Page 108 of Her Whole Heart
“Mamma can go live with Aunt Phillips,” Jane said hotly.
“Jane!” Elizabeth exclaimed with a disbelieving laugh.
“Why not? They are sisters. No, I am resolved,” Jane said. “You are quite right. I have had enough. She has mistreated you terribly and attempted to use me to hurt you. Being in London all these months—it had been a revelation in many ways. Even I had no idea how much you had held inside, and I have never felt more at peace to be myself. Do you think Mamma would have supported me when I sent Mr. Bingley away?”
“Never.” Elizabeth shuddered to think what her mother’s response would have been. To blame it on Elizabeth, no doubt.
“Correct. She would have been unbearable. Yet I had to send him away—it was necessary for us both.”
Elizabeth considered it and found Jane’s reasoning sound.
“I think that may have been the real blessing of the money in the end, that there is no need ever to be in her company again.” Jane finally sat in the chair across from Elizabeth. “Or Papa’s for that matter, though he could hardly be rousted from his book room in any case.”
“I have had some pleasant moments with Papa,” Elizabeth said, though she was not really disputing Jane’s characterization.
“Only when you read things he enjoyed speaking about. Never when we brought him bookswewere excited about.”
Elizabeth nodded.
“We cannot change their bitterness,” Jane said firmly, “but I am determined that it shall not taint our future happiness. I have found love with Mr. Bingley, and you will soon receive an offer of your own.”
A secret smile played about Elizabeth’s lips as she thought of the way one errant curl always fell over Mr. Darcy’s forehead. It was the only untamed part of him, and she enjoyed thinking of how he could never resist trying to tuck it back into place.
“We were never going to return to Longbourn. But there is no need ever to be in their company again, Lizzy,” Jane said stoutly. She sat back in her chair. “I think it is the best idea you have ever had.”
Darcy was relieved to see Miss Elizabeth sitting in the drawing room at Carlisle House appearing none the worse for wear. Lord Carlisle had written him on her behalf, asking Darcy to come as soon as it was convenient, for she had something to discuss with him.
He had called for the carriage straight away.
“Miss Elizabeth,” he said as she rose to greet him.
“Mr. Darcy,” she said, smiling. “I did not expect to see you today.”
His brows pinched together, but before he could ask about the note, Miss Bennet spoke from the settee where she had been sitting with Miss Hamilton. Both ladies were also standing now, but he had not noticed.
“I asked Lord Carlisle to send for Mr. Darcy, Lizzy.”
“Whatever for?”
“I want to show him Mamma’s letter.”
“For what purpose?”
Darcy was pleased that Miss Elizabeth did not seem upset, only confused.
Miss Bennet sighed a little. “Because he should know. I have showed mine to Mr. Bingley.”
“I did not know that.”
Darcy was growing more perplexed and anxious by the moment. “What letters?”
Miss Elizabeth shared a look with her sister. “Let us walk in the gardens, Mr. Darcy,” she said at last. “There is more to see now than there was a few weeks ago, and Jane and Amelia can watch us through the window here.”
“Very well.”
Miss Bennet handed her sister a letter of some sort. “I brought it down for you.”
Miss Elizabeth frowned, but she took it. “You are sneakier than I thought, Jane Bennet.”
