The Ashes of Longbourn (26 page)

             
The physician insisted that Lady Catherine be removed from Rosings to Bath or Brighton, in hopes that the change of environments and the healing waters of those locations would be able to calm the elder woman.  This brought a chuckle from Lady Matlock, the thought of Lady Catherine calm was difficult to picture.  A nurse was hired to travel with Lady Catherine and stay with her.

             
The men had spent the night going over the books of Rosings.  Anne had destroyed her heritage, leaving Lady Catherine nearly penniless.  It appeared that Anne had given a great deal of funds to Mr Storm, though where he put it was unknown.  He refused to speak without his beloved Anne, and she was in no condition to participate in such a conversation.

             
It was at the suggestion of the solicitor that Rosings be sold.  The townhouse in London would be kept to house Lady Catherine.  There were limited funds available for the time being, though the solicitor seemed optimistic that the bookkeeper that he had on staff would be able to assist in finding some of the missing funds.  For the first time in her life, Lady Catherine would need to be on a fixed and very rigid budget.  Funds would also need to be available to pay for Anne’s keep and the medical care for her and her unborn child. 

             
The information was overwhelming for all at the table.  The future was still uncertain, though there was peace in knowing that Anne and Mr Storm where in custody, Wickham was dead, and Mr Jolly was set to sail from England forever.  For the first time since the fire, Elizabeth was able to take a breath and release all the pain and agony that had been held inside her, even after Darcy had returned to her.  To know that such evil and such insanity could destroy so many lives was difficult.  Now the true healing could begin.

             
Wiping the tears from his wife’s cheeks, Darcy kissed her forehead.  “Dearest, Charles has informed me just this morning that your sister as agreed to marry him next week. Is that not wonderful news?”

             
“That is wonderful news.” Elizabeth squealed as she turned to her sister.  “We must begin immediately to prepare for it.  Jane, you will need a new gown. And we will need to plan a wedding breakfast.  Where shall you have the wedding?  The chapel here is quite nice, though it is not large.”

             
The other ladies began to laugh.  Mrs Gardiner could not help her response.  “Lizzy, you could not think of these things for your own wedding, and yet, here you are sounding much like your mother.”

             
“Well, I know that Jane has always wished for a more formal sort of wedding than I.  And Mamma would be delighted to have finally had the wedding she had desired since we first received word of Mr Bingley’s arrival at Netherfield.  It is also time for me to behave a little silly, as I have been far too serious for too long.”

             
Jane ran to her sister and embraced her.  “I am so pleased to have my sister back, my dear Lizzy.  So pleased, I will even allow you to plan my wedding breakfast and choose the style for my gown.”

             
Lady Matlock watched with pleasure as the sisters became animated as they spoke. It was not long before Georgiana chimed in her opinions on the latest style of gowns and how Jane should wear her hair.  Bingley was pleased to see Jane become involved in the discussion, and the delight she took in some of the plans.  He would send an express to Louisa and Hurst.  The only problem was what to do with Caroline?

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
Lady Matlock and Georgiana went to the sitting room attached to Lady Matlock’s bedchamber.  The aunt knew her young niece well enough to know that Georgiana was in need of some motherly advice.  “The news that arrived from your uncle was surprising, was it not?”

             
“Aunt, it is difficult to believe the Anne was behind all of this chaos.  She has always been so frail and delicate.  To learn that she has been causing so many problems, not only here, but even for her own mother, my heart goes out to Lady Catherine.  Losing her daughter to her condition and to lose her home for allowing Anne to have her way, I am sure that Lady Catherine is devastated.”

             
“Lady Catherine brought a lot of this on herself.  She has always pampered and spoiled Anne, allowing Anne to behave whatever way she wished without consequences for her actions.  To lose everything due to her own foolishness for giving Anne free rein to do as she pleased is just desserts if you ask me.  It will be interesting to see my sister in law learn what it is like to stay on a budget and not be able to spend money as she wishes.  Lady Catherine has always been able to spend funds as she saw fit, now she will have to do as she is told.”

             
“And what will happen with the baby?” Georgiana asked softly.

             
“I am sure that your uncle and your brother will see that the babe finds a good home, away from Lady Catherine.  Your aunt is in no way able to care for a babe, not that she was able to take care of Anne when she was a small child.  No, it is best that a baby be sent to a family that will take care of it.”

             
“If left in Lady Catherine’s power to see it raised, she would ruin any child’s chance at a good life.  I am glad that William did not go with Uncle Henry.  My brother would have taken all of the concerns on himself rather than concentrate on his own happiness with Lizzy.  I pray that they will be able to have a child when Elizabeth recovers.”

             
“Georgiana, you do know, there is a chance that Elizabeth may never be able to walk or to have a child.  Elizabeth may be in a wheeled chair for the rest of her life.”

             
The young girl smiled.  “No, I have a strong feeling that Lizzy will recover.  I dreamed of William and Elizabeth riding on horses to the hill above Mother’s favorite grove. I am certain that my sister will be able to walk again.”

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
Jane and Elizabeth met in the study of the Mistress of Netherfield. “Oh, Lizzy, we have been living here these many months, and I have already been acting as the Mistress of the estate. To think that next week I will truly be the Mistress, and Mrs Charles Bingley.”

             
“You deserve such joys, Jane.  You have been so good to me and looked out for my needs; I can never thank you enough.”

             
“You are being silly, Lizzy.  I did nothing more than you would have done for me if the situation were reversed.  I wish it were me in the chair, rather than see you so restricted.”

             
“It is one of life’s tests, dear sister.  Do not tell anyone, for only Mrs Bogs knows at the moment.  I felt a slight tingling sensation in my right toes yesterday.  I believe her treatments are helping me and that I will be able to walk again.”

             
“Oh, Lizzy, that is wonderful news.” She said as she embraced her sister.  “Why are you not singing from the rooftops of this news?”

             
“I wish to wait until we see how this progresses.  I could not stand to watch William be disappointed if it is all for naught.”

             
Taking her sister’s hands in her own, Jane placed a gentle kiss on the knuckles of each.  “William could never be disappointed to hear any news which tells that you are getting better.  I will pray that it continues and you will soon regain the use of your legs.”

             
“Thank you, Jane.  Now, let us find Aunt Helen and begin the preparations for your wedding.  You will be the most beautiful bride in the entire world.”

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
Mrs Phillips came to Netherfield at the request of Mrs Gardiner to assist in preparations for Jane’s wedding to Mr Bingley.  As Mrs Gardiner finally explained to her husband’s last remaining sister the events of the past year which were now known, Mrs Phillips sat in dumbfounded silence.  This was highly uncommon for Mrs Phillips, much as it would have been her sister, Mrs Bennet.  For a moment, Mrs Gardiner wondered if they would require sending for the apothecary.

             
Finally, Mrs Phillips spoke.  “My husband has gone with my brother, to defend our family’s honor against the likes of these people?”

             
“Indeed. Edwin and your husband wished to leave Darcy with Lizzy, as she is regaining her strength.  They were furious over the deaths of our family members due to this treachery and demanded the culprits be stopped and made to pay for their crimes.  Mr Wickham is dead, died in the explosion on Longbourn property two days ago.  Mr Jolly aided us in learning the truth, and is most likely on board a ship bound for Australia, where he will spend the rest of his life.  Miss de Bourgh is deranged and will spend the rest of her life in a sanitarium. And the man we thought was Mr Collins will stand trial for murdering the real Mr Collins as well as the conspiracy to kill Elizabeth which led to the deaths of the Bennets.  Your husband believes that the man will hang before the year is out.”

             
“I would never have thought my husband so strong in defense of our family.  I knew he found Fanny to be a silly woman, as well as Lydia being a ridiculous girl, but he chose to place himself in harm’s way to defend our family; I could not be prouder of my dear husband.  Oh, my, our poor girls.  Jane and Lizzy have endured so much.  I never did like that Collins man, his eyes were shifty.”

             
Mrs Gardiner laughed to herself.  Just a year before and Mrs Phillips had been promoting the marriage match between Elizabeth and Collins.  “Well, Elizabeth is now married, Jane will be next week.”

             
“And it will be the finest wedding breakfast ever to be had.” Mrs Phillips said as she began to speak of the different dishes that would need to be served, the decorations, even speaking of hiring musicians from Town for the event.  It was decided to have the wedding breakfast at Netherfield, as everywhere else was too small.  As soon as Louisa Hurst arrived, they would discuss all the plans with her.  Technically, Louisa would be acting the role of hostess, though in practically everything, Jane had been the hostess for months.”

             
“Is Miss Bingley coming as well?  I cannot imagine her being pleased with Lizzy married to Mr Darcy and Jane now marrying Mr Bingley.”

             
“From what Mr Bingley has said, she will most likely remain in Town.  For our girls’ sake, I pray that it is true.  I do not wish to see any disruption come to the wedding or to their lives.”

             
“Fanny would be dancing a jig at this moment if she were alive.  Oh, my dear sister would be so pleased with her daughters so well settled.”

             
“Both of them married to men who love and adore them, that is the most important.” Mrs Gardiner said.

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
“I received word from Charles today that he and Jane are finally having their wedding.” Louisa Hurst stated to her husband.  “I am so pleased with the news.  And he says that Mrs Darcy is becoming stronger each day.  Such wonderful news for all of them, is it not?  When can we travel to Netherfield, for I would not miss my brother’s wedding for anything?”

             
“We can leave any time you wish, my dear.” Mr Hurst stated.  “And what of your sister, do we tell her the truth?”

             
“Charles does not wish her to be there, as she would only cause trouble and pain.  We will have to dissuade her from coming with us.”

             
“How will we do such, Louisa?  Caroline has been dying to find a way to go to Netherfield ever since Charles threw her from the property.  Your sister is determined to speak with Mr Darcy and attempt to break up his marriage.  The foolish woman thinks that she still has a chance to become Mrs Darcy.”

             
“I have never understood Caroline’s fixed notion that she is and always will be, the only perfect Mistress of Pemberley.  How do we convince her that her dreams are foolishness?  It is time she finds a man who will care for her and begin her own life.”

             
“In a home of her own, too.  I do not wish to have your sister living with us for the rest of our lives.  Our children do not need Auntie Caroline in their lives every day.”

             
“I could not agree with you more.  The solicitor has begun the paperwork for Caroline’s inheritance to be separated and an establishment created for her.  I doubt that she will ever find a husband, so she should take up her own home and make a life for herself.  It will make the rest of us happier.”

             
Outside the drawing room door, Caroline Bingley was listening to her sister’s conversation with her husband.  Seething, Caroline continued to listen, furious that her sister thought so little of her.  Once the conversation had moved to a different topic, Caroline quietly made her way back to her private suite of rooms.