“I simply cannot recall the last time I was in a room with so many people who frustrate me so greatly!” Their host shook his head helplessly at the shameful way his guests were treating one whom he had chosen to take into his house. “If Jane and I have invited a guest into our home, it is not for our other guests to have an opinion!”
The table was awkwardly silent for a moment, some of those involved were rather abashed that they had pressed their usually jovial host into such irritation.
“Miss Jane, might I call upon you tomorrow to discussEvelina?That is, if it is acceptable to my sister.” Kitty nodded towards Mrs Bingley. “And Maria Lucas might like to join me if I send her a note round in the morning, she has been reading the copy they keep at Lucas Lodge.”
“Of course, I am very happy to speak of books with you and your friend, if it is not an imposition for Mrs Bingley.” Jane smiled at the younger lady for her effort to turn the conversation. “I am certain that your sister Lizzy will wish to join us.”
“I am very happy to hear of your new interest in novels, Kitty. And Ihope it leads to more edifying texts as well. I do wish that I read more, but there are always so many other things to do,” Jane said agreeably. “Of course you may call anytime you like, and if you wish, I will send the carriage for you and Maria the day after tomorrow. The Lucases will be busy tomorrow. Mr and Mrs Collins are arriving in Meryton.”
“Married women never have time for reading,” Mrs Bennet tossed her head. “It is no wonder you have no time for such things as Mr Bingley’s wife.”
“If that is true, then I shall remain a spinster all my days.” Elizabeth grinned at Jane and Miss Darcy.
“I love Frances Burney! May I join you?” asked Miss Darcy timidly.
“Of course you may, we would like that above anything!” Kitty smiled at the other young lady in encouragement. “And Miss Bingley told us last year that you draw very well indeed. I thought that I would mention that if you would like to take any sketching outings while you are here, I would be very happy to show you the best landscapes in this part of the country. She would like Oakham Mount very much, would she not, Lizzy? And perhaps a carriage ride to the Chilterns if there is a day that is not too cold?”
“I want to come to Netherfield with Kitty and Maria!” Miss Lydia pouted.
“Are you reading Frances Burney?” asked her father. When his youngest shook her head, he shook his in return. “Then you will remain at home.”
As the ladies withdrew to the drawing room, Jane saw and heard Mrs Bingley take her sister aside.
“”That was very nicely done, turning the conversation, Kitty. You are learning to be a true gentlewoman. Your address has improved greatly.”
Kitty blushed as her eldest sister wrapped an arm around her and gave her an affectionate squeeze, then turned and followed the other ladies to the drawing room.
The rest of the night passed with a great deal of good conversation, often mixed in with sneers from Miss Bingley and her betrothed, or inanities from Mrs Bennet and Mrs Hurst, but they were ignored. MissDarcy and Miss Kitty became fast friends, and Miss Darcy extended the hand of friendship to Miss Mary as well, asking her to come and practice duets with her.
Jane noticed Miss Mary looking over at Mr Rupert Hurst quite often and wondered,Could I create even more happy endings than I intended?
Chapter Seven
Monday 7 December1812
Elizabeth Bennet was feeling strained. Unburdening herself to the strange lady found on Oakham Mount had been a wonderful relief, and had even brought her hope, but the moment she returned to the house and Mr Darcy continued to refuse to meet her gaze, all of her anxiety and agony came rushing back.
Colonel Fitzwilliam obviously knew what happened. The way he watched the two of them so closely made it apparent that Mr Darcy must have unburdened himself to his cousin and dearest friend. The colonel had also made the long overdue introduction to Miss Darcy, which pained Elizabeth that the event had not been the significant moment between her and Mr Darcy that she had hoped for in Derbyshire.
Miss Jane must be wrong. I am certain that he must have received the letter. But I do not know what else I might have done. My family was leaving. I could hardly stay behind.
She walked towards Lucas Lodge, the sky grey, the temperature crisp and cold, the breeze brisk and exhilarating. She pulled her pelisse abouther tightly as she quickened her pace. She was on her way to welcome her Cousin Collins, and his wife, her dearest friend Charlotte. Etiquette might dictate that she give the visitors time to settle in and rest after their journey, but Elizabeth and Charlotte were as close as sisters, and she knew that her friend would not wish to waste any of her time with family and friends.
It was half past one, and she would be at Lucas Lodge in perhaps ten minutes. She knew that she would be in time, for her Cousin Collins was punctual to a fault. In fact, Elizabeth would not be surprised to find Charlotte Collins and her husband sitting by the side of the lane waiting for two o’clock before she even reached her destination.
Elizabeth turned her thoughts back to Mr Darcy. The day that her family left Derbyshire was one of not only great alarm, but of great sorrow. The employees that were killed in the fire at her uncle’s warehouse had worked for him for years, and were well loved by all of the family. Thankfully, her uncle’s business was not irreparably harmed, as the warehouse had just been emptied in anticipation of an upcoming shipment. It had not been a bankrupting experience, leasing a temporary space, and building a newer and better warehouse, but losing beloved friends was a terrible blow to the Gardiner family, who had rushed home directly to give support to the men’s families.
Elizabeth’s only thought then was what Miss Jane had said, that Mr Darcy must surely understand. She had been so certain of it. She was disappointed, of course, to send their regrets, but it had to be done, and she had been so sure of his understanding at the time, and that, having seen her receptiveness to his new overtures, he would come for her.
Then they arrived in London, and a few days later, the carriage was sent for Jane and the children. Jane had been relieved indeed for a brief respite, for Longbourn had become a difficult place to live since Lydia had been sent home from Brighton in disgrace. She was firmly back in, and there were rows daily. The two ladies stayed with their aunt and uncle for two more days, and when they returned home, Mr Bingley had just opened Netherfield and was on tenterhooks waiting for Jane, filled with remorse and hope. The only reason he had not rushed for London was the information that she was coming home the following day. Of course, gentle Jane received Mr Bingley with so much relief thathe had returned, and understanding of his uncertainty of her feelings, that the two were married as soon as the banns could be read.
Mr Darcy did not arrive with Mr Bingley, nor for the wedding.
Elizabeth had never found a convenient time to confess to Jane all that had transpired between her and Darcy. First, Elizabeth could not tell Jane what had happened between them because there was little space or privacy in their uncle’s house. Then, when they returned to Meryton, there had been too much anxiety for Jane for Elizabeth to burden her with her own worries. Following that, there was the excitement of the engagement, and Elizabeth could not imagine shadowing her sister’s wedding with such burdens. Then Jane was married, off on her wedding trip, and in London, and when she returned, she was busy changing wallpapers and chair cushions in haste, paying workers a fortune to finish quickly, in order to freshen Netherfield for her first small house party.
By this point, Elizabeth was mortified to confess to her sister what she had held to herself for so long. Jane would never be cross with her, but Elizabeth had no wish to worry her either, and in addition, Elizabeth had no desire to rend her own wounded heart afresh with the tale. Instead, she pined, and no one noticed. No one except Miss Jane. Since the end of the summer, Elizabeth had languished, grown drawn and pale in her face, and even lost weight. She looked exhausted all the time–but her sister–so caught up in her new happiness, never noticed. And if her most beloved sister did not notice something was wrong, it was hardly likely that anyone–save Charlotte–would notice either.
Charlotte Collins–not being quite so newly married–nor so blissfully distracted as Jane Bingley–did indeed notice how pale and tired Elizabeth looked the very moment Charlotte stepped down from the hired carriage. Elizabeth saw her friend eye her suspiciously immediately upon her arrival, but stood back and allowed Charlotte to greet her family before her friend came and embraced her.
