Dear Sisters,
The most incredible thing has happened, and I simply could not be happier. I assume you have noticed that Alan Goulding has been calling on me and taking me for drives these last few weeks. Well, his courting has finally come to its inevitable conclusion. Alan proposed to me this afternoon, and I have accepted him.
We will live in the dower house at Haye Park at first. He has spent the last month or so fixing it up, and all that remains now is for me to choose some wallpaper and soft furnishings for a few of the rooms. I don’t know if you recall how rundown it had become, but it is quite an adorable little house now.
I do hope Jane is beginning to feel better, and I look forward to sharing all the details when you both return home. Honestly, I would have waited until then to tell you anything, but I thought it best you hear this news from me before it comes to you through the papers or the rumor mill. After all, you know Mama would never be able to keep a secret like this.
Love,
Mary
Once Elizabeth was done reading the note aloud, Jane smiled and said, “I am not surprised in the least. His attention was undeniable. I am only glad that Mary found it in her heart to forgive him so quickly.”
“She was far quicker to do so than I would have been,” said Elizabeth.
“Perhaps,” said Jane, “but you are not so resentful and unforgiving as you seem to believe. When you love someone, as I know you love all our family, you overlook their slights and foibles. I only hope that one day, you will find a gentleman that you can love even more.”
An image of Mr. Darcy gazing at her with his softer, more relaxed expression flitted through her mind, but she let it go just as quickly as it appeared.
“Oh, I don’t know,” said Elizabeth. “I don’t believe there is a man alive who could render me happy enough to give up my family and my home.”
“Perhaps,” said Jane enigmatically. “Now, I believe you were just about to leave to get ready for dinner.”
“Oh, yes,” said Elizabeth. She stood and headed for the door. “Make certain to prepare yourself as well. After dinner, I will return for you so that you can join the rest of us in the drawing room. I am certain Mr. Bingley will be overjoyed to welcome you.”
Chapter 21
Elizabeth dreaded going down to dinner, because she was still intent on avoiding Mr. Darcy. That was something that was rather difficult to do when they were eating at the same table.
Fortunately, it did not turn out to be particularly difficult. Once again, Miss Bingley dominated the conversation, though at least she wasn’t complaining too much. Instead, she focused on telling tales which were obviously designed to remind everyone of how much more interesting life and society was in London than in Hertfordshire.
Elizabeth did find it odd that she didn’t hear a single thought from Mr. Darcy. While his thoughts weren’t exactly constant, they had been frequent enough that she should have heard at least a few in the hour and a half that they spent at the dinner table.
After dinner, she went up to Jane and helped her sister finish her preparations. Then they came back down and entered the drawing room.
Mr. Bingley immediately hopped up and came over to them. “It is a true pleasure to see you looking well, Miss Bennet,” he said, barely even sparing a glance at Elizabeth.
Elizabeth smiled. The slight did not bother her in the least, because it stemmed from the gentleman’s happiness at seeing Jane again, which of course made Jane happy as well.
Mr. Bingley escorted Jane over to the chair which was closest to the fire. Once she was settled, he gave her two blankets to wrap around herself to keep her from catching a chill once again.
When he tried to give her a third one, Jane laughingly said, “Mr. Bingley, I believe I may be too warm as it is, but I thank you for your kindness.”
He seemed a bit abashed for a moment, but he quickly let it go and settled into a quiet conversation with her that no one else could hear.
Satisfied at seeing her sister settled and happy, Elizabeth turned her attention to the rest of the room, trying to decide where to sit and who to talk with.
Mr. Hurst was lying down on one sofa. He looked as though he was asleep. Mrs. Hurst was sitting near Jane and Mr. Bingley, but she was playing with her jewelry rather than paying any attention to their conversation. Mr. Darcy was in a back corner at a desk, apparently writing a letter, while Miss Bingley paraded up and down the back half of the room.
“Do tell dear Georgiana that I send her my best wishes,” said Miss Bingley. Apparently, Mr. Darcy was writing a letter to his sister.
“I have already done so twice at your request,” said Mr. Darcy. “Perhaps, I should defer your additional greetings until the next letter. Or, better yet, you could simply confine them to a letter yourself.”
Elizabeth would have been a little insulted by such a sharp retort, but upon reflection she realized that it might have been merited. If Miss Bingley had already spoken of it twice this evening, perhaps she should be rebuked.
Elizabeth listened for Mr. Darcy’s thoughts, expecting to hear most of the letter as he composed it in his mind before putting it to paper, but she heard nothing.
The realization shocked her, then caused her a great deal of concern. It was impossible to write a letter without first having coherent thoughts. What was wrong that she could no longer hear him?
