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As they walked in that direction, she began to apologise. “By the way, please forgive the chaos you will no doubt notice … that and the complete disregard for Christmas this year. After hearing what happened to David, Papa took a turn for the worse and died.”
William stopped to turn. “Your father has passed?”
“Yes. Then, before we could bury my husband and my father properly, Mr. Collins tossed my mother and sisters from Longbourn. I had to take in my family, as well as their long-time servants, the Hills, who refused to work for Mr. Collins. I aim to let them live with us until they can find employment elsewhere. In the intervening time, I let most of our servants go, as I had no way of knowing how long I could afford to pay them after receiving James Morgan’s hateful letter saying we would no longer be paid from old Lord Morgan’s estate. As a result, we have such a reduced staff now that everyone must carry out whatever needs doing.”
Whilst William was still processing the shock of hearing Mr. Bennet was dead, suddenly a dishevelled and wild-eyed Mrs. Bennet appeared on the landing above, waving a handkerchief and complaining at the top of her lungs.
“Jane, why is Kitty watching your child? Alice does nothing but cry, and I am too old to be bothered with crying babies whilst you—”
The second she saw William she stopped in her tracks. “What is Mr. Darcy doing here? Has he come to gloat over our misfortunes? Go away, you dreadful man!”
Jane was mortified. “Mama! Mr. Darcy is here at my request. Please refrain from being unkind! He has come to help us.”
From out of nowhere Mary rushed onto the landing as Mrs. Bennet replied, “Help us? How can Mr. Darcy help us now that Mr. Bennet is gone and our dear David, as well? That horrible Mr. Collins installed himself at Longbourn and tossed us out to starve. Must we also face the censure of those who are so wealthy they have no idea what we suffer?”
“I am so sorry,” Mary said to Jane. “I lost track of Mama when Kitty came upstairs with the baby.” Taking her mother’s hand to redirect her attention, Mary said, “Come, Mama, let us return to your sitting room and have a hot cup of tea. Would you like that?”
“Tea?” Mrs. Bennet replied, turning to her middle daughter with an entirely different attitude. “I would love a cup of tea.”
“Then, come with me, and I shall ask Mrs. Dowd to have a fresh pot brought up.”
After Mary led their mother away, Jane motioned for William and Richard to go ahead of her into the library. Once they had, she followed them, closed the door and leaned back against it, shutting her eyes.
When she had regained her composure, Jane opened her eyes to find William and Richard watching her. Making her way quickly to a nearby sofa, she sat down and motioned to two chairs across from her.
“Please, be seated. I should be able to tell you very quickly what little I know about my husband’s death.”
Once they did as she asked, she added, “I am afraid that I cannot promise Mama will not have another tirade when next she sees you, Mr. Darcy. She is not as lucid as she once was, and her memory comes and goes. Sometimes she does not even recall that Papa is dead and speaks of going home to Longbourn. I fear that all that has happened may have driven her mad.”
“Do not be worried on my account,” William said. “I assure you that I shall not hold anything she says against her. Moreover, please allow me this opportunity to say that I have not the words to express my heartfelt condolences regarding David’s death. He and I had grown closer since his father’s passing, and I was shocked and saddened to hear he had been murdered. To learn now that your father succumbed to his illness … it is beyond comprehension how you have managed to bear so heavy a load.”
“It is only by the grace of God that I still have my wits.”
“I also regret that I was in Scotland at the time your letter arrived at Pemberley, else I would have come in time to attend the funeral.”
Jane’s eyes filled with tears. “I felt certain that you would have, had it reached you in a timely manner.”
“Whilst I did not know your husband as well as Darcy,” Richard interjected, “he and I were acquainted, and I wish to offer my condolences for his death, as well as for your father’s passing.”
“How very kind of you, Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
“Do you think our staying at Netherfield may be a hindrance to your mother’s equanimity or any of your sisters?” William asked, thinking of Elizabeth. “If so, we would be glad to stay at the inn in Meryton.”
“The matters I need your assistance with will involve looking through David’s papers of business, so it would be more convenient if you stayed here. Besides, offering you our hospitality is the least I can do to repay your kindness. Furthermore, with Kitty and Mary’s help, I should be able to isolate Mama from everyone a goodly portion of the time.”
Knowing he would not be able to rest until he knew, William said, “I noticed you have not mentioned Miss Elizabeth.”
“Lizzy was here, but she left for London days ago.”
Likely to avoid me, William thought. Aloud he said, “What about the gossip our presence may cause?”
William had barely finished before Jane interrupted. “Since Lydia’s conduct ruined us, we have been treated most cruelly by a large portion of our neighbours. If they wish to gossip about you being here whilst my entire family resides under my roof, then so be it. To be truthful, I care little what they may say.”
“Just know that, should it prove problematic, we shall be glad to remove to the inn,” William replied.
“I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”
“Would you like to begin by telling us what you know about David’s death?”
