“Amusing,” Elizabeth said drolly, “Definitely amusing. In any case, therewasevidence of use; more so between the library and study, but some throughout.”
“It makes one wonder if there are more passageways hidden elsewhere, or secret rooms. What were some of those called again, priest holes? They used to have those in some old homes. Were these part of that, I wonder, or the result of years of remodeling… or simply built by an eccentric owner–rather like Lady Charmane–who valued their privacy above all else?”
“Do not forget, it could have been for illegal purposes,” Elizabeth smiled. “No, chances are we will never know, however, we may be able to track down Lady Charmane. Certainly, we can cut off her retreat.”
Turning at a knocking sound, Elizabeth motioned Jane into the room. “Come, we were just talking about what I found.”
“It seems our secret passageway notion is proved correct; Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy have proof of it. Is that not so?” Mary asked, her eyes boring into Elizabeth as if she knew her sister had not yet told the whole story.
“That is so,” Elizabeth answered with false gaiety. “We found it not long ago… As you can see, it was rather filthy.”
“That is good news,” Jane said, a brow raised as she viewed Elizabeth.
Honestly, her sisters knew her too well.
“It is. And I have further news, good I hope,” Elizabeth began as she rubbed her hands over her dress. “You see, Mr. Darcy has, that is to say… he asked me to marry him, and I accepted.”
Her sisters all but pouncing on her as they squealed in delight, Elizabeth laughed.
Her fears had proved unfounded.
“When are you to be married?” Jane asked, a hand on Elizabeth’s arm as she knelt beside her.
“It is a secret, firstly,” Elizabeth said, her tone resolute. “Uncle Gardiner’s permission must be attained before we tell anyone; Mr. Darcy will pass along our good news to his cousin and Mr. Bingley, but beyond that no one must know. Uncle and indeed Father deserve to know before anyone else… Besides, until Uncle gives his blessing, we cannot make many definite plans.”
“Very well, we shall tell no one,” Jane smiled up at her sister. “Though I will tell you how delighted I am!”
“Agreed,” Mary grinned as she pulled Elizabeth in for a hug. “Happy and delighted and pleased at your joy. I have seen how fond you are of him, and he is the best of men; though I shall miss you. It seems with you and Kitty marrying, and Jane soon enough I suspect, Lydia and I will be the only ones at Longbourn.”
“Mary,” Jane blustered, cheeks reddening as she viewed her sister. “Mr. Bingley and I have no understanding.”
“Ah, you knew who I meant,” Mary teased, a playful scowl appearing as Jane gave her a shove.
Leaning back, Elizabeth smirked, “What of your Colonel? Is he not considering proposing to you as well? He is smitten enough from all I have seen. I suspect both you and Jane will be married not long after I am.”
“I fear he may not be in a position to marry me… Whether he wishes it or not.”
With a shake of her head, Elizabeth admonished her, “No. I do not believe a colonel, Mr. Darcy’s cousin at that, would allow his pocketbook, family, or whatever it is you suppose to be a hindrance, to keep him from pursuing, proposing to, and ultimately marrying the woman he loves. And I have seen the way he looks at you, the way he speaks and moves in your company. Hedoeslove you. You do love him, do you not?”
A hurried nod, her gaze drifting downward, and Mary admitted, “Yes. I do.”
“Then all shall be right in the end. For you. Jane. And even myself. For I know I mean to be happy.”
“And you shall,” Jane smiled. “It is time we were all happy.”
∞∞∞
Before supper would be served, the three sisters each took up position to trap Lady Charmane in conversation. They would first see Mary into the passageway to dissuade any escaping. Then Elizabeth would wait near the grand stairway, while Jane would sequester herself in the library. No matter which direction their host turned, she would be caught.
A foolproof plan.
Pressed into the darkest corner she could find near the bottom of the stairs, Elizabeth waited; fingers tapping silently on her dress as she kept her eyes on the steps.
Seconds lingering into minutes, Elizabeth’s lips pulled this way and that.Their host would choose tonight to dally. Should any of the guests come down first, their whole plan would be ruined; perhaps a slight exaggeration, but certainly it would have to be delayed.
A flash of vibrant yellow at the head of the stairs brought Elizabeth closer to the wall–no one but the Grand Lady would wear that shade.
As the figure made her way to the foot of the stairs, Elizabeth slowly peeled herself from the wall and began to follow where her quarry led.
