A Better Understanding by Jennifer Kay

Author:Jennifer Kay [Kay, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Published: 2020-01-18T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Elizabeth

Thankfully, Mr. Collins stayed only two days after the party at Lucas Lodge. Pleased to have put his visit in the past, Elizabeth turned her attention towards their next guests with great anticipation and joy. The Gardiners were to come, as they always did, to spend the holiday at Longbourn. Elizabeth looked forward to the visit every year, but with Jane’s engagement and all the other excitement of the autumn, she was especially grateful for one beloved tradition that had not changed.

Jane teased her all morning as she sat by the window, book unread and sewing ignored, watching the road. It was worth it, Elizabeth thought. Worth it to catch sight of the carriage first, to be able to dash down the stairs and meet her aunt and uncle and cousins at the door. Worth it—oh, so worth it—for that first smile from Mrs. Gardiner that promised understanding and comfort and a safe place to vent all of her feelings when they settled in for a private chat later that day. Elizabeth wanted to grab her uncle’s hand on the spot and thank him for marrying the perfect woman. Had she been able to choose her own mother, Elizabeth knew without a doubt it would be Madeline Gardiner. Since life did not work that way, she could only give thanks that the dear lady was still her aunt.

The other Bennet sisters joined them in a moment, calling out greetings and exclaiming over how big the Gardiner cousins had grown. The two girls were old enough now to return the greetings with smiles and kisses. Thomas and little Eddie, however, had no interest in anything but letting off energy after being crammed in a carriage for the better part of the morning. Only when Kitty promised to build them play swords did they consent to come inside.

A late luncheon was served, and then the gentlemen disappeared into Mr. Bennet’s book room. The boys and Kitty likewise vanished into the nursery, and Jane took her female cousins into the sitting room with Lydia and Mrs. Bennet; Mary consented to play Christmas tunes on the pianoforte for their enjoyment.

The rest of the family situated, Mrs. Gardiner smiled at Elizabeth and reached out a hand. “Come, Lizzy. Let us go find a quiet place and have a talk. You must tell me everything.”

*

Having found her aunt a ready listener and intelligent, reassuring judge, Elizabeth slept well that night. At last she had been able to share the strange conversation with Mr. Darcy at the Netherfield ball, her lingering confusion over the gentleman’s actions—especially compared to the stories that Mr. Wickham had recounted—and her utter dislike and mistrust of Caroline Bingley. Mrs. Gardiner was not the sort to tell Elizabeth what she ought to think or feel, but rather asked questions to draw out bits of the story Elizabeth had overlooked or disregarded. She woke the next morning with no more answers than before, but feeling far calmer all the same.

Of course, Jane’s news must be discussed and exclaimed over, stories of dances recounted and Mr.

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