Elizabeth rose with the sun the following day, as was her habit. She dressed quickly and left the house for her usual morning walk, looking forward to enjoying the brisk air.
After half an hour of wandering, she looked at the sky and decided to return to Rosings.
I think we might have snow for Christmas, if those clouds are any indication. I hope Lady Catherine’s doctor arrives soon, for I would not wish him to be stranded.
She hastened her steps.
The first flakes were drifting down as she arrived at the front door of the manse, shivering.
Charlotte met her at the door, wringing her hands, waiting as a maid helped Elizabeth out of her coat and bonnet.
“Lizzy, where have you been? I cannot believe you left the house alone in this weather. I have been so worried about you.”
“Why would you worry? You know I must have some time outside, dear, but I am not foolish. As soon as I noticed the gathering snow clouds, I turned back towards Rosings. You should not worry on my account, as you well know I can take care of myself.”
Charlotte shook her head. “You must not do this while we are all so concerned with Lady Catherine. I thought you might have fallen and were lying somewhere, unable to make your way back.”
Elizabeth took her friend’s hands between hers. “I promise to let you know before I go for a walk from now on. If it will make you more comfortable, a stable boy can accompany me. Am I forgiven?”
The lady smiled. “Yes, of course. Come. Maria is in the breakfast room and would have us join her.”
“Excellent idea. I am famished after my exercise, and the meals here never disappoint.”
~~oo~~
Once they were seated and served, Elizabeth turned to Charlotte. “Has the doctor arrived from London?”
“No, but the housekeeper said Miss de Bourgh had an express this morning. He informed her he would be here by noon.”
Elizabeth frowned. “By then, the roads may be impassable.”
“I thought the same, but Mrs. Robinson assured me that the roads between here and London are excellent. She said ’tis very unlikely that the snow will be so deep a good carriage cannot travel. It would be different if he were coming during the darkness, but he planned to start out last night and should be in daylight most of the time.”
“You probably have the right of it. The snow just started falling, after all, and it may not be more than a few inches. We have no way of knowing.”
Maria glanced between the ladies. “I heard Mrs. Robinson call the doctor Mr. Jones. I wonder if he could be related to our own Mr. Jones in Meryton?”
Elizabeth coloured. “I think Mr. Thomas Jones, the son of our apothecary, is a physician in London, but I have no idea whether or not Lady Catherine’s physician is our Mr. Thomas Jones.”
Surely, they are not the same man. If they are, I absolutely must return to Longbourn.
Charlotte observed her Elizabeth with interest, her eyes sparkling. “Would it not be wonderful if it were your Thomas, Lizzy? You and he were inseparable as children. Quite the best of friends, even though he was several years older than you were. He had such patience with you. The two of you were forever being caught climbing trees together or hiding from your sisters and his brothers.”
Elizabeth stared at her plate. “Yes, I followed him around then, and he was always quite kind about it, but we are both grown up now. He is not my Thomas.”
Charlotte’s lips twitched. “When did you last see him?”
Elizabeth took a deep breath and looked up. “The gentleman is Mr. Jones now, and I saw him this past May. He visited his father in Meryton, so he came to Longbourn.”
She forced a light laugh and continued. “We refrained from tree climbing, though it was very tempting.”
“Is he married?” Charlotte asked.
Elizabeth blinked before she answered. “He was not married in May, but it is possible that he is now.”
“Was he in good looks?”
“Charlotte!”
“Yes, Lizzy, I am quite impertinent. However, I would know, is he handsome?”
Elizabeth made a sound of exasperation. “He was a nice-looking boy, and he has grown into a fine young man. Why are you so interested in Thomas Jones?”
“Do not upset yourself, Lizzy. Thomas was my friend as well as yours, though I never climbed trees with him. I have not seen him in several years, and I wondered how he has turned out.”
Elizabeth raised a fine brow. “He is a handsome man. At least six feet tall or perhaps a few inches taller. Blue eyes and fair, wavy hair. Well dressed. He is a man who gives the appearance of having an important, successful profession, and along with all of that, he maintains the demeanour of a gentleman. From what I apprehended, Thomas Jones has done very well for himself. What else would you know?”
Charlotte chuckled. “Did you find him attractive?”
Elizabeth stared at her. “I refuse to answer any more questions concerning Mr. Thomas Jones. You shall soon see him for yourself, if Lady Catherine’s physician is the same Thomas Jones we knew growing up.”
“How interesting. ‘The lady doth protest too much, methinks.’”
“And now you quote Shakespeare in everyday conversation?”
“Do you not remember how we endeavoured to stage The Bard’s plays when we were little more than children?”
Elizabeth smiled in spite of herself. “Who could forget you in the role of Queen Gertrude?”
“You were far more memorable than I. After all, you carried the lead very well, indeed.”
“You played the part of Hamlet?” Maria’s astonishment was evident.
Elizabeth rose, lifted her chin, and extended her hand in a dramatic pose. Her voice was sonorous. “To be, or not to be. That is the question. Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them.’”
Anne de Bourgh and Mrs. Jenkinson entered the room at that inopportune moment, and Elizabeth reddened as she quickly sat down.
Miss de Bourgh and her companion settled in comfortable chairs.
After a moment, the younger lady fixed her gaze upon Elizabeth. “Pray, do not let us interrupt you. Hamlet, I believe?”
Elizabeth swallowed painfully. “I am so sorry, Miss de Bourgh. Please do not think we were making light of the situation.”
“I would never think such a thing of you, Mrs. Collins, or Miss Lucas. After all, the next line is, ‘To die. To sleep no more.’ There is nothing humourous in Prince Hamlet’s speech.”
Charlotte took up the thread of the conversation. “We were reminiscing about our childhood, Miss de Bourgh. Elizabeth and I were always great friends, and we often compelled our siblings to act out plays with us.”
“I had no childhood friends, and my mother would never have allowed me to participate in a play,” said Miss de Bourgh quietly.
Elizabeth’s voice was gentle and kind. “Our mothers encouraged it in the name of education, and no one outside our families was ever in attendance, except the apothecary’s youngest son. Our attempt at staging Hamlet was particularly memorable, but Maria was too young at the time. I believe we may have shocked her with the idea just now. I hope we have not offended you.”
“Indeed not. I must admit I am rather jealous,” replied Miss de Bourgh. “It sounds as if you had very happy times together as children. I was usually solitary. Mrs. Jenkinson was my governess during my entire childhood. She became my companion when I was sixteen.”
Elizabeth smiled at her. “You had many cousins, did you not?”
Miss de Bourgh nodded slowly. “I still do, but I have rarely seen any of them more than once or twice a year. They are such a lively group of people, and I never was.”
I was hardly ever alone. Though my younger sisters often exasperated me, we always loved one another. We did nearly everything together. How sad it would have been to be the only child with no near neighbours. Though Miss de Bourgh had fortune as well as connections, I believe I was the wealthy one.
~~oo~~
After breakfast, the ladies, with the exception of Elizabeth, took turns sitting with Lady Catherine. Even Charlotte spent a half hour with the lady, after sensibly pointing out that she could call for help if she need it. As the patient slept much of the time, there was no need to read aloud to her. The ladies did needlework or read a favourite book instead.
Elizabeth occupied her time in practicing the piano and perusing the library. She found several books which caught her interest and took them to the parlour to occupy her time until the doctor arrived.
Maria brought her sewing and settled on the settee beside her.
“How was Lady Catherine when you left her?” asked Elizabeth.
“I cannot say. She slept all the time I was with her. Does that mean she is better?”
Elizabeth shrugged. “I have no way of knowing. We can only hope that her sleep is healing, I suppose.”
Silence reigned until Charlotte joined them, coming directly from the sickroom.
“Come sit by the window with me, Lizzy. The snow is so beautiful.”
Elizabeth moved to be by her friend, watching the steady accumulation of the snow. Is Thomas caught in this storm somewhere between London and Rosings Park? Is he well? Has he been in a carriage accident? We parted on less than friendly terms. What if I never have another chance to speak with him?
She shuddered.
Time crawled by, and her apprehension grew.
Surely he should be here by now.
Just before noon, they heard a commotion at the front entrance.
Charlotte and Maria stood to smooth their skirts, but Elizabeth could not wait.
She hurried into the hall to see if it was indeed Thomas, but he was not the first gentleman she saw.
Elizabeth came to a full stop. “Mr. Darcy!”
His surprise matched her own. “Miss Bennet!”
Thomas Jones stepped forward and grasped both of her hands. “Elizabeth! What an unexpected pleasure! ’Tis so good to see you again. I have missed you most dreadfully.”
She blushed crimson. “Thomas! You are Lady Catherine’s physician?”
How shall I extract my hands from his without being rude?
“I am Mr. Darcy’s physician and a partner to Lady Catherine’s. Mr. Hough was unable to come, for he is ill, so Mr. Darcy brought me in his place,” he replied, dropping her hands and stepping back to look at her.
He smiled. “You are even lovelier than when I saw you last May. I have been meaning to return to Longbourn to speak with you again. Had I known you were here, I would have insisted the coachman drive faster.”
Speak with me again? So, he is no longer angry with me. She blanched. Does he mean to renew his addresses?
Darcy, meanwhile, had divested himself of his coat and hat. He turned to face her.
“Miss Bennet, please forgive me for not greeting you properly just now.”
He extended his hand, and she took it. Without smiling, Darcy bowed his head in acknowledgement, then released her.
Elizabeth’s heart sank. ’Tis as if he hardly knows me.
Thomas watched them speculatively. “You are acquainted?”
She nodded. “We met several times in Meryton, at Netherfield, and again this past summer when my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner and I visited Pemberley. A few days ago, Jane married Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy’s friend, who let Netherfield. He stood up for his friend, and I for my sister.”
I am babbling. It seems I have been overtaken by Lydia’s predilection. Silent. I will be silent. He that refraineth his lips is wise.
Darcy’s expression was solemn. “I had no idea you were so well known to my physician, Miss Bennet.”
She swallowed, choosing her words before she spoke. “Thomas’s father is the Meryton apothecary. He and I are of an age, Mr. Darcy. We played together as children.”
Thomas smiled, his eyes never leaving her face. “We were always very close, even though she is four years younger than I. Elizabeth taught me to dance. In fact, I was privileged to be the first man with whom she ever danced at an Assembly. That was six years ago when she was but fifteen, and I fear her toes have likely not yet recovered from the experience.”
Anne de Bourgh spoke from behind Elizabeth. “How very interesting. And detailed. Since my mother is resting comfortably, shall we all go into the small dining room to continue the conversation where it is warm? You gentlemen must be cold and hungry, so I directed Mrs. Robinson to have a hot meal served before you go to your chambers and then to my mother’s rooms. I ordered your favourite soup, Fitzwilliam, and a roaring fire awaits us. Mrs. Collins, Miss Lucas, and Mrs. Jenkinson are already there.”
She turned immediately and led the party from the hall.
Elizabeth followed her without hesitation, pleased that Miss de Bourgh put the comfort of her guests above the established protocol.
To her surprise, she found a gentleman on either side of her.
Each man offered her the crook of his arm, and Elizabeth did the only thing she could think of at the moment which would offend neither gentleman. She gave one her right hand and the other her left.
Mama would be quite pleased.
It was not altogether unpleasant.