“Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam,” Jane said, turning pink.
“I have not heard that name,” Charlotte said.
“He is Mr. Darcy’s cousin,” Jane explained.
“The second son of the Earl and Countess of Matlock, just to be thorough in our description,” Elizabeth added.
“Second son; so not wealthy. Good-looking? Good-natured?”
“He is not truly good-looking,” Jane said, thoughtfully. “But he is a big man, heavily muscled, well-mannered. I do not know, somehow he makes one feel safe.”
Elizabeth and Charlotte stared at Jane for a long minute. “Really?” Elizabeth finally asked. “I had no idea you felt like that. But I agree with you, as it happens.
“Oh, Lizzy! Do you like him also? I am sorry, I did not know!” Jane’s distress was immediate.
“Jane, no, I like and admire him, but I have no romantic interest in him.”
“Are you certain? Because I could not possibly encourage him if I knew that you –“
“Jane. Stop. I have no interest in Colonel Fitzwilliam. I like him. I admire him. I think he would make someone – someone other than me – a very good husband. A far better husband than Mr. Bingley, as it happens.”
“Really?” Charlotte was interested. “And what is wrong with Mr. Bingley?”
Jane looked down, so Elizabeth answered. “What is wrong with Mr. Bingley is his sister, Miss Bingley. Charlotte, Mr. Bingley told me outright that he cannot say no to her!”
“And she is no friend to me,” Jane added sadly.
“Then Eliza is right; he would not make a desirable husband.”
Jane lifted her eyes to Charlotte. “Perhaps he could change?”
“You think to teach Mr. Bingley to pay less attention to his sister? Something that he should have learned on his own years ago?” Charlotte’s voice was disbelieving.
“When you put it like that…”
“Tell me howyouwould put it, then.”
Jane shook her head. “It does not matter. Neither of them has asked for a courtship, let alone made a proposal. I am in no position to make a choice between Mr. Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam, so I shall not think too much on it.”
Elizabeth said, sharply, “Youshouldthink about it, though, Jane. What if they both would like a courtship but Mr. Bingley asks first. Will you accept, simply because he is – well, a bird in the hand?”
Jane did not answer.
“I suppose Jane could say that she needs time to think about it,” Charlotte contributed.
“That is true,” Elizabeth said.
“Well, now that I have obtained the recipe for apple cake that Mama wanted and we have solved Jane’s difficulty, I shall be on my way,” Charlotte said.
Elizabeth cautioned her, “Please, Charlotte, keep this discussion to yourself. Jane does not wish to be gossiped about.”
“You know me better than that, I hope,” Charlotte said, and then took her leave.
Chapter Seventeen
Late Summer 1811
Georgiana had never been so exhausted in her life. In the Before Time, as she now thought of it, her days had consisted of practicing the piano, studying languages, working on her embroidery and riding her mare. Meals were served to her on beautiful china plates, usually with a flower on the tray. She had gowns of silk in beautiful colours and Genevieve to fix her hair. That was how she thought her life would always be.
