Miss Bingley was not easily convinced. “Of course, you must say that. You would never do anything to upset dear Jane nor to inconvenience your family, but the fact remains that you are as yet unattached, and unless you remember Mr. Darcy, you might remain unmarried for some time.”
Bingley laughed. “Darcy? Wait?”
Miss Bingley huffed, struggling to maintain her sympathy while grasping for the opportunity she thought was available to snatch.
He continued, “Darcy is the most constant gentleman I know. If anything, he will be more determined than ever to win Miss Elizabeth again.”
Elizabeth had always liked Mr. Bingley. She beamed at him, next giving his sister the benefit of her full smile.
Miss Bingley was not impressed. She took a seat on her brother’s other side, putting him between her and Jane. Making him choose to whom he would lean closer and direct his conversation.
It was a foolish move.
If Miss Bingley expected him to favor her, she wasinstantly forced to adjust her expectations when her brother leaned closer to Jane, clasping her hand in his.
Miss Bingley huffed, unaccustomed to not being the queen in her household. “Still, there are those who worry about your case, saying it is the first stage of illness. I do not believe it, but I only repeat what I have heard.”
Elizabeth knew what she was about. “And what do they say?” she asked.
Smoothing her skirts, fluttering her hand over her heart as though the news which must have delighted her was disturbing, Miss Bingley said, “Only that amnesia is a disease of the brain and the longer you go without remembering, the more unlikely you are to ever recover. Sadly, once the disease has taken hold, it has no choice but to worsen.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I am to go insane, then? How fortunate for the unattached females with designs on Mr. Darcy.”
Miss Bingley must have felt the cut, but so confident was she in Elizabeth’s fate, she met her eyes boldly, saying with all gravity, “Quite.” She was a slow learner.
Jane’s gentle voice cut through the tension as sharply as a saber. “If your intention in remaining as a guest in our residence is to pursue Mr. Darcy, the true love and betrothed of my sister, a man who loves her so fully he is willing to wait for her to recover, then youare not welcome at Netherfield Park.” Her icy eyes glared, heightened by the burn in her cheeks.
Elizabeth had never seen Jane so angry, and she had to admit that the evidence of her sister’s strength was reassuring. She had feared that between Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, they would attempt to take over Jane’s life. Apparently, Elizabeth had worried for naught.
She watched Mr. Bingley. Would he support his sister or his wife?
His complexion deepened a few shades, and when he finally spoke, his voice shook. “I am ashamed my wife had to say what I ought to have said, Caroline, but I stand by her. Darcy is my best friend, and Elizabeth is as much my sister as you are. I will not allow you to interfere with their happiness.”
Miss Bingley huffed and puffed. “As Mr. Darcy interfered with yours and Jane’s?” She turned to Elizabeth, a sneer twisting her features. “Did you remember that little gem? How could you possibly forgive a man who interfered with the happiness of your own sister?”
Mr. Darcy had been too honest with her about their first meeting to doubt he would honey-coat his past wrong against Jane. Whatever he had done, he had made right. “I agreed to marry him, and I trust my own judgment better than yours.”
Such a lovely shade of burnt orange Miss Bingley turned; so complemental of her gown. “But he objected to their union! He purposely separated them.”
“And yet, they are married and appear to be quitecontent with each other. Really, I must thank you, Miss Bingley, for dredging up Mr. Darcy’s past sins. Any gentleman humble enough to own to his mistakes and take action to correct them is deserving of the highest esteem.”
Miss Bingley’s face pinched again, but this time it was not in sympathy. Elizabeth recognized this look. Outright hatred.
“After all of my efforts… after all my sacrifices … everything I have done—”
Mr. Bingley jerked around to face her. “What have you done? You will tell me this instant.”
She waved him off. “Do not trouble yourself, Charles. It is nothing.”
He did not budge. “Mr. Bennet told me the carriage was sabotaged. Someone intentionally damaged their conveyance to prevent Darcy’s union with Elizabeth. For all we know, her life is in danger, and Darcy has charged me to help him protect her. Lord help me, Caroline, if you had anything to do with that carriage accident, I will march you back to Netherfield Park and pack your trunks myself.”
Jane’s eyes doubled in size, but her shoulders squared and her back straightened. “Is this true? The carriage was disabled?”
Miss Bingley fumed. “How could you possibly think I would stoop so low? I am a lady.”
“Who is no comfort to anyone here,” Bingley finished for her. “I think it best for everyone if youpacked your things and departed with the Hursts this afternoon.” He received a supportive nod from Jane, who regally kept her cool composure and looked every inch the mistress of Netherfield Park. Elizabeth was so proud of her, she would have clapped if the gesture would not have been exceptionally inappropriate.
Their father joined them just as Miss Bingley rose, her posture stiff and her lips pressed firmly together, assuming an air of dignity the shame of her complexion belied.
