Page 14 of Mr. Darcy and the Mysterious "Miss B"
“Well,” Mrs Bennet said at last, “I suppose if he was kind to poor Lydia… though I still say his manners at the assembly were abominable.”
“People are not always what they first appear,” Elizabeth said. “I learned that today.”
Jane squeezed her hand. “Very well. We shall go to Netherfield tomorrow. But Lizzy, you must promise me something.”
“Anything.”
“Do not let me hope for things that cannot be. I must marry James to save our family. That is my duty, and I shall do it.”
Elizabeth nodded, though privately she vowed to do everything in her power to prevent such a marriage. Jane deserved better than a loveless union with a calculating cousin.
***
The next afternoon, Elizabeth and Jane approached Netherfield’s grand entrance with very different states of mind. Jane’s hands trembled as she smoothed her blue morning dress, while Elizabeth could think of nothing but apologising to Mr Darcy.
Miss Bingley received them in the drawing room with an enthusiasm that seemed somewhat forced. “Miss Bennet! How delightful to see you again. And Miss Elizabeth, what a pleasant surprise.”
Mr Bingley rose from his chair with obvious pleasure, his face lighting up at the sight of Jane. “Miss Bennet, I am so glad you could come.”
Mr Darcy stood near the window, his face gave nothing away. When his eyes met Elizabeth’s, she saw a flicker of something—surprise, perhaps, or caution.
As they settled into their seats, Caroline began an interrogation disguised as polite conversation. “Miss Bennet, I trust your family is well? Five sisters, is it not? What a lively household that must be.”
Jane’s composure never wavered. “We are indeed five, and yes, quite lively.”
“How delightful. And all still at home, I understand?”
“We are all at home, yes,” Elizabeth replied instead.
“And all out?” Caroline asked, sipping from her tea without taking her eyes of off them.
“Yes,” Elizabeth replied.
“That is unusual, isn’t it?”
“Very,” Louisa Hurst, who had not spoken up much until now said. “I was out first and Caroline did not follow until I was wed. That is the usual order of things.”
Elizabeth glanced at Jane who shook her head slightly, indicating that this was not an argument they ought to be drawn into.
“In due course, and god willing, we shall all be wed well,” Jane said.
“Capital,” Bingley chimed in. “Capital, I say. Five wonderful husbands for five wonderful young ladies.”
Elizabeth hoped that with the host’s input, the matter would be put to bed so to speak, alas, Miss Caroline Bingley was not quite finished.
“Charles is quite right. I am certain your dear mother must have such hopes for you all.”
Elizabeth tensed at the barbed comments, but Jane’s voice remained steady. “Mama naturally wishes us all to be happy.”
“Naturally, naturally. Though I confess myself curious—you are the eldest, are you not, Miss Bennet? One and twenty? Two and twenty? Time does have a way of passing so quickly for young ladies.”
“I am one and twenty,” Jane replied with perfect composure.
“I imagine your dear mother must feel some urgency about your settlement in life. Five daughters to establish, and no sons to inherit the family estate—such a particular situation for a lady to manage.”
“Forgive me, Caroline,” Mr Darcy said then. He’d stood at the window thus far. “But pray, remind me how old you are? Three-and-twenty? Is it?”
Caroline’s smile faltered, but she pressed on. “I am one-and-twenty, Mr Darcy. You know that very well.”
