Page 13 of To Love And To Cherish
“Lizzy!” Kitty cried, throwing her arms around her. “You’re finally back!”
Mary embraced her with more restraint, but her clasp was firm, and her voice sincere. “We’ve missed you.”
Elizabeth returned their embraces with gratitude, her throat tight. Then her eyes found her father’s. He stood a little apart, hands clasped behind his back, watching her with an unreadable expression. But as she stepped toward him, he smiled.
Elizabeth didn’t hesitate. Crossing the distance, she wrapped her arms around him. “Papa,” her voice breaking, “I have missed you so.”
Mr. Bennet held her close. “And I you, my dearest girl,” he said, his voice low and rough with feeling. “It’s a comfort to see you here again.”
She pulled back slightly to look at him, blinking away tears. “I have thought of you every day. I missed our talks, our mornings together. I have had questions only you could answer. I wanted to write to you so many times, but mamma forbade it and I didn’t want to stir up trouble more than I already had.”
His lips pressed into a rueful smile. “And I have regretted every day I let pass in silence. I should never have allowed you to be sent away. That was cowardice, plain and simple.”
Elizabeth swallowed hard. “I was angry. But I never stopped hoping you would come for me. Every time I heard a carriage pull up in front of Gracechurch Street, I imagined it might be you.”
He touched her cheek, his thumb brushing away a tear. “You’re here now, and I’ll not lose you again. We’ll do better, you and I. That I promise.”
They stood for a moment longer, neither speaking, both holding on to each other as if to make up for the lost year.
Later, as they sat together in the drawing room with tea, Mary leaned in to examine Elizabeth’s gown. “That is a very fine muslin, Lizzy. And the bonnet is surely new.”
Elizabeth smiled faintly. “A parting gift from Aunt Madeline.”
“You’d best keep it well guarded,” Mary warned. “Lydia stole my newest bonnet last week. That horrid child tore it to pieces to harvest the lace and silk flowers.”
“Lydia is unendurable,” said Kitty, setting down her cup with a clatter. “Anything she desires, she simply takes, and Mamma lets her have it.”
Elizabeth turned her gaze on her father, who raised his brows and looked away.
“You’ve grown a good two inches, Mary,” Elizabeth observed. “You’re taller than me now by at least half an inch. Astonishing.”
“I have grown, too,” Kitty said eagerly. She stood and pulled Elizabeth to her feet. “Stand here beside me and look in the mirror.”
Elizabeth obliged, and Mary joined them. The three sisters stood shoulder to shoulder, laughing at the resemblance.
“We could be triplets,” Elizabeth said, “except I’m clearly the runt. But no one could mistake us for anything but sisters.”
Kitty turned her head. “Our hair gives us some distinction.”
“Yes,” Elizabeth agreed. “Kitty, yours has that lovely hint of red, Mary’s has copper like mine, but in gentle waves. And my hair is far less well-behaved.”
Mr. Bennet joined them, peering into the mirror with amusement.
“Papa,” Elizabeth said, “my hair is your color and your texture. And all three of us have your nose. It’s rather aristocratic, I think.”
Kitty giggled. “It’s true! I have never noticed. Everyone says we favor Mamma, but there’s a great deal of you in us, Papa.”
“Only Jane and Lydia took Mamma’s coloring,” Elizabeth mused. “Their sapphire eyes and golden hair set them apart from every other girl in the county.”
Mr. Bennet smiled. “They are beautiful, yes, but so are you three. Never let your mother convince you otherwise. Beauty is not confined to fair curls.”
“Beauty is as beauty does,” Mary said soberly. “Lydia may rival Jane in looks, but her character is... well, it is repellent. She’s become far worse since you’ve been gone, Lizzy. Jane can’t manage her at all.”
Elizabeth turned once more to her father. “Is Mamma still determined to keep Jane and me separated? Does she truly believe that will work when we share a bedroom?”
“She moved your things to the nursery a year ago,” Mr. Bennet said dryly. “She’s being petty, but I daresay it will pass.”
Elizabeth sat down. “Mother has been holding this grudge for a year. I don’t think she means to let it go. But what about Lydia? She’s only eleven, and already consumed with bonnets. Shouldn’t my baby sister be playing with dolls?”
