I do not say that I love him, of course, as there has been only one meeting, and it is far too soon for any real emotion to surface, but it is nonetheless all very exciting!
Lizzy, it has been days since I have heard from you! Is all well at Longbourn? Is there something you are not telling me? I always know when you are keeping secrets!
A rather worried,
Jane
Elizabeth had felt happy as she read through the letter, right up until the very end. It was true; she had never been able to keep anything from Jane. But now, Jane’s happiness might very well depend on Elizabeth’s ability to maintain the pretense.
She looked up when she heard Lydia’s voice. “It is mine, Kitty, you know it is!”
“I know no such thing! Why, I bought it with my pin money last spring!” Turning to Elizabeth, Kitty said, “Lizzy, you were there with me! Do you not recall me purchasing this pink ribbon?” She held out a length of pink grosgrain.
Elizabeth raised her eyes to the ceiling. As if she did not have enough to think about!
“Lizzy, it was me who bought it, was it not?” Lydia demanded.
“It was Kitty,” Elizabeth said, abruptly, and then picked up Jane’s letter and left the room, abandoning her breakfast entirely. She ran up the stairs to her room and sat at her writing desk, determined to write a cheery letter to her sister.
Dear Jane,
I am so very sorry you were worried! No, everything is fine here at Longbourn. We are all well, though you are sorely missed in the family circle. Kitty and Lydia are still arguing about ribbons; I sometimes think about sneaking into their room in the night and taking all the ribbons away. But I shall not, as that would provoke an outcry that would be even worse than the bickering!
There is a new tenant at Netherfield Park, a man who is playing at being a gentleman farmer, though it is clear he has no idea how to go about it. He has two sisters with him, neither of whom have the least notion as to how to serve as mistress of an estate. Mary and I were asked to speak with them about their responsibilities to the tenants, and we did so, though I have my doubts that either of the two ladies will attend to their tasks. But perhaps I am being unkind.
Charlotte and Lady Lucas came for tea last week. Evidently, Lady Lucas intends to redecorate the drawingroom at Lucas Lodge, and wanted Mama’s opinion as to colours. As the conversation progressed, it became clear that what Lady Lucas really wanted was simply for Mama to know that she was redecorating, and did not particularly care for Mama’s opinion on the decor one way or another. Charlotte and I soon took ourselves off to walk around the back garden.
Elizabeth bit her lip. Was this too revealing? After all, the drawing room at Longbourn had not been redecorated for some time, though it certainly needed it. And with Longbourn’s finances being what they were, that redecoration was out of the question. She continued on, choosing her words with care.
Mama would like very much to do the same here at Longbourn, but you know that Papa would far rather spend the money on his books!
There, that would allay any suspicions.
But other than the above, there is truly nothing to report. Oh, the assembly is in a few days’ time! I am certain I shall have a good deal to say when I next write!
Your loving sister,
Lizzy
Elizabeth sealed it and then leaned back in the chair, exhausted from the effort of lying to her favourite person in the whole world.
She sat up when Mrs. Hill’s voice came from the other side of the door. “Miss Elizabeth, Mr. Bingley and Miss Bingley are here.”
Elizabeth shot up from her chair. “Thank you, Hill. Please alert Mary as well. Oh, and ask Mama to keep Kitty and Lydia upstairs!”
“Yes, Miss.” Footsteps faded away. Elizabeth pulled off her old dress and searched frantically through her closet for something suitable. Then she ran down the hall to find Sarah, to ask for help with her hair.
Finally, looking as well as she could with so little preparation time, she descended the staircase and went into the drawing room. Her mother and Mary were there, as were the two Bingleys.
Mr. Bingley rose when she entered the room. “Ah, Miss Bennet! How wonderful to see you again!”
Mrs. Bennet laughed delightedly at this clear sign of interest in her daughter.
Elizabeth coloured. “We saw one another just yesterday, Mr. Bingley.”
“Is that right? It seems like ages!” He smiled at her. “In any case, I wished to thank you for your kindness in coming to Netherfield yesterday to speak with my sisters.”
“We were happy to do so,” Elizabeth said, sitting beside Mary in order to include her in the discussion. “We must understand that our income comes primarily from the tenants; if we take care of them, they take care of us.”
