Page 9 of Such Persuasions as These (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

CHAPTER EIGHT

“ J ane Bennet? Charles, you cannot be serious,” Miss Bingley drawled as they were breaking their fast the next morning.

“What?” Bingley asked, pretending he could not possibly divine her meaning.

“We could all see it. In fact, I have seen it since we first stepped foot in this horrible place. You have found yet another angel and have devoted yourself to her every time you are in company.”

“Your attentions have been rather marked, Brother,” Mrs Hurst added, as if she had even been present at half the gatherings they had attended since their arrival. She had been feeling poorly most days, but her sister had undoubtedly kept her abreast of the happenings at each supper and party.

At Bingley’s refusal to answer this accusation, Darcy added, “Do be careful. This is not the Season, where every beautiful debutante is pursued by a dozen beaux, and you can flirt as much as you like without creating expectations.” As he spoke, he thought of his own attention to Miss Elizabeth, thankful their association had not drawn the same notice.

Miss Bingley nodded in vehement agreement.

His congruence with her gratified her far more than it ought, but in this they did, unfortunately, agree.

Bingley did not even truly know this lady, and none of them knew the lengths to which a mother of five unmarried daughters whose prospects were so tenuous would go in order to secure her future.

There was no telling what arts she might employ to catch a wealthy man.

And the serenity of character Jane Bennet displayed might make her just pliable enough to accept the task of making her family’s fortune.

“You are quite right, Darcy. It would not do to raise expectations before I am sure of my own inclinations,” Bingley replied slowly.

“Or of hers, naturally,” Darcy said, hoping his friend was not blind to the fact that Miss Bennet bestowed the same tranquil smiles upon himself and Sir William Lucas as she did upon him.

“Naturally,” Bingley replied with yet less enthusiasm.

“It is always prudent to be more circumspect than is one’s wont in these matters.”

Thank heavens Miss Elizabeth is engaged , he thought. He would hate to have to limit his association with her in fear of giving her false hope. When he was with her, all past trauma and regret fled, and the future felt promising. Indeed, her friendship had become quite essential to him.

It had never occurred to him how safe he could feel in the company of a female.

And he had certainly not expected to feel safe with this one— Lizzy, the daughter of that wretched jokester.

Yet, he did. She had proved that, while she certainly did have a sharp wit, she was not inclined to use it as a blade to injure.

No, she used her perspicacity to dignify others.

She did not assume his quietness was arrogance, nor his pointed words conceit.

More than once at a card table or over after-supper coffee had she interpreted for others some comment or another of his that came out differently from what he meant.

If he were truthful, some of the barbs he had meant but, he realised afterwards, should have been left unsaid.

Darcy was thereby happy to have them turned into something more innocuous by her gracious efforts.

He had always assumed the reason women never understood him was because he had never allowed them to get close enough to do so.

But Miss Elizabeth had fathomed him out from the first moment.

And the fact that she was engaged meant he had no reason to worry he was raising false expectations or conjuring in her heart any tender feelings.

Darcy, on the other hand…

In Jane’s room that evening, she and Elizabeth were discussing their new neighbours.

Jane had been singled out at the Meryton Assembly, having been asked to dance twice by Mr Bingley, and his attentions had not abated.

This was not the first time Jane had received special attention from a gentleman; she had been the belle of every ball since she was fifteen.

But to be given such attention by an amiable, even-tempered, respectable young gentleman—one whom she could actually like—this was novel indeed.

“He is just what a young man ought to be,” Jane said as Elizabeth listened in pleased silence. Jane continued to praise his sense, his good humour, and his lively temperament, all such Jane-like things to approve of.

“He is also handsome, which a young man ought to be if he possibly can.”

Jane laughed at her sister’s teasing, then became quite serious. “Speaking of handsome, you seem to have been quite singled out by his friend. Is this a trial for you? He does look so very severe.”

“It is no trial at all. I shall not deny that he has a certain amount of pride, which keeps us unwashed commoners at bay, but I think most of his distance stems from being reserved by nature. I would conjecture that the reason he tends towards an open character like mine, or indeed his friend’s, is because it is exactly the opposite of his own.

Yet, upon hearing him in more candid moments, I can discern something lively and amiable concealed behind that furrowed brow.

Of course, you heard how miserable he was after his riding injury; why, I am surprised he took the trouble of coming to the assembly at all.

Do you know he has a love of farming? Apparently, much of his property in Derbyshire is farmed by tenants, yet he sees to the crops and inspects the piggeries.

He even attends every lambing he can himself.

Can you just see him in his frock coat and doeskin breeches assisting a ewe as she— What? ”

Elizabeth had not realised how long she had been speaking about Mr Darcy, or how admiringly, until a meaningful smile had spread across Jane’s face and the smallest giggle escaped her. “Lizzy…”

“What? Do not look at me like that. What is it you are thinking?”

“I think you like Mr Darcy. And I believe he may very well feel the same towards you. ”

“No. No, I do not like Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth replied quickly, unwilling to allow her mind to ponder such a supposition. “He does not look at me in any way that compares to how Mr Bingley looks at you.”

Jane’s eyes brightened with hope. “Oh, do you really think so? I do not want to allow my heart to become engaged if he is not truly interested.”

“He hardly leaves your side when you are in company together, and when he does, his eyes never stray from your position. He is certainly interested.”

“I had not noticed that. I have tried to be discreet and not attend his every move,” Jane said.

A pause ensued as Elizabeth rallied her courage to speak.

“May I say something? Something you may not desire to hear?” Elizabeth asked, gently taking her hand.

Jane nodded cautiously.

“Dearest, I love you so, and it is my heart’s wish for you to find happiness.

I believe, given Mr Bingley’s character, you could do so with him.

What I mean to say is, I was speaking to Charlotte Lucas recently, and she asked me if you were truly enjoying Mr Bingley’s attentions.

I know it was an impertinent question, but when I began to ponder it, I realised that if such a close friend as Charlotte could not discern the state of your heart, perhaps Mr Bingley might be unsure as well. ”

“What are you saying, Lizzy? Please speak plainly.”

“Charlotte suggested, and I concurred, that if you want Mr Bingley to consider you seriously, it might do for you to demonstrate your affection for him in a way he can understand.”

Jane’s cheeks blazed. “I could never ?—”

“No, nothing improper Jane. I would never have you behave in a manner that might wound your conscience. I only worry that your serenity of countenance and your natural modesty might be confused with…indifference. Perhaps you might allow yourself to smile more when you are in company with him, be so bold as to seek him out and tell him how delighted you are to see him. You might touch his arm when you are speaking.”

“I do not think I could do that,” Jane whispered, almost panicked. “I cannot be expected to show more affection than I feel. Before I know his character? Before I know whether I really even like him?”

“Of course. You should not pretend more interest than you feel. But I do know you have more interest in him than you show. You ought only to hint at the effect he is having on your heart, nothing more. And besides, I think you do like him. I only want him to understand that as well.”

“I believe I apprehend your meaning. You are worried that if he does not see that I return his regard, he might be persuaded to look in another direction. And I might lose my chance to secure him.”

“I do not want you to secure him unless doing so would secure your happiness. But if you are to secure him, I do believe you must show more of what you feel, yes.”

Jane’s cheeks had begun to cool, but her brow creased at this revelation, and her silence told Elizabeth she would be lost in thought for the rest of the evening. She kissed her sister and left her to her ruminations.