“Ha! Bingley, who was so thoroughly chastened by Miss Marianne when they arrived in Meryton – Rebecca now thinks to make a match between them,” the viscount chortled. He seemed to recollectwhyMr. Bingley had been publicly set down and cast an apologetic gaze at Jane, but she looked past him. Mr. Willoughby had clearly heard the viscount, and he stared back at Jane with a look of horror.
“She may have more success there; Miss Elizabeth has given me her advice this morning, Miss Bennet, but if you can offer any insight to how I might woo your eldest cousin, I should be much obliged.”
Jane tore her gaze from Mr. Willoughby as she tried to think of something useful to say to the colonel. “Elinor and I are of a similar disposition, and ever have been. I suppose it must follow that what would most touch my heart must be pleasing to her as well,” Jane mused aloud, willing her eyes not to drift once more to Mr. Willoughby.
The countess was seated nearby, and she turned away from her conversation with Mrs. Jennings to interject. “Take note, Phillip!” Beside her, Mrs. Jennings gave Jane an encouraging nod.
The colonel grinned. “You have our full attention, Miss Bennet. Do proceed.”
Jane looked down at her lap as she gathered her thoughts. “Elinor’s disposition requires its complement, as I am sure you may already comprehend after three weeks’ acquaintance, Colonel Fitzwilliam. But there is something beyond this – forgive me, I do not quite know how to say it – a certain generosity…. the world has not been kind to her….”
Mr. Willoughby turned away from Miss Bingley, who did not notice his abandonment, and continued her prattle for the benefit of nobody. “I was briefly acquainted with Miss Dashwood in Devonshire, Colonel. I believe what Miss Bennet means is that Elinor Dashwood has always done what is best for others; someone ought to placeherabove all others, for she will never do it herself.”
“Yes,” Jane said with instant animation. “Yes, exactly. She sacrifices a great deal; would that you could lay the world at her feet, Colonel. ‘Tis but little to ask for, is it not?”
The colonel nearly choked on a sip of wine. When he recovered himself, he nodded at Jane with a feeble smile. “That is very like what your sister has advised, and I am nearlyconvinced of what I must do. But I do hope your next letter to her will be full of how charming you found me!”
“Of course, I must commend any man so eager to please,” she replied.
The countess laughed, giving a little wave of her hand to capture Jane’s attention. “I am sure Phillip is also eager to please! Do tell us, since you are so like your cousin, what might complement your disposition?”
The viscount looked at Jane expectantly, and she furrowed her brows as she considered. “I have often been told that I am too good, too sweet and obliging – I believe my complement must be a stronger conviction of character, and perhaps a little wickedness.”
Mrs. Jennings laughed indecorously. “What do you say to that, Viscount? Are you still too much the vicar to be a little wicked?”
He made some jape that caused Lady Matilda to laugh, but Jane scarcely heard it. She turned once more toward Mr. Willoughby; he winked roguishly at her.
Heat flushed her face as she recalled him doing the same just the night before. They had been at the opera; the ladies from Berkeley Street had been invited to the Fitzwilliam box at the opera. Jane had grown listless as Viscount Bellamy attempted to whisper japes at her aunt, who was prone to weeping at emotionally evocative music. She had glanced across the theatre and caught sight of Mr. Willoughby, who was with Miss Bingley and a group of people Jane did not know. He screwed up his face and winked at Jane, his posture sagging as if it were a chore to return to Miss Bingley’s chatter.
And he did just the same now, as she watched him turn back to Miss Bingley, who had begun to preen at the viscount. But Mr. Willoughby’s eyes lingered on Jane, and she offeredhim a sad smile. She could not believe that Marianne had been cruel enough to destroy both of his letters – and to actually give Lady Rebecca some cause to imagine a match between her and Mr. Bingley. Though Jane no longer lamented the loss of that gentleman, she expected that her cousin would understand Mr. Willoughby to be in every way superior.
When the ladies withdrew to the parlor, Lady Matilda sought Jane out directly. “I am so pleased that you have recovered from your malady, Miss Bennet. Mrs. Jennings tells me she gave you some advice, and I do hope you will benefit from it.”
“Yes, of course,” Jane said blandly, though she understood at once that the countess was not speaking of her headache.
“It is a pity you did not join us, for you might have beheld some of that wickedness which you claim would complement your disposition so well. But I suppose your sister has told you about our unusual artwork?”
Jane shook her head. “I believe she was too worried about my indisposition, or perhaps she did not want to distress me, if I missed some great amusement.”
“Then I hope I am not cruel in telling you what you have missed.” The countess proceeded to give an account of the morning’s antics, detailing the viscount’s propensity for mischief in the comfort of his family. Jane could only acknowledge that it sounded very merry, but this clearly did not satisfy Lady Matilda.
“I have been uncommonly observant of late, Miss Bennet. May I speak candidly with you? I believe you may profit from my observations.”
They were interrupted when Mr. Willoughby entered the drawing room, the other gentlemen trailing behind him. “Wequickly realized we should all prefer the company of you fine ladies to my mediocre brandy and cigars,” he announced with a playful flourish.
The countess let out a sharp exhale and her eyes flashed with annoyance before she offered Jane a polite smile. “May I?”
Anxiety wound its way through Jane’s insides, but she gave a nod of her head. “Cer-certainly.”
The countess smiled graciously. “Truly, I do hope my observations help rather than harm. But I have often noticed that Phillip is less gregarious with you than some others of your household. In your absence today, he was exceedingly lively and impudent, though I wonder if you would have perceived it – or if he would have shown it, had you been with your aunt and sister. You seem to inspire reticence in one another. Though you have a sense of one another’s most obvious charms, I have seen many a short acquaintance progress to more profound depths than the pair of you have managed. Would you not agree?”
Jane watched the viscount approach her aunt, and she smiled widely; the countess followed her gaze, and then gave Jane a pointed look. “I do agree, with all my heart. I cannot believe I never noticed before – I suppose I thought she was only easing the path for me – her mannersaremore open….”
Mr. Darcy and the colonel were standing rather close to them, and the countess frowned. “Well, that is all I have to say to you, anyhow. I will add my voice to those who have already said that you are a dear, sweet girl – I trust you shall also be a wise woman.”
Jane felt lighter for a moment as the countess stood and moved away. She was very close to giving herself permission to do what she most feared and most desired. Mr. Darcy was making his way to Elizabeth’s side, but in an impulse she wouldnever have indulged before, Jane hastened to get there first, flashing him an apologetic smile. She would only be a moment.
Elizabeth betrayed an instant of disappointment at the deprivation of Mr. Darcy’s company before smiling warmly at Jane. “Sister of mine, there is a very strange air about you today,” she said with an affectionate shake of her head. “But did I hear you say you finally received letters from our cousins?”
