“Mr. Bingley said she was not feeling well,” Jane replied, looking uneasy.
Elizabeth looked at Jane sharply; Jane glanced at her sister and then looked down. Elizabeth was now certain that Jane was lying.
In point of fact, Mr. Bingley had told Jane, in a very quiet voice, that Miss Bingley had not left her room since the ball. She had taken trays in her room, morning and night, and had not been seen. She had sent no note and made no attempt to communicate with anyone.
Jane had watched her fiancé as he spoke; he looked very unhappy. She was forced to consider the fact that he might not be able to keep to his word to his intended wife. He might verywell relent and let his sister remain in his home, though it cost him his bride. She felt very much like bursting into tears, but she feared that she would be heard and would then have to explain herself.
She had wished she might have spoken to Aunt Gardiner about it, but in all the hustle and bustle of Mary’s wedding, there had been not a moment in which to do so. Now she sat at her writing desk and poured her heart in a letter.
Dear Aunt Gardiner,
I am certain that I told you that Papa would only consent to my marriage to Mr. Bingley if his youngest sister were removed from the household. Mr. Bingley indicated that he understood and had every intention of arranging it; I know that he told her of the edict, but I cannot help but wonder if he will be able to resist her importuning.
It seems that Miss Caroline Bingley controls everyone in that household and her brother is no exception. I fear that the very kindness I so love in him is what keeps him imprisoned by her.
I know – of course, I know! – that I should not wish to marry someone who is too weak to stand up for his future wife. But oh, I do love him and want to marry him! Perhaps I can convince Papa that I would be able to get along with Miss Bingley?
But could I? She has never been anything but rude to me, and I would not like a lifetime of that.
Oh, I am so confused!
Please forgive my running on so, dearest Aunt – please write back and tell me what I should do!
Your distraught niece,
Jane
***
Dearest Jane,
Oh, my dearest girl! I feel for you and for Mr. Bingley as well, for who would wish to treat his sister so, no matter her character?
But, Jane, there is nothing for you to do except to wait upon events. This, it seems, is too often a woman’s lot in life, to simply sit and wait, but that is what is required in this case. Your position had been made clear. He will either comply or he will not.
That said, I have seen his face when he looks at you, and I believe he will keep his word.
Please do let me know what transpires!
With all my love,
Aunt Gardiner
Chapter Thirty-Six
When he next visited Longbourn, Mr. Bennet asked to have a private word with Mr. Bingley. “Mr. Bennet?” Mr. Bingley was concerned by the unhappy expression on Mr. Bennet’s face.
Mr. Bennet reached into his desk and pulled out a letter. “Read this,” he said, abruptly.
Mr. Bingley unfolded the letter and read:
Dear Brother Bennet,
I recently received a very unhappy letter from our dear Jane. It appears that she very much doubts Mr. Bingley’s ability to divest himself of his unfortunate younger sister; she wonders if she will have to cancel the engagement or make up her mind to live with the sister. She is confused and upset.
As it happens, I am in complete agreement with your decision regarding not putting Jane into anunhappy marital situation. Marriage is a difficult enough enterprise without having to contend with a poisonous sister-in-law.
If it turns out that Mr. Bingley is unable to do as he must, then he is unworthy of Jane and he should be shown the door. In that event, I would very much like to host Jane for at least a portion of the Season. We do not have connections in the first circles, of course, but we have any number of acquaintances among wealthy merchants, attorneys and the like, and there is no doubt that our Jane would be in great demand.
