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“So Lizzie said what she said to drag Mary out of her doldrums?”

Charlotte shook her head.

“That is why we are talking. Every time she and I have chatted over the last week she makes variations on the same point. She has got to the point where she does not see any good in any men. And I mean practically all men. The only two that are exempt from her scorn are her two uncles.”

Jane sat and processed Charlotte’s contention. Suddenly she looked up at her friend who pursed her lips and nodded her head. The question was not asked aloud, just as the answer was similarly silent, but Jane knew that Mr. Bennet was not exempt from Elizabeth’s disappointment.

“What do you think we should do?”

Charlotte shrugged.

“That is also why we are talking. I have absolutely no idea. Eliza is seven years younger than me, two years younger than yourself, yet she has years more independent life experience than either of us. It comes back to what you said. Eliza is a still a maiden yet has lived as a wife for four years. Other than the marriage bed, what has she not done.”

They both flushed at the mention of the marriage bed but everything Jane had related supported the label of ‘wife’.

“She is not happy at the world. She is woman who, if she were a man, could succeed in society. I do not know that there is anything that we can do. Any positive point we can make about society, about men generally, or even about a particular gentleman, she can counter with real world, personal experience.”

Silence reigned, punctuated by occasional sighs.

“Let us change the subject. Rather than indulge in simple gossip, shall we discuss the newest additions to the neighbourhood?”

This did cheer them both up, gently mocking their mothers with their more dignified description of the same activity.

“We can ignore the Hursts.”

Jane nodded in agreement.

“Who next?”

“Let us deal with the sister before turning to the gentlemen. She confuses me, because she comes across as delusional. The whole neighbourhood knows the family history, at least the short version. Does she really think that acting like a Duchess is going to make us all ignore the fact that she is the daughter of a tradesman? Yes, her brother is leasing an estate, but that is the point, he is only leasing. The family have not yet made the step into the gentry. They are just rich, frankly a classic example of the nouveau riche. False airs and graces just make her a figure of ridicule. And the gowns and headdresses are an affront to taste, fashion and any sense of colour. All of that being said, she has her eyes on the big prize.”

“The big prize?”

“Mr. Darcy. Father called us together and we were the first family the party were introduced to. And as it turned out, the only family from the neighbourhood that was introduced to them altogether. Mr. Hurst immediately wandered off to the drinks table. But what I did notice was that Miss Bingley did not have her hand resting gently on Mr. Darcy’s arm. I could see a whitening of her knuckles as she grasped his arm. It was like an owl with a mouse. As your family came to be introduced and their party fractured, I watched Mr. Darcy pry her hand off his arm. It was why he was standing with his arms behind his back when you were introduced.

“As you know the rumours quickly spread about Mr. Darcy, the £10,000 a year and half of Derbyshire. But who, other than his own party, would know that. I had never heard of him, neither had father, and my parents are the most in tune with the neighbourhood.”

Another tinkle of laughter. Mrs. Bennet and Lady Lucas vied for the top spot in the gossip ladder but both were a distant second to Sir William. As the laughter died down Jane thought about Charlotte’s suggestion.

“I cannot refute what you say. He is clearly not the sort of person to self-promote, his attitude at the Assembly did not give off an air of someone wanting to know his present company. And we were not all introduced to him. Your father introduced us but when Mr. Bingley went to introduce the Netherfield party Mr. Darcy had already wandered away. Your family is the only one in the neighbourhood where there has been a proper introduction.”

“Goodness, really?”

Jane nodded but then raised another point.

“When I stop and think about it, how is Mr. Bingley’s income of £5,000 a year known?”

“I do not think it is known, it is a guess by our mothers.”

“Our mothers!”

“Yes. Your Uncle Philips handled the lease and so your aunt was able to pass the word of a new tenant to our mothers. They in turn guessed Bingley’s income as £5,000 a year as that is what the Uptons were rumoured to have.”

Jane’s sangfroid was seriously challenged and she placed her head in her hands for a moment.

“I do not know whether to laugh or cry. When did the neighbourhood descend into madness?”

“I think it started during the reign of Edward VI.”