The Gypsy Blessing Read Online Free PDF Page A

all hurried up the stairs to their mother’s rooms.
    “Oh, girls! What you have done to me! Jane, Jane—fetch my smelling salts!”
    Jane did as she was told and held the dish to her mother’s nose as she took a whiff.
    “Lizzy! This is your fault— you talked your sisters into staying, sending me off with Mr. Jones in that contraption of his! You know how muddy the roads are after last night’s rain; we were dodging puddles the entire time we walked to visit Lady Lucas. I could not have the fortune of being thrown from the gig into a small amount of mud. No, I landed in a deep puddle! I am covered in bruises—in areas of my person best left unmentioned, too! It may be days before I can leave my bed. Oh!” She reached for her smelling salts once again, and Jane complied whilst Mary sent Lydia a reprimanding look for not stifling her giggle.
    Elizabeth felt it was safer to remain quiet. Truly, she did not think she could speak, even if she had wished to. The drawing!
    “That incompetent Mr. Jones—he cannot drive; he broke the wheel.”
    Mary said, “It sounds to me that since Mr. Jones kept the horse from harming you further, he is a good driver, Mama.”
    “Oh, Mary, your father said almost the same thing! You have no compassion for my nerves!”
    Jane, who usually knew best what to say to soothe her mother’s nerves, suggested, “Perhaps the excitement of having so many visit at once is not good for you right now, Mama. After this experience, rest is in order. May I stay? I can continue to read to you from the novel we had been reading last week, when you were indisposed.”
    “Yes, yes, that sounds a good plan, Jane.”
    The remainder of Mrs. Bennet’s daughters filed out of the room.
    Elizabeth went directly to her room and locked the door behind her. Pulling out the drawing of her mother sitting in a mud puddle, Elizabeth could now see a detail that she must have been too distracted to see when she looked at the picture the first time. There was a broken wheel behind Mrs. Bennet. Or was it possible that the wheel had not been in the drawing before? No! No, I will not think it!
    Elizabeth shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. What is happening? A knock on the door made her startle. I have been so easily frightened these past few days! She called out, saying she would be there in a moment, and then folded the page and placed a book on top of it.
    She opened the door to reveal her father standing in the hallway. Mr. Bennet had always called her to his study when he wished to speak to her—in fact, she could not remember his ever coming to her room in the past at all. Elizabeth stood aside and motioned for him to enter.
    Mr. Bennet shook his head. “I just came to give you this.” He held out a letter.
    Elizabeth froze and stared at his hand.
    “Will you take it, or would you rather that I read it to you?”
    She tried to smile and took it from him. The hint of amusement dancing in his eyes almost immediately turned to concern.
    “You have not been yourself these last few days, Lizzy—these headaches. If this should continue, I shall send for Mr. Jones, no matter what your mother now believes about the poor man.”
    “Do not let it concern you; I will be well again soon, Papa.”
    He nodded and turned to leave, but then paused to add, “You have heard about your mother’s accident, I suppose.”
    “Yes, we were just in her rooms. Jane is with her now.”
    “Ah, well. Perhaps that explains your pallor now.” He sighed. “Why do you not take a rest before coming down?”
    “Thank you, sir; I will.”
    Elizabeth watched her father walk away and closed the door, then stood gaping at the letter. This time, the direction was in her aunt’s handwriting. She was suddenly gripped by an inexplicable fear of what news this letter held, but after scolding herself internally, she broke the seal.
     
    Dear Elizabeth,
    It was my pleasure to forward the recipe of the marzipan to your mother. Since you