“Please, Miss Darcy, do sit down,” her companion bade her, though Mrs. Annesley could not help from smiling at her charge’s good humour.
“Read it, read it,” Georgiana chanted, thrusting her letter at Mrs. Annesley.
That good lady complied at once.
Dear Georgiana,
I am delighted to tell you that Reginald is actually getting married! Yes, you read that correctly, though no one could blame you for doubting your eyesight! It is to take place on the fourteenth of January in Meryton, where the young lady lives.
Your brother is visiting the area with his friend Mr. Bingley, so we are all invited to stay at Mr. Bingley’s leased estate, called Netherfield Park. Your uncle and I would very much like you to attend, and will send a carriage for you on the ninth of January, so that you may arrive no later than the thirteenth of January. Thiswill give you ample time to rest up for the wedding the following day.
I very much look forward to seeing you, dear Georgiana, for it has been far too long!
All my love,
Aunt Eleanor
“We do not need their carriage, though,” Georgiana said. “We have plenty of carriages of our own. I will write and tell them that.”
“But we do not know what inns to stop at, Miss Darcy,” Mrs. Annesley advised her. “It may be best to accept their help.”
“No, Brother will know what to do.” With that, Georgiana went at once to her writing desk.
Chapter Eighty
Jane read her aunt’s short letter several times, her heart sinking. She was to wait until the fortnight was over? But had they not promised to send a carriage as soon as it was required? She did not understand. She found she no longer had an appetite for her breakfast and went upstairs, where she lay down on her bed, motionless. How had her life come to this?
When she heard a knock on her door, she called out, “Go away!”
The knock became persistent, and finally the door opened. “Mama, I am not feeling well.”
“Well, get over it quickly, Jane, as Mr. Bingley is here.”
“He is here every day, but it means nothing,” Jane’s voice was dull.
“He is dressed up very nicely, Jane. I think this is the day!” Mrs. Bennet’s voice was exultant.
“it does not matter; I will not accept him.”
“What! Jane, sit up. Whatever is the matter with you??” Mrs. Bennet was outraged.
Suddenly angry, Jane sat up. “What is the matter with me? Mama, you tell me how I am to say yes to a marriage proposal and then immediately demand three thousand pounds from him!”
“It is not for you to ask for the money, it is your father’s business to do so,” Mrs. Bennet fired back. “All you need to do is to say yes, thank you!”
“I will not do it,” Jane declared. “He will then know me for a fortune hunter!”
“Youarea fortune hunter!” Mrs. Bennet shrieked in rage. “Your father has turned you into one!”
There was silence in the room as the two ladies stared at one another. Jane then threw herself back onto the bed, and put a pillow over her head. All of Mrs. Bennet’s cajolings were for naught, and she was forced, at last, to go downstairs to tell Mr. Bingley that Miss Bennet was not up to seeing visitors today.
Chapter Eighty-One
Upon returning to Netherfield Park, Mr. Bingley shut himself up in his study. He had gone to Longbourn in his finest clothes, clutching a posy. It must have been quite clear that this was to be no ordinary morning call; indeed, his intention could not have been mistaken. Yet, she had refused to see him. It was as he had long feared. Jane Bennet did not care for him.
He put his head into his hands and wept.
It was Mr. Darcy who eventually found him and comforted him. “Honestly, Bingley, I thought she would accept your proposal gladly,” he said. “Do not blame yourself for misreading her behaviour, for I misread it as well.”
