“I swear to you on my life that you will be safe with me,” he said, firmly.
“I never doubted it, Mr. Darcy,” Jane replied.
The footman carried her trunk and tied it to the back of the carriage. Mr. Darcy handed her in. The upholstery was new and plush, and there were a number of blankets folded neatly on the bench.
Indicating a basket on the floor, he said, smiling, “My aunt’s cook always makes certain that I have enough food for several days, despite knowing that this journey is only thirty miles. I suppose she thinks I may be kidnapped by brigands, or something! In any case, please do help yourself.” With that, he closed the carriage door.
Jane could hear words spoken, instructions doubtless being given to the coachman, though she could not make them out. And in short order, the carriage was moving and she was on her way home.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Kitty, who liked to curl up on the window seat in the parlour, was the first to spy an unknown carriage entering Longbourn’s drive. “Mama, look at this carriage! Is it not fine?”
Mrs. Bennet peered out the window beside her daughter. “Why, I have never seen it before. It is not Mr. Bingley’s, that is certain.”
“It is Jane!” Kitty shrieked, jumping off the window seat and running to the front door.
“What on earth?” Mrs. Bennet demanded.
By the time Jane reached the front door on the arm of an unknown gentleman, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Kitty and Lydia had gathered together to welcome her. There was a general hubbub, but at the end of it, Jane was asking, “Where is Lizzy?”
“Out walking with Mr. Collins and Mary. But will you not introduce us, Jane?” Mrs. Bennet asked, nodding at Mr. Darcy.
“Oh! Mr. Darcy, please forgive me,” Jane said. “Allow me to present you to my family.”
After introductions were completed, Mr. Darcy was invited to take refreshments with the family. He was sorely tempted to do so, as he very much wished to speak to Miss Bennet and had had very little opportunity to do so during the journey, but hewas aware that he had not alerted Bingley as to his arrival. It would be best to get to Netherfield as soon as possible.
A practiced hostess, Mrs. Bennet saw his unease and promptly said, “Perhaps Mr. Darcy thinks he should pay his respects to his host and hostess at Netherfield first. Mr. Darcy, we see a good deal of your friend, Mr. Bingley. Might you join him when he next visits us?”
“I thank you, Mrs. Bennet. I will certainly do so, at my earliest opportunity.”
Once he took his leave of them, Mrs. Bennet would not rest until she learned all about the handsome gentleman with the elegant carriage! All of Jane’s protestations that she scarcely knew him, and it was merely coincidence that he was going to Meryton just when she wished to be home, went unregarded.
“But why are you here, Jane?” Mr. Bennet finally asked, once Mrs. Bennet’s curiousity had been satisfied. “Not that I am not happy to see you, child, but I thought that you were…” He trailed off.
“Finding a husband in London?” Jane said. “Well, I met any number of gentleman. I received offers from three gentlemen who were the sons of some of Uncle Gardiner’s friends, but I felt nothing for any of them, and so I refused. There was one gentleman, the son of a Baron, who seemed quite interested, but he vanished upon learning that I had no dowry.”
Mrs. Bennet opened her mouth and then closed it again. She and her husband traded uneasy glances. Alas, they would have to have the same conversation with Jane that they had had with Lizzy. Jane had turned down three offers, any one of which might have saved the Bennets! This marrying for love idea must be abandoned.
When Elizabeth, Mary and Mr. Collins returned, Jane waited until Mr. Collins was introduced, and then she wrappedElizabeth in a hug, whispering that they would speak very soon. It was not until bedtime, however, that Jane and Elizabeth were able to do so in private.
“Now, then, Jane, tell me the truth. Why did you come home?” Elizabeth demanded.
“Mary wrote me about what is happening here at Longbourn.”
Elizabeth frowned and shook her head. “She should not have done that She knew very well that I wished you to be kept in ignorance of the situation.”
“To my mind, she should not have had to do so,” Jane returned. “You should have told me yourself!”
“Jane, I hoped, oh, so very much, that you would find love in London!!”
“And you would sacrifice yourself for my benefit, was that your idea?” Jane’s voice was low, but she was clearly furious. “How do you think I would feel, knowing that my happiness was bought at the cost of your own?”
Elizabeth looked away.
“You did not consider that at all, did you! Lizzy, I love you! I could not bear to be happy and not see you the same!”
“I could be happy with Mr. Bingley!” Elizabeth insisted.
