He gave me a weak grin. “Oh! I am sure a dust boy or milk maid would—”
“Except you have not hired them yet. And as I look round and see no livestock and a garden that has been let grow wild, I doubt you shall find anyone.”
Bingley crumpled his mouth and worried his reins between gloved hands. “Well, old chap, I am afraid I have wasted your time. Unless… you do not think we could slip the latch on one of the windows, do you?”
I sighed. “I am ashamed to confess it, but yes. I know how to do that.”
Four
Elizabeth
“Whatnewsdoyoubring us, Sister?”
I was standing in the hall when a flurry of lace and ruffles flounced by me so quickly I could hardly have recognized their wearer. But I did not need to. Mama never moved faster than when someone was at the door.
My Aunt Philips had come to call, and she was still putting off her hat and gloves at the door when Mama fairly grasped her by the shoulders and shook her from head to toe. Uncle Philips stood by, calmly glancing about for Hill to take his hat.
“Oh, you will never guess it. It is the most delicious of all things!” Aunt gushed. “Come, take me to the parlor and send for tea, for I have so much to say.”
Mama squealed in delight, and they hooked arms to run off and tell their tales. Uncle gave me a thin smile. “Afternoon, Elizabeth. Jane. Is your father about?”
Jane and I traded glances. Papa hadbetterbe about. “Let me look into his study for you,” Jane offered.
“You appear very grave, Uncle. Something important?” I asked.
“Just business, Lizzy. I’ve a duty to see all my responsibilities attended to with dignity and precision.”
I folded my hands. “Yes, of course. Shall I have Mrs. Hill bring a tray?”
“No, thank you. If your father is at his liberty, I will ask him to accompany me on an errand.”
Jane emerged from Papa’s study just then, behind Uncle Philips’ back, and our eyes met. She gave a subtle shake of her head. I groaned. Papa was probably at his kiln again.
“I am sorry, Uncle,” I said. “Perhaps he has gone to call on Sir William. Is there something we can do to help?”
“Oh, I should think not, no. I only wanted his advice on some matters at the Netherfield property.”
“I did not know you had any involvement there. Are you Mr. Rumfield’s agent?”
“No.” He tugged at the lapel of his coat and squared his shoulders. “I have been retained by Mr. Bingley to look after his interests in the transaction. I should like first to be certain the house is secure after the reports we have heard of a housebreaker.”
“Oh, it is true, then!” Jane said. “We heard something of him.”
“Quite true, I am afraid. He has carried off a small fortune already. I daren’t think what might happen if he should come to Netherfield while the house is empty, and the housekeeper is away.”
“Surely there is no fear of that. According to Mama,” I put in with a chuckle, “he only ransacks houses where a lady is present to work his wiles upon.”
“All hearsay, Lizzy. Nevertheless, I think it best if I take an additional account of the present valuables. I wanted your father’s opinion on Rumfield’s collection of... are you sure he is not in? I saw his horse grazing in the field.”
Jane paled, and her eyes grew large. “He is ill,” I blurted.
“Ill? I spoke to him yesterday, and he was in excellent spirits.”
“Well, you know how stomach ailments can come on all at once like that. One minute, he is eating all the buttered scones, and the next... But, of course, I needn’t elaborate. I am sure he will be feeling much better by tomorrow.”
Uncle Philips frowned. “More’s the pity, for I was to send Mr. Bingley my letter by today. I suppose I shall have to make do without his help. I say, though.” He pursed his lips, tilted his head, and scrutinized me. “Did not your father train you in his arts?”
I laughed. “Arts! Whatever are you talking of? Papa has no artistic pastimes. Indeed! Only think of it, Jane. Papa wielding a brush! Why, ‘twould more likely be used for a bookmark than dipping paint.”
