“And probably never use them, for I will have a lady’s maid to attend to my own wardrobe, and I assure you, a tenant wife would far rather accept a plain infant gown from me than one I embroidered. I can put together an uncomplicated garment, but I simply have not the patience for decorative needlework. I am certain I will find other ways to embellish such gifts.”
“Well, I thank you, Lizzy, and I wish you all the joy of having married well enough that you need never sew again, unless you want to.” Jane hugged the younger woman. “Were you looking for me for a reason?”
“I only hoped to be certain you are still feeling well enough to join us at Longbourn,” Elizabeth said in reply. “Are you certain your head is better?”
Jane had spent the entire day after the party at Lucas Lodge in bed with the drapes closed in her room, so terrible was the pain in her head.The swelling was almost entirely gone, but that did not prevent Jane from experiencing at best, a small headache, or worst, a terrible megrim, either everyday, or every other day. Yesterday was so unpleasant that laudanum had to be administered, and Jane had slept heavily until this morning. Thankfully, all of her other bruises and small injuries were fading slowly to nothing.
“I am thankful to report that my head is much better today, and that your sister has loaned me another incomparable gown that I greatly look forward to wearing,” Jane assured her as the two took seats by the window in their shared sitting room. She deftly threaded a needle, and began working quickly on the wrap. “I feel awful that Mrs Bingley has lent me half her trousseau before she’s worn it.”
“Oh, I assure you. You have not touched even a tenth of my sister’s trousseau! When she had clothes made in town, each time the deliveries were made, Charles insisted that Jane purchased far less than Caroline, and must order more, for she was a married woman! He dragged her out himself, thrice! She could give you an entire wardrobe, and still have four more wardrobes in her dressing room. I believe he enjoyed himself while spoiling her in town. I do hope that Darcy has less appreciation for shopping, for I do not tolerate excessive hours spent at it as Jane does.”
Jane was looking forward to dining at Longbourn. She had spent the morning elucidating Mr Rupert Hurst on the merits of Miss Mary Bennet over Miss Crawford, who–in Jane’s opinion–had no business being a parson’s wife, being far too frivolous and not at all kind, gentle, or practical enough. Indeed, the young lady had no respect for the collar whatsoever, and spent her time attempting to advise him to leave the clergy and distinguish himself as an officer. Mr Hurst listened carefully to everything Jane and Georgiana had to say, yet when Miss Crawford returned with Mrs Bingley from an excursion to the village, he returned to her side immediately.
“It is kind of your mother to include all of your sister’s guests,” Jane said. “I have a book to return to your father, and I am told that your mother is the premier hostess of the village.”
“She was before Jane married, but I believe that with what my sister learned from our mother, and the resources at Mr Bingley’s disposal,that Jane will eclipse her without much effort.” Elizabeth sorted seed pearls by size and shape. “My sister has some lovely plans for the festive season, and a ball, and the wedding. I think this winter will set her firmly on the map amongst Meryton’s hostesses, and give her the confidence that will serve her later when she entertains in town.”
“Then your mother has done her job by her eldest very well.” Jane snipped a thread. “It is plain to see that she is prodigiously proud of Mrs Bingley–and–if I may say so–that even if she did not understand you when you were younger, she has learned to be prodigiously proud ofyouas well.”
“That is generous of you to say, considering that she still does not trust you at all,” Elizabeth teased.
“Nor should she,” Jane insisted. “You all trusted me far too easily, she was not wrong about that. I could have been anyone, and still might. I am grateful, but I see your mother’s perspective. It is a mother's place to worry far more than anyone else. No other can do it half so well, save perhaps the dearest of sisters.” She paused. “I believe my mother is the same. I do not know how to find her, but I remember that she has always been rather reproachful of me for refusing to marry.”
“You are quite certain you were never wed then?” Elizabeth asked. “We shall have to ask Charles to add that to the list of what we know.”
“I am quite certain that I have never had a husband or children. I believe I have some sort of calling that my mother disapproves of. I believe my sister Cassandra is named for her.” Jane had torecallsomething every so often, or at least she felt that she ought to. It was a strange thing, to decide what one must do under such circumstances.
“That sounds interesting. Perhaps you are a great writer, and will put us all in a story that people will celebrate for centuries!” Elizabeth had great enthusiasm for her theory. “Would that not be something? To create something that people still read and speak of two hundred and fifty years later, or even more, as we do Shakespeare and the Greeks?”
From your mouth to God’s ear, Lizzy.Jane smiled at her friend as she worked her needle deftly. She would need to stay up very late every night that she was able in order to finish the pattern she had in mind, and perhaps even take the sewing bag into the music room with Georgianaevery day. Mrs Bingley did not play, so she rarely entered unless someone was exhibiting something particular, or in the evening after dinner.
“Good evening Mr Bennet, Mrs Bennet. Thank you for inviting me to your lovely home. Mr Bennet, allow me to return the volume you loaned me. I thank you for your kindness.” Jane curtseyed in front of her hosts.
“Indeed, Miss Jane, we are glad you could remember something, even if it was only to return a book, of which my husband has far too many.” Mrs Bennet waved a hand dismissively.
Elizabeth and Darcy had arrived quite early, to stand in the receiving line with her parents, since it was their engagement dinner. Jane bussed Elizabeth’s cheeks, flashed a grin at Mr Darcy, and continued into the drawing room to find Georgiana already there, looking excessively proud of Miss Mary, who glowed in a salmon taffeta evening gown that could not have suited her better.
“Oh, you look divine, Miss Mary,” Jane said kindly as she greeted the girls.
“Oh, I do not seek to garner attention, Miss Jane-” Miss Mary objected.
“Of course you do not, my dear.” Jane took a seat with the young ladies. “But the fact remains that youaredivine, and you must admit that God must have made you so on purpose, and hide it no longer. It would not be respectful of the Lord to hide his blessings, as long as we employ humility, as you do already.”
“I confess that I feel out of place, competing with a lady such as Miss Crawford.” Miss Mary blushed deeply.
“There is no competition. She is flashy, but she is not suitable for a clergyman’s wife. Mr Hurst requires a proper lady, and he will remember what drew him to you before long,” Jane promised.
“I believe it was Georgiana’s white silk that drew him first,” Miss Mary evaded.
“Nonsense. He only needed to be shown that you are a rose and not a thistle, my dear.” Jane looked over at the other side of the room whereMr Rupert Hurst was talking and laughing animatedly with his brother and his wife, and the Crawfords. “Men will draw a wide berth around something prickly, if there is no softness to temper it. No man wishes to be henpecked to death after marriage, and forgive me, my young friend, but you can be rather stern.”
“I will take your word for it.” Mary smiled at her eldest sister’s houseguest.
When all the guests were present, Elizabeth joined them with Darcy. It did not take long before Elizabeth’s presence drew Mr Crawford hence.
“Mrs-Soon-to-be-Darcy! Shall there be dancing tonight? If so, you must promise one to me, or I shall certainly perish!” Henry Crawford pleaded with Elizabeth, his hand over his heart.
“Mr Crawford, you seem destined for disappointment. Longbourn has no rooms large enough for dancing at a large party. My father took over our small ballroom for his library decades ago. I cannot even recall the room as anything else.” Elizabeth pressed closer to her betrothed as Colonel Fitzwilliam drew alongside their group, followed by Mr and Mrs Collins, who just observed the banter quietly.
