Hopefully she had not been too obvious in her assurances–many wealthy gentlemen perhaps stretching the matter–still, everything else could well be true. Leastwise regarding Jane.
“Is that not so, Father?” Elizabeth added, cutting her eyes to the chessboard between herself and her father.If anything might make him give up an opportunity to tease her mother, chess might prove to be just that.
“Yes,” he stumbled over the word, gaze darting between the chessboard and his wife, “Lizzy is correct at that.”
Handkerchief stilling, Mrs. Bennet sat up, head bobbing slowly.
“How very true. For none match Jane for beauty–once Netherfield is let, it shall be no time at all before she finds a husband. Poor Lady Lucas’ daughters though… Well, perhaps once ours are wed they can send a vicar their way–a pleasant bachelor or widower of course–for we do not desire one of our neighbors to suffer, now do we? You are so clever, Mr. Bennet!”
“I try, my dear,” he smiled. “And you are, as always, unduly kind to our neighbors.”
With a broad smile she inclined her head toward him, “I try… I do try.” Eyes brightening as she glanced toward the door she added, “To that aim I must visit a few more neighbors; for many may not yet know of our news!”
“Ournews?” he questioned.
“Why, of Netherfield Park. With our estate abutting it, we lay the highest claim to it, you can be sure.”
“Of course, dear. How foolish of me.” Moving his knight forward and right to attack Elizabeth’s bishop, he added, “When might we expect you home?”
Flitting out to the hall before returning to the parlour, bonnet set upon her head as she struggled with the ribbon, Mrs. Bennet hurried, “One hour. No. Nearer three I think, there are a great many to tell.”
Countering her father’s move by checking his king with her queen, Elizabeth smiled.Check mate would not be far behind.
“I look forward to your return,” he said, a frown forming as he viewed Elizabeth’s queen.
“Oh,” Mrs. Bennet blushed, hurrying to her husband’s side to kiss his cheek, “what a dear you are!”
A blush of his own present, Mr. Bennet softly pushed her away, though Elizabeth all but swore she caught a glimpse of a besotted curl to his lips as Mrs. Bennet scurried from the room, waving to him as she went.
Tilting her head as she studied her father, Elizabeth felt the pull of her forehead.Surely not?
Yet, even as he returned to the problem Elizabeth’s queen had presented, she could see a hint of lightness about his eyes.Perhaps, in his own way, he held some fondness still?
∞∞∞
“You know,” Lydia said as she plopped down beside Elizabeth, “Mamma and I were talking, and we both agreed that fifteen is old enough to be out. What a lark it would be for Mary to be out in only two months, instead of waiting until next year! You yourself have only been out three months, and if she were out then, well, with her being so much younger than you, I admit I would have to work hard not to snigger.”
“Lydia,” Jane admonished as she set down her embroidery, giving her sister as stern a gaze as she ever managed, “That is far from amusing.”
“I should say it is not,” Mary agreed, rubbing her dress until Jane lay a soothing hand over hers. “I would much rather delay my coming out until I am at least as old as Lizzy was.”
“I agree in nearly every respect,” Elizabeth voiced as she shook her head at Lydia. “Were it not for the chance to meet new people and dance, I would gladly have delayed my own coming out. I am in no hurry to marry.”
“No hurry to marry?” Lydia awed, ignoring a knock at the door. “Why, to be the first in the family to marry would be such a lark–married women come first you know.” Turning toward Mary she begged, “Oh do say you will come out! If you come out at fifteen, by the time Mamma has allowed Kitty out, she may let me out at fourteen, or even thirteen if I am lucky. Imagine all the beaux I would have.”
Sighing, Lydia leaned back, laying her feet upon Elizabeth until she shoved them aside.
“Is Mr. Bennet at home,” the voice of Sir Lucas echoed from the entry to the drawing room.
Turning toward the door, Elizabeth’s lips thinned as she strained to hear.There had been an edge to his tone she had never heard before. Wearied. Determined. Yet, fearful.
She had to learn more.
With a glance toward her sisters she tiptoed to the doorway, each sister close behind and remarkably silent.
Stilling until the sound of footfalls ceased, they all made their way down the hall, the cracked door of their father’s study providing them what they desired long before they packed themselves around the doorframe, each with an ear to the room.
“What is it, Sir Lucas?” Mr. Bennet’s teasing tone filtered through the crack. “I trust your prized mare has not lost her famous good temperament; I have heard rumours she is to foal soon.”
