by Jemma Thorne
When the party moved to the dining room I watched Bingley to see if he would take the place next to Jane. When he came in he stood for a moment as if deciding. She happened to look around and smiled at him. He moved straight to her side, firming up my expectations on that quarter. It seemed a good chance my sister would be Mrs. Bingley after all. Of course I could not depend on it but the idea lifted my spirits a good deal. Bingley engaged my sister with such sweetness, his eyes focused rapturously on her face, that I was almost embarrassed to look upon them; the feelings they had for each other were so plain to see.
Unfortunately for me, Darcy was about as far from me as he could be, clear at the other end of the table, seated next to my mother. It was enough to make me blush in horror and want to crawl out of the room and out of sight. I wasn’t close enough to hear what they spoke about, but their exchanges were infrequent, with Mother sitting stiffly and slightly leaning to the left to avoid him. It was obvious neither was comfortable.
I had not found the opportunity to thank Darcy for what he had done for our family. This made it all the harder to watch Mother’s cold and aloof behavior toward him – the man who had saved Lydia’s reputation and the marriageability of the rest of her daughters. I knew almost for a certainty that Darcy would not want my mother to be aware of what he had done. He might be proud, but what he said was said in sincerity. If Mother knew of his favors to us she would surely change her tune but that would be worse for him than her cold treatment now. I must find room to speak to him of it at some point soon. I knew he would not welcome the topic, but for my own peace of mind I must thank him.
Tonight I would be happy to speak with him about anything. Such a reflective topic was not suitable for this large crowd, but I had not given up hope of having some of Darcy’s attention this evening. The ladies retired to the drawing room and began their inane chatter. None of their topics were enough to grasp the wings of my flighty imagination. I was all ears for when the gentlemen would join us. As we made the tea and coffee, we heard them at last, and the ladies gathered like a flurry of hens.
Darcy would have no room to approach me at all with so many women around. But when he finished his first cup of coffee, he returned his cup himself. My hands shook slightly as I filled it, but I took the opportunity to speak with him, finally.
“Is Georgiana still at Pemberley? I do regret that I was unable to say goodbye to her when we were in Derbyshire.”
He nodded. I wished there was more warmth in his eyes. “Yes. She will be there through Christmas.”
“Is she quite alone, then? Have her friends gone on and left her?” Of course I spoke of the Bingley sisters.
“She has Mrs. Annesley with her. They are happy in each other’s company. The others went on to Scarborough almost three weeks ago.”
I couldn’t think of anything else to say, not without touching on some uncomfortable topic. This was not the place to bring up Lydia, yet that much-needed conversation held my tongue in its grasp.
As I searched around for another suitable topic, he stood silently beside me. Was this the man who had sought me out repeatedly in Derbyshire? Why didn’t he speak? But after a few moments, when Maria Lucas brushed past and glanced between the two of us with obvious interest, he walked away.
I watched him go, dissatisfaction bubbling beneath my socially required calm.
When the card tables were placed my heart grew again with the hope that we might be seated next to each other and have some chance to talk. But it was not to be; Mother called him to the other table and I fell into a dreary displeasure at being forced through the rest of this evening. None of it had gone in my favor.
I heard a laugh and turned to find Clarice standing next to me. “I do not know what I was worried about. The two of you can’t even carry words over a cup of tea. It’s lucky for your mother’s spirit that Jane is doing better.”
I glanced over at the rosy glow in my sister’s cheeks as she laughed at something Bingley had said. Mother had seated them together strategically, of course. She also strategized to keep the two Netherfield men for supper, but they were gone well before that, as Darcy ordered their carriage early.
Mother was quite pleased with herself and with the day. She went on and on about the quality of the food and the conversation. She was in great spirits, brought there by Bingley’s affectionate treatment of Jane throughout the day.
“I am perfectly satisfied with the day,” Jane said. “I hope we should all meet again often. Mr. Bingley’s conversation is pleasing. He’s the most sensible young man.”
I shook my head at her and smiled.
“Why do you smile at me like that?” she demanded indignantly. “I should find a friend in him if I want to. Yes, I once thought he was interested in more than that, but one is never wise to turn up their nose at a friendship, especially one so agreeable as this.”
“You don’t see an inch from your nose, dear sister. The man is going to make you a happy woman yet.”
“I have no such expectations.”
“And so you will be all the happier.”
* * *
Bingley came again soon, but without Darcy, who had gone to London and was to return in ten days’ time.
“See,” Clarice whispered annoyingly in my ear. “He has gone without a word to you. Likely that is the last you’ll see of him.”
On this visit, Bingley stayed more than an hour, sitting with Jane and our younger sisters as Mother tried to pull us all away, two by two, so that Jane could have him to herself. Mary and Kitty didn’t understand what Mother was about, but I could see it and I was grateful. For the more I saw them together, the more I was convinced that Bingley was just the man to bring my sister all the joy and steadiness she deserved.
Mother invited him to dine with us, but he had another engagement. His manner invited another invitation and Mrs. Bennet happily gave it. So it was decided that he would come back the next day for dinner.
The next day he arrived so early that none of us were dressed and he had to wait for us downstairs with nothing but a cup of tea to occupy him.
Much as Mother tried to leave Jane and Mr. Bingley alone, it was to no avail. She made all the excuses she could to pull us away, but luck wasn’t with her and the couple never had more than a few minutes to themselves.
Bingley stayed for supper, too, and that’s when I knew my sister had his heart. Before he left, he and Mother established a plan for him to hunt with Father in the morning.
A fierce excitement gripped me at this news – surely their circling would soon conclude with happy plans! I said nothing to Jane, though, fearing to spark her nerves. And she said nothing more of her indifference or her friendship with Mr. Bingley.
In the morning, Bingley arrived punctually, as was his habit. He and Jane locked eyes and he could hardly tear himself from her to attend our father. But the two of them went out, and when they returned they were laughing and talking animatedly, as I had scarcely seen Father do with anyone but me.
I gave Father a look that begged to know his thoughts, but he just grinned at me and swept by. “I’m famished after that. Fine sport. What’s for dinner?”
Over dinner, the air was heavy with anticipation. Father’s mood was easy, light. He barely glanced at Bingley and Jane, who were seated together. As usual, he kept his own counsel, though he had to be aware of the tension that filled the room.
“Oh, this is quite entertaining.” Clarice had popped in to stand next to me. “Do you think he’ll propose tonight?”
I could think of nothing else.
Tonight, Mother’s attempts to keep us away from Jane and Mr. Bingley paid off. I had a letter to write anyway. Anything to keep my mind from this ferocious curiosity over my sister’s future. Anything to keep from thinking of my own.
Chapter 6
When I returned to the sitting room, my letter finished and ready for the post, the first thing I saw was Clarice in the corner of the room, her hands knitted together an
d her gaze focused near the hearth. I entered, my mind still on what I’d written to Charlotte, so it took me a moment to register Jane and Bingley hastily stepping apart from where they stood before the hearth. If their motion hadn’t drawn my suspicion, their expressions would have done the job.
So my mother’s machinations had worked this time.
I placed my letter with the other post and took a seat. Jane and Bingley sat as well, but both fidgeted. Within a couple of minutes of awkwardly mundane conversation, Bingley rose and whispered something to Jane, then hastily left the room.
I stared after him, until Jane’s giggle drew my notice.
“Oh, Lizzy! It is simply unfair. Why can’t everyone have such happiness? I am so full of it that I will surely burst!” she exclaimed.
“He has gone to speak with Father?” I swept over to her and took her hands in mine. “Jane! How wonderful for you! Happiness suits you, dear sister, as I’m sure marriage will.”
“I must go up to Mother! She will never forgive me if she isn’t the next to know!” With that, Jane too departed, and I sat again with only my thoughts for company.
“So it has happened,” said an unwelcome voice.
Clarice.
“Must you always pipe in and ruin the best moments?”
“Oh, my dear! You don’t look happy enough for those words. And I know what’s wounding you.” Clarice laughed. She glanced at the doorway. “You know, I watched them. I think they may just be the right fit – that rare match I was mentioning to you. What are the chances such luck strikes twice in the same batch of daughters?”
“You assume its rarity, not I,” I said scathingly.
“But where is your Darcy now? I wager he never returns and you must stay and wait on your aging mother all your days.”
I glared at her, but footsteps in the hall drove her off and she disappeared. Was Bingley back already?
He burst in and looked about. Ascertaining that Jane wasn’t in the room, he steadied himself and gave me a strained smile, as if unsure of my welcome. We came together, he greeted me as a sister and I greeted him as a brother.
“It is the best news,” I told him.
“Oh, you don’t know the half of it. I have long imagined this day – and she said yes! I treasure your sister, truly I do.”
“Good. She deserves no less.” I spun from him, my mind already racing to a wedding day. “Jane is upstairs with Mother. I am sure she will return any…yes, here she comes.”
Jane joined us and they were both so full of smiles there was room for nothing else.
Father joined us at supper, but made no mention of the engagement until Bingley had departed, with promises of returning tomorrow. Then Father turned to Jane. “My dear, I am very happy for you. It is obvious there is great love between you two. And you have certainly made your mother a very happy woman.”
Just that fast, Jane was Mother’s favorite daughter. Wickham and Lydia were completely forgotten.
After that night, Bingley visited Longbourn daily. When he was around, Jane saw nothing else. When he was away, Jane spoke of little else.
But one night about a week after their engagement, I set out to find her and discovered her chatting with Mother in her sitting room.
As soon as she saw my face, Jane said goodnight to Mother and followed me to our shared room. “What is it, Lizzy? Except—” She took a deep breath and gave me a firm look. “I do hope you’re not going to try to pull me into another of your schemes. I can’t bear to think of you… following ghosts and such on your own, yet I will never do so again, not even for you.”
“You have told me again and again of your resolve, Jane. But have you thought about what you’ll tell your husband?”
Jane blinked. “There’s nothing to tell.”
I sighed in relief. “Then we are agreed.”
“Oh, yes…Lizzy, it is too odd. If we tell a soul we risk being called out as unnatural – can you imagine what that would do to the family? Although it would be quite funny to see Mr. Collins’ face if such a rumor were to spread.” Jane giggled.
“And you promise you’ll not say a word to Bingley about me, either?” I had to hear it from her – I knew once she gave her promise that she never would.
“I promise,” she swore. “I do hope you’ll soon find the man for you, Lizzy.”
“At the very least you’d think I’d stumble onto another Mr. Collins.”
Jane laughed. “I wouldn’t wish that on another like him. You find a marriage proposal far too easy to reject.”
“Just easy enough, I think.”
I still didn’t mention Clarice. Jane had never been able to see her, and I wasn’t going to spoil her high spirits with a confession that I’d been keeping the presence of our great-great-grandmother’s ghost a secret from her. She would fear for me, to no good purpose. I already feared for myself and I had made up my mind. I would go to Lady Leticia as soon as I could manage it and ask for her aid with sending Clarice’s spirit on. And I would take the burden of that decision solely on my own shoulders.
* * *
I would have assumed that nothing could be less comfortable than plotting the end of your ancestor’s shade while the ghost looked on. Yet an unexpected visitor at Longbourn the next morning easily topped my worry over Clarice.
We were sitting in the dining room after breakfast, all of us Bennet women and Mr. Bingley, when we heard a carriage.
Kitty got up for a look, but she didn’t recognize the livery or the chaise and its horses. I didn’t bother to rise, sure it was some friend of Mother’s or another. There had been a fair number of them since the Bennet luck changed with this most recent engagement.
Uninterested in such a visit, Bingley turned to Jane and asked her for a walk. She happily agreed and they were off.
Focused on my sewing, I heard Mother stall over her greeting in the hall, and then I heard a voice that startled me out of my work.
“Lady Catherine de Bourgh, if you please. I am here to speak with Elizabeth Bennet – you must be her mother?” Her voice was cold though her greeting was perfectly gracious.
What was Catherine de Bourgh doing here?
I set aside my project and looked down at the dress I had chosen today – not much for greeting one of my most eminent acquaintances, but it would have to do.
Her eyes were just as cold as her voice when I arrived in the hall.
“Lady de Bourgh. It’s an honor to receive you at Longbourn.”
Lady Catherine glared around and sniffed.
“Come, have a seat and we will fetch out some tea,” I said, hoping my tone didn’t betray my confusion over this visit.
“No. I have not come for refreshment. I saw a little stand of trees out there and a path that seems suited to walking. Join me,” she ordered loftily.
Her behavior set my teeth on edge, but I couldn’t ignore her request for a private word.
We made no small talk – by the time we were halfway to the copse of trees, she had laid into me and I began to understand what had motivated her visit.
“Two days past I received some…news…nay, a rumor. I am sure you will tell me it is untrue. I have come to give you just such an opportunity.” Lady Catherine took out a fan. I was surprised she didn’t order me into service fanning her with it.
“Strange talk has reached my ears. I hear, for instance, that your eldest sister is soon to be called Mrs. Bingley. And so soon after the youngest of your mother’s brood was rescued from infamy by a quick wedding, with such timing that I am sure you all hope none look too closely at it.”
I gritted my teeth. I wished she would just spit out whatever she’d come to say – something was obviously bothering her deeply, because it appeared she’d traveled all the way here just to speak with me. I checked my temper; losing it with Lady de Bourgh would be a disaster.
“After I heard about your sister Jane’s engagement, which seems to be more of a match than any of you Bennets could have hoped for,
I was disturbed to hear that you are soon to be engaged to my own nephew, Mr. Darcy. I am certain it can’t be true and I am certain you will tell me so.”
I paused mid-step, my stride falling out of time with hers in a telltale moment of surprise that I couldn’t take back.
“Go on, girl. Tell me it is nothing but rumor,” Lady Catherine demanded.
How had such news reached Lady Catherine’s ears? My pulse picked up, roaring in my ears as my mind stretched for understanding.
“Is this the reason you’ve traveled so far? A rumor?” I stalled. “Why didn’t you ask your nephew?”
Clarice popped into view behind Lady Catherine, glowering.
“There was not a moment to waste. If there is any truth to these wagging tongues, I must encourage wisdom in your next step. He must seem quite a prize, but Darcy is not for you. He is engaged to my daughter, Miss Anne de Bourgh.”
“If he is engaged elsewhere, then there could be no truth to the words that have unsettled you. And so I’m left wondering why you are here.”
“You have not denied it yet. Are you engaged to my nephew? I demand to know!”
“He is engaged to Miss de Bourgh…isn’t he?” I cast her words back at her, avoiding her question again. I was not engaged to Darcy, but if he were to ask again, I would be. I could hardly give Lady Catherine a true answer.
Clarice clapped behind our guest. “Oh, this is marvelously entertaining. She thought to intimidate, but I do believe she’s just riled you up.”
I ignored the ghost, though I was glad someone was having a bit of fun with the awkward, ridiculous exchange of words.
“I do wonder who told her you were engaged?” Clarice pondered.
The same question had occurred to me. I suspected the very busy tongue of Mr. Collins. The Lucases must have sent Charlotte a letter after learning of Jane’s engagement. But how would they have heard about a nonexistent engagement to Mr. Darcy? Could it be just their imaginations, stringing together another engagement as likely now that Jane was to wed Mr. Darcy’s good friend?