Page 37 of Mr. Darcy and the Mysterious "Miss B"
“Miss Bennet,” Georgiana protested. “You are not well enough—”
“We are quite well enough, thank you.” Elizabeth’s tone brooked no argument.
***
The journey to Longbourn proved torturous. Jane’s ankle throbbed with each bump in the road, but the pain in her heart proved far worse. She wept openly, no longer caring about propriety.
“He was going to ask to court me tonight,” she said through her tears. “He told me so himself, just before… before he learned about James.”
Elizabeth’s heart clenched. “What exactly did he say?”
“He said he had been hoping for private conversation all evening. That he wished to speak with Uncle Morton… about his intentions.” Jane’s voice broke. “But then Mr Darcy and his company appeared with their poison. They convinced him I was only interested because the Bingleys are wealthier than the Mortons.”
“Surely he did not believe such nonsense.”
“I assured him I was not after his money. I told him wealth meant nothing to me compared to genuine affection.” Jane dabbed at her eyes. “He wanted to believe me, Lizzy. I could see it in his eyes.”
Elizabeth cursed under her breath. “And then?”
“Then he said he could not in good conscience pursue a woman who was promised to another. That it would not be honourable.” Jane’s shoulders shook with suppressed sobs. “Hewished me well in my marriage to James and said he hoped he would make me happy.”
“The devil take Mr Darcy and his interference!”
“Do not blame him entirely, Lizzy. Miss Bingley was just as instrumental in this disaster. As was Mrs Hurst.” Jane leaned her head against the carriage window. “Perhaps it is for the best. I cannot escape my duty to the family.”
“Jane Bennet, do not you dare speak such nonsense. You deserve happiness, not martyrdom.”
By the time they reached Longbourn, Jane could manage nothing more than to be helped to her chamber. Elizabeth remained behind to face their mother’s questions.
“I thought you were to return in the morrow?” Mrs Bennet appeared in the hall. “How does Jane? Has Mr Bingley declared himself?”
Elizabeth’s countenance must have revealed everything, for her mother’s face fell immediately.
“What has happened?” Mrs Bennet demanded.
Elizabeth related the evening’s events, watching her mother’s face progress through shock, anger, and finally, fury.
“Mr Darcy did what?” Mrs Bennet’s voice rose to dangerous levels. “He interfered with Jane’s happiness? The presumptuous, nosy—”
“Mama, please. Jane needs quiet. She is heartbroken,” Elizabeth finished grimly.
Mrs Bennet paced the drawing room like a caged animal. “Something must be done. Jane cannot marry James Morton.She will be miserable for the rest of her life. Not now that she has had a glimpse of what might have been.”
“What choice do we have? If she does not marry him, we lose Longbourn.”
“There must be another way.” Mrs Bennet stopped her pacing. “Let me see to Jane first. We shall speak more when I return.”
Elizabeth sank into a chair as her mother disappeared upstairs. The weight of the evening pressed down upon her like a stone.
“Lizzy?” Mary appeared in the doorway, followed closely by Kitty.
“What happened at Netherfield?” Mary asked, settling herself on the sofa. “Mama looked ready to commit murder when she came upstairs.”
“And she was muttering about Mr Darcy,” Kitty added, perching on the arm of Mary’s chair. “Something about him being a meddlesome interferer.”
Elizabeth rubbed her temples. “Mr Darcy told Mr Bingley about Jane’s arrangement with James Morton. Mr Bingley has withdrawn his attentions as a result.”
“What?” Kitty gasped. “But Jane was so happy! She thought—we all thought—”
