Elizabeth knew her explanation was flimsy. She could tell simply by the knowing look Jane gave her in the mirror. She couldn’t give any other reason for her attraction to the man, however. How could she possibly explain that she could hear his thoughts and that doing so had made her feel closer to him than she had any right to feel?
“Well, I am glad you have found someone pleasant to speak with,” said Jane. After a pause, she added, “and to look at.” Jane laughed, and Elizabeth tried not to be embarrassed. After all, Jane’s teasing was reasonable payback for all the times Elizabeth had teased her about Mr. Bingley.
Fortunately, Jane kindly changed the subject, and the sisters chatted happily while Elizabeth finished Jane’s hair.
Chapter 15
Half an hour after Jane’s departure, the weather decided that it agreed with Mrs. Bennet for once. The heavens opened, and rain poured from the sky.
An hour later, it was clear to everyone that Jane’s return to Longbourn that evening was unlikely. Even if Mrs. Hurst was inclined to offer her carriage, there would be too much mud to travel safely in the dark.
The next morning, the family was at breakfast when a note arrived from Jane. It was addressed to Elizabeth, but she read it aloud to the family.
Dearest Lizzy,
As you are well aware by now, my friends here were kind enough to request that I stay here last night to avoid any further exposure to the rain. Unfortunately, I find myself rather unwell this morning. Though it is nothing more than a headache and a sore throat, Caroline has insisted on sending for Mr. Jones to look me over. Hopefully, he will find that it is nothing to worry about, and I will be home in time for dinner, but I did not wish my family to be concerned should any of you hear about it.
Your Dear Sister,
Jane
As Elizabeth read it, she felt shame and guilt wash over her. Though it was their mother’s machinations that had placed Jane in such a position, Elizabeth hadn’t even tried to help her sister prevent it.
“I will go see her directly after breakfast,” said Elizabeth, and she began eating more quickly.
“There is no need for that!” cried Mrs. Bennet. “Jane is perfectly safe and I daresay quite comfortable. In fact, this is far better than I could have dreamed of. I assume Mr. Jones will recommend she stay just where she is, which means Jane will have ample opportunity to see Mr. Bingley on a much more familiar footing.”
“Not unless he visits her in her bedroom,” said Elizabeth, allowing her annoyance to color her words.
“No need to get snippy with me, young miss,” said Mama. “I am referring to what will happen as she gets better. She will certainly be able to see him a few times before she is well enough to return home, and if she if lucky, she might even be invited to stay for a few days even after she has recovered.”
Elizabeth stifled a groan of frustration. Saying anything more at this point would only stimulate the flow of poor ideas from her mother. Instead, she turned to her other parent. “Papa, may I have the carriage?”
“I am sorry, but the horses truly are needed in the field today,” said Papa.
“Very well, I shall walk,” said Elizabeth.
“Walk! In all that mud?” cried Mrs. Bennet. “You’ll not be fit to be seen.”
“It seems to be an excessive exertion relative to the problem,” said Mary. “Jane is perfectly safe. At the very least you should wait until the ground has dried out a bit.”
“Jane may be safe,” said Elizabeth, “but I suspect she is also lonely and bored. Besides, you all know that Jane has a tendency toward understatement when it comes to her own state of health and comfort. I need to see with my own eyes that her illness is as mild as she claims.”
“That is certainly true,” said Mary. “I would accompany you, but I have already agreed to go driving with Alan this morning, and I would not wish to break my promise unless absolutely necessary. Although with all this mud from the rain yesterday, we may not go driving after all.”
“Even if you don’t go driving, I am certain he will still call on you,” said Elizabeth. “I appreciate your offer nonetheless.”
“Well, we shall accompany you,” said Lydia, referring to herself and Kitty, “at least as far as Meryton. There is a bonnet I have been dying to purchase, and though I don’t yet have money enough for it, I would like to see if it is still there. Besides, we might run into the officers.”
“If you wish to come with me, you will need to not dawdle,” said Elizabeth.
With that said, Elizabeth, Lydia, and Kitty all finished their breakfast quickly. Once they had donned their outerwear, they left Longbourn.
~~~~~
Elizabeth was a swift and energetic walker, and less than an hour after she left Longbourn, she arrived at Netherfield.
She was shown into the breakfast room where all the inhabitants of the house were eating, including Mr. Darcy. Her gaze immediately went to his face, which had a rather intense expression.
