Elizabeth fell silent, feeling her cheeks warm. Was it possible she had been mistaken? Had she been so eager to believe ill of Mr. Darcy that she had overlooked Mr. Wickham’s motives? Just as she began to ponder Jane’s gentle admonition, a voice called out from the hallway.
“Girls! My dears, where are you?”
Elizabeth and Jane exchanged a quick, surprised look before rising to their feet as their aunt, Mrs. Phillips, bustled into the room, her cheeks flushed from the cold, her arms laden with several small parcels. “Happy Christmas, my dear nieces!” she cried, setting down her parcels and taking each of their hands in turn.
Elizabeth forced a cheerful smile, her mind still turning over what Jane had said to her. “Happy Christmas, Aunt Phillips! Do sit down and have some tea.”
“Oh, I shall, I shall,” Mrs. Phillips replied, settling into a chair and accepting the cup Jane offered her. “But where is your mother? I come with news, such marvellous news!”
They were alone in the room. “Mamma has gone to her chambers to rest.”
“Mary is reading her Bible, and Kitty and Lydia are upstairs,” Jane added.
“Well, I simply cannot wait to tell you, Jane, so you two shall have to tell your mother.” Indeed, Aunt Phillips appeared as though she was about to burst with her news. “Mr. Bingley is returning to Netherfield!”
Elizabeth’s heart leapt, and she glanced at Jane, whose face had turned pale with sudden emotion. “Mr. Bingley?” Jane whispered.
“Yes, indeed,” Mrs. Phillips continued with a nod, as if she were delivering the most joyous tidings in all of England. And for once, she was.
“And soon, too.” Her aunt nearly danced with excitement. “He is expected tomorrow!”
Elizabeth squeezed her sister’s hand, her earlier doubts momentarily forgotten. Whatever had kept him away, Mr. Bingley was returning, and that was all that mattered.
“Oh, but there is more to tell!” Mrs. Phillips exclaimed, leaning forward with excitement. “Mr. Bingley will not be alone. Mr. Darcy is to join him at Netherfield, along with his sister, and some cousin of his as well, the second son of an earl!”
At the mention of Mr. Darcy’s name, Elizabeth felt her elation dampen, the familiar resentment stirring within her. Mr. Darcy was coming back in Hertfordshire, here to disdain their lives yet again. Mr. Wickham’s stories might not be entirely true, but she had experienced Mr. Darcy’s hauteur herself. She could almost feel the weight of his disapproval, his piercing gaze ready to find fault with everything and everyone around him.
But then Elizabeth caught sight of Jane’s hands trembling ever so slightly. This was a second chance for Jane and Mr. Bingley, and she would not be the one to jeopardize it. Her jaw tightened in determination as she resolved to be civil to Mr. Darcy. As long as he did not intend to interfere, she would bear his company without complaint, engage in polite conversation, and treat himas a friendly acquaintance. If a little kindness could help Jane find happiness with Mr. Bingley, she would find a way to endure.
“Then we shall anticipate a lively start to the new year,” she said with forced cheer, casting a reassuring smile at Jane, who, despite her calm exterior, could not entirely hide her returning glow. “It is Christmas, after all.”
Elizabeth squeezed her sister’s hand and allowed herself a rare surge of hope.
The door opened, and their father entered with Uncle and Aunt Gardiner. His hands were clasped behind his back, and a faint smile played about his lips. “Ah, I see my daughters are delighting in family gossip,” he said, casting an amused glance at Mrs. Phillips. “And to what do we owe such joy on this fine Christmas day?”
Jane, her cheeks now flushed, murmured, “Mr. Bingley is returning to Netherfield, Papa.”
Aunt Gardiner’s brows lifted, and Uncle Gardiner appeared stern.
Aunt Phillips, on the other hand, clasped her hands with delight. “Why, I imagine he will be at your door before you can catch your breath, Jane! This is most promising indeed!”
“Is that so?” Mr. Bennet raised his brows in a show of mild surprise. “I hope, Jane, that you will not let yourself be overcome by this. A bit of youthful admiration is only natural, but it hardly need be taken to heart.”
This admonition only made Aunt Phillips shake her head. “Oh, but it is true, Mr. Bennet! And our dear Jane is in no danger of disappointment, surely. If Mr. Bingley has returned, I would wager my best bonnet it is for no other reason than to secure her hand.”
Elizabeth’s frown deepened as she met her father’s amused gaze, and she spoke in a low voice. “Mr. Bingley’s attentions were genuine, Papa, as you must have noticed. His suddendeparture was a great disappointment to Jane, and his return can only bring her happiness.”
“Come now, Lizzy,” he replied, his tone light and dismissive. “A little romance is well enough for any young lady, but a sensible girl should know not to let her happiness depend upon a gentleman who leaves the neighbourhood without so much as a polite farewell. Young men are fickle creatures by nature.”
“This Mr. Bingley did not return when he said he would,” Uncle Gardiner added. Aunt Gardiner placed a hand on her husband’s arm.
“I think you do Mr. Bingley an injustice,” Elizabeth said, struggling to keep her voice calm. “He is returning, and it has not been soverylong. We should be happy for Jane. Her attachment to Mr. Bingley is neither trivial nor easily dismissed.”
Jane, ever patient, lowered her eyes, though Elizabeth could see the faint shadow of hurt behind her sister’s quiet composure. Their father’s dismissiveness was surely a disappointment. “Papa and Uncle Gardiner mean no harm, Lizzy,” she said quietly. “They only wish to see me content.”
Elizabeth thought there was a great difference between notmeaningany harm and notcausingany. On Papa’s part, at least. Uncle Gardiner had always been of a more protective nature.
Papa gave Jane a small, indulgent smile. “Precisely, my dear. It is only that I would not have you place your happiness at the mercy of a gentleman’s caprices.” With that he took his leave, Uncle Gardiner following behind.
