Page 16 of Secrets Across the Sea
Staffordshire, England – 1812 – Day 5
Donning pelisse, gloves, boots and bonnets, the three Bennet sisters stepped into the fleeting sun, the world bathed in the white of days of snow.
“If only those clouds might stay far away,” Jane sighed after their brief walk began to turn cold, the clouds playing games with the sun as the wind grew bitter and blustery. “There will be no riding, that is certain.”
“My body still aches from the last time; however, give me a few more days and I shall gladly join Heather in a ride again. Oh Jane, do not frown. As disappointing as this may be, there are other things we might do… we have yet to tackle the maze, for example. Perhaps Mr. Bingley and his friends might join us–I imagine that would please you,” Elizabeth said as she eyed her sister, her cold-pinked cheeks disguising any blush.
“That would be amusing,” Mary agreed as they turned toward the garden. “Especially if we took turns to find who can traverse it the fastest–no running allowed for Jane’s sake.”
“What wits I have for sisters,” Jane huffed.
“Look,” Mary said, changing the subject as she pointed to the carriage coming up the drive, “I did not think there were to be any more guests.”
“Nor did I,” Elizabeth mused, their curiosity pulling them toward the conveyance as the driver brought the horses to a stop, the formidable facade towering above.
Stilling some feet from the carriage, Elizabeth observed the lady who alighted with interest; her outfit rather grand for travel and her head held high.
Lifting her face further still as she glanced at the three sisters, the lady made her way to the door, the butler requesting her name before he would even let her through.
“Do you not know who I am?” she sneered at the man. “I am Miss Caroline Bingley! My brother is staying here. If you continue to have me stand here in the cold, I assure you, you shall pay for your mockery!”
The butler reluctantly letting her pass hurried behind her, no doubt wishing to come upon his mistress before Miss Bingley did.
“Have you ever?” Elizabeth laughed. “I feel sorry for poor Mr. Lombart; few could defend home or person against such a creature.”
“How can Mr. Bingley have such a sister?” Mary awed as they stared at the closed door.
“A few years ago I might have thought the trip had distressed her,” Jane frowned, “I think now either she is having the worst day of her life, or she is very sour indeed.”
Shaking her head, Elizabeth answered, “I fear the latter; although it is a blessing, perhaps, that you see what sort of family Mr. Bingley has.”
“I cannot deny that I understand your meaning,” Jane said as she turned back toward the garden. “I am more fond of him than of any man I have met, and that feeling grows with each encounter… but we have only known one another for a matter of days. Miss Bingley’s presence is a blessing in that I might find more time to consider my heart, and his character. If he does not take her in hand for behavior such as we witnessed, then what sort of father might he be?”
“And if he does take her in hand? Should she continue to behave as she just did, of course,” Mary questioned as they entered the garden, her fingers coming up to wipe the snow from a branch as Jane considered her answer.
Lips curling, Jane at last answered, “Then I would be overjoyed should he propose.”
Breath catching, Elizabeth pretended to observe a nearby plant.
It was as serious as that. So soon?
Two sisters… Two would almost certainly marry. And though Lydia was not yet out, Mary might follow the others to the altar and leave their perfect home.
Leaving her alone.
Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth embraced the painful cold in her lungs.
She would have to accept. Her sisters’ happiness came first, but it would hurt. More than the biting cold… More than the loss of their mother even?
“MARY!” Jane cried, Elizabeth’s head shooting toward her; a dusting of snow clinging to Jane’s face and pelisse.
Crouching down, Elizabeth raced to grab a ball of snow; Mary rarely lost.
Arm raised, Elizabeth threw hers before Mary had a chance to let fly, the snowball smacking into Mary’s face.
Shaking her head, Mary ducked as Jane sought to retaliate for the earlier strike, the snowball disintegrating in the snow as Mary stood, her own chilly weapon assailing Jane before she could hide.
For several minutes the snowballs flew back and forth, the three sisters fighting one another with determination and as much courage as the child’s game required, until at last, tired and cold, Elizabeth chose sides.
“Mary!” she cried as she crouched behind a leafless bush, “Alliance!?”
Mary may have started this fight, but she was rarely defeated. Between them, Jane would not last long.
“Agreed,” Mary answered as she turned toward Jane, their sister’s eyes wide as the pair of them began to launch their attack.
“You will regret this,” Jane laughed as the barrage of snow danced around her. “Somehow. Someway. I shall overcome this revolt and win.”
Continuing to throw snowballs and giggling wildly, the sisters waited for Jane’s inevitable surrender.
“Two against one?” the Reverend asked, their game ending before Jane could concede.
“At home it would be three against two,” Mary answered as she stood, a snowball hitting her in the eyes as Jane cackled.
“I said you would regret it.”
Her full attention on Jane as she stood, Elizabeth made certain no hidden snowballs were in her sister’s hands.
“It appears your battle is over,” the Reverend said. “There is an unexpected guest. A Miss Caroline Bingley. Our host hid her surprise quite well, considering, but the widening of her eyes told all. Imagine, all her years of education at–according to her–the finest schools, and she does not see the rudeness in coming unannounced to the house of a stranger.”
“Mr. Bingley will be eager to see her, I suppose,” Jane supplied; her words as near to defending the woman’s actions as she might come.
“Eager? His eyes displayed all the surprise of Lady Charmane’s… And his tone, none of the politeness.”
Gnawing her lip, Elizabeth’s gaze flitted toward the grand house. Should they stay away to avoid Mr. Bingley’s embarrassment? Or return indoors in hopes of smoothing things over? Neither would help the awkwardness of an uninvited guest.
“Come, I am cold,” Jane said as she began to make her way out of the garden. “Some hot tea or chocolate would do us all quite well.”
Sharing a look with Mary, the two trudged after their sister, the Reverend left to his own devices as they made their way indoors. Jane had made their choice.
Stepping into the drawing room the three sisters led by Jane paused only a few feet inside, the room empty save for the two Bingley’s and their host.
“Miss Bennet,” Bingley said as he rushed to her side, his sister tilting her head as she viewed Jane. “The arrival of my sister has been a revelation… of a sort. Incredibly. Now then, an introduction is in order. Miss Bennet, my sister, Miss Caroline Bingley, Caroline, this is Miss Jane Bennet.”
“A pleasure,” Miss Bingley crooned, the blatantly plastered smile rather close to vicious.
“Likewise,” Jane answered, her tone faltering as she observed the woman before her.
“Ah,” Mr. Bingley said as he noticed Elizabeth and Mary at last, “and here are Miss Bennet’s sisters, Miss Elizabeth and Miss Mary.”
“Three?” Miss Bingley frowned, a brow raising as her eyes went from their faces to the floor. “My, what a large family of unmarried daughters. Are there more of you?”
“Well,” Mr. Bingley interrupted, “you must be tired, Caroline, after your long trip. Perhaps you would like to freshen up?”
“Yes,” Lady Charmane remarked, “I always have an extra guest room ready. Mr. Lombart can see you to your room. Please, follow him.”
Nose in the air, Miss Bingley did as requested with an impressive sway of her shoulders, the room silent as they watched her leave.
“Lady Charmane,” Mr. Bingley began apologetically, her hand raising as she silenced him.
“As I said, I always have an extra guest room ready.” Turning to the three sisters she viewed them with a smile. “You all look as if you have had a grand time out of doors. Come, warm yourselves by the fire and I shall send for chocolate–all that vim and vigor deserves a hearty treat. If you would excuse me however, there are a few things I must attend to. I shall see you all at supper.”
“Lady Charmane,” Elizabeth hurried, the woman moving toward the door as if seeking escape. “Perhaps we could speak before or after supper in private?”
“Pardon me, I am late already. Do enjoy your chocolate!”
And with that Lady Charmane left the room, Elizabeth and her sisters no closer to their answers as to why they had been invited or how she and their mother had known one another.
Sitting herself by the fire, Elizabeth frowned, the dancing flames giving no satisfaction save warmth–her questions as busy swirling about as the sparks. Yet, as Mr. Bingley sought to apologize for his sister’s unexpected appearance without admitting that she had been as bold as to come uninvited, the observation of his odd attempts at courting Jane pushed her questions to the side. Right now, all that mattered was Jane and Mary and their time together... because in a few weeks, nothing might be the same.
As the chocolate arrived and the warm vessel placed in her hands, Elizabeth leaned back, sipping it as she enjoyed the company and warmth.
Would that their sisters could be with them and time stand still.
If only for a little while.