Page 39 of To Love And To Cherish
They were quiet a moment, each turning the matter over in her thoughts.
At last, Elizabeth said, “Mary, why not travel to Cambridge early and meet your cousin there? It would give you the chance to grow comfortable with her before undertaking so long a journey.”
Miss King looked surprised. “Would my uncle permit it, do you think?”
“Write and ask,” Elizabeth urged. “Offer my services. My father taught at Cambridge for ten years; he was a linguistics professor before he inherited Longbourn. He raised me on the romanicus languages, Latin of course, Spanish, Portuguese, French, andItalian, with a little German thrown in for fun. We speak a different language each day to keep ourselves in practice. I should be glad to assist in the young man’s instruction.”
Miss King’s eyes brightened. “Yes. Yes, I shall write to Cousin Ancilla today. Between you and my cousin, that poor truant might just acquire enough Italian to qualify. In the meantime,” she stood and began to pace the room, “there is so much to do. I must sort my clothes, discard all those childhood trifles, and decide what I shall take. Aunt Hattie has said I must not leave behind anything she cannot sell or give away.”
Elizabeth rose too, laughing. “Then I shall move in. Let us wake early each day and spend our time sorting and packing. When we are finished, we’ll travel to Cambridge.”
Miss King clapped her hands. “I must ask Aunt Hattie at once.” She vanished from the room and returned not ten minutes later, all smiles. “She agrees! When can you come?”
“Monday,” Elizabeth replied. “I’ve little enough to pack. I’ll see to it that Papa will have it delivered by ten on Monday.”
Miss King embraced her. “Then let us tell Aunt Hattie it is all arranged. I’ll ask Ruby to prepare the guest room.”
Elizabeth returned home walking briskly, her spirits lifted. She entered her father’s study and found him bent over a worn volume of Tacitus, spectacles low on his nose.
“Papa,” she said, “it is a settled thing. Miss King departs for Cambridge as soon as she finishes packing. She has asked me to stay with her at her aunt’s house to assist in the preparations.”
Mr. Bennet looked up. “So Harriet Talbot has agreed to host you? That is surprising. The woman has never shown herself particularly hospitable.”
“She is eager to see Miss King married,” Elizabeth said dryly. “Perhaps she is willing to suffer me if it hastens the removal.”
Mr. Bennet gave a knowing smile. “I daresay you are right. Her brother, Steafan Allister, is equally invested in Miss King’s settlement. She will be eighteen soon, and an heiress too long unwed becomes a burden to any household. She is bound to attract fortune hunters and blackguards eager for her dowry.”
Mr. Bennet raised a brow. “And this companion, Miss Trent, is she the daughter of Giles Trent, the philosopher?”
“She is. Did you work with him?”
“We were friends, long ago,” Mr. Bennet said, his voice softening. “He was a man of great mind and little vanity. I am glad to hear his daughter survived. She was born prematurely, and the physician did not expect her to live beyond the day.”
Elizabeth sat quietly for a moment. “This remembrance makes me all the more eager to meet Miss Trent and learn more of her story. I will miss you, Papa.”
He looked at her closely. “From the look of you, my dear, I believe this journey will bring you much contentment. I shall miss you as well. You have been my linguistic partner since you were but two years old, asleep in your little crib that stood in the corner there. I read to you every day in a different language, believing that children acquire tongues more easily than adults, and in your case, it proved to be true.”
She hesitated, then said, “I think this trip will bring me clarity. And peace.”
Mr. Bennet nodded. “I wish you well, Lizzy. I cannot shake the feeling that you are leaving Longbourn forever. I believe you will meet your destiny on this journey to Scotland, and heavenknows it will be a relief to both you and your mother to enjoy this respite from one another.”
Elizabeth leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Papa. I will begin packing today. Mary expects me on Monday.”
She rose to leave, then paused in the doorway. “You are quite right, it will be a relief to be away from Mamma’s sharpness. Her dislike of me has not allayed.”
Mr. Bennet’s expression softened with sadness. “Then let Scotland be your refuge, my dear.”
And with that, Elizabeth departed to begin packing for the first real journey of her life.
Chapter 20: Sunday Services
The sun shone brightly that Sunday morning, casting warmth over the churchyard as the congregation filed out in quiet pairs and clusters. Elizabeth, lingering near the lychgate with her sisters, turned and stepped forward to meet Mr. Darcy and Georgiana as they approached.
"Miss Bennet," said Mr. Darcy, bowing. "Might we have a word?"
Elizabeth curtsied. "Certainly, sir."
She turned to Georgiana, who immediately took her hand. "Elizabeth, I wish to know everything. I have scarcely had the pleasure of speaking with you since you left Netherfield."
