Page 62 of Saving Jane
“Good morning, Miss Bennet,” he said, bowing slightly as she curtsied.
“Welcome Mr Bingley,” Jane replied. “We did not expect you this early, but we are always glad to have you in company.”
“Mr Darcy and the steward were dealing with a matter with Lady Catherine this morning, so I determined to walk over and visit with my sister. But Miss Elizabeth tells me that Caroline has not been below stairs yet this morning.”
“No sir. Her maid has been to the kitchen, but Miss Bingley has not requested a tray yet this morning.”
Charles blushed, not knowing what to say next when Elizabeth interrupted. “Mr Bingley, perhaps you would read with Edward until Miss Bingley joins us? My cousin is reading very well but usually his father sits with him each day to read and Mr Collins has not...”
The ladies blushed now, and Mr Bingley turned to the boy. “I should be honoured to read with Master Gardiner.”
Jane and Mrs Gardiner took out sewing and Elizabeth continued lessons with Emily for another half hour until they heard a light step on the stairs as Caroline joined them.
“Good morning, Charles!” she called brightly to her brother. “Miss Bennet, I am famished–how soon can we sit down to break our fast?”
Jane smiled and explained, “Miss Bingley in the country we break our fast very early in the morning. The servants have so many tasks that we do not keep the dining room staffed for...”
“You mean you cannot feed me?”
“Your maid was kind enough to inform the staff this morning of your habit of rising at noon and I asked cook to prepare breakfast for you at your call. A tray is waiting to be filled andbrought to your room.”
“But I do not wish to eat alone,” Caroline complained. “Charles, attend me in the dining room. Miss Bennet, have the maid serve me there.”
She turned to leave the parlour but had to turn back around again to ask, “Where is the dining room?”
Elizabeth rose from her seat. “Miss Bingley, Mr Bingley if you will be so kind as to follow me, I shall show you to the dining room.”
Jane rose from her seat and said, “I shall ask cook to send the tray to the dining room. Mr Bingley, would you be in need of a cup of tea this morning?”
He smiled thinly and nodded. “Thank you, Miss Bennet. That would be most appreciated.”
In the dining room, Caroline sneered at the small size of the room and the quality of the furniture. Shortly thereafter Jane led a maid carrying a tray from the kitchens and the girl set the tray on the table in front of Miss Bingley before she curtseyed once and returned to the kitchen.
“Is no one going to serve me?” Caroline asked staring at the tray as though she had no idea how to pour tea or spread jam on the toast.
“Caroline, I am certain you can manage a breakfast tray,” Charles said as he stood to take the teacups and saucers, pour tea and then sit down forcing his sister to fill her own cup, and fix her toast.
“I shall ask cook to prepare a tray for you tomorrow morning at nine,” Jane told Caroline.
“Why would I want a meal in my room so early in the morning? This is the time of day that folks in town are rising and breaking their fast.”
“But this is the country, Miss Bingley,” Jane politely explains. “We have many more tasks to complete each day-the servants had extra washed today with your arrival.”
Ignoring her hostess, Caroline turned to her brother and admonished him, “Charles, we must escape from the country and return to town today!”
“We must wait until my carriage comes to Kent before we can travel anywhere. I sent an express this morning instructing the stables to send the coach tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? Will we return to town tomorrow? The company in Kent is so rough–I feel as though I am among barbarians here in the country.”
Charles glanced at Jane and Elizabeth who both blushed at the woman’s words and turned to leave the unpleasant company. At thedoor to the hallway, Elizabeth said, “We shall wait in the parlour until Miss Bingley finishes her meal.”
“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth, Miss Bennet. We shall join you shortly.”
He bowed before returning to the table with his sister where he began the discussion of her summer by saying, “We cannot go to town Caroline. There is no house or rooms waiting for us in London, but I believe you can make your way in Bath this season. From reading the papers, it seems a large party of your acquaintance is there.”
“What allowance will you give me in Bath?” Caroline asked as Elizabeth closed the door behind her. They did not hear Mr Bingley’s answer, but the raised voices were noticed throughout the house.
After breaking her fast, Miss Bingley returned to her room above stairs and Mr Bingley returned to the parlour. His colour was high, and he excused himself from staying longer.
