“No, I thank you, sir.”
“Sit.” Mr. Bennet motioned to a chair. “What brings you to my study? I rather thought you preferred my eldest daughter’s company to my own.”
Mr. Bingley reddened at this. “I would not want you to think that I do not enjoy your –“
“No matter, no matter.” Mr. Bennet thought he would have to remember not to tease Mr. Bingley.
“I plan to propose to Miss Bennet today, sir, and I wanted to make certain that there were no objections on your part.”
“You will wait the six months before marrying?”
“Of course.”
“What of Miss Bingley?”
“She is now living with our relative in Scarborough.”
Mr. Bennet’s brows rose. “And she will not return?”
“Not unless her character undergoes a great change, which I do not expect.”
“Hmmph. And Lydia’s absence?”
“It makes no difference to me, sir.”
“You understand that her continued and unexplained absence could make my remaining daughters unable to marry?”
“I do understand; it will be my honour to offer them a home throughout their lives,” Mr. Bingley said, solemnly.
“You are a good man, Bingley,” Mr. Bennet said, with great sincerity. “Do be aware that I am saving money for them, andthey each have their share of their mother’s four thousand pounds.”
“Miss Bennet will not need that money, sir; I have more than enough.”
“Well, that will benefit the other girls a good deal. Of course, I have no objections to your proposal whatsoever, and I have no doubt that she will be happy to accept you. You may spend fifteen minutes alone with her in the parlour.”
With that encouragement, Mr. Bingley rose with alacrity, shook Mr. Bennet’s hand again and departed, eager to find his beloved.
***
Jane and Kitty were in the parlour; Jane was sewing for a tenant and Kitty was producing a sketch of Mama. She had made an extra sketch of Lydia to put up in her room, and Mary had suggested that she do one of Mama as well. “So that we never forget what they looked like,” Mary said.
Kitty had protested that she could never forget what her beloved mother and sister looked like, but the mere idea of such a thing happening had kept her awake for two nights! The simple answer was, of course, to do as Mary had suggested and make her sketch.
Jane had heard Mr. Bingley’s voice in the entryway, and so knew he had been in to see her father. That could mean only one thing! Her heart was pounding, and her stitches had become so uneven that she would have to rip them out and begin again!
Mr. Bingley soon appeared before her and said, “Your father has given his permission for us to have fifteen minutes alone together.” He cast a pleading eye at Kitty, who understood immediately. She gathered up her pencils and sketch pad, curtsied, and left the room, closing the door behind her.
She ran upstairs and found Mary. “It is happening!” she hissed.
“What?”
“Mr. Bingley is proposing to Jane!”
“Are you certain?” Elizabeth had overheard and had rushed out of her room to confirm it.
“They are alone together in the parlour; Papa gave his permission for them to be alone for fifteen minutes!”
Elizabeth sighed. She was absolutely delighted for Jane, of course; but would it ever be her turn for such happiness? If only Lydia had not – but no, there was no point in revisiting such thoughts!
