“It is not urgent.”
“Ah, then perhaps it can wait until you see her at the ball. I fear that she has much to occupy her until then.”
“You cannot hide her away forever!” Mrs. Bennet burst out. The seal had truly broken; her patience had reached its end.
“She is not hiding, madam! She simply does not want to see you. Shecertainlywill not be ordered around byhim!”Elizabeth jabbed a finger towards her cousin, who was blotchy with anger. Her mother gave her an arch look, as she used to when Lizzie was having childish outbursts in the nursery. Elizabeth drew a deep breath. She was Mrs. Darcy now; she must act like it. “The dower house is at your disposal, madam. The servants are ready to receive you.”
“I suggest you go inside before the rain arrives.” Darcy added with icy politeness, “Elizabeth, we shall be late for luncheon if we tarry any longer.”
He offered his arm. Elizabeth took it with relief. They walked away down the long driveway at an easy, unhurried pace.
Lizzie had never wanted to run more badly in her life.
Chapter 61
Jane took the news with serenity. She admitted at once that she had expected it.
Such a rude intrusion would have been the work of both their mother and Mr. Collins - he would think of it, but not have the nerve to break decorum. Mrs. Bennet would launch herself into his crusade without thought. Between the two of them, they were bound to get up to mischief.
To Elizabeth’s utter amazement, Jane suggested that they invite both Mrs. Bennet and Mr. Collins to dine with them that very evening.
“There is no need to be rude ourselves.” she said with her usual sweetness, “I am sure that mama has missed us all.”
“She certainly hasnot…!”
“Dearest, she treats you as she does because she is angry, not because she does not love you.”
Scolded, Elizabeth eyed her older sister, “What of Mr. Collins? He deserves no invitation; he is not our guest.”
“I would rather face him now, with you beside me, than be accosted by him without warning. I imagine he plans to contrive some method to separate me from you at the ball, when therewill be too much upheaval for it to be prevented. If he is aided in that by mama…”
“And Lady Catherine.”
“We do notknowthat, Lizzie. Mr. Collins assumes it, and so did I, but Mr. Darcy seems to think that she will be more circumspect. Mr. Bingley assures me that there is nothing to worry about from that quarter, and he knows the family well.”
Elizabeth did not remark upon the easy smile on Jane’s face when she mentioned Bingley. Her sister’s whole manner had softened at the thought of her friend. In that moment, Elizabeth could see none of the scars from Jane’s wretched treatment. She truly was the beauty of Meryton, glowing like an angel and beaming like a saint.
If Bingley had not seen the remarkable effect he had on Jane, then he was a fool.
Since Caroline had left, taking her accusing eyes and sharp criticisms with her, Bingley’s last reservations had disappeared. He made no secret of his preference for Jane. They spent every moment they could in each other’s company. In the mornings they stayed with Georgiana. In the afternoons they took long walks, or read together, or did any of the other comfortable activities that passed the time. Their evenings grew increasingly late as they were loath to go to bed, and they were always the first to come down for breakfast.
Darcy’s estimation of Bingley’s self-denial had seemed logical, but it had not lasted. At first, Elizabeth had changed the seating plan so that they would not feel any tension during dinner. Now, she knew, it was not required.
One casual thought made her heart flutter: Jane had said thatBingleyhad convinced her that she was safe. She trusted himso completely that his mere word was enough to chase away months of nightmares.
“Jane, if I am to invite them to dinner then we should do it properly. Let us show them Pemberley at its best. We shall have the finest food, wear our most beautiful clothes and be so grand that mama will be struck dumb. Darcy said that Mr. Collins is cowed by the splendour of Rosings Park. We shall make him just as awestruck of Pemberley.”
Jane smiled widely, “Oh, Kitty will love that! She’s been longing to wear her new blue gown. I shall tell her at once, for she will spend hours fussing over it.”
“Wait!” Elizabeth hesitated, found her nerve, and then took the plunge. “You need to go to Mr. Bingley first. I have an idea which he must agree to. I am sure that hewill…if you are the one to ask.”
“What is it?” Jane asked, blushing.
“Well… if it is to be a formal dinner, it would not do for the gentlemen to walk in alone, nor the ladies to be without an escort. I shall be on Darcy’s arm, of course, and I suspect Fitzwilliam will leap at the chance to spend another evening being scolded by Mary. I think you should be paired with Bingley.”
Jane’s mouth fell open. “Lizzie, I cannot… Ishouldnot! Mr. Collins will think… oh, he will be so angry! And mama would… oh, poor dear Charles! They will be terrible to him!”
“Charles?” Elizabeth raised her eyebrow pointedly. Jane went bright pink.
