Page 35

Now the day was perfect.

It had begun badly with an unpleasant visit from Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. The manner of their greeting had been disdainful, and their lack of enthusiasm evident.

But even worse was the lie which they had tried to feed Jane.

With some unconvincing joviality, they had joked about their brother’s habit of setting up one flirt after another, none of them ever lasting more than a few weeks.

“And then it is on to the next lady without a backward glance,” Miss Bingley had said. “He is incorrigible, but fortunately everyone in London knows not to take him seriously, so there are never any hurt feelings.”

“Mr. Hurst tells me that at his club they are always betting on who will be Charles’s next infatuation,” Mrs. Hurst had said.

“It is all in good fun. He is extremely popular. Especially with the ladies. He would have no difficulty getting himself a wife if he desired it. But we despair of seeing him married.”

“We used to despair,” Miss Bingley had corrected, giving her sister a slight frown. “But now we expect that all our hopes will soon be fulfilled. Our brother has lately been exhibiting a particular admiration for Miss Darcy.”

“Oh, yes, of course,” Mrs. Hurst had said. “Silly me. I was forgetting about that. Such a suitable young lady, and everything we could ever desire in a sister. Extremely accomplished, very well connected, and she has thirty thousand pounds. Not that our brother requires any addition to his wealth.”

“But marriage to a lady without fortune lowers a gentleman’s standing,” Miss Bingley had opined. “Fortunately, he would never be so foolish, nor would we allow him to ruin himself in that way. Charles is very dependent upon our advice, and he will not marry without our approval.”

After their visitors had left, Mrs. Bennet cried, “I knew it. I knew they would advise him not to marry Jane. I could tell that that they didn’t like her, but I couldn’t understand why.

Now I see that it is because they want him to marry Miss Darcy.

But I can’t believe that is what he wants. It is Jane whom he admires and loves.”

“We do not know that,” Jane said.

“I do,” Mrs. Bennet insisted.

“I don’t believe any of this nonsense about Miss Darcy,” Mary said. “Or him being an incorrigible flirt. I think they made it all up to encourage you to turn your back on him, Jane. That would make it look like you don’t care for him, and then he wouldn’t propose.”

“You are as clever your father,” Mrs. Bennet said to Mary. “That is exactly what they are about. You mustn’t let them influence you, Jane. In fact, you should talk to him more than ever just to show them.”

“I’m not going to start ignoring a good friend,” was all the reply Jane gave, but Mrs. Bennet was satisfied with this.

However, Jane was looking very much disconcerted, so Elizabeth encouraged her sister to go out for a walk with her.

“Do you agree with Mary?” Jane asked her.

“Absolutely. I didn’t want to say much in front of Mama, but it seemed to me that they wanted to put you off because they have failed to discourage their brother. That was the reason for their lies.”

“I know they don’t like me, but I don’t know if they would lie to me.”

“I’m sure they would. I believe them very capable of deceit. Besides, Mrs. Hurst being confused about what to say very much had the appearance of her having forgotten the story which her sister had concocted.”

“But Mr. Bingley has mentioned Miss Darcy, and his admiration for her musical ability.”

“As I understand it, Miss Darcy’s talent is admired by everyone who knows her, but that doesn’t mean all the single men of her acquaintance want to marry her. And even if Mr. Bingley did, which I’m confident is not the case, then he wouldn’t be paying attention to you.”

“I suppose not,” Jane said, but she still sounded uncertain.

“There cannot be any doubt. It simply isn’t in his nature to treat anyone badly, and especially not a lady he cared for.”

“No, it isn’t.” Now Jane sounded more convinced. “If he loved Miss Darcy, he would have thought it wrong to spend so much time with me even if that was just a flirtation.”

“Which it wasn’t. Unfortunately there also isn’t any doubt about his sisters disliking you. But you mustn’t take it personally. It is only because they prefer him to marry a well-connected young lady.”

“With thirty thousand pounds. They really do seem ambitious, but I am sure he isn’t. But he does care about family. Do you think he could value their opinion as much as Miss Bingley said?”

“Not enough to keep him from doing what he really wants. And come to think of it, he took Netherfield without them even seeing it.”

“That’s right. Mrs. Long said that he came down on his own and closed the deal directly.”

“This is strong proof indeed. A man who will choose his home without consulting his sisters cannot have any reason to seek their opinion on his marriage. There is so much more which can go wrong with a house than with a wife. Leaking roofs, smoking fireplaces, drafts, uneven floors, ill-fitting doors. The list goes on and on, but with a wife the only real worry is a bad temper, and no one could think you capable of that fault.”

Jane laughed. “I think a wife could have any number of other faults. And for that matter, I think Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst could provoke me into a bad temper.”

“Your idea of a temper would be like the faintest breeze compared to a wind. No one would even know that you were angry.”

Jane was smiling now and much more cheerful.

Her spirits were further improved a few minutes later by them coming across Mr. Madison and his daughters, who were also out for a walk.

Being close to Lucas Lodge, they added to their numbers by stopping to collect Charlotte, and John came along with her.

Shortly after that the growing party encountered Edward and Susan Partridge, who were on their way home from Meryton, but instead turned around to chat with the others.

Then Mr. Charlton emerged from a side lane and joined them as well.

He was soon discussing the troubles of various cottagers with Susan while Edward and John, who had been friends since childhood, started joking as they often did.

It had turned into a pleasant morning after all, and a merry one. Elizabeth was very much enjoying herself, but feeling that they needed Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy to properly complete their party. When the two of them suddenly appeared, everything was perfect.

Mr. Bingley was looking at Jane in such a way that Elizabeth knew there was no need to worry about her sister’s happiness. And Mr. Darcy hurried forward, greeting the additions to their group as warmly as his usual friends.

This was not a man who thought himself superior and looked down upon others just because he was the nephew of an earl.

He had something to say to every member of the company, including the little girls.

He spoke gently to Susan, who only stuttered a little in response; and he accorded the dignity of being treated as equals to Edward, who was exhibiting the difference between a man of the world and one who was clinging to the vestiges of youth, and John, who had the stain of being engaged directly in trade.

Most of all, he talked to Elizabeth, singling her out as he always did. And, she thought, looking at her with affection.

Perhaps she was only seeing what she wanted to see.

Perhaps he only singled her out because she made him laugh.

Perhaps the influence of his family was too great for him to choose someone of whom they would not approve.

Perhaps he would return to London one day soon, and the next thing she heard of him would be his marriage to some eligible and highly accomplished young lady.

But even though the future might bring disappointment, she could not deny herself the pleasure of the moment. She had found the man of her dreams, and every moment with him was precious.