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“Good morning, Aunt. Thank you for the gown.” I gave her the look I always gave her when she spent money on me unnecessarily. She only laughed.
“Let an old woman spoil you, child. It makes me happy. You would not want to take away my happiness, would you?”
I shook my head and laughed. She smiled brightly and held out her hand. I took it and planned to send her energy when I felt something strange. Immediately, my expression changed and I sat on the sofa next to my aunt.
“Aunt, have you been experiencing any pain?” I asked.
“Not particularly. I have been a trifle more tired, but I am getting old.”
“May I?”
She nodded and I placed my hand on her arm, moving slowly up until I reached her shoulder. I moved my palm across her back, stopping on the spot behind her heart. I looked at her warily, then moved my hand forward to rest over her heart.
“Oh, Aunt. Why did you not say?”
“I did not wish to trouble you. I am old, Elizabeth. I am surprised I have lived this long.”
“You are eight and sixty. I know people who live well into their eighties.” My mind was only half on our conversation. The rest of my attention was focused on healing my aunt’s heart.
She took a deep breath and leaned back. “You do know how to make a person feel better.”
I laughed softly. “You say the sweetest things.”
She smiled sardonically at me. The heat I had felt had begun to dissipate, and the strange fluttering was almost gone. “Just another minute,” I told her. I visualized pushing a ball of light into my aunt’s chest, and when I heard her sigh, I leaned back and opened my eyes. “There. How do you feel?”
“Much better. Thank you, my dear.”
“You mustn’t let it get too bad. All you need do is write and I will come to you. And you are welcome at Longbourn any time. It is your home as much as it is mine.”
“Itwasmy home. It has been a great many years since I was a young girl traipsing through Hertfordshire.”
I gave her a look and moved to the small table set up by the window to collect my plate. My aunt always had breakfast in here instead of the dining room. This room got better morning light and she said it was best to start the day with sunlight.
“Are you home to callers today?” I asked as I filled my plate at the sideboard.
“Yes. I imagine your Mr. Darcy will call today.”
“He is notmyMr. Darcy.”
“As you say.”
I settled in at the little table and my aunt came to sit across from me.
“Elizabeth, there is something I must tell you.”
“What is it?”
“It is nothing bad,” she said. “But as you are contemplating marriage in the near future—”
“Hardly the near future,” I interrupted.
She gave me a look that silenced me. “I thought you should know that I have made you my heir.”
I dropped the scone I was holding and stared at her. “What?”
“You cannot be all that surprised. You know you are my favorite niece.”
“I thought you would leave me a necklace or a painting! Not your house!”
