The Missing Valet: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (Pride and Prejudice Variations) by Clarissa Joy Thomas

Author:Clarissa Joy Thomas [Thomas, Clarissa Joy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Elizabeth yawned and sat up in bed, at first confused where she was, before recalling that she had remained the night at Netherfield. As she rose, she stretched, her joints cracking from yesterday’s exertion. She made her way to the washstand and refreshed herself by splashing the cool water from the basin onto her face. She wiped away the droplets that fell on the floor with a cloth, not wanting to ruin Netherfield’s lovely floors.

Sarah entered, looking twice as exhausted as Elizabeth did. She had a firm, determined expression with a tightly set jaw, and her eyes were red as though she had been crying.

“Dear Sarah!” exclaimed Elizabeth. “What can be the matter? Is Mr. Witting worse?”

Sarah nodded, her composure cracking. “He had a fit, miss, in the night. The doctor is with him, but he doesn’t know what caused it yet. Says there’s no explanation he can see.” A tear rolled down Sarah’s cheek. The maid promptly brushed it away and offered a small smile, as servants were not supposed to display their emotions openly. Elizabeth had always thought this a foolish rule, especially when it came to those like Sarah, who Elizabeth had known for years.

Elizabeth approached and took Sarah’s hand in her own. “I am sure he shall be well. Mr. Reed is a fine doctor.”

Sarah nodded, then turned and went to the wardrobe. She selected two gowns for Elizabeth to choose from. Heeding the maid’s wishes to speak no more on the subject, Elizabeth allowed the maid to go about her normal duties of attendance on the Bennets. Elizabeth asked after her sisters, both of whom seemed much more themselves in Sarah’s opinion.

As Elizabeth exited her chambers a quarter hour later, she heard a giggle, and nearly ran into her sister, Jane, coming from the wrong direction. Elizabeth stepped back, her heart racing as she looked at her sister, blinking rapidly, convinced the sight before her might rearrange itself upon further examination. Wearing a white nightdress trimmed with delicate lace, her sister had a glow about her that Elizabeth had not before seen. Her mouth going dry, Elizabeth tried to make sense of the situation. Why would Jane have been in the family wing wearing such clothing?

As Elizabeth grappled with her confusion, her sister Jane’s bright and cheery voice interrupted her. “Good morning, Lizzy! Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, I did. Thank you for asking,” Elizabeth replied with a smile.

“If you would not mind allowing me into your rooms, Mother sent trunks, but my gowns were put in with yours.”

Elizabeth smiled, glad that she had been foolish in judging her sister. “Oh, of course. Come in.”

She opened the door to her chambers, and they both stepped inside. As expected, under Elizabeth’s gowns were two of Jane’s. While Jane got dressed, she and Elizabeth engaged in idle conversation as usual, but Elizabeth detected a difference in Jane’s demeanour. There was no particular word she could think of to describe it, but her sister was not as she always was before.

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