“Miss Bennet, I… well… I missed my chance to know your sister better while she was at Rosings—entirely my own fault, mind you. Miss Elizabeth certainly put my mother in her place, leading me to believe she has certain… experience with… difficult mothers.”
That brought Jane into an easier bout of laughter, and the young ladies broke down a barrier they had not known was there. They had felt a kinship without explanation, but now that they had something clearly in common, perhaps they could be more at ease.
The next half hour passed rapidly, neither paying the slightest attention to how long a social call ought to last, particularly between two people of such different stations who had never been introduced. Miss de Bourgh eventually reminded Jane ever so much of Elizabeth when she was stealingaway from one of her mother’s insufferable tirades. She could easily imagine the heiress climbing a tree, though on closer inspection, it became clear she was not the resolute, sturdy Elizabeth Bennet; yet she possessed a certain strength. Perhaps there was more to the lady than met the eye.
“Miss Bennet, I know I have known you but an hour, but I wonder if I might—”
The young lady's courage failed at the very moment she approached whatever point she wished to ask. Something clearly remained unspoken—not least of which was where Elizabeth had gone and why—but it was equally obvious that asking such a question lay far beyond the bounds of an hour’s acquaintance.
Jane knew how to make people comfortable. Lizzy would tease people into better humour, while Jane would simply comfort them into the same state through different means. Possessing the necessary skills, she set to work.
“Pray be easy. It seems you would like to ask a question, but possibly lack something. Is it courage? Politeness? Propriety?”
“I suppose I am impeded by the rules of propriety,” Anne replied sheepishly, “or perhaps those are simply ready excuses for embarrassment or cowardice.”
Jane recalled her father's words, though not quite as mean-spirited as usual; for once in his life, he had given sound advice. She applied his diatribe to her current situation.
“My father likes to say that propriety is simply organised and systematic lying. Perhaps we can dispense with that for the moment, as I do not for a single moment believe youjust happenedto stumble upon my aunt’s home in Cheapside, a few days after my sister mysteriously disappeared from your mother’s estate.”
Jane regretted the words before they were fully spoken, thinking she sounded more like Lydia than herself. She hadstarted with the intention of putting this young lady at ease, but instead had effectively attacked her like a highwayman.
For her part, Anne de Bourgh was made of sterner stuff. No daughter of Lady Catherine was to be intimidated by Jane Bennet.
“We are both daughters of take-no-prisoners mothers, so perhaps we may skip over some of the social niceties and get right to the point.”
“I thought I was doing that.”
“I do not suggest you are derelict in your duties. I simply agree to your overall scheme.”
“Where is my sister, Miss de Bourgh?”
At that point, the question was posed and could not be retracted. The two ladies stared at each other for a few minutes, but Jane held the stronger hand. Twenty-two years of training in stubbornness had its value.
“I do not know. I cannot tell you the part of the story I am privy to, as it is not mine to tell. It would break the confidence of two people. It is not my business, but I would like to ensure your sister’s comfort if I may do anything to help her.”
Jane gasped, asking louder than she intended, “Is my sister in danger?”
Anne was instantly chagrined by the terror on her companion’s face. “No, no, no! This came out all wrong!”
Anne paused for breath before continuing.
“I do not believe your sister is in any danger, but she has… a reason… to be… difficult… to… locate. I… I feel inadequate that I cannot tell you all that I know without breaking a confidence but… well… it is beyond me. I do not believe she is in any real danger, but I was hoping I might be able to ascertain where she went. I would like to correspond with her if I may, and offer my assistance, such as it is.”
Jane was dismayed to think she had been so close to some intelligence, only to be stymied by her new friend’s scruples. Yet, unwillingness to break a confidence spoke well of her, and since Miss de Bourgh knew no more of Elizabeth’s situation than Jane, there was little point in belabouring it.
Jane thought for several minutes before determining whether to trust this new acquaintance—friend? She finally decided to rely on her own nature, since trying to be Lizzy gave her a splitting headache.
“I do not know," Jane finally said with a sigh. “She is apparently hiding, but I do not know where or why. We received a note stating she was perfectly well, taking a small tour somewhere in the north, with a family wholly unknown to us, and I believe she may have… tricked—”
Jane realised she had likely betrayed Lizzy’s confidence, but it seemed too late to rectify the error.
“That is to say… well, not tricked… but, perhaps, relied on my father’s indolence to obtain permission.”
Much to Jane’s surprise, Anne clapped her hands in glee and laughed. “Oh, that is so rich. I knew I liked your sister. I cannot wait for her to return. We shall have such fun together.”
Jane stared at her, wondering if Lizzy would be so sanguine about the connection, but since she knew no evil of Miss de Bourgh, and was generally inclined to think the best of people, she determined to like the young lady before her until she had cause to revise that opinion.
Both ladies had reached a precipice, and neither knew how to proceed. Further discussion brought them into closer intimacy, and another half hour of conversation revealed both ladies had matters they must keep in confidence, but what they were willing to share had been exhausted. Anne was unwilling to speak of Darcy’s proposal, while Jane was unwilling to speak of his interference in her affairs.
