An Unwanted Proposal: A Pride & Prejudice Variation

by Lane Cossett

  At last they arrived at the Bingley’s house and she marched up to the front door. The door was immediately opened by the man servant who had opened the door when they came to dinner. “Please tell Mrs. Bingley that Miss Bennet is here.”

  “I am not sure Mrs. Bingley is available miss,” said the man.

  Elizabeth bristled. She had no intention of arguing with the man. “Please tell my sister I am here.”

  The man sniffed and asked them to wait.

  Elizabeth shivered slightly. The hallway was just as gloomy as it had been when they had come to dine. The atmosphere was not a happy one.

  The man soon returned. “Mrs. Bingley is unable to see you today. She is unwell.”

  Elizabeth was hurt. If Jane was unwell she wanted to see her.

  “Please tell my sister I have no intention of leaving until I have seen her.”

  The man’s shoulders stiffened. It was clear he did not approve of being given such an instruction, but Elizabeth was determined to see Jane.

  The man disappeared once more. Phoebe who was pretending not to listen to this awkward exchange fixed her eyes on a painting of a rural scene. Elizabeth tried not to fidget. The man did not reappear and as the time passed she became increasingly worried.

  Suddenly a door opened, and Mr. Bingley appeared. “My dear sister Elizabeth. I had not realised you were here. Do forgive me for not welcoming you.”

  Elizabeth was pleased to be made welcome, but she wanted to see Jane. “I came to see Jane.”

  “Mrs. Bingley is not well,” said Mr. Bingley. “She has not left her room today.”

  “I would like to see her, if only for a few moments.”

  Mr. Bingley looked embarrassed. “Naturally if you have come all this way, but I would not like her upset.”

  Elizabeth was exasperated. Why was he trying stop her from seeing Jane. “Mr. Bingley, I must insist.”

  Mr. Bingley stood firm. “I understand, but perhaps another day. I am worried about her as is dear Caroline.”

  Elizabeth tried not to snort in disgust. She did not believe Miss Bingley was worried at all. She had no feelings for Jane at all.

  Elizabeth was about to insist again when Caroline Bingley came down the stairs. “Miss Eliza, I understand you wish to see Mrs Bingley. It is not possible I’m afraid. She is too tired, and she has asked if you could call on another day.”

  Elizabeth’s heart grew cold. Was Jane a prisoner in this house?

  “I will tell Jane you were sorry to have missed her,” said Miss Bingley.

  “There is no need to you to tell Elizabeth anything,” said a voice from the top of the stairs. Elizabeth looked upwards. Despite the hour of the day, Jane was dressed as if she had just arisen from bed. Her blonde hair was hanging in a long plait over her shoulder and her face was pale.

  “Jane dear. I think you should return to your room,” said Mrs. Bingley.

  Jane Bingley shook her head. “No. I wish to speak to my sister.”

  Elizabeth glanced at Mr. Bingley. He shrugged his shoulders. “If that is what would please you my dear, naturally you should.”

  Jane held out her hand and telling Phoebe to stay where she was Elizabeth hurried up the stairs to her sister. Jane led her into a bedchamber.

  As soon as the door was closed Jane sat down in a chair. “I am sorry Lizzy, but I am so tired. What brought you here?”

  Her sister was looking so unwell, Elizabeth was not sure she should say anything.

  Jane was pulling nervously at a thread on her gown.

  “Jane I wish you would tell me what is wrong.”

  Jane looked accusingly at her. “Nothing is wrong Elizabeth. I wish people would stop asking me. I am well, but a little tired.”

  Elizabeth knew Jane was not speaking the truth, but she did not want to upset her.

  “I came to give you some news,” she said quietly sitting down on the edge of the bed. “I am engaged.

  Jane brightened immediately. “You are to be married to Mr. Darcy?”

  Elizabeth grimaced. “Unfortunately, no. I am to marry Viscount Langley.”

  Jane stared at her in astonishment. “But who is this man?”

  “He is a friend of father’s. He offered me marriage and I accepted.”

  “But why?” Jane’s agitation grew. “Are you so fickle that you have transferred your feelings from Mr. Darcy to this man?”

  Elizabeth was hurt that Jane could suggest such a thing, but she remained calm. “No I have not, but I have no choice Jane.”

  Jane stopped pulling at the loose thread. “What is it Lizzy?”

  Elizabeth took a deep breath. Her sister did not look well, but she could not hold back the truth. She told Jane everything she could from the time they had arrived in London, meeting Viscount Langley, her father’s strange behaviour and finally learning the truth.

  Elizabeth was not sure if Jane was even listening, because she sat back in her seat and closed her eyes. But she continued, telling her sister that she had no choice.

  At last her tale came to an end. “And that is why I agreed to marry the viscount this morning.”

  Jane opened her eyes. “But you should not do it. There must be some other way.”

  “There is not Jane. If the viscount’s debt is not paid in full, he will ruin us.”

  “And you would marry such a man?” asked Jane tentatively.

  “To save the reputation of us all yes.” Elizabeth tapped her feet on the floor. “Jane it is for the best. I had always hoped I would be like you and marry the man I loved.”

  “So this is my fault?” asked Jane.

  Elizabeth was shocked at Jane’s comment. Naturally she did not think it was Jane’s fault.

  Jane got out of the chair and started to pace the room. “This is not my fault Elizabeth. I could not have known father had done such a thing.”

  Elizabeth did not understand what she was saying. She had not tried to lay the blame at Jane’s door. The person who was at fault was her father.

  “Is that why you came here today, to make wild accusations?” asked her sister angrily.

  “No… I thought you would want to know.” Elizabeth tried to keep calm. She had never known Jane to behave in such a manner. What was happening? One minute she was speaking quite calmly and now this.

  “Well you should not have come,” hissed Jane. “I cannot deal with this now. To upset me in this manner is most unfair.” Jane was tugging at the sleeve of her gown and she appeared to be talking to herself. Elizabeth began to feel frightened. Jane was not well. She must ask Mr. Bingley to summon a doctor. Just as she opened the door Caroline Bingley was coming up the stairs.

  She saw Jane pacing around the room and was quickly by her side. “Jane my dear, I think it is time you rested.” She took her firmly by the arm and led her to the bed.

  “I need to see my husband,” said Jane.

  “I shall ask Charles to come and see you later.” Miss Bingley pulled back the covers and helped Jane into bed.

  Elizabeth felt helpless. In a few short weeks her sister had changed. She had no idea what had happened to her. She wanted to stay but Miss Bingley was encouraging Jane to lay down. She was not sure if her sister even remembered she was there.

  She left her sister in the hands of Miss Bingley and returned downstairs. Phoebe got up from the seat she had been sitting on. Mr. Bingley was nowhere to be seen. Elizabeth was relieved. She had nothing to say to him. “We must return to Cheapside,” she told her maid.

  61

  Elizabeth was horrified about her encounter with Jane and she recounted some of her worries to Mrs. Gardiner when she returned to Cheapside.

  “I have been thinking about Jane,” said Mrs. Gardiner thoughtfully as she poured them both some tea. “I was wondering if Jane could be with child. It would explain, the tiredness and her being so pale.”

  Elizabeth considered Mrs. Gardiner’s words, but she did not find them comforting. “I am certain it is more than that. Jane is n
ot herself. She was … distracted… and…” She did not want to voice the words that were in her mind. It was too frightening to think that Jane had been touched with madness.

  Mrs. Gardiner handed her some tea. “Lizzy, try not to worry. It can be a very difficult time for some women. However, I would not mention to Jane what I have said.”

  “No I won’t.” Elizabeth tried to push aside her worries. Perhaps Mrs. Gardiner was right, but she was not certain. Her sister’s behaviour had been so very different from normal she was convinced there was something more to it. She did not remember ever seeing someone who was expecting a child behaving in such a manner.

  * * *

  Jane was not Elizabeth’s only worry. When she was not thinking about her sister her thoughts were full of Mr. Darcy. She kept wondering what he would think when he found out she was to marry Viscount Langley. It hurt her that she would never be able to tell him the truth. She wished she could write him a letter and try to explain, but there was nothing she could say. She was going to hurt him badly and that was something she had hoped never to do.

  She dreaded meeting him at their trip to the Royal Theatre to see Esta Williams and she tried to persuade her uncle to let her stay at home.

  Mr. Gardiner was not happy. “Lizzy, we are honoured that Miss Williams has invited us as her guests, it would be wrong for us to refuse now.”

  “I only mean myself. You and my aunt can still attend.”

  Mrs. Gardiner looked equally troubled. “Lizzy, that would not be right, and I thought this was something you were looking forward to.”

  Lizzy was disappointed they did not seem to understand how difficult it would be for to see Mr. Darcy now she was engaged to another man.”

  ”I will attend,” she said quietly.

  * * *

  Worries about Jane and Mr. Darcy took their toll on Elizabeth, and unable to sleep she grew almost as pale as Jane. Viscount Langley had called at the house to speak to her father, but neither of them told her what had been discussed. She had taken a turn around the garden with the viscount afterwards, but they had little to say to each other and it was difficult to say which of them was more pleased when he departed.

  Further worries came in a letter from Kitty, who was missing them greatly. She’d had a bad argument with Mary and they were no longer speaking to each other. Mrs. Bennet was not happy with either of them, nor her husband who Kitty said she had accused of abandoning them. Elizabeth had tucked the letter away, promising herself she would find time to reply as soon as possible.

  When the day of their theatre trip finally dawned, Elizabeth knew she was not looking her best. She had hoped something would happen to prevent them from going, but it didn’t, and they arrived at the Theatre Royal just after five. Mr. Gardiner could not stop smiling, so happy was he to be there, but Elizabeth had to force a smile to hide her unhappiness.

  The theatre was already filling up and there was a cacophony of noise far louder than any of them had been expecting and they were grateful to Miss Williams in her generosity in allowing them to have a box.

  They were guided up to the fourth floor to an opulent box that was decorated in a deep red and gold. The Bingleys had already arrived and Mr. Bingley greeted them with characteristic warmth.

  Mr. and Mrs. Hurst were not present. Miss Bingley explained that Mr. Hurst had fallen ill with a sore throat and Mrs. Hurst had stayed to nurse him. Elizabeth thought it was far more likely that Mr. Hurst had had too much to drink and was unable to stand. She did not know him well, but he did not strike her as the type of person who would enjoy the theatre.

  As soon as she had taken off her cloak Elizabeth spoke to Jane, who had a little more colour in her face than when she had seen her at home but was wearing a dress that was too large and was loose around the neckline.

  “How are you Jane?” Elizabeth asked, making sure that they could not be overheard.

  “I am well Lizzy,” said Jane. “Why would I not be?”

  Elizabeth wanted no arguments with Jane. “I am glad. It is lovely to see you. I had a letter from Kitty and she sent her love and hoping it will not be long before we are all back in Hertfordshire.”

  “I do not wish to go back to Hertfordshire.” Jane’s tone was sharp. “Nothing happens in Hertfordshire.”

  Unshed tears stung Elizabeth’s eyes. She did not recognise her sister.

  Jane’s face suddenly crumbled. “Lizzy, what is happening? I am not myself.”

  Elizabeth wished she could think of something comforting to say, but she could not. At that moment Miss Bingley joined them. “Jane dear. I think it is time we took our seats. The performance will be starting soon.”

  Jane meekly obeyed her sister in law and Miss Bingley sat Jane at the end of the row and then took the seat next to her so she would not get the opportunity to speak to her sister.

  Elizabeth saw her Jane’s anguished face but there was nothing she could do at that moment. She was determined to speak to her sister before they let the theatre.

  Just as she was about to take her own seat. Mr. Darcy arrived with Lady Frances and Miss Darcy.

  Elizabeth immediately looked away as her heart started to race faster. Just a glimpse of him hurt her badly. Taller than anyone else she could see him smiling at something Miss Darcy had said and her heart lurched. How unfair life was.

  She was glad that she had no time to speak to them as some of the singers were starting to come onto the stage. The performance had started. They all hurried to take their seats.

  Trying to ignore the presence of Mr. Darcy just behind her, Elizabeth stared straight ahead and fixed her eyes on Miss Williams who had just come out for the first time dressed as a servant girl who was being wooed by the man she hoped to marry. Elizabeth inwardly winced then laughed at herself as she realised how ever hard she tried she could not seem to get away from the issue of marriage.

  Despite her sadness and frustration, Elizabeth found herself lost in the music. Miss William’s voice was wonderful though Elizabeth was surprised she could be heard over the noise from the audience in the stalls. Elizabeth did not know the story well even though Mr. Gardiner had explained it to her, but she found it easy to follow even though it was sung in Italian.

  * * *

  When the singers left the stage at the end of the second act they all left the box and were shown to a room opposite where there were drinks. Elizabeth deliberately kept away from Mr. Darcy, though she was conscious where he was all of the time. Several times she looked up and he was staring at her and she saw the longing in his eyes. It was painful to look away, but she had to. She could no longer show that she had feelings for him.

  “Is the singing not wonderful?” asked Miss Darcy as she and Lady Frances joined Elizabeth.

  “Indeed yes,” said Elizabeth, gratefully turning her attention to what they were saying.

  “Miss Williams is fortunate she has a voice that carries above the noise. I do not believe I have heard a word of the person playing the countess,” grumbled Lady Frances.

  “I think they are all wonderful,” said Georgiana quietly.

  Lady Frances sniffed and went to speak to Mrs. Gardiner who was listening to Caroline Bingley telling her and about the last time they had been to the theatre. Elizabeth would like to have talked to Jane, but her sister was standing next to Miss Bingley gazing at the drink in her hands not saying anything.

  “Miss Bennet, I wanted to speak to you,” said Miss Darcy. “I am sorry if I offended you when I spoke of my brother the other evening. It was very wrong of me.”

  Elizabeth smiled gently at her, choosing her words carefully. “You did not cause offence I assure you. Mr. Darcy is one of the kindest people I know, and I will always be grateful for the friendship he has shown towards my family.”

  Miss Darcy looked relieved. “I am glad. I would never wish to upset you.”

  “Nor I you,” said Elizabeth.

  Elizabeth was glad when they were informed the second part was ab
out to start and they returned to their box and took their seats. The people in the stalls were becoming more raucous and she hoped they would not spoil the rest of the opera. She looked down the row of seats she was sitting on. Mr. Darcy was now sitting behind Caroline Bingley. She felt a pang of jealousy when she saw him lean forwards to hear what Miss Bingley was saying. She quickly looked away. She had no right to feel jealous. Mr. Darcy could no longer mean anything to her. She was to marry Viscount Langley and the affection she felt for Mr. Darcy had to be in the past.

  62

  Elizabeth had not wanted to attend the opera, but when the performance was finally over and all the singers were on the stage, she clapped as enthusiastically as anyone else. Caroline Bingley naturally did not, and Elizabeth was sure she thought she was uncouth, but she did not care. It had been a wonderful performance, and for a short time she had been able to immerse herself in the singing and forget about her troubles.

  As people started to leave they stayed in their seats waiting until one of the attendants brought them their cloaks and coats. Just as they were about to leave an attendant arrived to tell them that if they had time Miss Williams wanted to see them in her dressing room.

  Most of the party were ready to leave for home, but as Mr. Gardiner pointed out, they could hardly leave without expressing their gratitude for Miss William’s generosity in providing them with free tickets and a box. They all agreed and followed the man down the backstairs into the bowels of the theatre.

  Elizabeth was surprised how dirty and untidy it was and she had to pick up her skirts to avoid her dress being caught on a piece of scenery. On the way to Miss William’s dressing room, they passed some of the other singers who were in various states of undress, calling and shouting to each other. Elizabeth was amused and fascinated by what she saw, but she heard Miss Bingley voice her disapproval albeit a little quieter than normal.