The Gypsy Blessing Read Free Page A

the sun rose, dressed herself, and made her way to the drawing room. Her hand shook as she placed her candleholder on the writing desk. So distracted was she that she came close to injuring herself with her penknife as she used it to mend a quill well enough to write another letter to her aunt.
     
    My dear Aunt Madeline,
    I am sorry to be the cause of additional expense by writing again so soon, but I am most perplexed. My mind is all in an uproar and will not be still until my curiosity is satisfied. I know that my sister is not the most graceful of ladies, but you must tell me—how did you know that Lydia would have spilt wine on her dress?
    Yours, etc.
    EB
    Elizabeth placed her letter on the tray that lay on a table by the front door, where any servant would understand it should be posted immediately. After doing so, she felt well enough to take a walk in an attempt to clear her head, but her thoughts continued to dwell on the pictures.
    Upon her return home, as she went to unfasten the tie at the neck of her pelisse, she froze, spying a letter on the table near the front door. She did not have to read the direction; the handwriting was distinctive and immediately recognizable, even from this distance.
    Elizabeth startled when Mrs. Hill said, “Havin’ trouble, Miss Lizzy? Here, let me help with that.”
    Mrs. Hill looked up from her duty when Elizabeth spoke, “Hill... my letter to Mrs. Gardiner is still here; the post has not yet come?”
    “Why, no, ma’am, it hasn’t.”
    “Then where did this letter come from?” Elizabeth barely touched the edge of the paper with her fingertip. “It is addressed to me.”
    Mrs. Hill raised her eyebrows high upon her forehead. “The master must’ve had it on his desk and forgot to give it to ye yesterday, miss, and then put it here so ye’d see it first thing this mornin’.”
    Elizabeth’s expression was thoughtful for several moments, and then she nodded. “That is as good an explanation as any.”
    After completing her task of assisting Elizabeth, Mrs. Hill curtsied and seemed about to walk away when she stopped and asked, “Are ye sure ye’re well, miss? Ye look a bit peaked this mornin’, if you don’t mind me sayin’ so.”
    Elizabeth looked away. “Actually, my stomach is unsettled at the moment. I doubt any food would sit well; perhaps I should remain in my room this morning. Will you inform my father, please?”
    “Yes’m.”
    When she felt Mrs. Hill had progressed far enough down the hallway not to notice, Elizabeth snatched up the letter and headed directly up the stairs.
    ~%~
    Why would father give me two letters and keep this one from me? Elizabeth pondered the question before turning the letter over to examine it for what must have been the tenth time. This letter was thicker than the other two. She had never received a letter containing more than one sheet of paper, but she was certain this one would hold at least three. It does not make sense. Hill would have known if the post arrived this morning—she holds the household cash that usually pays for such things. But if not the post, from where could this have come? Had there been an urgent need, perhaps Aunt would use a private messenger to send a letter to my father, but not to me.
    Finally working up the nerve to break the seal, she did so. Like before, it contained not one written word, but this time there were three drawings.
    The first was of the Lucas family coach arriving at Lucas Lodge.
    But they are visiting relatives in the North and will not return for another month complete.
    The second showed a drawing of a plant that Elizabeth had seen growing on her father’s property during her rambles.
    What could be the meaning of sending me this?
    The third shocked her completely. Mrs. Bennet was sitting sprawl-legged on the ground, covered in mud!
    Stranger and stranger still. I will be impatient to hear from Aunt Madeline again.
    ~%~
    During their mid-day meal, a great deal of noise erupted