The other dancers eventually stopped and gathered around them, and once they realized no one was dancing, the musicians stopped playing.
“What is going on here?”called Mr.Bennet as he moved into the circle of people surrounding the couple.
“I believe your daughter is my soulmate, sir,” said Mr.Bingley without removing his eyes from Jane’s surprised face.
“And why do you think that?”asked Mr.Bennet.
“We bear the same mark, sir.”
The crowd gasped.“What is your middle name, Mr.Bingley?”asked Jane, her voice soft but steady.
“Harold.And yours, Miss Bennet?”
“Eleanor.”
Bingley’s smile grew even wider.“The initials on my mark are JEB.May I look at yours more closely?”
She nodded and turned shyly, pulling her curls out of the way.
“Remarkable,” whispered Bingley.“It is exactly like mine, only smaller.”
Jane wished to ask where his was located on his body, but the question was unseemly in a crowded ballroom.
“Mr.Bingley, I believe you and I should talk,” said Mr.Bennet, his voice stern.
Finally realizing he was ignoring the father of his soulmate, Bingley turned to face Mr.Bennet with a red face.“Of course, sir.I’m sure we can find somewhere quiet to speak.”
Mr.Bennet nodded and led him out of the ballroom.As soon as they crossed the threshold, the crowd erupted.
“Oh Jane!I knew it!I always knew you would marry well!”Mrs.Bennet cried as she rushed to her daughter.She took up Jane’s hands in her own and pressed a kiss to her cheek.“Just think!Netherfield is one of the finest houses in the county!”
Jane was staring blankly ahead, ignoring everyone around her.
“Let us give Jane some air, hmm?”said Elizabeth.She gestured to her friend Charlotte and the two of them plucked Jane out of the crowd and pulled her towards the balcony on the other side of the room.
“Are you well, Jane?”asked Charlotte once they were safely on the balcony.“It is a great shock.”
Jane nodded, her face pale.“I am well, I think.It all happened so fast.”
Elizabeth laughed lightly.“Your Mr.Bingley is not one to waste time, I gather.”
“He certainly did not miss a minute with Jane!”agreed Charlotte.
Jane continued to stare blindly out at the night sky as her friends laughed and chatted.
Eventually, Elizabeth chafed her arms and said, “All will be well, Jane.I am sure papa will insist on a long engagement so you may come to know one another before you wed.And if it turns out you do not like him, we will find a way to release you.”
Jane snapped her eyes to her sister.“Not like him?What makes you think I do not like him?”
Charlotte smiled slyly.“So you like him already, do you?”
Jane flushed and looked down.“He seemed like a fine young man, though I do not know him as yet.”
“It is not surprising you like him, Jane.He is your soulmate after all.Fate would not have paired you with a man you could not like.”
Charlotte nodded in agreement.“Fate is very particular.”
Jane looked from Charlotte to Elizabeth, both smiling at her and each holding one of her hands, and raised her chin.“I am ready to go back inside now.”
