The Ashes of Longbourn Page 3

  Elizabeth had informed Jane of the news from Hunsford, especially what she now knew of Darcy with regards to Wickham. She told Jane of Lady Catherine’s behavior, of the sickly and pathetic Anne de Bourgh, of Mr Collins and his ridiculous rambling over the shelves in the closet which had been a dictate to him by Lady Catherine. Jane particularly enjoyed hearing of Mr Collins spending time chasing the pigs from the garden that Charlotte had encouraged her husband to tend.

  The news that had garnered the most attention from Jane was that Darcy was in love with Elizabeth. It was difficult for Elizabeth to become accustomed to the way her heart fluttered whenever she thought of Darcy. When he said his farewell to her the day before she left Hunsford, he placed a kiss on the back of her hand. He also gave her a pocket sized book of sonnets to keep with her and read whenever she thought of him. It was small enough to keep in her reticule so no one would know that she had accepted a gift from a gentleman. She showed it to Jane, as she ran her fingers lightly over the lettering. It had become her most treasured possession.

  A little over two weeks after they had all returned to Longbourn, Charles Bingley came to speak with Mr Bennet as early as was respectable. “Mr Bennet, I wish to ask for your approval to marry your daughter, Jane. I love her dearly and wish to spend the rest of my life with her.”

  “I have anticipated your coming to speak with me. And I have a few questions to ask of you. The first of which is this, how am I to know that you will not leave her as you did last November?”

  “I regret my behavior last year, especially as it caused Miss Bennet pain. I foolishly listened to my sisters when they spoke of your daughter not having a tender regard for me. When I learned that she truly did love me, I went immediately to see her at your brother-in-law’s house in London. I will never again listen to the opinion of others without learning more information. And, as you are aware, my sisters did not travel with me to Netherfield. What you are not aware of is the fact that they were not invited to come with me and I insisted that they would not be welcome in my home.”

  “Mr Bingley, I must say that I am impressed. I assume you have spoken with my daughter with regards to marrying you.”

  “Indeed, Mr Bennet, I have. And I have drawn up a rough draft of the settlement that I wish to bestow on Miss Bennet, if you wish to view it and give me your opinion.”

  “I would very much like to see it. If I find it to my liking, I might find it in my heart to allow you to marry my Jane.”

  An hour went by before Mr Bennet and Mr Bingley stepped from the library. Though Mrs Bennet was certain that her husband would give his consent to the marriage, she was waving her handkerchief quite fiercely. “I always knew Jane was not so beautiful for nothing. She will save us all from the hedgerow when you die, Mr Bennet.” She then turned her attentions on her future son. “Oh, Mr Bingley, you could not have found a more fitting bride, for I have trained Jane how to be the mistress of an estate. She is very capable as well as being so very beautiful and serene.”

  “I am sure that you are correct, Mrs Bennet. But most importantly, she will be a fitting wife due to the fact that I love her dearly and she loves me. We will be very happy with each other.”

  “Of course, Mr Bingley, as you could not do better for a wife. Oh, Jane, you will have such fine gowns and jewels. What pin money you will have as well. And I am sure that Mr Bingley will purchase a new carriage for you. My daughter will be Mistress of Netherfield. I must go and tell my sister at once.”

  “Mamma, please do not trouble yourself to run off to Aunt Phillips’s home. The news can wait a bit longer.”

  “Oh, no, Jane, I must be on my way to speak with my sister, as there is much planning to be done. There will dinners and teas given in honor of your engagement, gowns to have made, planning a wedding breakfast as well. Have the two of you discussed when you wish to wed?”

  “We were hoping to wed as soon as Mr Darcy returns from his estate.” Jane said.

  “Forgive me, Jane, but I have forgotten to tell you that Mr Darcy is delayed, as his sister has taken a deadly fever while she was in Scotland with her aunt. I do not know when Darcy will return here.”

  Mrs Bennet continued speaking. “That is fine, as I will need time to make all the preparations. There is so much to be done. We could not manage to have a proper wedding in a few weeks.”

  Jane had turned to Elizabeth to see her sister’s reaction to the news of Miss Darcy’s illness. There was obviously despair in her expression. How Jane wished that her sister was free to speak of her relationship with Mr Darcy. She felt guilty being able to openly discuss her future with Bingley and having him at her side made Jane realize how fortunate she was in comparison.

  ~~ ** ~~

  As children, Jane and Elizabeth had often spoken of the men that they would marry, and the sort of wedding that they each preferred. Jane wished for a fairy tale wedding, with the white horses with flowers braided into the mane and tail to pull the carriage from the church to the wedding breakfast. She wished for a beautiful gown of ivory silk, with flowers embroidered on the bodice, and flowers woven into her hair. One thing she had always wished for was to have her dearest sister at her side, standing witness, at her wedding.

  In contrast, Elizabeth had always wished for simple. She had no desire for finery or elaborate gatherings, the only important matter, other than having Jane stand beside her, was the man who she married. If she had her druthers, Elizabeth would have a simple wedding in a small chapel, only the closest of family and friends in attendance. The gown she would wear would be pale yellow silk, simple, yet elegant.

  The sisters spent many hours each evening, speaking of the future, of the joy they would have with the men that they loved. It was pleasing to both of them that the men were already the best of friends. Most nights one of them slept in the other’s bedroom so that they could continue their discussions. Since their rooms were across the hall from each other, it was simple enough for them to slip across the hall without disturbing anyone else. It was just such a night as this that the sisters had been in Elizabeth’s rooms, talking until quite early in the morning. It was a night that neither would ever forget.

  ~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~

  Chapter 4

  Elizabeth was pleased with how the day’s events had gone. Her beloved sister was betrothed to Charles Bingley. It was more than Elizabeth could have hoped for a month prior. Thinking about Mr Darcy, knowing his part in bringing Mr Bingley back to Netherfield and back to Jane, brought a smile to Elizabeth’s face. She knew what a kind man he was and he had kept his word. And he would arrive soon and then Darcy would speak to her father. Each day, she prayed that Miss Darcy recovered from her illness, and that she would be pleased with her brother’s choice for a wife. As Elizabeth thought of the Darcy siblings, she said a silent prayer for their safe arrival in Hertfordshire soon.

  A knock came from her door and Elizabeth called out to enter. Jane entered her sister’s bedchamber. “Lizzy, I am pleased to find you awake. I am far too excited to fall asleep and I hoped you would be willing to talk with me.”

  “Of course, Jane, you know I am always willing to talk the night away with you, just as we have since your engagement was announced. I do not think that anything as exciting as Mamma plans for your wedding has ever happened in Meryton or the neighborhood. I do not believe that Lord Albert’s wedding to Lady Eleanor will come close to the grand event of yours.” Elizabeth gave her sister a teasing smile. She closed her cherished book of sonnets and left it lying on her lap.

  “Oh, Lizzy, is it possible to die from being too happy? I cannot believe how truly blessed I am at this very moment. Charles is so kind and caring. I know that we will be happy with each other.”

  “Jane, I could not be happier for you. You deserve to be loved and cherished. I can only find good in a man with the good sense to fall in love with you.”

  “And you, your Mr Darcy is a dear friends with my Charles. This will make our future wonderful, as there will
be much time spent in each other’s company. Our children will be close, and our lives will be filled with so much pleasure.” Jane leaned forward and embraced her dearest sister.

  The sisters continued to speak until after two in the morning. Jane had fallen asleep on her sister’s bed and the two slept like they did as children, cuddled together, with Elizabeth wrapping a protective arm over her elder sister.

  Near four that morning, their lives would never be the same again. Elizabeth woke to the sounds of someone screaming. When she was awake enough to comprehend what was happening, she could see smoke coming from under her bedroom door. Elizabeth shook her sister to wake her before heading to the door and opening it. When the door opened, a wave of heat and smoke knocked her to the floor. The house was on fire. She was able to close the door, though her hands were burned as she did. Flames were rising throughout the house.

  “Jane, we have to get out.” Elizabeth cried to her sister, as Jane sat on the bed, horrified at what was happening. Elizabeth grabbed hold of her sister and pulled her to the window. “Jane, you have to go out the window and climb down the ivy lattice. We have to hurry; the fire is growing by the minute.”

  All that Jane could do was to nod. Outside Elizabeth’s window was an overhang which ran the length of the house. They would be able to escape across the edge of the roof to the ivy trellis and could climb down to the ground. Elizabeth was able to aid her sister out the window and to the trellis. Once she knew that Jane was safe, Elizabeth moved over towards the window of Mary’s bedroom. All she could see in the smoke filled room was what appeared to be a body on the bed.

  Determined to save as many of her family members as possible, Elizabeth began to break the glass of the window while she shouted to her sister to wake. As she struck a second time, an explosion tore through the house, the force of which threw Elizabeth through the air. On the ground, Jane screamed as she helplessly watched the sister she loved be thrown through the air only to land against a nearby tree. She ran to her sister, finding Elizabeth looking as if she were a broken china doll.

  “Lizzy, no, no, Lizzy, you cannot leave me. Please Lizzy, please do not leave me.” Tears flowed down Jane’s cheeks as she pleaded with her sister. Behind her, the house she had lived in all her life began to crumble as the fire consumed everything inside. She could hear shouts of people coming to help, but Jane knew that it was too late. Longbourn was gone, and with it, the Bennet family as it had been. As people came closer, Jane could take no more of the sensation that she was spinning out of control, and the world became black as she collapsed on the ground by her sister.

  ~~ ** ~~

  Richard Fitzwilliam had returned to London after receiving leave from his duties. He knew he only had a week before he had to return to Brighton as new men would be arriving and he would be needed to train them. He was hoping to learn from his parents any news they might have received from Darcy and Georgiana. Lady Matlock’s birthday was two days away, so Richard decided to do some shopping before going to Matlock House. Standing on the sidewalk, Richard peered in the windows to see what the stores had to offer in the way of a gift. He heard a lady’s voice call out to him.

  “Colonel Fitzwilliam, how pleasant it is to see you. I pray that you and your family are well.”

  “Miss Bingley, what a surprise to see you here today. So far as I am aware, my family is well. I was just looking for a gift for my mother’s birthday. And how is everyone in your family?”

  “After that dreadful business in Hertfordshire, my brother is beside himself with grief. I cannot agree with him, as I am not heartbroken at the loss. But he will not come to Town, so none of us can talk him from his foolish behavior.”

  Richard frowned. He knew that Elizabeth and her family lived in Hertfordshire, near where Bingley had leased an estate, and Darcy had told him that the lady Bingley had fallen in love with was, in fact, Elizabeth’s eldest sister. “Forgive me, Miss Bingley, but I have been at Brighton until yesterday. I have not heard any news from Hertfordshire. Is that not where your brother had leased an estate?”

  “It was. I am certain that he will be looking elsewhere now. There was a fire that destroyed the estate of Longbourn, which is next to my brother’s Netherfield. The fire took the lives of the family, as well as some servants. Charles fancied himself in love with the eldest Bennet daughter. I for one am pleased to be rid of that family, as they were crass and vulgar.”

  Shocked was the only way to describe the feelings raging through Richard. Was Miss Bingley honestly saying that the Bennet family was killed in a fire? And she was honestly pleased with the news? How would Darcy take this news? He had delayed going to Longbourn to speak with Mr Bennet with regards of his feelings for Elizabeth to rush to Georgiana’s side while his sister was so very ill. Now, he would never see the woman he loved again.

  “I am surprised at the news. Is there knowledge as to how the fire started?”

  “I am not certain, all I know is that it happened quickly. Some believe that the fire began in the kitchen. Not that it matters, the result was the same. But the family was atrocious, and so far beneath the quality of people in Town, so it is not a loss to society. My brother would do best to return to Town and put his mind elsewhere than that hideous neighborhood.”

  Richard had a difficult time keeping from throttling Caroline Bingley. “I believe, from what my cousin told me, the Bennets had been landowners for more than five generations. That would make them higher in society than the daughter of a tradesman. Forgive me, Miss Bingley; I must make my way to my family’s home.”

  Turning quickly, Richard missed seeing the look of loathing that Caroline had on her face.

  As he made his way to Matlock House, Richard had so many thoughts running through his head. Has Bingley sent word to William of the tragedy? Should I go to Scotland to give support to him? The entire family dead and the estate ruined; this was indeed a devastating bit of news. And no one even knew that of William and Elizabeth’s courtship.

  By the time Richard arrived at his father’s home, he had decided to speak to his commanding officer, who had traveled to London with Richard, and request a leave to be able to journey to Scotland.

  ~~ ** ~~

  Charles Bingley was pacing in the hallway outside a bedchamber at Netherfield. His movement was halted when the door opened. “Sir, how is she today?”

  The physician stepped into the hall and pulled the door closed behind him. “Much the same as yesterday, though she seems to be resting a little easier today. She is still in a great deal of pain, as the trauma was extensive. I believe that having her sister at her side has helped to calm her as well. I left a bottle of laudanum for the pain and put more salve on the burns. I will go to my rooms and rest. If you need me, send someone to wake me.”

  “Thank you, Mr Freemont. And if you need anything, please feel free to ask.”

  After the physician had entered his rooms, Bingley walked down the hall to his own rooms. Once inside, he walked over to his bedside table and picked up the glass of brandy that he had left there. He then sat down on the bed, shaking his head as his mind attempted to deal with the onslaught of thoughts.

  It had been a week since the fire at Longbourn. That morning was seared in his mind forever. Upon learning of the fire at the home of his betrothed, Bingley rode directly to the estate. The fire was burning brightly and the flames could be seen from Netherfield.

  As he neared the home of his beloved, Bingley found that his face was damp from the tears flowing freely down his cheeks. Seeing Jane sitting on the ground, surrounded by people, Bingley’s heart began to beat again. He ran directly to her, wrapping his arms around her as he held her to his chest.

  Jane was sobbing uncontrollably. Bingley held her close, attempting to sooth her. “My love, are you injured?”

  Jane shook her head. “I am well, but Lizzy is not. My family, oh Charles, my family…”

  Pulling back so that he could look in her eyes, Bingley attempted to learn
what had happened. “Where is the rest of your family? I see Lizzy here, but where is everyone else?”

  Looking at the house, Jane could barely speak. “They are in there, in the house. I fell asleep in Lizzy’s room or I would still be in there as well. Lizzy saved my life and was attempting to get to Mary when the house exploded. Lizzy was thrown from the second floor and she landed against the tree. Charles, she is badly injured. I do not know if she will survive. She saved my life and hers might be forfeit. How am I to live while my family has perished?”

  “You live each day to the fullest and honor their memory. And we will do everything we can to save Miss Elizabeth. I will send to London for the best physician to tend to her. You and your sister will come to Netherfield to live.”

  “We have nothing left, Charles. All we have is the nightgowns that we are wearing, everything else is gone. What will become of Lizzy and me? What will we do?”

  “You will first come to Netherfield with me. Mr Jones will tend to you both until the physician arrives from Town. We will have clothes made for both of you and any other items you need, we will purchase. And Miss Elizabeth will be taken care of no matter what the physician tells us. You need not ever fret over that. You are betrothed to me, and I will stand by you for the rest of my life. I love you, Jane, and Miss Elizabeth will be my sister. Do you understand me? I will ensure that your sister is treated as if she were born my sister. Actually, I will treat her far better than I would my own sisters.