Chapter 31 #2
The Darcys remained at Longbourn for a few more hours. At one point, Darcy stepped outside to speak with his coachman while Elizabeth accompanied Jane upstairs.
“Thank you, Jane, for ensuring that our younger sisters did not appropriate all of my belongings for themselves. While there are many things that I no longer need, there are a few small items that I am grateful for the opportunity to recover,” Elizabeth said, entering the room.
“Of course, Lizzy,” Jane replied with a warm smile.
“You mentioned you would be acquiring a new wardrobe, and that our sisters might claim your old dresses and bonnets, so I focused on selecting the items I thought you would want.” She gestured to a large trunk by the bed.
“I packed most of your books and all of your music already, but anything I was uncertain about, I left out for you to sort through.”
Elizabeth’s eyes softened at Jane’s thoughtfulness, yet instead of going to the dresser or vanity as Jane had expected, she knelt beside her bed.
Lifting the corner of a small well-worn rug, she pressed her fingers to a section of the floorboard, prying it up carefully to reveal a hidden space.
From within, she pulled out several small, bound journals, a modest collection of jewellery, and some coins in an old reticule.
Jane’s eyes widened in surprise. “Lizzy, what is that?”
Elizabeth chuckled, brushing a bit of dust off the cover of one journal. “A hiding spot—my secret cache, if you will. You know how Lydia loves to snoop around in our rooms, do you not?”
Jane nodded, already understanding.
“When I realised Lydia’s… curiosity was uncontainable, I needed a solution, especially after I returned from Derbyshire.
I loosened this floorboard, and it turned out to be the perfect place to hide anything I wished to keep private—all safe here.
I even left a few trivial things around for her to ‘discover,’ just enough to satisfy her, so she would not look deeper. ”
Jane’s expression was one of amused admiration. “How clever you are, Lizzy. I would never have thought of such a thing.”
Elizabeth grinned, her fingers lingering on the worn leather of her journals, the familiar texture reminding her of all the thoughts and memories she had poured onto those pages.
“It worked well enough. I could not speak to anyone of my heartbreak since Father forbade it, and I did not want to risk Lydia finding any of it. That, and I was saving money so I could make my way to London when I came of age. I intended to try to find Fitzwilliam, convincing myself that if I could make my way to our aunt and uncle, they would help me.”
“Lizzy,” Jane gasped.
“I would not have left without telling you and finding a way for you to accompany me,” Elizabeth replied.
“Now, I do have a serious matter to discuss with you. Our Aunt and Uncle Gardiner plan to travel to Longbourn for Christmas. I know you have not seen them in some time, but I had hoped to ask you to join Fitzwilliam and me in Derbyshire. If you do not want to come right away, we can send a carriage for you to join us in the new year.”
Jane hesitated. “I… I am not certain yet, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth eyed her sister carefully. “What is it? It is not Mr. Bingley, is it?”
“No, it is not Mr. Bingley,” Jane admitted slowly. “I do… I do have hopes towards another, but I am not certain that anything will ever come of it.”
“Who is it, Jane?” Elizabeth asked.
“Oh, you will think me as silly as Lydia. I confess that I admire someone I should not, someone who will likely never even consider me. I believe he likes me well enough to talk to me, but I am too poor for him to marry,” Jane admitted.
“Who is it?” Elizabeth repeated.
“It is a colonel stationed in Meryton assisting with the militia here. Last I heard, he had left for London, and I do not even know if he will return,” Jane confessed.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam?” Elizabeth cried.
“How do you know the colonel, Lizzy?” Jane asked.
Elizabeth laughed. “He is my dear husband’s cousin, Jane, and a very good man. He is escorting his mother to her father’s house at present, but hopes to return to Hertfordshire early next week.” She looked at her sister knowingly. “You admire him?”
“I do,” Jane admitted. “We met several times in Meryton and at parties and gatherings. Often we found ourselves gravitating towards the other, and I enjoy speaking with him. However, I believe he does not reciprocate my feelings; furthermore, I am certain that, being an earl’s son, he will marry someone far superior to me in social status. ”
Elizabeth considered what her sister said, answering very seriously.
“Richard has had much weighing on his mind of late, Jane. I do not believe he has even thought of marriage before. I… I cannot tell you all, but suffice it to say, we believe Richard’s father and aunt were a driving force in keeping me and Fitzwilliam apart for all those years.
The matter has still not been fully resolved; you might need to be patient with him. ”
Jane sighed. “Mama intends to push me towards Mr. Bingley because he is wealthy. She is so glad you are staying at Netherfield because she thinks that it will allow me to visit more frequently to deepen my connection with him.”
“She knows that we are not staying for long, does she not? We will depart from Netherfield on Monday or Tuesday,” Elizabeth said.
“Mama is convinced she can persuade you to stay longer, through Christmas, in fact,” Jane replied.
Elizabeth raised her brow. “We will leave no later than Tuesday morning. We hoped to wait for Richard to return before we left, but we will need to leave on Tuesday to ensure we arrive at Pemberley by Saturday evening so we are not forced to remain at an inn over a Sunday. Fitzwilliam would prefer to leave on Monday if it is at all possible.”
Jane looked down, her expression shadowed. “I am sorry, Lizzy. I knew Mama might have… hopes, but I expect her to be insistent. Mama truly believes she can persuade you, and if not you, then she hopes your husband can be convinced to delay his departure.
Elizabeth’s laugh was soft yet determined.
“Mama underestimates Fitzwilliam. She does not yet know him, but she will quickly see that he is not easily influenced, especially by her attempts at manipulation. He is not our father. If I asked him to stay longer, he would honour my wishes, but we are in agreement on this. We will spend our first Christmas as husband and wife at Pemberley. Mama may have other hopes, but our plans are decided.”
“Mama will be disappointed,” Jane replied.
“I cannot help that. We were clear with our intentions. Now, do you intend to remain here or to come with us? I make no promises, but I can invite Richard to join us Pemberley while you are there. Or perhaps, I can ask him to escort you later,” Elizabeth said, her eyes twinkling with mischief.