Jane noticed Miss Bingley exiting and felt embarrassed that she had overlooked her presence due to her distraction with the countesses.
‘I wonder to what Lady Matlock referred when she addressed Miss Bingley,’ she quietly murmured to her uncle.
‘I suspect that the lady was still spreading the rumour that our relationship is more familiar rather than familial.’
That pun raised a small smile on Jane’s face as well as her spirits which had wilted somewhat when she heard Lady Matlock berate Caroline.
~T~
When Miss Bingley fled Gunter’s in embarrassment, her mind was awhirl.
How could it have happened that a country nobody such as Jane Bennet was on such familiar terms with Lady Matlock and Lady Sefton?
While Caroline was at Netherfield, there had not been the slightest hint that the Bennets could be so well connected. The only relations of whom they had heard were their uncles in trade. Yet the exceedingly handsome Mr Gardiner who had accompanied Jane, could not possibly be one of them.
Caroline could not understand that they would hide their connections. It was simply unnatural not to parade one’s lofty associations to ensure that one was shown to the best advantage.
Another thought occurred to her. Today she had seen Jane Bennet up close rather than at a distance and while Caroline had not paidattention to it at the time, she now recollected that the chit’s dress had been fashionable and of the highest quality… expensive quality. The kind of expensive quality which Caroline insisted on for her own gowns.
The Bennets must be considerably wealthier than she had assumed, as the expense of outfitting three sisters to that level was more than even Bingley could afford.
Why had those Bennets hidden their light under a bushel?
She was now angry at having been duped.
If she had known about the Bennets’ connections and wealth, she would not have sneered at them, at least not to their faces. She would have honestly befriended Jane and encouraged her brother to court the lady instead of trying to keep them apart.
It never occurred to Caroline that her attitude and that of people like her was the reason for the Bennet’s reticence.
Miss Bingley was still fuming when her mercenary nature reasserted itself. Calming down she considered her options.
Perhaps it was not too late. Charles was still pining after Miss Bennet and there had never been a lady who could resist his boyish charm. Therefore, when he returned, she would encourage him to renew their acquaintance.
~T~
Lady Henrietta informed the Duchess and Deveril that the Queen would receive them and the Bennets the following week.
As he had the time before that event, Deveril rode to Longbourn after discussing the marriage articles with Gardiner and Jane rather than her father. Having heard that neither parent was aware of the full extent of Jane’s dowry, Deveril agreed with Gardiner that Jane should sign the documents herself, after having them fully explained to her.
When he arrived at Longbourn, Mrs Bennet and her youngest daughters were out visiting the tenants and Bennet was in his library as usual, although instead of reading he was working on his ledgers.
Mr Bennet was surprised but grateful for the interruption when Hill announced his visitor and presented his card.
‘Lord James Deveril,’ he read. ‘I was wondering how long it would take the gentleman to come and see me,’ Bennet said with an amused smile. ‘You had better show him in and bring refreshments, he is just come from London.’
Once the introductions were complete and Bennet invited him to sit, Deveril handed over two letters which Bennet accepted but did not open. Instead, he waved the letters, saying with a grin, ‘I suppose that both Gardiner and Jane write to tell me what a remarkable young man you are.’
‘While I do not know the exact content of the letters, I was given the impression that they were to reassure you of my character and that I am completely besotted with your oldest daughter,’ Deveril answered casually without letting Bennet’s manner put him off.
‘Considering that my wife and younger daughters have been telling me for weeks what a sterling character you are, I suppose that I can dispense with reading them at the moment.’ When Deveril gave him a puzzled look, Bennet added, ‘My wife and daughters correspond and insist on telling me about it.’
Deveril look sheepish but laughed. ‘I should have realised.’ He shook his head. ‘In that case I shall come to the point. I love your daughter Jane and have asked her to marry me. She has accepted my proposal and I have come to get your blessing.’
‘My blessing but not my permission?’
‘Jane has reached her majority and is free to marry as she pleases. I simply felt it was good manners to speak to you before we make our engagement public.’
‘That is magnanimous of you. But what about the settlement papers? I may be a somewhat indolent father, but I do care what happens to my girls.’
