Page 9 of A Most Beloved Sister
Jane beamed with delight at this snippet of praise. “How kind of him!”
“Mark my words,” Mrs. Bennet said proudly, “there will be wedding bells before Christmas!”
The conversation continued between the two mothers and Jane while Elizabeth and Charlotte spoke privately. “What did Jane make of Mr. Bingley?” Charlotte’s plain face earnestly studied her younger friend’s countenance.
Elizabeth sighed. “She finds him the most wonderful man she has ever met. I worry for her, Charlotte.”
Charlotte raised her eyebrows in surprise. “He is amiable and wealthy. Why on earth would you be worried, Eliza? He would provide her a comfortable home, and your family would be well cared for after your father’s passing.”
Elizabeth gave her friend a significant look. “You know how Jane is, Charlotte. She is almost too good. She would never be able to protect herself from an unkind husband, or even froma kind husband with unkind sisters. It would destroy her to be mistreated.”
Understanding filled Charlotte’s face. “I can see why that would be concerning for you. But what else can Jane do? There is nothing for a woman in life other than marriage and family, even for one such as Jane. If she likes him, and he likes her, then it could be much worse.”
“I just don’t know if she is ready to be a wife and mother… or if she ever will be.”
“She is not as bad as all that, Eliza. She would make a better wife and mother than, say Lydia!”
The two girls burst into giggles. “That is a fair point. For all of Jane’s innocence, she would be devoted and selfless. Lydia would just be out for what she could get!”
It was true. Lydia Bennet—as well as her sister Kitty—were ignorant, idle, and vain. Lydia shared many of Jane’s physical features, but whereas Jane was placid and calm, Lydia was demanding and spoiled. Wherever Lydia went, she insisted Kitty follow. Elizabeth couldn’t imagine how marriages with either of her two youngest sisters would be agreeable in any way.
Once their humor died down, Elizabeth’s brow creased again. “Jane is like a child in so many ways still, Charlotte. While Lydia is immature, Jane is naive.”
“But she is a woman, Eliza,” Charlotte pointed out. “While she may have some childlike attributes, she also has a strong desire to love and be loved. She wants to be a wife, to be a mother. Why should she be denied those wishes?”
Elizabeth threw her hands up in frustration. “I just don’t wish to see her in an unequal match of affection!”
The room fell silent, all eyes on Elizabeth and Charlotte. “Girls, is everything all right?” Lady Lucas asked.
Charlotte and Elizabeth exchanged a look before the elder said, “Yes, Mama. We were simply having a difference of opinion on the best methods of attracting a husband.”
As Charlotte had hoped, this explanation diverted their mothers’ attention back towards Jane, who sat between the two women with a blissful expression on her face. Elizabeth watched her elder sister bask in the elder women’s attentions, knowing that she could only be thinking of Mr. Bingley.
Perhaps Charlotte is right,she thought. It’s not as though Jane could gain employment as a governess or companion after Papa dies.
After canvassing the many merits of Mr. Bingley, his handsome mien, and his amiable manners, the conversation turned toward Bingley’s guests, who had not impressed the assembly so well as their host had.
“I declare, Mr. Darcy is one of those rich young men who thinks the whole world beneath him,” sniffed Mrs. Bennet. “He stood up with those of his party and none other.”
“Miss Bingley told me that he never speaks much unless he is well-acquainted with the person,” Jane said. “The poor man must be shy. I know how that feels. I don’t much like talking to people I don’t know very well, either.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes at this comment, but the stubborn look on Jane’s face informed the room that she would brook no other interpretation of the wealthy gentleman’s airs.
“He does consider Mr. Bingley a friend,” Charlotte reminded them, “and we all know that the younger man’s fortune came from trade. Mr. Darcy cannot beallbad.”
“He would certainly keep his wife in fine clothing and jewels.” Lydia giggled. “I could easily put up with such a sour man for a husband if it meant I could afford to buy anything I liked.”
Mrs. Bennet turned surprised eyes on her youngest daughter. “I did not think you would have liked such a hateful, proud man.”
“Pride,” interjected Mary, “is a very common failing. Everything I have ever read tells me that human nature is prone to it. However, we often confuse pride with vanity. Pride is thinking our opinion of ourselves, whereas vanity is what we wish to have others think of us.”
“Well, Mr. Darcy certainly is not vain, then,” Elizabeth said with a sly smile, “as he couldn’t care two straws for what we think of him.”
The eldest Lucas boy, who was only a year older than Lydia in age, interrupted the conversation. “If I were as rich as Mr. Darcy, I wouldn’t care how proud I was! I would keep a stable full of thoroughbreds and drink a bottle of French wine each day.”
“And if I were to see you at it,” said Lady Lucas severely, “I would take your bottle away immediately.”
The young man made to protest, but Mrs. Bennet’s voice stopped what could have become a full argument. “Lydia, dearest… would you truly be interested in Mr. Darcy as a husband?”
