Elizabeth shrugged. “I have no idea.”
“You do not know the extent of Mr. Darcy’s wealth?”
“I am certain he can support a wife and children; that is enough.” She hesitated before continuing. “Papa, may I ask you something?”
He eyed her over his glasses. “Of course.”
“If someone is very angry at…well, perhaps a family member, would you not agree that he is not in the best frame of mind to make an important decision, such as one having to do with a relationship?”
Mr. Bennet leaned back in his chair. “Come, Lizzy, let us speak plainly. This ‘someone’ is Mr. Darcy, is it not?”
“It is, but I am not at liberty to share details about the family situation.”
“I understand. Speaking generally, then, I would agree that a man who is dealing with a difficult family situation is not in the best position to make important decisions, such as taking a wife. Does that help?”
She looked down.
“It is not what you wanted to hear, I suspect.”
“No; but I had already come to the same conclusion.”
“Lizzy, and do not let your mother’s flutterings and twitterings drive you into making a hasty decision. If the gentleman in question is not ready to focus on a potential mate due to family problems, then wait until the problems areresolved. Marriage is for a lifetime. Now, then, shall we return to our translating after dinner, Lizzy? The Clerk awaits us.”
“Of course, Papa. But…”
“What is it, Lizzy?”
“Mama is not as silly as you think, Papa. I wish you would give her more consideration.”
With that, she left the study and ran up the stairs to the room she and Jane shared. She found her sister lying face down on their bed.
“Jane?”
There was no response.
“Jane, I am sorry Miss Bingley said such terrible things.”
Jane rolled over on her back and stared at her sister. “I do not care in the slightest what Miss Bingley said.”
“No, of course not; you care that her brother did nothing to stop her.”
“Exactly. Mr. Darcy chastised her, but Mr. Bingley just tried to make excuses for her! I believe my sister is not feeling quite the thing, that is what he said.” Jane scoffed.
“As awful as this may sound, I am glad the two Bingleys showed us their true colours.”
“Yes, indeed; their true colours are green and yellow.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Green for envy and yellow for cowardice; I could not agree more.”
Jane eyed her sister. “But you have something to tell me, I believe.”
“Yes; Mr. Darcy told me that he thinks of me often.”
“Lizzy, how wonderful! And you told him that you think of him as well, did you not?”
“I did, and then Mary chose that moment to summon us back inside.” Elizabeth did not add that she had discouraged Mr. Darcy from pursuing the matter.
“Does Mama know?”
