It had not taken long for news of Mr Bingley’s return to Netherfield to reach Longbourn. Papa had arrived home only a few days earlier, and Mama had at last begun—for the most part—to cease her constant lamentations regarding Lydia’s removal to school.
Jane rather suspected, however, that her mother’s grief had diminished considerably the very moment Aunt Philips arrived breathless at Longbourn with the intelligence that someone in Meryton had heard Mr Bingley was soon expected back at Netherfield.
Naturally, Mama had immediately revived in spirits, loudly proclaiming that his return was doubtless due to Jane’s presence still at home. She praised the Darcys for sending him this way and would not hear otherwise.
However, as nearly a week went by and he had still not shown his face at Longbourn, she began to wail that the Darcys had not done their duty to the family, ignoring every attempt made by Jane to placate her. Finally, Jane had enough.
“Mama,” she began, striving for calm, although there was enough firmness in her tone to bring Mrs Bennet’s lamentations abruptly to an end. “Whether Mr Bingley visits Longbourn or not has very little to do with Mr or Mrs Darcy, and it is certainly not their fault whichever course he chooses.”
Mrs Bennet opened her mouth at once, but Jane continued before she could interrupt.
“Nor is it at all certain that Mr Bingley intends to offer for me merely because he returns to Netherfield. And if he should…” She hesitated briefly, steadying herself. “I am no longer convinced that esteem and pleasant manners alone are sufficient grounds for marriage.”
Her mother stared at her in evident astonishment.
“Seeing Lizzy with Mr Darcy has made me realise that there ought to be deeper understanding and greater constancy between two people before they promise themselves to one another. Mr Bingley and I must first determine whether we truly suit. That will not be determined in only a day or two, particularly after his desertion last autumn.”
“Jane Bennet!” Mrs Bennet cried. “You cannot truly mean what you are saying.”
Jane raised a trembling hand, though this time she did not allow herself to falter. “Mama, I am entirely serious. If Mr Bingley comes and if he should renew his attentions, I shall decide the matter carefully and for myself. I will not marry merely because others wish it. We will take the time to come to know each other before any decision can be made.” She paused for a moment, hesitating to make her next comment, but knowing it was important to say. “Nor am I certain that I am ready for marriage. There is much I need to learn before I ought to consider it.”
The words seemed to astonish Mrs Bennet nearly as much as they astonished Jane herself, but now that they had been spoken aloud, she found she did not regret them.
“And you need not distress yourself so greatly regarding our futures,” Jane added more gently. “Lizzy and Mr Darcy, together with our uncles, would never abandon you or any of my sisters should our circumstances change.”
“Jane!” her mother cried again, “how can you speak to me in this way?”
“Mama, I am only saying what is true,” Jane replied. “I will not allow you to push me at any gentleman, and if you cannot quietly allow Mr Bingley to come here and allow us to speak without declarations regarding our suitability, I will…I will write to my aunt and uncle and ask if I might go to London.”
Where she had been hesitant only moments before, Jane now found herself filled with a righteous indignation, and once unleashed, she could not seem to restrain it.
“Or I shall ask Lizzy to host me at Pemberley once she and Mr Darcy have returned from their wedding trip. But I will not remain here if you intend to behave as you did last autumn. Until Mr Bingley—or any other gentleman—has actually offered for me, and Papa has approved the match, you ought not say a word regarding my prospects. You may speak to me privately if you wish to know my opinion, but certainly not openly, nor to anyone else…” Jane hesitated only briefly before adding pointedly, “…including your sister.”
“Jane! How can you speak to me in this manner?” her mother whinged.
Still, Jane did not permit herself to retreat. She folded her trembling hands tightly together and lifted her chin ever so slightly.
“If you wish for me to remain at Longbourn, Mama, then you will do as I ask in this matter,” she said, striving for steadiness and thinking, with some relief, that her voice sounded calmer than she felt. “Should Mr Bingley pay a call, we shall receive him kindly and politely, but you will not press him to remain, nor speak of courtship, engagement, or marriage until the gentleman himself has spoken to Papa—if he ever does. I will not again be pushed towards him, or towards any other gentleman.”
For several long moments, Mrs Bennet did nothing but stare at her.
Jane wondered uneasily whether her mother expected her to apologise if subjected to a sufficiently severe glare. It was not quite the method by which Mama generally prevailed upon Papa, but perhaps Mrs Bennet possessed enough sense to recognise that tears and lamentations would gain her little in this instance.
At last, her mother said stiffly, “Very well.”
Only a few moments later, however, she rose and excused herself to her room with unusual quietness.
Jane remained where she was for several minutes, attempting to recover her composure. By the end of the exchange, she had been genuinely uncertain whether she possessed the strength to maintain her positionbeneath her mother’s disapproving gaze, yet somehow she had endured it.
Once she felt sufficiently calm, she rose and went in search of her father.
It was not long before she gained admittance to Mr Bennet’s book room. Taking a seat opposite him, Jane found herself suddenly uncertain how to begin. Her courage with her mother seemed far easier than speaking plainly of herself.
“Papa,” she said at last, “I wish for you to hire the companion we discussed some time ago.”
Mr Bennet lowered his book slightly, regarding her with immediate curiosity.
Jane drew in a slow breath before continuing. “I believe it would be beneficial for Mama to have someone capable of tempering some of her more imprudent behaviour, but…” She faltered briefly before forcing herself onward. “If I am honest, I think the lessons are needed as much for myself as for anyone.”
