“I will, of course,” Charlotte replied at once. “Eliza, did someone say something to upset you? I saw you dancing with Mr. Bingley, but you seemed cheerful enough. Then with my brother, and you know John too well to be upset by anything hemight say. Then that new man, Mr. Hurst, I believe is his name. Was it him?”
“No, no. Charlotte, I promise to tell you all, but not here, not now.”
A male voice interrupted them. “There you are, Miss Bennet! I have been searching for you everywhere!”
“Oh, Mr. Bingley,” Elizabeth said, her voice faltering.
“Will you not allow me to escort you to the dance floor one last time before the evening ends?”
Elizabeth tried to protest, saying that it might look rather peculiar for them to share two dances so soon after meeting, but he overrode her protests, smiling, and in the end, she took his arm and allowed him to lead her to the floor.
***
“Two dances, Mr. Bennet! Lizzy was the only young lady he danced with twice!” Mrs. Bennet was triumphant. “I knew that gown would be perfect on you, Lizzy, did I not say so?”
“You did, Mama.”
“Why do you sound so very dull, Lizzy? An attractive and wealthy man is paying attention to you! For heaven’s sake, you should be happy!”
“I do not love him, Mama.”
“You will learn to love him. After all, what is there not to love about him? He is handsome enough, he is more than rich enough! I am ready to fall in love with him myself!”
Elizabeth looked out of the carriage window into the dark sky. There was no point in having this conversation again. She felt a warm hand take hers and squeeze. “Thank you, Mary,” she whispered.
Chapter Thirteen
Elizabeth all but ran from Longbourn. She had some bread and cheese tucked into a napkin, which she would eat once she arrived at her destination. She could not bear to listen to her mother crowing – again – about Elizabeth’s success with Mr. Bingley the night before.
Reaching the top of the hill, she sat on a log. It was damp, and Sarah would doubtless frown at her again on laundry day, but there was nowhere else to sit except on the ground. She opened the napkin; the bread was still warm, the cheese a perfect complement. After her hasty meal, she closed her eyes and raised her face to the sun.
“Am I late?”
Elizabeth opened her eyes. “Not at all. Here, Charlotte, there is room for both of us.”
“It is rather wet.”
“I know, but it is better than sitting on the ground.”
Charlotte sat beside Elizabeth and took her hand. “Tell me, Eliza; what is it?”
Elizabeth took a breath and then it all poured out. The Bennets’ financial situation, her parents’ proposed solution, her own very strong feelings about being pushed into marriage with a man she scarce knew and certainly did not love.
Charlotte listened in silence. When Elizabeth finished, tears now pouring down her cheeks, Charlotte put a comforting arm around her dear friend, but said nothing.
“Charlotte?”
“Yes?”
“Well, what do you think?”
“First, I have already heard rumours about Longbourn being in financial difficulties. It is not as if the merchants and servants do not talk, you know. Second, I understand why you feel as you do,” Charlotte said, quietly.
“But?”
“Honestly?”
“Of course, honestly!”
