Page 3

“Another bouquet for Miss Elizabeth,” Betsy said, curtsying as she held out a lavish bouquet to Mr Bennet.

With an effort, Elizabeth returned the maid’s quick, shy smile.

That the servants would think well of her and delight in the attentions she was receiving was a great compliment, and she ought to be grateful for it.

Only it was rather difficult, when such attentions had already begun to feel more than a little smothering.

Elizabeth glanced at Jane, while her mother stared in raptures at the little envelope Mr Bennet held in his hand.

“Very well, she may have her flowers,” her father said sharply, looking at the note in disgust. “I shall never know why a young man cannot write to a lady, and yet can send a note with flowers, as long as it comes with a pretence of being addressed to her parents. As thoughthat would fool even a simpleton!”

Betsy brought the bouquet to Elizabeth, while everyone waited to hear what Mr Bennet would say about the note that had come with it.

As soon as Betsy was out of the room, her mother waved at him to hurry and open the missive. “Well, what are you waiting for, Mr Bennet? Open it. It is from another prospective suitor, I would be willing to bet.”

“Mama!” Jane gasped. “It is not proper for a lady to make bets. You have always said so.”

“Oh, tosh! This is different, as you well know, Jane. This might be a matter of life and death!”

“Finding a husband is not a matter of life and death, Mama,” Elizabeth replied. “Who is it from, Papa?”

Their mother did not let their father answer, which was just as well, since he was reading, and very slowly at that. “It is when you have five daughters and no money!” her mother wailed. “It is up to you to save us all, Elizabeth.”

Her father held up a hand for silence as he finished.

The chatter around the breakfast table died down as they all waited to hear the letter’s contents.

Elizabeth shifted nervously, wishing she and her father could go off to his study so that he might tell her the contents of the embarrassing note in privacy.

Already, there had been three such notes sent to her father, asking for his permission to come and call, or to dance with her at the next assembly.

A note had come for her father from one young gentleman she had never even heard of.

She felt the heat rising in her cheeks as he read the letter.

“It is from a Left Lieutenant d’Corsey, asking if you will be at the next assembly.

Apparently, he saw you from across the room at the last, and has been unable to think of anyone or anything else since.

” He gave a disbelieving smirk. “Strange, that he has just now seen fit to write and mention it.” Her father folded the note and set it aside.

She was almost surprised he did not toss it into the fire.

“Do not begrudge it of the young man, Lizzy,” her mother chimed in. “Perhaps he was building up the courage to write to your father. It can be a very daunting undertaking, you know.”

“For my part, I tire of these fortune seekers. I suppose I cannot resent these young men for esteeming Elizabeth as she deserves. However, it is deplorable how they have all suddenly discovered she is the treasure we always knew she was only now that the word of her inheritance has spread,” Mr Bennet replied.

“Nonsense! It is a good thing our girls are getting so much attention. I daresay Elizabeth will be married by the end of the year, and so will Jane soon after, if I have anything to say about it.” Her mother leaned back in her chair, very proud of herself.

“It isn’t right that Elizabeth should be married first. Jane should be the first to wed,” Mary pointed out. “I do not know why all of us are out at the same time. It is indecent.”

Elizabeth and Jane exchanged a compassionate glance, wordless.

Their next youngest sister’s complaints had a distinct flavour of sour grapes about them, for she had never had much pleasure in the neighbourhood’s society.

Mary would much rather stay cloistered at home with her books, which she pretended to understand a great deal better than she did, or play the pianoforte, which she thought she was more proficient at than she was.

Poor girl. It was difficult to see what Mary’s future life might hold, and how she might find a tolerable amount of contentment.

At least, until this blasted inheritance had come about. Now it was up to Elizabeth to save the family , as her mother said. She let out a long, slow breath, already feeling half-crushed under the weight of that obligation.

Foolishness, only foolishness. Elizabeth told herself not to be ridiculous.

Surely she was only being gloomy, and worse still, ungrateful.

In truth, she had much to be thankful for.

Even if the attention she was receiving was sometimes overwhelming, it might at least help her find the man she could truly love.

And if not that, there was at least the pleasure of being esteemed in society.

She did love to dance, and she already had two dance sets accounted for at the next assembly.

“What is it, Lizzy? You’re blushing,” Jane whispered, her eyes sparkling with a touch of mischief. “I thought you did not want anyone to see you differently.”

Elizabeth waved her off, feeling guilty for her inconsistency.

Explaining her hesitancy seemed impossible, even to one so kind and understanding as Jane.

It was not so much that she regretted the attention, but that she was afraid it was for the wrong reasons.

She had not changed. Only her financial situation had — and yet it seemed to have changed everything about her, in the eyes of the world.

She folded the letter and took a steadying breath, trying to maintain her composure in front of her family. “Shall I write the letter for you, Papa? Or would you like to do the honours this time?” Elizabeth asked, holding the letter out to her father.

“You may take care of the writing, but I shall look it over when you are ready to send it,” he replied. “Now, there is other news.”

“Yes, there is!” Their mother jumped in and took over. If Elizabeth knew her father, he had hoped for nothing less. Mr Bennet wore a broad smile as he sat back and opened his newspaper, settling in to allow the ladies to talk.

“What is it, Mama?” Lydia asked excitedly.

“I have just heard that Netherfield Park is let at last! And to a young, rich gentleman, no less. He has five thousand a year! Is that not wonderful? And he is unmarried,” their mother beamed. “I think it is only right that Jane or Elizabeth should snatch him up.”

“Why us, particularly?” Elizabeth asked, even though she knew she would likely be annoyed with the answer.

“Silly,” her mother chided her with a smile. “Now that you are to have an inheritance, it would be foolish for him to choose from any of the other families. Jane is the most beautiful and you are the richest. There can be no other alternative.”

“There are several other amiable ladies in the neighbourhood besides us, Mama,” Jane put in.

“Poppycock,” their mother went on. “At any rate, you must both dress with particular care. And mind you do your hair in the most becoming way, so that you may have the best chance of attracting the young man’s attention.”

With breakfast over, the family scattered around the house.

Mary went to practise her scales, while the younger girls went to their room to pull out all the ribbons, hats, gloves, and other fripperies that they might need for the assembly.

Their mother went to discuss the week’s menu with the cook, while their father disappeared into his library, not to be disturbed.

“I suppose I should answer this as soon as possible,” Elizabeth said with a sigh.

Jane laughed. “Do not sound so eager,” she teased.

She linked arms with Elizabeth and they walked up the stairs to their bedroom together.

“I am only teasing, you well know. But you should not feel guilty for the added attention. If you attract some worthy gentleman, it can only go the better for the rest of us.”

“So I am to be the lamb led to slaughter?” Elizabeth placed a hand on her forehead and staggered dramatically as they came to the landing. “Very well. I do not mind sacrificing myself if it means my dear sisters will be saved.”

“Such nonsense,” Jane scolded playfully. “You have to admit that it is nice that we need not struggle so to find a match now, do you not? This Mr Bingley sounds very interesting.”

“Perhaps. But I should like to judge his character before I take his fortune or appearance into consideration.”

“But of course!” Jane agreed.

Time at Longbourn seemed to pass quickly of late.

It seemed they were rarely without visitors, news, or both.

That day was no exception, for polite visiting hours had scarcely begun before Lady Lucas and Charlotte Lucas came to call.

Their visit was more than welcome, for Elizabeth found the solace of Charlotte’s company very welcome.