“Did she respond?”
“Yes. She was very concerned, but felt you were in good hands with the Bingleys. She was pleased that Darcy and I came to visit, as well, and keep an eye on you.”
“How are Lydia and Kitty and Mary? How is Father? Is everything well at home?”
“She has mentioned several points of interest. Lydia and Kitty have been visiting the officers’ quarters and have met up with several gentlemen. One militia officer by the name of George Wickham has been speaking with Lydia on occasion. I had an opportunity to meet Mr. Wickham and he seems a kind and generous man, quite good-looking and charming in his own way. I believe we’ll be good friends. You’ll meet him, I’m quite sure, as he’s been spending some time with our sisters in Meryton.”
“I do look forward to meeting him.” Jane nodded, taking another sip from her cup of tea.
“Would you like to go for a walk, Jane? Or are you not feeling quite well enough for that yet?”
“I would like to get out of this bed as soon as possible, to be frank with you, Lizzy. I have been in it for far too long.”
“Almost two weeks!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “I’ll be glad to help you. Or, if you would prefer, I can procure the assistance of the handsome Mr. Bingley.”
They smiled at each other.
“Perhaps I do need his assistance getting out into the sunshine.” Jane looked toward the closed drapes of her window. “Is there any sunshine, Lizzy? Or is it raining today?”
“You have been blessed with a sunny day, Jane. It’s a good day to be getting out of bed after ten days of bed rest. What a cold you had, my dear sister! I’m in shock that no one else in the house became ill as a result of caring for you.”
Jane’s face shifted and she looked disheartened. “Oh, I hadn’t thought of that. How devastating that would have been!”
Elizabeth thought that it would have been one more thing for the Bingley sisters to hold against their family, but didn’t say as much. She had grown to appreciate the sisters for their obvious concern and care for Jane. But she didn’t believe their feelings to be genuine, as she had oftentimes heard stinging words through cracked doors and chatting servants that didn’t shed a good light on Jane, Elizabeth, or the Bennet family in general. She dared not say such things to Jane, when it was obvious that her heart resided with Charles Bingley.
“Where’s your husband now?” Jane asked, regaining her smile. The pleased look on her face lifted Elizabeth’s spirits.
“I believe he’s gathering our things, as we plan to leave very soon.”
“I suppose you won’t be returning to Longbourn but will instead go to Pemberley House.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, we’ll be going home. If you would like to travel with us, however, we’ll be glad to have you along. I always appreciate extra time with my dear sister and I would like to see Mother, Father, and the rest of our sisters as well. I do miss the chaos of preparing for a party or an event with the four of you circling around me, each with your own special methods of getting ready.”
“I wonder if Lydia and Kitty have matured any since we’ve been gone,” Jane mused whimsically.
Elizabeth threw back her head and laughed. She reached out and squeezed her sister’s hand. “Oh, Jane! We haven’t been gone for years, though it may feel that way! It’s been less than two weeks. It’s unlikely they’ve changed to any great lengths. They will always be the excitable, bouncy youngest Bennet sisters. It will take quite a force to change that!
“Here, I see you’ve finished your tea. Let me help you out of bed. You may need some time to strengthen your legs after being bedridden for so long. We’ll walk to the window so that you can peek outside and see the sun for the first time in days.”
“Thank you, Lizzy! I do so want to see it. The glow of the firelight is all I’ve seen for so long now.”
It took a few minutes for Jane to adjust herself, as she was quite weakened by the cold. Elizabeth took her teacup and set it on the bedside table. She stood up and offered her hands as assistance, so Jane could pull herself to the side of the bed. She winced when she slid her legs over to hang over the edge and her feet touched the cold floor.
“Here, put these on.” Elizabeth reached under the bed and retrieved a small pair of slippers.
“Will they fit me?”
“I believe they were put here for you. I’m sure Miss Bingley or Mrs. Hurst is a similar size and thought you might eventually need them.”
“I miss my own things.”
“Did you bring a trunk? Perhaps these are yours.”
Both girls looked down at the slippers. They both looked up at each other at the same time and burst out laughing.
“Of course they’re mine, I don’t know what I was thinking!” Jane exclaimed. She pushed her feet into the slippers delicately, took both of Elizabeth’s hands, and lifted herself to stand up. “Oh, dear,” she mumbled. “My legs are hurting.”
“Do you want to sit back down?”
“No, I want to see the sunlight.”
“I can always just open the drapes for you.”
“No.” Jane shook her head. “I want to walk. Help me, sister.”
Elizabeth smiled at her. “You’re as stubborn as me, it would seem.” Jane gripped her sister’s arms and took a few wobbly steps before she regained the muscle control in her legs. Once she was halfway across the room, she was walking with more confidence. By the time she was at the window and Elizabeth had pulled the drapes apart to reveal the window seat, she had a wide smile on her face.
“Look how beautiful it is outside,” Jane breathed. “I can’t wait to be out there, breathing fresh air. The air in here is very stale.”
“That it is, Jane. Come, let me help you get dressed. Tell me what you want to wear. I’ll retrieve it for you. You sit here and rest in the sunlight.”
Chapter 10
Jane returned to Longbourn with Elizabeth and Darcy, talking excitedly the entire time about being with her family again.
“I’m disappointed that I was unable to spend more time with Mr. Bingley and his sisters,” she said. “But I know there will be more opportunities for me. They’ve asked me to come again for a brief visit during the holidays. Won’t that be exciting, Lizzy? I hope you will come with me.”
Elizabeth smiled pleasantly, though she didn’t want to return to Netherfield for a while. She didn’t want to hurt Jane with that fact, so she said nothing. Darcy was aware of her feelings, but he wouldn’t say anything to hurt Jane either, so he remained quiet as well. They listened as Jane went on about Netherfield and what it would be like to be married into the family.
Elizabeth was glad to see Longbourn in the distance and instinctively leaned forward, as if that would get her there sooner. She silently wished for the horses to move faster.
Once they arrived, Darcy helped Jane step out of the carriage first and then gave his hand to Elizabeth. Jane hurried to get inside and see her family, while Darcy and Elizabeth held back, walking slowly to the doors.
“You’re aware, Elizabeth,” Darcy said in a low voice when Jane was safely inside the house, “that it’s unlikely Bingley will marry Jane. His family…” he shook his head. “They aren’t as comfortable with it as Jane believes.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, I’m aware. I had a pleasant conversation with Mrs. Hurst a few days ago and it became apparent to me how they truly feel.”
“It’s not that they don’t care for Jane. I believe they do have soft feelings for her. But they’re looking to match Bingley with someone of high status in society, someone equally wealthy.”
“And just as snobbish, I’m sure.” Elizabeth looked up at him, quietly admiring his profile. She had married a very handsome man. He looked down at her and her heart sped up for a moment. “I thought they were your friends, Darcy. How can you speak of them this way?”
Darcy shrugged. “They are my friends. Because of that, I know their nature. I don’t lie. I speak the truth, even if it wil
l hurt those who hear it.”
“You didn’t speak to Jane about it, did you?” Elizabeth was slightly alarmed. She calmed herself when he shook his head.
“It’s not my place. I’m warning you because if something should happen and Jane is heartbroken, you’ll need to be prepared to comfort her.”
“I’ve seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears the facts of the matter.” Elizabeth stepped up to the doors and put her hand on the doorknob. “Thank you for not saying anything to Jane. If anyone should speak to her about it, it should be me. She admires you, Darcy, but she wouldn’t take kindly to hearing some of the things we both know are facts.”
When Darcy followed her in without saying anything more, she glanced up at his face and saw a look she hadn’t seen in quite a while. It seemed to her he was thinking serious thoughts that she wasn’t privy to. She hadn’t wished to read someone’s mind until that point. She wanted to know what he was thinking about, but dared not ask.
The family greeted Jane, Elizabeth, and Darcy as though they had been gone for years. Lydia and Kitty jumped up and down, clapping their hands while their mother wrapped her arms around Jane.
“My beautiful daughter, I’m so glad you’re well and home with us! We’ve worried about you these last few weeks!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed.
“Calm yourselves, girls,” Mr. Bennet said, shaking his head at his youngest daughters. “What would your fine officers think if they saw you jumping and being silly?”
“They’re excited to see their sister, my dear,” Mrs. Bennet admonished her husband, who stared back at her with a blank look. “They’re not silly.”
“I must disagree with you,” he replied in a cool voice. “I would be remiss if I were to allow them to behave in such a way without acknowledging it and being sensible of it.”
Lydia giggled in a girlish way, throwing her arms around Jane and hugging her tight. “Oh, Father, I’m just delighted to have our Jane home again and safe. And to receive a visit from Mr. Darcy and Lizzy, well, this must be the finest day of the year!”
“That has yet to come, Lydia,” Kitty said, coming up to her sisters and joining the hug so that the three of them made a circle around each other. “Christmas isn’t far away and we’ll have everyone here to celebrate, including Colonel Forster and Captain Carter and perhaps some of the other officers, as well.” She narrowed her eyes and said in a teasing voice, “Perhaps George Wickham will pay a visit.”
Lydia’s cheeks flushed a deep pink and she withdrew from the hug to give her sister a narrowed look. “I know what you’re thinking, Kitty. I…” she laughed again. “I do hope that he comes to pay a visit.”
“I would like to see him again, as well,” Elizabeth said. “Our last conversation was quite pleasant. I find him to be quite intelligent and charming.”
She didn’t notice at first when Darcy split off from the family and moved to the side to observe them. She didn’t see the scornful look on his face at the mention of George Wickham. If she had she might have questioned it, but the conversation remained for another time.
“You’ll find that opportunity sooner than you think, Lizzy,” her mother said. “We’re to go to Meryton tomorrow and I expect he’ll be waiting to speak to us! He’s an amiable man and I wouldn’t dare deter an officer with five or six thousand a year from wanting one of my daughters. It’s a fine profession. I must admit to liking a red coat myself in my youth—a fine gentleman he was—just like Mr. Wickham.”
Lydia and Kitty both blushed at their mother’s words. “Oh my, let’s retire to the drawing room. I’m certain you must be tired from your long journey!” Kitty pulled on Jane’s hand, but her older sister shook her head and pulled her hand away.
“I’m exhausted, Kitty, but I wish to rest in my room. I may nap, as I’ve only recently recovered from being ill, you know.”
Kitty lost her smile. It was replaced by one of deep sympathy. “Oh, yes, Jane dear, of course you wish to nap in your room. We’ll all chat together when you’re feeling more energetic.”
“I’ll walk with you to your room, Jane,” Elizabeth said, noticing for the first time that Darcy had withdrawn from the family. He was speaking in low tones with her father, standing near the door to the drawing room. He glanced at her and saw her looking at him. He nodded to her and gestured to the door behind him, indicating that was where he would be when she came back downstairs. She understood the silent message and nodded.
After saying brief goodbyes to her sisters and mother, Jane ascended the stairs slowly with Elizabeth on her arm.
“You’re getting along fine with Mr. Darcy, Lizzy,” Jane whispered when they were a safe distance from the family. “I’m glad to see it.”
“We’re starting to know each other quite well. I’m still unsure how he truly feels about me, as he can be very silent and grumpy at times.”
Jane chuckled softly. “I suspect most men are that way. Why, Father can be quite gruff when he wants to be and doesn’t that irritate Mother so! But you’re taking it very well, I’d say.”
“I don’t feel I have a choice,” Elizabeth replied.
“He’s trying, you must admit.”
“I do admit to that fact,” Elizabeth nodded. “And it’s a truly good thing. But I question why he chose to marry me to begin with.”
Jane shook her head. “Again, you speak as if you have no value, Lizzy! You mustn’t think that way!”
“He struck me as a man who was seeking a girl with much more status in society than I,” Elizabeth responded. “And yet he can be quite warm and caring. When we first met, his countenance showed itself very plainly. He didn’t want to dance with anyone at the ball and simply declined dancing with me when it was offered to him. In a very blunt fashion, I might add. And now I find myself wed to the man and unsure why.”
“You do love him, don’t you?” Jane’s voice was light and airy. Elizabeth could see she was trying to hide a smile.
“I don’t love him yet, Jane.” Elizabeth knew it was true, but in her heart she knew that would eventually change.
Chapter 11
The next day was spent in Meryton, visiting Mrs. Bennet’s sister, Mrs. Phillips. For the first time since her marriage, Elizabeth noticed the encouragement bestowed by her aunt on her two younger sisters to become involved with the officers in the militia stationed there. She talked non-stop in an excited tone, only taking a breath when Lydia or Kitty cut in with words of admiration for those they saw on the streets.
Elizabeth held back, walking slowly with Jane. Darcy walked with them in silence. When George Wickham appeared on the street corner, Elizabeth saw Darcy move away from the family and cross the street to speak to several gentlemen standing outside the bank. She thought it odd that he would do such a thing, and without saying anything to her about where he was going. She dismissed the notion that he needed to inform her of his comings and goings. He had been a bachelor for far too long and would remain in that frame of mind until he chose to leave it behind. She wasn’t his keeper and didn’t want to be.
As they were all going to their aunt’s to lunch with some of the gentlemen and officers the older woman had invited, Elizabeth found herself attending the luncheon without her husband, who had disappeared from sight once Mr. Wickham came on the scene. She admitted silently to herself that he was, in fact, a handsome man, and had every female eye in the room centered upon him from the moment he walked in.
Soon, though he was attentive to Lydia and Kitty from the first, she found him seated next to her, having struck up a conversation immediately. He was witty and had her laughing throughout most of it. Whatever he spoke of was said with such effervescence, she was delighted throughout the luncheon. Even the dullest of topics sounded interesting coming from his mouth. He was seated next to her throughout most of the afternoon, but the other ladies, including Kitty, Lydia and their Aunt Phillips, soon came to sit with them, enamored with the sparkle of the young George Wickham.
“I’ve h
eard that you’ve been wed to the amiable Mr. Darcy,” he said, turning to her. At that moment, she realized she had left her husband on the street outside with the gentlemen in front of the bank, and wondered if she should go in search of him. He must have read the look on her face because he put one hand out to stop her from standing. “Oh, don’t go just yet, Mrs. Darcy. I must inquire as to his health and well-being. His father was my godfather, were you aware?”
Curiosity made Elizabeth stay seated, and she looked at him with interested eyes. “This I didn’t know, Mr. Wickham. It didn’t seem to me that you and he were close when you saw each other on the street earlier.”
“We know each other well. I’m not aware of any animosity between us but we haven’t spoken for some time.”
Elizabeth’s curiosity was piqued, and she hoped that he’d continue with more of his background with Darcy. She didn’t have to wait long, as he continued without prompting. “I admire Mr. Darcy’s tenacity and business sense. He has quite a noble estate, ten thousand per annum and the lovely Pemberley House. I suppose you’ve taken residency there with him?”
“Oh, yes. It’s one of the loveliest places I’ve ever seen and I’m happy to be living there. The house is beautifully kept and the land surrounding it is more picturesque than any painting I’ve ever seen.”
“God put a great deal into making that estate beautiful, didn’t He?” Mr. Wickham laughed. She joined him, nodding.
“I’ve known Mr. Darcy for many, many years, as I was, as I stated, his father’s god- son. I can’t speak to his character now, as I haven’t seen him for some time. But I can say that we’ve had our disagreements and our agreements, as well. I can’t be impartial as to give my opinion of him.”
“It’s just as well that you don’t,” Elizabeth said, noticing that her sisters and aunt were becoming restless with the boring conversation of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham. She continued with the subject, nonetheless, wondering why, if they had been so closely related in their youth, they weren’t on speaking terms as adults. “I find that my opinion of him changes as I get to know him. At first, he wasn’t well liked in Hertfordshire, as he gives off the appearance of being very prideful and arrogant. These aren’t good qualities in a man and not something that would draw many women to his side.”
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