They afterward drifted back to sleep. When Elizabeth woke again, he still lay beside her. She remained silent and peaceful, studying him while he slept.
When he opened his eyes, he said, “You are sad, Elizabeth. How can I help you?”
"I cannot help thinking our family was too careless of my little sister, and she lost her life because of it. Had my parents exercised greater restraint over her, had we, her elder sisters, watched over her more closely, she would still be alive. Had I taken proper care of her, she would still be alive."
She pressed the sheet to her eyes.
He listened as Elizabeth reproached herself, her parents, her sister. “Jane and Mary were there too. Both are sensible women, yet none of us lifted a hand to save our sister from ruin and, in the end, an early death.”
When she had emptied her heart to him, he did not immediately know how to answer. No words of comfort or absolution came readily to him. She lay nestled against his shoulder, gazing upward at the canopy while he studied her face and the shifting emotions passing over it. At last, she met his glance.
“What think you, Fitzwilliam?”
“I scarcely know how to answer you, darling. Your sister was but a child, yet at age fifteen she had already acquired some experience of the world.”
“Your parents took her to church, I imagine. She grew up surrounded by worthy elder sisters. But she possessed a lively and spirited nature, and from all you describe, she was greatly indulged and never learned restraint over her impulses. She made choices that ended badly. I do not believe there exists anysimple answer to this. No one person bears all the blame for what has happened. What is your opinion?”
They remained in bed conversing far longer than their usual habit. When at last they rose to meet the day, Elizabeth wrapped her arms about his waist and held him for a long moment.
“Thank you, darling, for listening to me. Though there are no answers, I somehow feel comforted.”
He pressed a kiss on the top of her head. “I am glad you came to me, Elizabeth. We no longer stand alone. We now bear each other's burdens.”
He rested his cheek against the crown of her head for a moment before releasing her.
She sighed. “Once I am dressed, I shall go see how Kitty fares. I may miss you at breakfast.”
“I shall spend the day upon the west side of the estate with my steward, but send one of the Miller brothers if you have need of me.”
He kissed her once more and then departed.
Chapter 53: Lying In
Everything seemed to be happening at once, and for a moment, Elizabeth felt as though she had lost command of her life. In truth, however, very little of it concerned her directly.
“Ma’am, Walters reports that a carriage has entered the drive.”
“Thank you, Reynolds. Is everything prepared in Mr. Collins’s bedchamber?”
“Yes, ma’am. Everything stands in readiness.”
“Has my sister been informed of his imminent arrival?”
“No, ma’am. I came to you first.”
“I shall go upstairs and let her know. Has Walters heard any news of the hunting party?”
“Yes, ma’am. Peter returned twenty minutes ago. Mr. Darcy has invited Mr. Selkirk to dine and wished Cook to have ample notice.”
“Has Peter returned to Mr. Darcy?”
“Not yet, mistress. Cook is preparing a light luncheon for the hunting party, and Walters has sent to the cellars for wine.”
“I wish to speak with Peter before he returns. I shall go up to Mary now. Do not let him leave before speaking with me.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Elizabeth hastened to Mary’s room. She tapped on the door and entered. Addressing the two midwives, she said, “Mr. Collins has arrived from Kent.”
