“Jane…Miss Bennet will be my first priority. If my sisters are not able to treat her with the respect and kindness she deserves, they will not be welcome in my home,” Bingley stated firmly.
There was no doubt in Bennet’s mind the younger man was absolutely sincere. “Jane is of age; you know you need not my permission.”
“Yet, we would like it, along with your blessing,” Bingley averred.
“Done, you have both. Would you like the engagement announced at supper?”
“No Sir…” Bingley explained about his departure and Jane’s request.
“I will honour your requests, what about a notice in the papers? Also, I will inform my wife on the morrow,” Bennet responded.
“With your permission, a notice will be delivered to the papers before I depart to return to Hertfordshire, that way it will appear the day after I return, and return I will, wild horses will not keep me away from the woman I love.”
“Welcome to the family, Son,” Bennet extended his hand which Bingley grasped and shook vigorously.
The two men returned just as the guests were sitting down for supper.
Miss Bingley was too busy watching Mr. Darcy to notice her brother had been away and returned with Mr. Bennet. Her Mr. Darcy went to sit at the table with Charles and a smiling Miss Bennet. Eliza and her partner, some man named Goulding were at the same table.
Bingley asked Miss Bennet if he could fetch her a plate, she nodded smilingly.
“Bingley, I noticed you entered the supper area with Mr. Bennet, a little after the rest of us arrived,” Darcy quizzed.
“We had to discuss some mutual estate business,” Bingley stated. ‘It is close to the truth,’ Bingley told himself. Jane had asked for him to wait to announce his engagement, and wait he would. If he told Darcy, he would not be able to stop himself from broadcasting the news far and wide.
Darcy was sceptical of the reason for the two men to talk, but as he was sure Bingley had not offered Miss Bennet a courtship, or even worse, an engagement yet, he did not push the issue.
While the men were away at the buffet tables, Elizabeth turned to her glowing sister. “Janey, something has changed has it not?”
“I can never keep secrets from you, Lizzy, we will speak in our room tonight,” Jane promised.
Never had Elizabeth seen such unadulterated joy pouring off Jane in waves. She was sure that somehow she had spoken to Mr. Bingley. She just could not think of when as she was sure it was not before the ball.
Suddenly she remembered neither her sister nor Mr. Bingley had been seen during the break between dances of the first set. Elizabeth knew she was speculating so she would wait to speak to Jane later.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
At the end of supper, to impress Mr. Darcy, Miss Bingley had exhibited far longer than was polite, she saw her efforts being rewarded as Mr. Darcy approached where she was standing with the Hursts. He requested Louisa to stand up with him and led her away with nary a word to herself. At the end of the dance, he brought Louisa back, and just when Miss Bingley was certain he was about to solicit her hand for a set, he wished them good evening and retired for the night.
Miss Bingley tried to present a face which said ‘all was well’ to those in the ballroom while nothing was! She had been so sure.
Never mind, she would lead them to London on the morrow and then this place and what had occurred here would become a distant and irrelevant memory.
Chapter 23
“Jane Bennet!” Elizabeth exclaimed as her sister sat on the bed they shared and dreamily sighed for the fifth time in a row. “What occurred tonight? You promised to speak to me at home. Do not think I did not see you and Mr. Bingley disappear during the break in the first set and then he and Papa met before supper.”
“Oh Lizzy, I do not deserve to be so happy! He loves me, Lizzy! Charles loves me,” Jane gushed as she had never done before. “We are engaged.”
“Of course he loves you. Tell me all! Did he go down onto one knee? Was it romantic? Did you have your first kiss?” At the last question, both sisters blushed, Jane more so than Elizabeth.
“As you noted…” Jane told of the proposal, her acceptance, and the chaste kiss they had shared. “I would have been happy with more, but Charles correctly pointed out the second dance was about to begin and it would not do for the host to be missing. If only I could see you so happy.”
“Until I have your goodness, I do not deserve your happiness,” Elizabeth responded. “I assume Papa bestowed his permission and blessing?” Jane nodded happily. “Do you know when he will make the announcement to the family?”
“He will tell everyone when we break our fasts, but by my request, no public announcement will be made until Charles returns from London.” Jane saw Elizabeth’s quizzical look and explained an unavoidable trip to Town had been planned for the morrow. “He will send the announcement to the papers before he returns to Netherfield Park. He gave Papa his direction and we have permission to correspond with each other.”
“Do not allow me to hear such codswallop about you not deserving to be so happy. You are due more happiness than any other I know.”
