She and the Gardiners had arrived at 23 Gracechurch Street on Tuesday, the seventh day of 1812. Jane had been disappointed that no note was waiting for her from Caroline Bingley. She had been sure her friend would be pleased to see her. She heard Lizzy’s voice stating that Caroline had never been her friend, but Jane would not allow herself to believe that Miss Bingley was anything but good and honest.
By Friday, the fourth day Jane had been with the Gardiners in their home, nothing had been received from Miss Bingley, but two epistles arrived from Longbourn, one from Mama and the other from Lizzy. She made her way up to her bedchamber. Once there, she closed the door and sat on the bed. Then Jane decided to read Mama’s letter first.
9 January 1812
Longbourn
My dear daughter,
Have you seen Mr Bingley already? I am sure as soon as he sees you, he will be as much in love with you as he ever was. How can he see your beauty and not be? Have I not told you many times that you cannot be so beautiful for no reason?
You know not how much I suffer. I will feel better when you have secured your wealthy suitor. As soon as you are married, you can throw your sisters in the paths of rich men.
If you have not seen him, do so as soon as may be. You do not want him to become distracted by another woman in London. There are far morechoices there than here.
I am sure that Mr Bingley and his party escaped the area thanks to Miss Lizzy’s impertinence and her penchant to argue with Mr Darcy. Even if he did slight her, she should have behaved like a lady and not a hoyden so as to help you catch Mr Bingley. It was she, I am sure, who forced you to leave Netherfield Park on that Sunday instead of waiting until Tuesday, which as you know, I had instructed.
Lady Lucas is so smug that that artful daughter of hers is married to Mr Collins. If only that wilful sister of yours had done her duty to me! Even now Longbourn would have been secured. Not only did she refuse, but my vexing husband supported her!
It is good that Miss Lizzy is to visit the Collinses at their home in Hunsford in March. Let her see what she gave up thanks to her stubborn refusal to do her duty. I agree with Mr Collins that Miss Lizzy will never receive another proposal of marriage.
My lively, pretty Lydia is still a favourite among the officers. Ever since she came out in September last year, just before she turned 15, she has been most sought after at the assemblies, just like I knew she would be. Look at how much fun she had at the ball she urged Mr Bingley to hold.
She is sad that the handsome Mr Wickham is courting Miss King, all because of her inheritance of £10,000. I agree with Lydia; no one would look at Mary King without her money; she is an ugly, little freckled thing.
I am sure you will write soon that you have secured Mr Bingley. Remembereverything I taught you about flirting.
It is time to go visit your Aunt Hattie.
With love,
Mama
Deep down Jane knew that much of what her mother said was not accurate and was, in fact, uncharitable. However, she could not bring herself to criticise Mama. Jane put her mother’s letter to the side and broke the seal on the missive from Lizzy.
9 January 1812
Longbourn
My dearest sister, Jane,
I hope and pray that you are not so downhearted as you were when you departed Longbourn. I am sure that Aunt Maddie, Uncle Edward, and our cousins have been a balm to your soul. Also, not hearing the comments made at home and in the neighbourhood must be helping your mood improve.
Unlike most others who only see the serene Jane you present, I can see your pain. I am only sorry I cannot wipe it away for you.
You know my opinion regarding Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley and their true feelings for you, so I see no profit in repeating them here. I will add one more name to those I believe guilty of causing your suffering: Mr Darcy.
During our sojourn at Netherfield Park, it was obvious to me that Mr Darcy holds much sway over Mr Bingley. As I am not handsome enough to tempt him, and he always stared at me to find fault, I am certain that the insufferable man did not wanthis friend connecting himself to our family. After the infamous way he treated Mr Wickham, can you doubt that he would not use his influence to separate his friend from you, Dearest?
I know you said there must be some big misunderstanding between Messrs Wickham and Darcy, but I do not agree with you. One of them was wronged by the other, and you know my opinion, which is steadfast, of who is the aggrieved party and who was the one who behaved abominably.
It is good you are not here to hear Mama’s daily diatribe about Mr Bingley’s ill usage of you. It has almost replaced her harangues of me regarding my failure to accept Mr Collins as my husband. Unfortunately, she seems to have forgotten that she promised not to know me again for refusing that man. My life would be so much more peaceful if she had stuck to her resolution.
Due to the fact that I never held a tendre for Mr Wickham, his interest in Miss King does not bother me. I have heard some express the opinion that he is mercenary and was not interested in her before she inherited her £10,000. What man does not need to have an eye towards money when he marries? And, that is especially true for poor Mr Wickham after Mr Darcy blasted his prospects in such a vindictive way. I know you see good in both men, but I cannot be as charitable as you are, my Janey.
I am not sure if you were aware of this before you departed, but Kitty and Lydia have become very close to Mrs Harriet Forster. I suppose it is to be expected, as she is barely 18; they are all close in age and maturity (or lack thereof).
As muchas I will miss Mr Wickham’s company, I will not repine it when the regiment moves onto their summer encampment at Brighton. I have told Papa this, but all he does is laugh at their antics, but I am afraid Kitty, or Lyddie, or both of them will end up being ruined, and that will affect all of us. Papa says I am exaggerating. I do not believe I am.
