“Let us wait for now,” her father replied, adjusting his glasses until they perched more firmly on his nose. “The gossip of Meryton will arrive at our doorstep soon enough, carried on wings of scandal and whispers. When they do, your mothercannot hold either of us accountable for exposing his true character.”
“There is one advantage to our reduced social calendar,” Elizabeth mused. “Mamma’s preoccupation with her new title remains confined to Longbourn’s walls. Were you aware she paces the front parlour like a caged lion, in hopes of spotting the Lucas carriage coming up the drive? She is positively eager to flaunt her rank as a countess, particularly now that Charlotte is destined to preside over this very house.”
“Have patience with her, Lizzy,” Papa said with a heartfelt sigh. “Your mother has fretted for years over her security and that of her daughters, like a hen with too many chicks and not enough corn. Her methods were flawed, but her intentions were honourable.”
“Honourable but mortifying,” Elizabeth countered with a wry smile. “There were times Jane and I were often forced to bite our tongues to maintain decorum. Had you not asserted yourself after the Netherfield ball....”
“Yes, well, I considered my youngest girls the silliest in the county, but upon learning…” He paused abruptly, causing Elizabeth to raise her eyebrows in curiosity. “Needless to say, their conduct at the ball was beyond shameless. And, if that were not bad enough, your mother was not quiet about her aspirations of Jane becoming mistress of Netherfield by Christmas. All this uproar, despite the fact Mr. Bingley never called upon her.”
“Surely, you cannot question Mr. Bingley’s attachment to Jane.”
“Though he clearly favoured your sister above all others, can you honestly claim he ever paid her a proper call?” her father countered.
Elizabeth’s breath caught at her father’s quiet challenge.
“But he did! When he and his sisters delivered the invitation to Netherfield for his ball, he specifically requested Jane’s first dance.”
“Consider what you are saying, Elizabeth. He and hissisterscame to Longbourn. That was a mere social obligation. Name one solitary incident during his six-week stay in the county, where he arrived solely for the purpose of calling on Jane. Unaccompanied.”
Elizabeth’s mouth opened once, twice, as if to speak, but no example sprang to mind. She lowered her gaze to the patterned carpet, its floral scrolls suddenly fascinating.
“Now you comprehend. He found her beautiful and sought her attention whenever they met, but never alone. What grieves me most is that Mr. Bingley raised expectations not only in your sister’s heart, but throughout the neighbourhood. Your mother spoke openly of Jane’s forthcoming happiness because everyone anticipated it. Regrettably, those at Netherfield Park did not share this expectation.”
A faint sigh escaped Elizabeth. She rose and drifted towards the window, gazing out at the garden in muted sorrow. A profound disappointment knotted in her chest. How could such a kind man behave with such duplicity, and still regard his reflection without shame?
“He truly deceived her,” she murmured. “I was certain of his attachment to my sister.”
“I suspect that once his family rejoined him in London, they persuaded him that Jane’s affections were insufficient.” Her father’s voice was gentle, yet firm. “No doubt, Mr. Darcy offered an opinion on the matter.”
Elizabeth turned, brow furrowed. “By what authority does he meddle in Mr. Bingley’s affairs?”
“You forget, Mr. Bingley reveres his friend’s judgment. I imagine Mr. Darcy counselled him to remain in town and examine the depth of his feelings for Jane. He might yet return, though I would not place a wager on that outcome.”
Elizabeth paced a few restless steps.
“Jane received another letter from Miss Bingley confirming they have settled in London indefinitely. She mentioned Miss Darcy once more as her brother’s most current object of admiration.”
“I am not surprised. Saddened, but not surprised.”
“Jane intends to call on Miss Bingley when in town.”
Papa arched an eyebrow. “As Miss Bennet, or as Lady Jane?"
Elizabeth gasped slightly, startled by the question. “I had not considered that.”
Her father once again leaned back in his comfortable chair, a playful glint in his eye.
“My counsel? Leave well enough alone,” Papa remarked with his characteristic dry wit. “Should Miss Bingley catch even a whisper of our elevated circumstances, she would seize the reins herself and drive her brother to Gracechurch Street faster than you can say advantageous match.”
At the vivid image, Elizabeth’s laughter pealed through the room like silver bells.
“What has you so amused?”
“I had a vision of Miss Bingley.” Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “I imagined her whipping a team of horses into a wild frenzy through the crowded streets of London, the feathers of one of her many ostentatious turbans fluttering in the wind behind her.”
Her melodious laughter bubbled over, and Papa’s deep, resonant chuckle joined hers, his face crinkling with delight. Itwas precisely then that Jane appeared in the doorway.
“Goodness! What merriment is this?” she asked, her finely arched brow lifted in curiosity. “I could hear you from halfway down the corridor.”
