Page 45

From his position near the fireplace, Bingley watched with growing unease as Doctor Russell drew Jane into yet another private conversation.

The doctor had been paying marked attention to her all evening, and Bingley found himself regretting his own hesitation these past months.

How many times had Darcy cautioned him about being too hasty in matters of the heart?

Yet now his friend’s own carefully laid plans seemed to have gone awry with Miss Elizabeth.

“And your sister’s wedding is soon?” the doctor asked Jane, his manner displaying a familiarity that made Bingley’s hand tighten on his glass.

“Yes, in three weeks,” Jane replied quietly, her gentle smile causing Bingley’s heart to twist painfully. How often had he been the recipient of that smile, before his own indecision had created this opening for another man?

“Charles?” Caroline’s voice broke through his brooding. “Really, you’re as bad as Mr Darcy tonight. What has come over you?”

Bingley barely heard his sister’s complaints about the provincial nature of the gathering.

His attention remained fixed on Jane and Doctor Russell, who seemed lost in their own private world.

The sight of Jane’s bright laughter at another man’s wit made his chest tighten uncomfortably.

He had always prided himself on his easy, cheerful nature, but now he found himself understanding Darcy’s darker moods all too well.

* * *

Lucas Lodge - Wickham

From his position among the officers, Wickham found the evening pleasant enough, even if most of it was spent in the company of the youngest Miss Bennets.

He would much rather be in Elizabeth’s company, but she had proven unusually elusive tonight.

Then he heard it - a laugh that made him pause mid-sentence.

Something about it nagged at his memory, though he couldn’t quite place why.

It was like a half-remembered dream, both familiar and strange, belonging to another time and place entirely.

He glanced around the room, trying to locate its source, but could see nothing out of the ordinary.

Just the usual assembly of local gentry and officers, Elizabeth speaking with some young lady whose back was turned to him.

The laugh came again, softer this time, but still carrying that haunting familiarity that made him distinctly uneasy.

“Mr Wickham?” Lydia’s voice drew his attention back to his present company. “You haven’t finished your story about the card game in London!”

“But Mary can play again, a jig this time. Wouldn’t you love to dance a jig?” Lydia’s voice held a note of desperation as Wickham guided her toward the refreshments.

“Sir William has some of the best wine in the county,” Wickham replied smoothly, pressing a glass into her hand.

“I think you’ll find this far more refreshing.

” He watched with satisfaction as she took a large swallow, already planning his next move.

While Lydia beamed at the attention, his eyes had already moved to his true target.

Picking up two more glasses, he turned away from the youngest Miss Bennet and began making his way toward Elizabeth.

* * *

Lucas Lodge - Jane

Doctor Russell was quite determined it seemed to keep Jane entertained all evening. Though she was enjoying herself, she was slowly becoming aware that Mr Bingley looked less than charmed. In fact he was positively glaring at Doctor Russell as he led her to join in the dance .

Jane felt sorry to be making him feel uncomfortable by the situation, but could see no way of resolving it without being rude to Doctor Russell, which she could not bring herself to do. Since if she had declined to dance with him she would not be able to then dance with Mr Bingley himself.

* * *

Lucas Lodge - Georgiana

From her sheltered seat in the corner of Lucas Lodge’s drawing room, Georgiana clung to Elizabeth’s steady presence beside her.

The large potted fern offered some protection from prying eyes, but it couldn’t shield her from the sounds of the party - the music, the laughter, the constant hum of conversation that made her want to shrink further into their quiet corner.

“Do you ride, Miss Elizabeth?” Georgiana ventured, desperate for any topic that might keep her mind from wandering to darker thoughts. “I cannot recall?”

“I did as a child,” Elizabeth replied, her dark curls bouncing as she shook her head. Her expression held that delightful mix of humour and honesty that Georgiana had come to cherish. “However, I prefer not to. Jane rides very well and loves it.”

“Oh, I would have loved to ride around the country,” Georgiana said, feeling braver in Elizabeth’s candid presence. Then, more quietly, “Though I don’t like to ride alone. I am always afraid of losing control, of being thrown…”

The words held more meaning than she intended, and she felt her cheeks warm at the inadvertent revelation. Her fingers traced the intricate carvings on the settee’s wooden frame, focusing on the familiar sensation of smooth wood beneath her fingertips.

Elizabeth’s laugh was gentle, understanding rather than mocking. “It appears then that we have a common fear.”

“Maybe a pair of ponies and a phaeton,” Georgiana suggested, surprising herself with a light, musical laugh. After the tension of the past few days - her brother’s sudden departure for London, the strained atmosphere at Netherfield - this moment of lightness felt like a gift.

Elizabeth’s face lit up with delighted surprise. “What a marvellous suggestion! Though I fear my mother might have apoplexy at the very idea.”

“Yes, it’s the very thing,” Georgiana pressed on, emboldened by Elizabeth’s enthusiasm. “I will write to Fitzwilliam directly and ask him to send them.”

The slight blush that coloured Elizabeth’s cheeks at the mention of her brother’s name did not escape Georgiana’s notice.

She had never seen Fitzwilliam quite like this before - how his entire demeanour changed in Elizabeth’s presence, his usual reserve melting away, only to be replaced by a painful tension when forced to watch her with Mr Collins.

“I can already picture his expression when he reads my letter,” she continued, watching Elizabeth’s reaction carefully. “He’ll pretend to be stern about it, but he’ll send them all the same.”

As their shared laughter filled their sheltered corner, Georgiana realised she had almost forgotten about the other presence that had so disturbed her earlier.

Elizabeth’s company was proving to be more than just an escape from painful memories - it was becoming a hope for what might still be, if only her brother could find a way to resolve this impossible situation.

* * *

Lucas Lodge - Bingley

Bingley had not had a good evening, he had spent most of it watching this friend of Darcy’s, who was meant to be looking out for his sister, flirting with Jane Bennet.

There was no other word for it. He had been flirting with her.

She, he was pleased to note, had not flirted back.

But he was determined not to spend another evening like that.

No, his mind was made up. Tomorrow he would ride over to Longbourn, as early as it was proper to do so and settle things.

That was the best thing to do. He would wear his blue coat- Jane had once commented that she liked that particular one.

Yes, that is what he would do. He would wear his blue coat and ride over to Longbourn and ask Jane Bennet to be his wife.

He would never have to spend another evening watching another man flirt with her without being able to call him out. Even if he was a friend of Darcy’s.

Bingley smiled to himself, feeling a surge of confidence.

He had been hesitant for too long, allowing others to influence his decisions.

But seeing Jane with Dr. Russell had awakened a possessiveness he hadn’t known he possessed.

It was time to act, to secure his future happiness with the woman he loved.

As he watched Jane twirl gracefully with Dr. Russell, Bingley’s resolve only strengthened. Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough.