam. I have no doubt Maria Lucas leads Kitty about by the nose, and Mamma has no more sense than to permit it. I wonder why Mary has not restrained her? If Kitty brings ruin upon the family, Mary has the most to lose, for it is her child who will inherit the stain.” Elizabeth paused and then asked, “How is my sister, Aunt Maddie? Have you heard?”
“Yes, your father has written. We are to visit so that I may work with Mary. Her aversion to Mr. Collins has deepened. With every visit to Longbourn, he has become increasingly arrogant. Evidently, the neighbors have come to venerate and esteem him as a learned man and the future master of the principal estate in the neighborhood. It has all gone to his head, and according to your father, Mr. Collins has become an even greater mixture of pride and self-importance than when he and Mary first married.”
Mrs. Gardiner added, “Your sister suffers a good deal. She is painfully swollen. She is also much larger than one might expect for a woman who is only five or six months along.”
“Could she be carrying twins, Aunt?” Jane asked. “To my knowledge, there are no twins within our family line.”
“I do not know, Jane. It seems unlikely. Perhaps Mary is simply delicate. Her husband resents the weakness and declares that such infirmity may be visited upon his progeny. From what your father has written, Mr. Collins has become altogether insufferable.”
When they parted that evening, it was with heavy hearts, for Elizabeth was traveling north while her favorite sister journeyed south. Yet Elizabeth had already resolved that, unless her husband refused her request, Kitty would join the party traveling to Pemberley.