Page 32 of Longbourn’s Son (Pride and Prejudice Variation #22)

“I noticed that Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Hurst spent all of last evening in one another’s pockets,” the colonel announced in a casual tone. “I would not be surprised if the two were wed once Mrs. Hurst is out of mourning.”

Darcy straightened and stared at his cousin in excitement. “Mrs. Hurst is out of mourning in March?”

“I believe so, Darcy.”

Darcy heaved a sigh of relief. If Mr. Bennet were to marry Louisa Hurst, the situation would alter significantly at Longbourn. Mrs. Hurst was a competent woman and was already friendly with the Bennet children. If the marriage came to pass, Miss Elizabeth might feel free to leave Hertfordshire.

“Darcy?”

“Yes, Richard?”

“What do you think of the eldest Miss Bennet?”

Darcy turned to stare at his cousin in surprise, “Miss Bennet is a lovely young woman, with excellent manners. She is kind and gracious in company, though far more serene in her character than Miss Elizabeth. She is a most devoted sister and daughter. Why do you ask?”

Richard blew out a slow breath and patted his horse’s neck.

“She honored me with the supper dance and thus we sat together at the meal. I flattered her for her beauty, and she was definitely displeased. I find that remarkable, as most young women do everything in their power to draw the compliments of gentlemen regarding their looks.”

“Perhaps she does not wish to be seen as merely a pretty face,” Darcy ventured.

“Yes, I think you are quite right, Cousin. She does not. We had a pleasant conversation, and while she is not a bluestocking, she is well read. I confess I feel quite attracted to the lady. There is more to Miss Bennet than her exquisite looks.”

“I believe you feel you must marry for money?” Darcy asked cautiously.

“Yes, I do. My habits of expense are such that I would find it difficult to live on my allowance. You are quite right, my friend. That is one of your great advantages, Darcy. You can marry an almost penniless woman.”

Darcy opened his mouth and then closed it.

Richard was his own man, and would have to follow his own path.

He did not think the colonel would be happy in a convenient marriage based exclusively on the wealth the lady brought into the marriage, but it was his cousin’s task to determine the best path to happiness.

/

“Did you enjoy the ball?” Lydia asked. As usual, she had risen early and had been waiting patiently for her weary older siblings to come downstairs after their late night of dancing.

“It was very pleasant,” Jane said, happily sipping her hot chocolate. “Netherfield was beautifully decorated, and the music was marvelous.”

“Supper was very good too,” Mary piped up, taking a bite of a roll and then a sip of tea. “The white soup was especially delicious, as was the pheasant.”

“Lizzy, did you enjoy yourself?” Kitty asked curiously. She had stayed behind the previous night to keep her twin company. She regretted the missed opportunity to dance, but would not have felt comfortable if she had left Luke home with only Lydia to encourage him to not overexert himself.

“I did, very much. The dancing was enjoyable, and there were enough men that few ladies had to sit out. I partnered Samuel Lucas for the supper dance, and we were together during the meal. It turns out that he was taken for a moderate sum by Wickham and Williamson while gambling, and admitted that Wickham’s attack on Luke opened his eyes to his own foolish trust of the militia officers. ”

“That will be a relief to Charlotte,” Mary said. “I know she was concerned about Samuel.”

“Did you dance with Mr. Bingley, Jane?” Lydia asked, turning her attention on her eldest sister.

“Yes, the first set,” Jane said.

“Are you going to marry him?” Lydia asked piteously.

Jane, who had been stifling a yawn, sat up in surprise at this question.

“Marry Mr. Bingley? I have no intention of doing so, no. Why would you even ask that?”

“Everyone says he is in love with you, Jane,” Mary explained. “I heard whispers at the ball last night, and it is true he kept looking at you when you were dancing with other partners.”

Jane compressed her lips in annoyance. She had told Mr. Bingley, when he had asked for her hand in marriage, that she did not want him to make her the talk of the town by focusing too much on her in public.

“My dear sisters, I do not believe he is in love with me. He may be in love with the way I look, but he does not truly know me as a person. Do not take my words amiss; I find him a very pleasant man, but I have no wish to marry him.”

Lydia and Kitty relaxed and Jane, who was feeling rather uncomfortable, turned her attention on Elizabeth. “Lizzy, what about you? You seem to enjoy spending time with Mr. Darcy. Do you like the gentleman?”

Rather to her surprise, Elizabeth felt an urge to cry, which she covered up by hastily taking a sip of tea.

Once she had recovered herself, she said casually, “I do like him very much, but I doubt he has any romantic inclinations towards me. He is intelligent and interesting, though not conventionally charming. He has a rather taciturn temperament and obviously does not enjoy crowds of people. In any case, I understand that he and Miss Darcy will be departing soon for London, so it is not certain we will ever meet one another again.”