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Jane read the note delivered from Netherfield as Mrs Bennet pestered her to read it aloud for the family to hear.

“Come, Jane, what does it say? I bet it is from Mr Bingley, which is why she hesitates,” Mrs Bennet cried out gleefully.

“Mother, he would not write to Jane,” Elizabeth said after rolling her eyes.

“It would be wholly inappropriate for him to do so,” Mary said solemnly.

“But very romantic,” Lydia added with a giggle.

“Elizabeth and Mary are right. I would not have it and would call him out,” Mr Bennet said with a stern look at his youngest, then a wink at his favorite.

“Mr Bennet, why do you try to vex me so? You would jeopardize him asking for her hand if you did such a thing.”

“Still, Mrs Bennet, I cannot allow private correspondence without permission and a formal commitment. You know how that last fellow worked out with his flowery words and poor poetry.”

“If she were to read it aloud, it would not be private,” Mrs Bennet countered.

Jane folded the letter. “It is not from Mr Bingley. His sisters desire my company for the day.”

“What a sly plan of Mr Bingley’s to see you. Oh my Jane, you are as good as married.”

“She mentioned the gentlemen are to dine with the officers today.”

“There, you see, my dear Mrs Bennet. Not everyone can be as cunning as you.” He turned to Jane. “I suppose you shall want the carriage.”

“Yes, please.”

“You said I could not visit with Lady Lucas as the horse was needed in the field today? She will have to ride your horse.”

“I had wanted it in the fields, but if we are to advance Jane’s cause, it would look better for her to arrive by carriage.”

“Nonsense. Mr Bingley is a prodigious rider and will appreciate her all the more for it.”

“I see not having a horse dedicated to the carriage has worked out for the best. What would you have done if it had already been purchased?”

“There is no point in wondering about the possibility,” she replied.

“That is most sensible, my dear. Now that is settled, if you do not mind, I shall return to my paper.” He said, pulling the newssheet up to show he was finished with the conversation.

“Hurry and finish, Jane. You must be on your way before the rain starts.”

“I would feel better taking the carriage if the weather is to turn,” Jane pleaded.

“Don’t argue with me. I know what I am doing. If it rains enough, you will be forced to stay and have the opportunity to spend the evening with Mr Bingley.”

Elizabeth looked out the window at a deluge of biblical proportions. There was no possible way Jane could have made Netherfield before the sky had opened up. Her sole consolation as she sat, her book forgotten in her lap, was that there was no lightning yet. That would have terrified both Jane and Mr Withers. She shook her head in disgust. She could hear her mother crowing with delight that her clever plan had worked.

It was late afternoon when the rain began to let up and eventually was reduced to a light drizzle. Elizabeth made her way downstairs to find her mother resting on the sofa.

“There is a carriage coming up the driveway,” Lydia called out, rushing to the window to peer out in the waning light. Kitty was soon at her side.

“I think it belongs to the other man.”

Mrs Bennet sat up. “What, man?”

“The one staying with Mr Bingley,” Kitty said, “I saw him in that carriage in town the other day.”

“I hope Jane did not ask to be brought home. I would be most displeased with her if she imposed on them in such a manner.” Mrs Bennet cried in a huff. “She has ruined a perfect plan to spend time with Mr Bingley.” She shook her head and added, “Why do I bother trying?”

Kitty told them that it was not Jane who exited the carriage but two gentlemen. Having been alerted to the visitors, Mr Hill opened the door before they could knock.

“Something must have happened to Jane,” Lydia suggested, “and they are here to deliver us the bad news.”

“Nonsense, nonsense,” Mrs Bennet replied.

“Maybe he is here to ask for her hand in marriage,” Kitty suggested excitedly.

“He would not come in the rain or bring Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth said.

“Perhaps he couldn’t wait,” Mrs Bennet said happily.

Elizabeth, closest to the doorway, could hear Mr Bingley talking with their butler but could not make out what was being said. After a few minutes, footsteps were heard, but they faded away.

“Mr Hill is taking them to father’s study.”

Mrs Bennet clapped her hands happily, stating repeatedly how she knew Mr Bingley would not be able to resist Jane’s beauty. Elizabeth was about to explain that if the gentlemen had spent time with the officers, there would have been no time for Mr Bingley to get back to Netherfield, decide that he wanted to marry Jane and rush to Longbourn to ask permission to marry her. She decided it was not worth the effort as she knew her mother’s mind was already made up. It would have been better to wait to see why they were here, and she already suspected the reason.

It was not long before their father came into the room. All eyes and attention were on him. His wife wondered why he did not look overjoyed at the news he came to deliver.

“Good news, Mrs Bennet,” he began. Her eyes lit up in excited anticipation, and she could barely contain the squeal of excitement she felt bubbling to the surface. “We are to have two guests for the night,” he said cheerily.

Mrs Bennet’s face went blank as if she did not understand.

“What do you mean, two guests?”

“The gentlemen cannot return to Netherfield as the bridge across the river is underwater. As the regiment is newly arrived, all the rooms in town are taken by officers waiting for their permanent billeting.”

“But Jane is at Netherfield,” Mrs Bennet stammered.

“Yes,” he replied with a sagely nod. Mrs Bennet leaned forward to look down the hallway. “They are taking a glass of port to take the chill out.”

“This cannot be happening,” she fretted, wringing her hands.

“I thought you would be pleased.”

“But Mr Bingley is supposed to be at Netherfield with Jane. How will he fall in love with her if he is here?”

“That is one of the mysteries of Providence. Perhaps he might fall in love with one of our other daughters.”

“No, no, it must be Jane,” she insisted in frustration.

He then informed them they would join them later before excusing himself to return to the gentlemen while they dried off in front of the fire in his library.

The women of Longbourn began to talk excitedly about the turn of events. All but Mrs Bennet, who sat flummoxed that her plan had gone awry.

“Will you stop all this chattering? It is upsetting my nerves. My poor Jane stuck at Netherfield while Mr Bingley is here.”

“Is that not what you wanted, Mamma?” Lydia asked.

“Do not vex me, Lydia Bennet,” she wailed.

Lydia looked at Kitty and shrugged. They were used to their mother’s nervous outbursts even if, at times, they did not know why.

When her mother leaned back on the couch and put her arm over her forehead, Elizabeth excused herself to see that the servants made up two of the spare rooms in case their father had not already seen to it.

An hour or so later, the unexpected guests joined the ladies in the drawing room, where they spent an enjoyable evening in light conversation and cards.