‘You will not be displacing me, as I am having the suite at the other end of the corridor updated according to my taste. This way I am not inconvenienced by the redecoration,’ the duchess countered good-naturedly.
Eventually Jane was convinced.
~T~
While everyone was getting ready for the ball, an express rider made his way to Longbourn, where he delivered a letter to Mrs Bennet late in the afternoon.
The lady was full of apprehension when she broke the seal while Mrs Hill stood next to her with her mistress’s salts.
Gardiner House, London
Dearest Mama
Please be at ease, nothing dreadful has happened.
Mrs Bennet heaved a sigh of relief.
On the contrary, I have the most wonderful news which I wanted to relate to you before you see the notices in the papers tomorrow.
I am engaged to be married to the most wonderful man.
The look of relief changed to a beaming smile as Mrs Bennet wondered if it would be that nice young man Jane had written about in previous letters.
You remember that I have been telling you about Cousin Amelia’s cousin, Mr James Deveril. As you may have guessed from my previous letters, I have come to know the gentleman rather well and have fallen deeply in love with him.
It was him.
He is the most wonderful and caring man I have ever met, and he loves me too. And even better, he loves me for myself, not for my beauty, although he is not complaining about my looks. And not only does he love me, but he also respects me, and I have great respect for him.
Mr Deveril must be a strange young man that he considered Jane’s looks secondary to her personality.
I know that we will be ecstatically happy.
There is one thing though, which he kept from me initially and which I must tell you about. It seems that he is not just plain Mr Deveril, but he is Lord James Deveril, the second son of the Duke of Barrington and the heir presumptive as his older brother has no children.
Could it be? Was her dearest Jane going to be a duchess, even if it was in the distant future?
Because of this circumstance, his mother, the duchess, arranged to have me and my sisters presented to the Queen.
Mrs Bennet held out her hand to Hill for her salts as she cried, ‘You will never believe it, but Jane and the other girls have met the Queen.’
Her Majesty even included the Gardiner’s in her invitation. I probably should not say so, but Lizzy made an impertinent reference to dancing bears.
The lady frowned, not understanding the reference but she was pleased for her brother and his wife.
Speaking of Lizzy. Do you remember Mr Darcy, the gentleman who made that unflattering remark about her? He apologised most sincerely and has quite changed his mind about my sister and she about him. Would you believe that she agreed to a courtship with Mr Darcy? It seems they both enjoy having someone with whom they can argue about any and all intellectual topics. Personally, I think it exhausting, but it seems to make them happy.
Now I must rush as we have to get ready for a ball given by the Duke of Langford.
Your loving daughter
Jane
Mrs Bennet thought, what is the world coming to? Lord James was more interested in Jane’s personality than her beauty while Mr Darcy, who had insulted Lizzy’s looks, is enamoured with her intelligence and bookishness.
Mrs Bennet sat in stunned silence for some minutes when she finished reading, but then her natural exuberance reasserted itself. She jumped to her feet and rushed to her husband’s library.
‘Mr Bennet, you will never believe what Jane has written. She is to be a duchess!’
