“And what of their non-existent dowries,” Mrs. Hurst egged her younger sister on.
“Yes, Sister. Can you imagine, they will only have one thousand pounds each, and that is when Mrs. Bennet is no longer alive,” Miss Bingley revealed. “My twenty thousand pounds is so much more than all the Bennet sisters will have—combined!”
‘Do you not realise how vulgar you are discussing your dowry at every turn?’ Darcy told Miss Bingley silently. ‘Your money comes from trade, which you seem to like to ignore when you boast about your wealth.’
“I would not care if Miss Bennet had uncles enough to fill Cheapside,” Bingley interjected. “I have no need for more wealth, I have more than enough for a wife and any children in the future.”
“The point, I believe, your sisters are making is these things materially lessen the chances of the Misses Bennet marrying men of consequence,” Darcy stated.
No sooner had the words passed his lips than Darcy regretted them. Miss Bingley looked like the cat who had got the cream. She had one aim, to make Darcy aware of the Bennets’ situation and he had played right into her hands.
“At least the Bennets do not boast of their dowries like some others are wont to do. It is quite crass after all,” Darcy added. He felt some satisfaction at the way Miss Bingley deflated. He did not like to give pain, but it was time the shrew let go of her never to be gratified ambition of becoming Mrs. Darcy.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“What has Mama drunk?” Elizabeth asked her sister once she had dismissed the maid sitting with Jane and closed the bedchamber door.
“And Mary?” an amazed Jane exclaimed. “In the past, we told her she was not plain, but she always dismissed what we said. What do you think caused the change in her dress and not wearing her spectacles?”
“You need to be without fever on the morrow so we may return home,” Elizabeth instructed her sister. “I believe until we are at Longbourn we will not be able to answer any of the questions we now have.”
“How were things in the drawing room?” Jane enquired.
Elizabeth shared the fact their mother had behaved just like she had when visiting Jane. “Janey, I do not like to give you pain, but do you remember when I told you Miss Bingley was not a friend to any Bennets?”
“Yes, I do, but she has been pleasant…” Jane began but her sister interjected.
“She is a fake. She showed her true colours in the drawing room today…” Elizabeth related what Miss Bingley had said and the fact Mr. Bingley had remonstrated with his sister right away.
Jane had mixed feelings. She could not like someone who was dismissive of, and downright rude to, any of her family. On the other side of the ledger, she was very pleased Mr. Bingley had stood up to his sister. It boded well for the future—if there was ever to be a future between Mr. Bingley and herself.
Elizabeth did not miss the dreamy look Jane sported when she had told her about Mr. Bingley’s actions. “Janey, are you in love with Mr. Bingley?” Elizabeth questioned.
“As I have never been in love before, I cannot tell you for sure, but I can say I have tender feelings for him,” Jane admitted as she blushed furiously. “Lizzy, will you order a full tray for me for dinner this evening? I have not had an appetite until today.”
Even had Mr. Jones not made his pronouncements, Elizabeth would have known her sister was far down the path to recovery by her desire to have a full meal. It was a sure sign that there would be no fever on the morrow.
She did not press Jane—who was a very private person and never showed her feelings—on the subject of Mr. Bingley. “Janey, I will take a tray with you so we can celebrate that you are feeling much better,” Elizabeth decided.
“Lizzy, I cannot ask you to forgo dining in the dining parlour,” Jane demurred.
“You are not asking me, Dearest. I volunteered,” Elizabeth assured her sister she would brook no opposition.
When the maid delivered the note requesting two trays for the Miss Bennets, Miss Bingley was well pleased. No Eliza to distract her Mr. Darcy at the table.
Chapter 9
Even knowing it could be construed as rude to not join her hosts in the drawing room that evening, Elizabeth chose to remain with Jane in her chambers and eschewed joining the residents of the house downstairs.
She had overheard enough of Miss Bingley’s abuse of her and the snide remarks she made to know the woman would decry her rudeness for not being present, while at the same time being well pleased a Bennet was not polluting her drawing room.
Elizabeth leaned over and placed her hand on her sister’s forehead. “I do not think you have a fever any longer Janey,” she said excitedly as she felt again to make sure.
“My body hardly aches like it has for the last two days,” Jane responded. “If I have no fever tonight, are we to go home or will we remain here for the day on the morrow?”
“Mr. Jones did say a full day, so you will be able to go downstairs and possibly see some of the residents. I wonder who it is you would like to see before we return to Longbourn,” Elizabeth teased.
“Lizzy!” Jane blushed as she playfully swatted at her sister’s arm. “But yes, I would not object to seeing Mr. Bingley.”
