Page 28 of The Happiness of a Most Beloved Sister (Pride and Prejudice Variation)
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
W hile Elizabeth appeared downcast, Jane was glad of Mr Darcy’s absence at dinner that evening.
Despite returning Mr Bingley to her—which she supposed she must be grateful for—it remained abundantly clear that he did not care for his friend’s lady.
He had never seemed especially fond of Jane, but now he only looked at her to glare, and she had to assume that he did so on Elizabeth’s behalf.
What sort of tales have you been telling, Sister?
Jane tore her narrowed gaze away from where Elizabeth sat staring glumly out of the window, an untouched cup of tea resting in her lap, when the gentlemen entered the drawing room to reunite the sexes.
She sat up straighter and affixed a becoming smile upon her face, which quickened Mr Bingley’s pace in her direction.
Mr Gardiner took a seat beside his wife on the other side of the room, leaving the young people to make love to one another in relative privacy.
Mr Bingley took up her hand and placed a light kiss upon it. “I do believe you grow lovelier every time I see you, Miss Bennet. Even between a change of rooms.”
Jane lowered her head, affecting bashfulness. “You are too kind, sir.”
“It is nothing but the truth, I assure you. You are the handsomest woman in London—nay, the whole of England!”
“My goodness,” she cried softly, pressing her free hand to her cheek. Much as she was entitled to his compliments, a lady always made sure to accept them modestly. “You have put me to the blush.”
They carried on in this fashion for several minutes, and Jane basked in her beau’s flattery. At length, he seemed to run out of fawning remarks, for he changed the subject to one less to her liking.
“Ahem, forgive me, but I must speak to you on a particular matter. I…that is…dashed, this is an awkward business.”
“You need not discompose yourself, sir. I promise I shall not be offended.”
“It is just…Darcy asked me to speak to you, and I swore to him that I would. I take no pleasure in it.”
Jane stiffened upon hearing Mr Darcy’s name, freezing solid in her chair. Only her eyes moved to cut a hard glance in Elizabeth’s direction; a slight her sister remained ignorant of as she continued to survey the bustling street outside. “Oh? And what troubles Mr Darcy?”
“He…and I do not agree with him, mind you…he asserts that you are unkind to your sister Elizabeth.”
Jane transferred her contemptuous look to Mr Bingley, who swallowed visibly to be so regarded. With an effort, she managed to soften her expression somewhat; it would not do to frighten him off at this juncture. “I do not see how the relationship between me and my sister is Mr Darcy’s concern.”
“See, I told him the same thing, but he apparently means to marry Miss Elizabeth so proclaims himself her protector.”
Her response to this bit of news was multifarious.
First, she experienced a powerful wave of surprise, then bafflement, and finally a heavy resignation.
She ought to have seen this coming, given Mr Darcy’s steadfast attentions to Elizabeth.
Before today, she had consoled herself that he would never lower himself to marry a penniless country nobody—if he were so inclined, why had he not turned to Jane instead?
—but apparently her sister possessed enough wiles to transform his attraction into devotion.
She had no idea how Elizabeth had managed it with so proud a gentleman, but if Mr Darcy had said it himself, then it must be true.
And here I believed her when she said she would never marry.
I suppose romantic whimsy is nothing to ten thousand a year.
“Are you telling me they are engaged?”
“Um, not yet,” replied Mr Bingley, fidgeting in his seat. Jane pursed her lips and willed him to still. “From his demeanour, I would assume that his proposal is imminent. He has obviously made up his mind about it.”
“Hm.”
“With that said, I know you have every reason to be cross with your sister for…for past unpleasantness”—Jane smirked at the consciousness in his expression before smoothing it into a more placid smile—“but I say it is time to let bygones be bygones. There was no lasting harm done and…and…”
“And you do not wish to offend your most elevated friend?”
Mr Bingley released a long breath. “Yes, that is it exactly. I am quite fond of Darcy, of course, but more than that, my sisters would do something unconscionable to me if I were to lose the connexion. We cannot afford to throw away our single best tie to high society. It is already bad enough that Caroline’s hopes of marrying him are to be dashed. ”
Again, a smirk threatened to overtake Jane’s countenance before she quashed it. Although she was angry with her sister, she had to applaud Elizabeth for teaching her greater adversary a lesson in humility. “Have you told her of Mr Darcy’s intentions yet?”
“Good God, no! I shall avoid that duty until I absolutely must divulge it. Most probably, I shall wait for the wedding announcement in the papers.”
“I suppose that is for the best. In fact”—she paused, feigning sudden inspiration—“perhaps you ought to leave the task to me. It might be easier coming from another woman.” Oh, do allow me this boon!
Mr Bingley’s shoulders sagged. “You are certain you do not mind?”
“Not in the slightest. I know exactly what to say.” I shall begin by inviting her to the wedding.
Perhaps I can convince Lizzy to hold it at Pemberley.
“As for my own sister, I promise you I shall put forth my best effort to make amends with her. You are right, I ought not to cling to my resentment any longer, especially if it puts you in conflict with your friend. Our silly quarrel should not affect so many others.”
“Thank you, my dear Miss Bennet. You are the most magnanimous lady of my acquaintance.” He followed this bit of flattery with a wet kiss to her knuckles, which Jane struggled not to grimace over.
Withdrawing her hand to discreetly wipe it against her skirts, she replied, “Of course.”
Privately, Jane was writhing with more animosity than ever towards Elizabeth.
If it were not bad enough that she had divided her from Mr Bingley in the autumn, now she came between them via Mr Darcy and his inclination to play the white knight to Elizabeth’s fairytale princess.
A year might not be enough for Jane to put aside so many ill feelings.
At least pretending to absolve her sister of her sins would prove a long-term benefit.
If Elizabeth did marry Mr Darcy, and Mr Bingley came to the point at last, they would always have a link to one of the most prestigious estates in the country.
If she could not have Pemberley for her own, she could at least visit as sister to Mrs Darcy.
Further, if she was forced to choose, she did prefer Elizabeth in that position over the guileful Miss Bingley, for the former had a longstanding habit of kowtowing to her whims. No doubt she would be generous in sharing Pemberley’s bounty with her dearest sister.
In the meantime, Jane would try to tolerate Elizabeth’s presence a little better.