“It is very good of you, your sister, and mother to come all this way just to see me.” Miss Bingley smiled, though it did not reach her eyes.
“We are happy to do it. We are neighbours, after all, and ensuring we have good connexions with those who live closest to us enriches our lives, does it not?”
Besides, Elizabeth thought, it was only three miles from Longbourn. It was not as though they had to drive all the way to town, or even the other side of the county! The way Miss Bingley spoke made it sound as though there was some hardship involved in visiting her.
“My brother and I had such an agreeable time the other evening. I was so glad to meet your cousin. What a charming man!”
Elizabeth thanked her and waited, assuming there was a purpose to the other lady’s remarks. Sure enough, it became apparent when she continued.
“It seemed to me that you and he are good friends.”
“We are.”
Miss Bingley hesitated, almost as if giving Elizabeth an opportunity to say more, but when she remained silent, said, “I have heard a hint or two that you and he will be more than friends before long. Now that he has taken orders, he is sure to find a living soon. Was he not away enquiring about one?”
“He was. If all goes well, he will have secured a respectable situation by the end of the year.”
The smile on Miss Bingley’s face could only be called a grin. Why she was so pleased was a mystery Elizabeth did not expect to solve.
“That is just what I was told—and that news of your engagement is sure to follow.”
Elizabeth’s jaw almost dropped at the insolence of the woman to pry into her private affairs in such a bold manner. They hardly knew each other, Elizabeth would not call them friends, and she would be incredibly surprised if Miss Bingley said they were. Rather than provide a direct response, she turned to humour.
“Do you think we would suit as husband and wife? Granted, you just met my cousin, so your basis for judging is slight. Consider that there are five Miss Bennets. Does that not present him with an enviable choice of possible brides? Really, would not any of us do? I must excuse Lydia from your calculations. She is too young to marry. It is not Jane, either. She is unencumbered by any attachment to him. Now, as to Kitty, Mary, and myself, we each have our attractions and our…less charming attributes, just as everyone does.” Elizabeth wanted to make it clear there was no reason Mr Bingley should halt his pursuit of Jane, as much as she wanted to tease Miss Bingley about speculating on William’s choice of wife.
Elizabeth observed as Miss Bingley’s brow furrowed. She stared at Elizabeth, almost as though willing her to continue and disclose which of them was going to marry William, if indeed any of her sisters were.
At length, Miss Bingley said, “Your parents will be happy to have him and one of their daughters suitably settled.”
“We shall all be filled with delight on that happy day.Shouldit be in our future.”
After a fleeting smile, Miss Bingley left her, and to Elizabeth’s great pleasure, her mother soon signalled they should depart.
* * *
Later the same day, Elizabeth and Jane sat in the latter’s bedchamber before retiring. Jane had a great deal to say about their time at Netherfield Park, most of it about Mr Bingley.
“He is everything a young man should be, Lizzy, more than I ever hoped to find in a gentleman. He is charming, considerate, and very kind to me. I do not deserve it, I am sure, but— Oh, I cannot describe the way he makes me feel. The looks he gives me…” She blushed prettily.
“Pray, do continue.” It was difficult to keep the corners of her mouth from twitching into a smile.
“Stop teasing me!” Jane pinched her arm, which made Elizabeth laugh.
“I can see how much you like him, and it is clear for all to see that he likes you just as much,” Elizabeth said.
“I believe he does. It is as though I am melting or floating. I never knew I could feel this way.”
“Has he said anythingparticular?” Elizabeth asked.
“It is too soon for that sort of thing, but he is…very complimentary,” Jane said again, the colour in her cheeks deepening. “He told me he has never met a lady whom he is drawn to as much as he is me. I could hardly believe it. And he talks about the future in averypointed manner and several times has remarked how glad he is he took Netherfield of all estates, because if he had not, we never would have met. You must have seen how he always seeks me out when we are in company. I have told him he should not, that he should spend more time with other people, but…”
“He much prefers you, which shows he is discerning, as well as handsome and charming.”
When Jane bit her lower lip and averted her eyes, Elizabeth wondered what secrets her sister was keeping. She would not press her to divulge them, but she did ask, “Is there anything more you would like to tell me aboutyourMr Bingley?”
“You recall Miss Bingley saying they will be sending out invitations soon, but she would not say for what, that it is to be a surprise?”
Elizabeth nodded.
