Chapter 54
Heedless of propriety, Elizabeth ran up the steps of number twenty-three, Gracechurch Street, threw her arms around her aunt and burst into tears.
At last, she could let go of the rigid control she had forced on herself, and be the little girl who had run to her aunt for every scraped knee or disparaging comment from her mother.
She was utterly safe at last. Her aunt seemed equally affected, but tightened her arm around Elizabeth’s shoulder. “Come,” her voice was just a murmur. “Let us get you inside, away from all prying eyes.”
Elizabeth went with her, not even thinking to look back and followed her aunt upstairs and into the old familiar bedchamber where she had spent so many happy months of her childhood.
There, Aunt Gardiner folded Elizabeth properly into her arms, and she could weep on her shoulder and let go.
It might not be enough to release all her pent up sorrow, anger, resentment and fear, but it might begin to help her regain some of the strength she had felt leaving her over the last months as she attempted to show an oblivious Mr Price that she was not available to be importuned.
Not that she had wanted to be approached, and she had not been flattered, either.
Aunt Gardiner asked no questions, and did not offer any comforting words, but her embrace was all that Elizabeth needed at this moment, and she knew not how long it had been before she shakily pushed herself upright, and ruefully smiled a watery smile at her aunt, and regarded the sodden handkerchief.
Aunt’s own handkerchief had been well used as well, and Elizabeth reached into the small drawer of the bedside table. As she expected, Aunt had prepared well. She shook out two clean ones and offered one to her aunt and utilised hers.
“I’ll get Bessie to bring hot water up and you will feel better when you have refreshed yourself.” Aunt seemed to feel the need to keep hold of Elizabeth’s hand, and Elizabeth was hardly likely to wish to let her go.
“Oh, Aunt, I have missed you so much.” Elizabeth laid her head on the other woman’s shoulder, feeling peace beginning to steal through her. “And I feel sorry that I did not even notice whether Uncle was there. I ought to have greeted him before we came upstairs.”
“It matters not, Lizzy. He will be pleased to greet you when you are able to go down later. We have as long as you feel the need to remain here and safe.” She squeezed Elizabeth’s hand. “And your uncle went to greet Mr Darcy, I believe.”
“Oh,” Elizabeth shivered at the thought of her husband being in this house. “He has been — attentive.”
Her aunt smiled sadly. “He will not stay long. He wrote to Edward and explained that he will not impose himself on you while you are here, because he does not wish you to feel obliged to him in any way.”
“Oh.” Elizabeth was surprised that she felt a sting of disappointment. She ought not, she had a great deal to talk about to her aunt, and she wanted to be independent, did she not?
But it seemed Aunt had defined her indecision.
“Take a few weeks to rest, my Lizzy, before you even think about the future. Mr Darcy told Edward that you have spent most of the last months caring for yet another grandmother, right up until her death. You will need to rest, and also, allow yourself to feel and recover, before any thinking must be done.”
“I hope I can become as wise as you are, Aunt.”
The other smiled. “You are yet young. But you can make good decisions, my dear, when you are well again.”
That evening Elizabeth went downstairs for dinner. “I am sorry not to have dressed properly, Aunt. But I have only the two dresses.”
“We understand, Lizzy.” Uncle smiled benevolently at her. “I believe Madeline is looking forward to furnishing you with a new wardrobe.” He chuckled, and Elizabeth smiled back, rather weakly.
“Maybe in a few days. I am tired from the journey.”
“We will take it slowly, my dear.” Her aunt glanced at her. “Mr Darcy told Edward that he was sending your things from Pemberley for your use until you have obtained new ones.”
Uncle frowned slightly. “He seemed embarrassed by it, and apologised profusely that you had so little that was fit to wear. He has told me on previous visits of his shame at the way you were without funds, and it appears that your time in Lincolnshire did not allow you more.”
Elizabeth shrugged slightly; she did not want to think of it at present, although she stored up what he had said to consider later. It seemed that Mr Darcy had been completely open to her family about his faults and the way he had behaved — even to her tradesman uncle. She could hardly believe it.
Aunt Gardiner firmly changed the conversation to her children and Elizabeth’s mood lightened as she laughed at the tales of their antics.
“And I must meet young master Eli! He must have developed his character by now.”
Over tea in the drawing room, Elizabeth looked diffidently at her aunt.
“I wonder if it would be possible to ask Papa to visit you here soon. I am longing to see him, but I do not wish to go to Longbourn, not yet.” She huffed a small laugh.
“I know he does not like town, but he might come, just for a night or two.”
Uncle’s laugh boomed out. “He would have been here before you arrived, had he not agreed he should wait until you were settled here first. But if you write and ask him, he will be here as soon as may be.”
She looked at her aunt. “Might I invite him? He could use Jane’s old room, perhaps.”
“Of course you may. If you send your request early tomorrow, he might even be here in the evening.”
“If it is well with you, Aunt, I will write it tonight, so that it may go as early as possible in the morning.”
Papa,
I arrived at Gracechurch Street today, and the only thing I wish was different is that you were here with me. But I cannot face Meryton as yet.
Please, if you are able, join me here as soon as may be.
I can hardly wait to see you.
Your Lizzy.