“No, I would not say that,” replied Mrs. Hurst. “Though Charles did not vouchsafe the exact nature of his business, I understand he has completed it. Now that he does not need to stay longer, it would not surprise me if he returned to Hertfordshire soon.”
At that, Jane’s cheeks lit up with a rosy blush as Elizabeth might have expected. What she did not expect was for Mrs. Hurst to notice it and give a slight nod of what appeared to be satisfaction.
“Of course, Mr. Bingley is welcome to return at any time convenient,” said Jane.
“Yes, you must tell your brother that we appreciated his presence and wish to enjoy his company again!” exclaimed Mrs. Bennet with more eagerness than sense. “It has been too long since we had the pleasure of his company.”
“I shall inform him, Mrs. Bennet,” said Mrs. Hurst, her reply containing no trace of the contempt Elizabeth might have expected.
Elizabeth could not help but wonder what Mrs. Hurst’s game was. The woman had made it clear that she had no genuine regard for the Bennets, did not consider Jane enough for her brother. Yet here she was appearing satisfied when seeing evidence of Jane’s affection for Mr. Bingley and hope for his return. Did she mean to congratulate herself on the successful separation, reveling in Jane’s misery? It hardly seemed worth it for her to journey all the way to Hertfordshire for no other reason than to bask in her superiority and further break Jane’s heart.
The question of what she could do about it burned in Elizabeth’s mind. Perhaps she could do nothing, but she did not mean to step aside and allow Mrs. Hurst to triumph over her dearest sister without response.
The visit continued, Mrs. Hurst remained pleasant, Mr. Hurst uncommunicative, and Jane’s hope increased with each passing minute. By the time a half hour had passed and the visitors rose to return to their homes, Elizabeth decided what she would do.
With expressions of pleasure and wishes of meeting again soon, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst left the room to return to their carriage. Elizabeth, hoping to catch them before they left, excused herself soon after. In this, she was fortunate, for she found Mrs. Hurst waiting in the vestibule, her husband having gone outside to deal with some matter of their carriage.
“Miss Elizabeth,” said Mrs. Hurst, not appearing surprised to see her. With her next words she proved it. “I might have expected you to confront me.”
Elizabeth considered her. “Is that why you sent your husband out to the carriage first?”
The laughter this comment provoked was as unexpected as everything else that had happened that day. “No, Miss Elizabeth, I did not send him out into the cold. However, I will own that I expected you to make your sentiments known to me, though I could not have imagined you acting with such alacrity.”
“When it pertains to Jane’s peace of mind,” replied Elizabeth, “I do not wait.”
Mrs. Hurst nodded, her expression turning serious. “Then I suspect you have some questions you would like to ask.”
“Not as such,” said Elizabeth, “though I am confused. You claim your brother needed to return to London for business, but what business consumes an entire month?”
The way Mrs. Hurst regarded her, Elizabeth was certain she was trying to determine how much she should say.
“I shall not sport with your intelligence, Miss Elizabeth,” replied Mrs. Hurst. “When Charles returned to London, he expected to complete his business in four or five days.”
“Yet it has been more than a month, and he is still in London,” challenged Elizabeth.
“Let us simply say that my sister did not enjoy Hertfordshire and persuaded him to remain in London.”
“Was it only Hertfordshire of which your sister disapproved?” asked Elizabeth after considering her response for a moment.
“Perhaps it was not,” agreed Mrs. Hurst. “There are many things of which Caroline does not approve, but that does not mean that her family agrees.”
“Then you have returned because of that disagreement?”
Mrs. Hurst smiled and nodded. “It may seem strange to you, Miss Elizabeth,” said she, “but I also enjoy the country, though Caroline does not. My sister has a strange notion that the highest of society spend their lives impressing those with whom they mingle.”
“That is nonsensical,” said Elizabeth with a snort. “No one who has the option prefers to spend summer in London rather than their estate.”
“I cannot disagree,” said Mrs. Hurst. “Regardless, I appreciate the country and have returned to keep house for my brother.”
Elizabeth remained silent for a moment. “Then youdoexpect him to return.”
“I shall not attempt to speak for my brother, Miss Elizabeth.”
“And what of Miss Bingley?”
“As I suggested before, my sister is visiting with friends—I do not expect her to return for some time.”
Elizabeth nodded, but she knew there was no recourse but to state her case.
