Page 16 of What Change Entails

Mrs. Bennet had attended to it, certainly, but in a manner more likely to prolong the household’s suffering than soothe Lydia’s. Kitty had attended to it faithfully until she remembered, at intervals, that Lydia was leaving without her. Mary had observed that disappointment, rightly borne, might refine the character, which had nearly caused Lydia to throw a pincushion. Jane had been kind. Jane was always kind, which made even reproach difficult. Mr. Bennet had retreated to his library with cowardly efficiency.

Elizabeth, having begun the whole calamity, endured the consequences.

She descended to the hall just as the Gardiners’ carriage came to a halt before the door. The morning had broken fair after rain, and the gravel still held dark patches where water had gathered beneath the wheels. Her aunt stepped down first, smiling as Mr. Gardiner made to hand her out, and Elizabeth’s chest loosened in a way it had not done since Brighton had become the single subject spoken of beneath Longbourn’s roof.

“There is my Lizzy,” Mrs. Gardiner said, crossing the hall with both hands extended. “You look a bit exasperated. Has this house been louder than usual?”

Elizabeth kissed her cheek. “That is a charitable description.”

Mr. Gardiner entered behind his wife, shaking damp from the brim of his hat before Hill could quite prevent him. “Then I am glad we shall relieve you of the strain. Loud households often breed contention and strife.”

“Uncle, you are braver than you know.”

Mrs. Gardiner’s eyes moved over Elizabeth’s face with more perception than Elizabeth wished. “Where is Jane?”

“With Mama in the morning room. Lydia is there as well, unless she has expired since breakfast.”

Mr. Gardiner surrendered his hat to Hill. “Should we send for the apothecary?”

“The complaint is disappointment,” Elizabeth replied. “I fear no apothecary in Hertfordshire can cure it.”

Mrs. Gardiner gave her a look halfway between amusement and concern, then slipped her arm through Elizabeth’s. “Come, then. Let us face the afflicted.”

The morning room had been prepared for guests with unusual care, though the effort was somewhat lessened by Lydia lying across the sofa in a manner that suggested she had suffered a great personal bereavement. Kitty sat near her feet, folding and unfolding the same length of ribbon. Jane stood by the tea table, and Mrs. Bennet occupied the chair nearest the fire despite the day being far too warm for it.

“My dear sister!” Mrs. Bennet cried, rising with immediate animation. “How good of you to come. You find us in the most dreadful distress. Such misery. Such cruelty. Such a change in all our plans.”

Mrs. Gardiner accepted her embrace with admirable serenity. “So, Elizabeth’s letter suggested.”

Lydia tilted her head up from the sofa cushion. “Did Lizzy tell you she ruined everything?”

“Lydia,” Jane murmured, reaching for the teapot.

“She did,” Lydia insisted. “I was to go to Brighton, and now I am to be sent into the wilderness.”

Mr. Gardiner peered around the pleasant morning room with interest. “The wilderness has improved since last I visited Longbourn.”

Elizabeth bit the inside of her cheek.

Mrs. Bennet pressed a handkerchief beneath her eye, though no tear had yet appeared. “Your brother has taken it into his head that Lydia may not go with Mrs. Forster after all.”

“And since her aunt and uncle are going north,” Mr. Bennet said from the doorway, where he had appeared with suspicious timing, “I have proposed an arrangement that will either improve Lydia or provide Derbyshire with sufficient warning before our arrival.”

Lydia sat up, her curls tumbling over one shoulder. “Papa, I am in the room.”

“So, I perceive. The atmosphere of tragedy gave you away.”

Mrs. Gardiner removed her gloves slowly, glancing from Lydia to Elizabeth and then to her husband. “We are very happy to have Elizabeth with us, of course. But Lydia as well?”

At that, Lydia forgot her role as martyr long enough to look indignant. “I am not a parcel to be discussed before delivery.”

“No,” Mr. Bennet said mildly. “Parcels do not generally object to the route.”

Jane placed a hand on her face in exasperation.

Mrs. Gardiner’s mouth twitched, but she came to sit near Lydia. “My dear, if you are to join us, I hope you will not consider yourself merely endured. We should like you to enjoy the journey.”

Lydia stared at her aunt with open suspicion. “Are there assemblies in Derbyshire?”