“Of course,” Mr. Danbury replied.
Mr. Danbury was a good-looking gentleman, with excellent manners. He had a good position at the bank that Mr. Gardiner used, which is how the two had met. Two weeks ago, he had informed Mr. Gardiner that he was ready to take a wife. Mrs. Gardiner had promptly issued a dinner invitation. He had called several times since, his interest in Jane evident.
Jane sat demurely, ankles crossed and hands in her lap as her aunt left the room. She knew what to expect, as this was the third time a gentleman had chosen to address her privately since her arrival in London.
He sat beside her on the sofa. “Miss Bennet, we have not known one another long, but I sincerely hope that our interactions have led you to form a good opinion of me.”
“Yes, indeed,” Jane replied. “But, Mr. Danbury –“
“No, no, please let me finish.”
Jane had learnt by now that it was best to do just that.
“Your beauty has touched my heart, Miss Bennet. Your gentle spirit warms my soul. I am on my way to becoming a wealthy man. I can easily support a wife and, if God is good, children. I beg you, Miss Bennet, to make me the happiest man in all of England and agree to be my wife.”
Jane waited a moment to make certain that he was, indeed, finished. When it was evident that he was, she said, kindly, “Mr. Danbury, you have paid me the greatest compliment that a man may pay a young lady; but I do not feel for you the special regard that I must have for the man I marry.”
Mr. Danbury’s brows drew together. “I do not quite understand you, Miss Bennet.”
Jane took a deep breath. “Mr. Danbury, I have sworn a solemn vow to only marry for love, and – I must be frank – while I like you, I do not love you.”
“I see,” Mr. Danbury said, stonily. “Then I bid you good day.” With that, he all but ran out the door.
Mrs. Gardiner watched him march past her in the entryway and joined Jane in the drawing room. “Another proposal?” she said, mildly.
“Yes. I just wish they would not get so angry when I say no!” Jane complained. “I have known the man all of – what, a week? And he is ready to marry me? How absurd!”
“Sometimes it happens that quickly, you know,” Mrs. Gardiner replied.
“I am certain that it does,” said Jane. “But it did not with Mr. Danbury.”
“Nor Mr. Oates, nor – what was that first one’s name?”
“Jenkins,” Jane said, sighing.
“Yes, Mr. Jenkins. Well, it is clear that you make an impression on gentlemen, Jane. You have been in London all of six weeks, and you have already had three proposals.”
“But none from the right man,” Jane sighed. “May we have more tea, Aunt? I find I am quite parched.”
“Certainly.” Mrs. Gardiner tugged on the bell cord. “And there is still Mr. Stanford to consider!”
Chapter Eleven
Elizabeth had found her interactions with Mr. Bingley to be pleasant enough. Sadly, her heart did not race; her eyes did not follow his movements in a room; she did not think about him as she was falling asleep. In short, all the classic symptoms of a romantic attraction were absent.
On the other hand, he was certainly apleasantgentleman, with good manners and an easy smile. ‘Pleasant’ was the word that kept coming to her mind. Perhaps ‘unobjectionable’ would also be a good word.
As for his family, the older sister seemed reasonable enough; the younger was bound to be an impediment. Elizabeth now understood that Miss Bingley was intent on securing someone named Darcy; she sincerely wished the woman the best of luck with that ambition, as such a union would get her out of Netherfield Park.
As she made her way downstairs to break her fast, she thought that her mother was quite right; it could have been a good deal worse.
She smiled to see a letter from Jane on the table. She filled her plate, and then opened the letter.
Dear Lizzy,
The dinner at Stanford House was wonderful! I felt very elegant in my new dress, and I did my best to be as calmas if I dined with Lords and Ladies every day of my life! TheHonourable Michael Stanford was indeed present, and a very handsome gentleman he is! I guess his age to be about thirty, perhaps a bit younger. As you know, I have met any number of merchants and the like since coming to London, but Mr. Stanford is quite far from being a merchant!
He is very interested in art and asked if I shared that interest. I told him that I did not know enough about art to know if I was interested or not, and he said that it was then his duty to take me to the various small exhibitions that are located around London! His parents smiled at him, and Aunt Madeleine agreed to accompany us as a chaperone.
