Chapter 5 #4
Everyone was delighted by her generosity.
Even Mr Bennet was in unusually good spirits and sincerely thanked his sister for the books and the fine collection of pipes she had given him.
Her nieces were equally grateful and thanked her repeatedly throughout the day for the thoughtful gifts she had chosen for each of them.
Later that evening, after the rest of the household had retired, Elizabeth and Jane remained awake, talking quietly about everything that had happened since Aunt Eleanor's arrival.
“How are you feeling, Jane?” Elizabeth asked gently.
“I am quite well, Lizzy. And I am looking forward to travelling to London tomorrow with Uncle and Aunt Gardiner. I know Aunt Eleanor wished me to accompany her, but I had already promised John and Laura that I would spend some time with them.”
“You know I was asking about something else,” Elizabeth replied with a knowing smile.
Jane lowered her eyes.
“When I arrive in London, I shall call upon Caroline. If Mr Bingley still has any regard for me, he will return the visit. If he does not…” She paused for a moment. “Then I must put all thoughts of him behind me. I cannot spend the rest of my life grieving for a gentleman who does not care for me.”
The quiet sorrow in Jane's voice told Elizabeth how deeply Mr Bingley's departure had wounded her.
“I understand,” Elizabeth said softly. “In a few days, I shall be in London as well, and we shall all spend time together with Laura, John, Aunt Madeline, Uncle Gardiner, and the children.”
After a brief silence, she continued.
“There is something else I wish to ask you. Have you noticed that Uncle Gardiner has seemed rather distant ever since he arrived? He is usually so cheerful that I cannot help wondering whether something is troubling him.”
“Yes, I have noticed it too,” Jane admitted. “But Mama has also been unusually subdued. Do you suppose something has happened between them?”
“Now that you mention it, you may be right. They have scarcely spoken.”
Elizabeth then related her conversation with Aunt Eleanor and the encounter with Mr Wickham.
Jane listened with astonishment.
“I cannot help feeling sorry for Mr Wickham,” she said at last. “If it had not been for Mr Darcy's injustice, he would now be a clergyman. Poor man. After losing his inheritance, who knows what hardships he may have endured simply to survive?” Elizabeth was less certain than before.
After everything Aunt Eleanor had said, doubts she had never before entertained had begun to trouble her.
“I think we ought to give Aunt Eleanor's opinion serious consideration,” Jane said thoughtfully. “She has travelled far more than we have and possesses a great deal more experience.”
"As always, you are right, dear Jane," said Elizabeth resignedly.
“It is late, Lizzy,” Jane replied with a gentle smile. “We ought to get some sleep.”
“Yes. Good night, Jane.”
“Good night, dear sister.”
◆◆◆
Three days later, Jane travelled to Cheapside with the Gardiners.
Madeline had become increasingly worried about her husband. Ever since their visit to Longbourn, he had been unusually quiet and withdrawn. She believed she knew the reason and resolved to speak to him openly.
After dinner, Edward retired, as he had done every evening since their return, to the study, where he shut himself away. Jane had already gone upstairs with Laura and John, leaving the house unusually quiet.
Madeline knocked softly before entering.
“My dear, may I come in?”
“Of course,” Mr Gardiner replied. “What can I do for you?”
He lowered his eyes to the papers spread across his desk. “Forgive me, but I still have a great many matters to attend to before I retire.”
“Edward, you have been distracted—as if miles away—since we returned from Longbourn. Your silence pains me. I can think of only one explanation for it. It is because of Eleanor. You once loved her, and now that she has returned, you no longer know what to do with those feelings.”
Edward looked at his wife with surprise.
He immediately rose and drew her into a warm embrace.
“My dearest,” he said softly, “how could you ever think such a thing? Ella has always been like a sister to me.”
He sighed heavily.
“I will not deny that discovering she is alive, after believing for so many years that she was dead, has shaken me deeply. But that is not what troubles me.”
“Then trust me,” Madeline whispered. “Whatever is weighing upon your heart, let me help you bear it.”
Edward remained silent for several moments, pacing slowly across the room.
At last, he stopped.
“There is something I have never told you,” he said quietly. “Many years ago, when everyone believed Ella had died, someone entrusted me with a secret.”
His voice faltered.
“At the time, I thought it would remain buried forever.”
He lowered his head.
“But Ella is alive.”
Madeline felt her own anxiety rising.
“What secret could possibly cause you so much pain?”
Edward closed his eyes for a moment before answering.
“My dear…”
He struggled to find the words.
“I believe Elizabeth is Ella's daughter.”
Madeline stared at her husband in complete astonishment. For several long moments, she found herself utterly unable to speak.