Elizabeth thought that was a useless plea. Their father would never gainsay their mother on anything unless it was of the utmost importance. He disliked arguments greatly.
“Your mother has declared that the horses are needed in the fields,” said Papa. “I am afraid you will need to take your mare.”
Jane sighed. “I would much rather take the carriage, but I suppose it can’t be helped.”
For a moment, Elizabeth felt a stab of guilt over not helping her sister, but she chased it away. Surely, just this once, Jane would fare better by following her mother’s scheming than byrebelling. The worst that could happen would be that Jane truly did have to stay the night. Even that would have its pleasant compensation, however, since Jane would have the opportunity to enjoy breakfast in Mr. Bingley’s company.
As a gesture of solidarity and to chase away her twinge of guilt, Elizabeth said, “Would you like me to help you with your riding habit?”
Jane smiled in gratitude, and the two sisters went up to Jane’s bedroom.
As Elizabeth helped her sister with her habit, Jane said, “I wonder what is happening between Mary and Alan Goulding. Do you think he will propose soon?”
Elizabeth had noticed that ever since Alan had returned from London two months ago, he had given Mary much more attention, but it had not been so pointed nor so constant as it had been in the past two weeks when he visited every other day to take Mary for a drive or for a walk.
“I do not know,” said Elizabeth. “It is obvious he likes her. I have always thought he liked her, though his visits this past fortnight would indicate that he has finally decided to act upon his affection. However, I am uncertain that Mary can forgive him for all the things he did to her when they were younger. I can remember at least half a dozen times I found her in tears over something he did or said to her.”
“Mary is a very forgiving person,” said Jane. “I suspect that if she can be confident he will try not to hurt her again, she will let the past go. I am more concerned that he might not be the sort of man she could look up to and respect. I always pictured Mary marrying a clergyman or a scholar.”
“On that point, I think Alan is quite good for Mary,” Elizabeth replied. “She tends to be a little too serious, and if shewere to marry a man who was just as serious, she might never laugh again. With Alan, on the other hand, she seems lighter and a little happier. Though I haven’t seen it with my own eyes, I suspect he is perfectly capable of making her laugh.”
Jane chuckled. “Of course that would be the most important factor to you, Lizzy,” she said. “But not everyone is motivated by laughter quite as much as you are.”
Elizabeth shrugged one shoulder and said, “Perhaps not. I suppose, in this case, no one but Mary can possibly predict what will make her happiest. We shall simply have to wait and see.”
As she moved on to helping Jane with her hair, Elizabeth began to wonder. If Jane did, in fact, stay the night at Netherfield, and she did see Mr. Bingley at breakfast, would she see Mr. Darcy as well?
Over the last four weeks, Elizabeth had grown increasingly fascinated with the gentleman. Being able to hear his thoughts had created something of a bond between them. She heard when he complained about her mother’s shrill voice. She heard when he was uncomfortable with the crowd of people around him. She even heard when he thought about how vulgar some of her neighbors were.
On the other hand, she had also heard his self-deprecations, wishes that he were more sociable and less withdrawn, and she had heard many exclamations over the beauty of someone’s eyes and smile.
She could excuse his insults. After all, had she not thought similar things many, many times? At least he didn’t say them aloud. She did, however, wonder whose eyes he found so fascinating.
He rarely used anyone’s names in his thoughts, and though Elizabeth found it frustrating, it made sense once she consideredit. He didn’t need to use names. After all, if he was paying attention to someone for any reason, either good or bad, he didn’t need to tell himself who he was paying attention to.
Whoever the young lady was who had the fascinating eyes, Elizabeth was beginning to be jealous of her.
Each time she saw him over the last few weeks, they chatted for a few minutes. This became easier to accomplish with time as her neighbors seemed to become increasingly aware that she was not interested in marrying any of them. As such they took up less of her time, and she found it easier to speak with those she wished.
Mr. Darcy’s conversation was interesting, and he spoke well and fluently on any topic she introduced, even fashion. When Elizabeth laughingly questioned him about the last subject, he explained that he had a younger sister who spoke about it frequently and at length.
Despite her feeling of familiarity with him, they had not shared such an intimate conversation as they had in the hall at Lucas Lodge. Though his conversation was interesting, his manner was slightly stiff and somewhat standoffish. He was always formal with her, which was quite the contrast to the way he had sat so comfortably on the stairs next to her.
Her musing was interrupted when Jane said, “What are you thinking of? You’ve been quiet for nearly fifteen minutes.”
For a moment, Elizabeth thought she might blush, but she laughed it off instead. “I suppose I was just musing over our new neighbors,” she said, being deliberately vague.
Jane was not fooled. “Mr. Darcy?” she asked.
This time, Elizabeth did blush. “Perhaps,” she said, still not wishing to admit it.
“I have noticed that you have quite enjoyed speaking with him the last few times we’ve been in company together,” said Jane. “I have also noticed the way your eyes seek him out, probably far more often than you realize.”
Elizabeth sighed. She should have known she could not hide anything from her older sister.
“I can’t say I blame you,” said Jane. “While I personally prefer Mr. Bingley’s open and artless manners, I can see that Mr. Darcy is quite handsome.”
“It is much more than that,” blurted Elizabeth. “I mean, he is handsome, yes, but he is also very intelligent and quite pleasant to speak with.”
