Page 34 of The Countess and Her Sister

Lady Susan leapt up to embrace Elizabeth. “Lady Catherine will be furious! You are a credit to the family already, Lizzy – may I call you Lizzy? It is such a charming appellation. But you will make a truly magnificent Mrs. Darcy! And Georgiana will be so happy to have a sister!”

The rest of the family was full of congratulations and felicitations for Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, who finally managed to take a seat with their companions.

Mr. Bingley grinned at Mr. Darcy, ready to announce the surprise Elizabeth had momentarily forgotten.

“Well, I can think of nothing so romantic as Derbyshire in springtime – what do you say, Darcy? Shall we rally your relations for a trip to the country?”

Excitement again swelled in the room. Everyone was speaking at once, but after giving Mr. Darcy a look of joy, Elizabeth’s gaze landed on Jane, whose smile was entirely forced as Mr. Bingley detailed his plan.

“I have agreed to let Cameron Court from Richard; he and Darcy shall teach me everything a proper landowner ought to know before I purchase a home of my own. The timing could not be better, I am sure, for there have been several parties lately that have been perhaps too exciting.”

Rebecca laughed indecorously. “Are we to flee Lady Catherine, then? She did not manage to spoil your birthday masquerade, Lady Susan – indeed I believe we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. While leave London now?” When Rebecca looked between Richard’s grimace and Jane’s sudden pallor, she shifted uncomfortably and turned to her mother.

Lady Augusta looked to Elizabeth, as if unsure how to ease Jane’s discomfort.

Elizabeth could well imagine what Jane must be feeling.

Jane had not had the same chance as Elizabeth to speak to her beau about the events on the balcony, and now she was faced with the unpleasant prospect of a journey that would take them to a place where she had been miserable – and where they would inevitably encounter Mrs. Bennet.

Mr. Bingley was eagerly awaiting some token of approval from Jane, who looked as if she may begin weeping at any moment. Elizabeth stood. “I believe that such a fine prospect warrants discussion amidst fresh air and pretty greenery. Shall we not all stroll over to the square?”

“Yes, indeed,” Lady Augusta agreed, confusion in her eyes as she followed Elizabeth’s lead. “Jane, you told me the roses are just beginning to bloom, and I should like to have a look. Perhaps I may help myself to a cutting or two to give the gardener at Matlock Hall.”

***

As they all donned their outerwear and departed the house, Lady Susan Vernon caught Jane by the hand and drew her back into the front parlor. “Lady Matlock, a word?”

“Please, call me Lady Jane – or just Jane.”

“Because Matlock is so offensive to you?”

Jane flinched, her stomach twisting. “I….”

“You were not happily married. Trust me, child, I can smell it,” Lady Susan said with a ruthless smile. “It is no great secret in London that your husband was debauched brute, otherwise some other enterprising young lady would have ensnared him long before you did.”

Jane clenched her jaw, her nose flaring with anger, but she said nothing. Lady Susan was probably right. All the knowing looks of pity she had received over the years, as if it was she who had been taken in, and not Robert.

“I suffered seventeen years of much the same, and I have had nobody to constantly cosset me for it. I lost my home, and then my only child, and like you I have been dependent on the good will of my relations. But I have not lost myself.”

Jane shook her head. “I fear I do not understand your meaning.”

“No, probably not,” Lady Susan drawled. “I daresay nobody has ever spoken so bluntly to you – even Lady Rebecca seems to have gone soft where you are concerned.”

“I am… very grateful – the Fitzwilliams have been so kind to me,” Jane stammered, tears welling in her eyes. “I am sorry for what you have endured.”

“Yet I am far more sorry for you , child. I like you, make no mistake, but Mr. Bingley likely wishes to hurl himself into the Thames right now, and nobody else is going to tell you that that is your fault. I watched you and your sister at Lady Catherine’s party, and again last night.

You may be grateful for how she placates you, how she twists herself into knots attempting to ease the way for you, but it is no great favor. ”

Jane stiffened. “Lizzy understands my situation, and she has ever been my dearest friend. She….” Before Jane could finish, Lady Susan slapped her across the cheek.

Jane recoiled and raised a hand to the stinging left side of her face.

She could no longer restrain her tears, and she reeled as she attempted to make sense of what she had done to cause Lady Susan such offense. “You struck me!”

“Yes, and you are a countess.” Lady Susan took a step closer and grinned at her. “Stop trembling and be a countess .”

Jane clenched her hands into fists at her side. “I want you to leave,” she said, hoping her voice was commanding enough.

Lady Susan crossed her arms and shook her head. “No.”

Jane’s confusion was giving way to genuine anger, and after all the discomfort she felt that morning, she channeled every unpleasant feeling into the blow she returned.

The sound of her palm connecting with Lady Susan’s face was almost defeating, and as she imagined Mrs. Bennet lecturing her on what her new life as a countess would entail – all lies and childish fancy – Jane began to shake with rage.

Lady Susan’s head jerked to one side, but she was beaming as she turned back to face Jane. “Most invigorating – I daresay I needed that, anyhow. But how do you feel?”

Jane gaped at the madwoman. “I can hardly go about committing violence against everybody who upsets me – I fear I should be no better than Robert.”

“Except that Robert is dead, and you are not – and you are a countess who can say what she thinks and feels, as you please. If the prospect of visiting Derbyshire is enough to make you turn deathly pale, speak your mind! Mr. Bingley will surely thank you for some elucidation, and your mother and sisters will not need to always be scrambling to accommodate your frailty.”

This stung worse than the slap, but Jane stood straight and let it wash over her.

Elizabeth had told her to speak more to Mr. Bingley, not to be afraid of what he might think of her foolish opinions.

But Jane had not realized how tired Elizabeth must be of speaking for her, of tip-toeing around Jane’s delicate and fearful inadequacy.

Elizabeth had even been willing to forfeit her own happiness with Mr. Darcy, as she surely would have done if Jane had asked it of her.

“Enough,” Jane said with a heavy exhale. “You are right.” She fidgeted for a moment. “May I ask your further advice?”

Lady Susan looked gratified, and gave a gracious nod of her head. “I will not strike you again, I promise. You have taken my counsel in the spirit it was given.”

“I… fear the reason for my apprehension may not paint me in the best light.” Jane waited for Lady Susan to respond, but she did not – she seemed intent to make Jane explain herself fully. So, Jane took a deep breath, reminding herself to be a countess .

“Mr. Bingley often appears uneasy with his sister, and has only once reproached her, when it has very often been warranted. I have not been so generous with a member of my family who resides in Derbyshire.”

“Yes, the horrid mother you stashed away at Montrose so she could not disgrace you any further – Lady Catherine had much to say on that score.”

Jane groaned, realizing what a fool she must appear to all of London society. “If he would not be so severe on his own relation, how am I to explain to him that I have no wish to see Mrs. Bennet, when I am to be staying in such close proximity?”

Lady Susan narrowed her eyes and curled her lip as if put off by the question. She gave a casual shrug of her shoulders. “Tell him how it will be. He is courting you, Lady Jane – you are in a strong position to name your terms.”

“But I fear he will think me heartless.”

“Fear, fear! You fear this! You fear that! The only thing you had any cause to fear is dead and buried, and you might have the last laugh if you allowed yourself to enjoy your life. Enjoy your power. You are a countess, and men will fall at your feet until you pick one, and perhaps even after, for you are a lovely creature. What have you to fear in telling Mr. Bingley that you will not tolerate the company of those who would use you ill? Have you any intention of capitulating in that score?”

“No?” Lady Susan raised a hand to her ear and leaned her head closer, as if she had not heard. Louder and more firmly, Jane said, “No!”

“Then you lose nothing in saying so, except perhaps a man who would not respect your decisions – he would not be the man for you, and you will have cleared the path for the next suitor to prove himself worthy.”

This was a heady notion to take in. “Respect my decisions,” she repeated, her head spinning with all the painful memories the thought of Derbyshire had aroused in her.

“You are right. If he thinks me a monster, so be it – better this than life with a man who might be worked on, for surely she shall try.”

Lady Susan’s countenance softened and she took Jane’s hand.

“He will not think you a monster, he is desperately enamored of you. Take heart, for he may in fact think it very brave, and perhaps be inspired to take his odious sister in hand at last. And if your mother attempts anything unseemly while we are in the country, you are a countess, and well protected.”

Jane smiled back at Lady Susan. “I hope you will join us in Derbyshire, if we all manage to agree to a plan.”

“If your handsome brother is traveling with you, then you may depend upon it,” Lady Susan said with a wink.

Jane suddenly wondered what it might mean that Lady Susan had returned the cape from Richard’s costume, and felt her cheeks flush with heat. “I kissed Mr. Bingley last night.”

“Well! That is a fine beginning, but come, for now you must talk to him.”

***

Elizabeth had dispatched a hasty note to her aunt, Lady Gardiner, before leaving the house, and not long after Jane and Lady Susan joined the others milling about the square, Lady Gardiner arrived with her children.

Jane said nothing to Elizabeth, but gave her a bright smile before singling Mr. Bingley out; the couple strolled together and appeared to have a very earnest conversation for half an hour.

In the meanwhile, Elizabeth had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Darcy play with her exuberant young cousins, and she merrily joined in.

After another quarter of an hour, Mr. Tilney’s carriage appeared outside of Matlock House, and when he alighted, he hastened to the green to join in their revelry.

The Derbyshire scheme was discussed amongst them all, and Mr. Bingley extended the plan to include everybody present.

He was met with universal acceptance; even Jane seemed now resolved to look forward to the journey.

Whatever Lady Susan had said to Jane, Elizabeth was more favorably disposed than ever to her future relation.

Lady Augusta invited them all to dine at Matlock House that evening, and over the course of the meal, their arrangements were agreed upon.

Richard, Mr. Tilney, and Lady Susan would travel to Pemberley with Mr. Darcy and his sister, Mr. Bingley would be obliged to ask his sister to act as hostess at Cameron Court, and everybody else was to stay at Matlock Hall.

“I am perfectly eager to be away from London; indeed, your hospitality could not be more fortuitous,” Mr. Tilney told them.

“My father is paying court to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and it is a most repellent spectacle to behold. Eleanor has fled to Bath with some friends, and now I must do likewise.”

“At least she shall be well occupied, and we shall be a hundred and fifty miles away,” Rebecca said with a look of distaste. “But my aunt must have taken your view of things, Lady Susan, and decided to begin a new family.” And then she looked pointedly at Richard, who nearly choked on his wine.

“And you might make new, happy memories at Matlock,” Elizabeth whispered to Jane.

Jane smiled serenely. “You need not mollify me, Lizzy. I know there shall be some unpleasantness to begin with, but I hope to make the most of our time there. Mr. Bingley has spoken so warmly of his desire to improve himself in learning how to manage an estate, and I find myself with similar aspirations. I must begin to behave like a countess, and so I shall look forward to entertaining guests at my son’s family seat. ”

Elizabeth beheld her sister with awe, and raised her glass of wine in salute.