“I am remembering, Lizzy. Do you recall how pleasant our evening at Vauxhall Gardens proved to be?”
“Indeed, I do. It was most agreeable.”
“I found it far preferable to the dinner at the Darcys’ and the subsequent visit to the theatre. At Vauxhall, I was free to speak with Mr. Bingley in privacy and ease. At dinner, his sisters were ever near, and at the theatre, there was such noise, and then the performance demanded our attention. Yet all I desired was to converse with him, to hear his voice, to listen as he spoke of his hopes and intentions.”
Elizabeth’s smile deepened. “And what were those hopes, my dear?”
“He spoke of possessing a home of his own, a true home such as he enjoyed while his parents lived. He wished for a wife and for children to be raised in the countryside, removed from the smoky air of London. Oh, Lizzy, perhaps he has been absent in pursuit of that very design.”
Elizabeth’s smile widened. “Yes, it would seem so. Jane, perhaps all your dreams are about to be realized.”
The two sisters passed the next hour in earnest conversation of Mr. Bingley, of his pleasing manners, his many attractions, his amiable temper, and the marked regard he had once shown Jane. At length, Jane lifted her eyes with renewed animation.
“Lizzy, I believe Mr. Bingley has purchased Netherfield Park for my sake.”
“I agree, it does seem very likely that it is indeed Mr. Bingley, yet you must govern your expectations until you are certain. Can you promise me so much?”
Jane returned her sister’s look with composure. “Yes. I may have given him my heart, Lizzy, but I have not relinquished my self-control.”
Elizabeth laughed. “You will not have long to wait. You shall know all within a fortnight.”
Elizabeth glanced at the small watch suspended at her waist. “It is time we dressed for dinner. Come, we shall be late if we delay longer.”
Chapter 30: Mr. Bingley
The sisters put aside their needlework when Mrs. Hill hurried into the room, her eyes bright with news.
“Miss Jane, I have learned something of the goings on at Netherfield Park.”
She had their full attention.
“Yes?”
“Cook’s niece has secured a position in the kitchens. The larder and pantries are being filled, for they expect the master, a young gentleman from the north by the name of Mr. Bingley, and his family, to take possession of the house within a fortnight.”
Jane reached over and took Elizabeth’s hand in her own as Hill continued.
“The house has been scrubbed and cleaned, the park mown, and the gardens put in order. The portion of the roof requiring repair is to be completed within two weeks, and the master is expected thereafter. They look for his arrival by the fifteenth of June.”
Mrs. Hill continued. “They say he intends to give a ball to mark the occasion of his becoming a landed gentleman.”
The sisters exchanged a glance of mingled pleasure and regret.
“He cannot yet have heard of our loss, Jane,” Elizabeth observed.
Mrs. Hill looked between them in surprise. “Do you young ladies know Mr. Bingley?”
Jane was too affected to reply, but Elizabeth answered simply. “Yes. We made his acquaintance in London and are a little acquainted with him, his two sisters, and Mr. Hurst, his brother-in-law.”
“And is he as amiable and gentlemanly as they report?”
“He is indeed. Very amiable and a true gentleman. He is nothing like Mr. Goulding.”
Elizabeth’s expression lightened, and Mrs. Hill could not forbear a smile in return.
“It is a pity you are both in full mourning and cannot attend the ball,” Mrs. Hill remarked.
“Yes, it is unfortunate,” Jane replied, “yet if he is to reside in the neighborhood, I have little doubt he will give another in time, and we shall attend then.”
