Page 4

“Oh, she does. Or at least, I hope she does.” Lady Lucas sat back. “I suspect she is afraid of putting any attachment that might happen in peril, or worse, being the cause of it not forming at all.”

Mrs. Bennet looked doubtful for a moment, but could think of nothing to say to refute it.

“Well,” she finally said, “if she does not want him, perhaps he would do for Mary.” She looked across the room to where her middle daughter sat wearing somber colors and writing out a sermon and bit her lip.

“Or, maybe Lydia.” She smiled in the direction of her favorite child for a moment before turning her attention back to her friend.

Across the room, Elizabeth observed her mother’s conversation with a raised brow. She turned to Charlotte.

“I did notice that Mr. Madison seemed to enjoy your company above all others.”

Charlotte blushed. “I am sure he was simply being kind.”

Jane tilted her head and watched the older girl’s eyes look toward the floor. “He does seem to be very kind, but his attention was often drawn toward you, Charlotte, even when he was dancing with other young ladies. I suspect your mother is correct and that you have caught yourself a suitor.”

Charlotte shifted in her chair. “I suppose time will tell.”

“What do you know about him?” Elizabeth picked up the hoop with her work in it and pushed the needle through the fabric, though her gaze frequently returned to her friend.

Charlotte shrugged. “He is six and twenty – nearly seven and twenty – and is master of his estate in Essex. He has three younger sisters, who are currently at home with their mother.”

Elizabeth’s eyes grew wide. “It sounds as though you discovered quite a bit about him while you danced.”

Charlotte’s blush deepened. “He visited Lucas Lodge with Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy not long after they took up residence at Netherfield. I was called upon to deliver a tea tray to them in Father’s study and overheard the information.”

“So you were introduced before the assembly, then.” Jane smiled. “How fortuitous. Did he speak to you at that time?”

Charlotte rolled her eyes. “He did, briefly. However, I did not linger. I delivered the tray, suffered through my father’s introductions, and left the room.”

“You clearly made an impression on him. He could not take his eyes off you all night.” Elizabeth grinned when her friend glared at her, then looked back down at her needlework.

“Did you learn anything else about the gentlemen?” Mary looked up from her writing. “What?”

Elizabeth had looked at her next younger sister in surprise when she asked her question.

Now she noticed that Jane and Charlotte had done the same.

“I am astonished that you asked that particular question is all.” She turned her eyes back to their guest. “But it is an excellent one and I hope you have a reply.” She raised a brow.

“I do, actually.” Charlotte paused and raised her own brow before she continued.

“Mr. Madison’s estate is called Maidstone and his income is about ten thousand pounds per annum.

Mr. Bingley is from trade; his father owned several mills in Yorkshire and left him a hefty fortune.

He plans at some point to purchase an estate, and views leasing Netherfield as a first step in that direction.

His income is about five thousand pounds per annum.

Mr. Darcy is from Derbyshire, is about the same age and income as Mr. Madison, and also owns his estate. ”

Elizabeth’s jaw dropped as her friend spoke. “You overheard all this in the space of a couple minutes?”

“Of course not!” Charlotte laughed. “You know that my father loves to gossip. Some of this he heard from the gentlemen themselves and the rest he got from your uncle.” She shrugged. “He was eager to share it with someone and Mama and I were the closest people.”

Elizabeth chuckled. “Sir William does enjoy a good story, does he not?”

Charlotte rolled her eyes. “He does!”

A crease formed between Mary’s brows. “Did you learn anything of their character?”

Charlotte shook her head. “Not really. I can tell you that Mr. Bingley is friendly, Mr. Darcy is somber and quiet, and Mr. Madison is somewhere in between the two.”

“We will have to be in their company to learn more, I think.” Elizabeth rested her hand on Mary’s arm. “I, for one, will enjoy getting to know all of them, and Mrs. Hurst.”

“Yes.” Jane nodded. “She seemed to be a very nice person.” She paused. “I almost got the feeling that she was worried or somehow …” She huffed, shrugging her shoulders. “I do not know … ashamed, almost.” She shook her head. “Ignore me. I do not know what I am speaking about.”

“No, I got the same feeling. Almost as though she were deeply grateful that we would speak to her.” Elizabeth looked over her sister’s shoulder, becoming lost in thought. “I wonder why?”

“I do not know, but I am happy to make a new friend, so I hope she is as kind in the future as she was last night.” Charlotte suddenly grinned.

“Now that we are finished examining my evening, what about you two, Jane and Eliza? It seems as though both of you were objects of attraction to Mr. Bingley and his friends, as well.”

Elizabeth and her sister blushed. The rest of the Lucases’ visit was spent teasing the eldest Bennets about certain of the newcomers to the area.