Page 2 of Miss Bingley’s Return

The woman’s titter of embarrassment seemed as false as everything else about her. Elizabeth remained silent, wondering how Miss Bingley would make her case.

“Louisa and I have been desolate without you, Jane,” explained Miss Bingley. “We should be pleased to enjoy your society.”

Miss Bingley paused in consideration. “You could not stay with me at Charles’s house, of course, for I know how close you are to him. As I recall, you have relations in London, do you not?”

“My brother lives on Gracechurch Street,” said Mrs. Bennet, appearing nonplused, but more eager every passing moment. “Edward does not move in exalted circles, but he has many acquaintances.”

“Ah, then that would be perfect,” said Miss Bingley, though she gave her approval with an odd wrinkling of her nose. “We shall escort you to all the best events as our guest.

“Of course,” continued Miss Bingley as if it were an afterthought, “it would also please my brother to see you.”

“That is an excellent notion!” cried Mrs. Bennet, answering in Jane’s stead. “Why, the notion of a season in London is a most excellent proposition. My brother and sister would be most pleased to welcome Jane into their home.”

“If I did not know the Gardiners,” said Mr. Bennet as he put his paper to the side, “I might wonder at your confidence, given you have volunteered them to host your eldest daughter.”

“Stuff and nonsense!” exclaimed Mrs. Bennet. “Madeleine will be pleased to have her.”

“Yes, I dare say you are correct, my dear,” agreed Mr. Bennet. Then he turned an upraised eyebrow on Jane. “Your mother has presumed to accept on your behalf, Jane, but I would hear your opinion.”

Mrs. Bennet opened her mouth to reply, but Mr. Bennet silenced her with a glare. Though she appeared uncertain, Jane answered the way Elizabeth had known she would.

“There was some talk that I would go to London after Christmas.”

“And we would have welcomed you,” was Miss Bingley’s warm response. “Shall you not do us the honor of your company now?”

“It is something I must discuss with my family,” said Jane.

Annoyance flashed across Miss Bingley’s face before it disappeared. The woman offered Jane a nod and then pressed her hands.

“Please allow me to entreat you with all the affection I possess to join us. I promise we shall be a merry party if you will only consent.”

Jane nodded, but she made no promise. Miss Bingley acted as if consent had been given and the exact date of Jane’s arrival was decided. She spoke of parties, of balls, the theater and all the attractions in London, making them sound like the height of refinement. To her, they likely were.

At length, she rose and stated her need to depart, rising along with Jane. Before she left, however, she offered one more appeal.

“You have my direction,” said she. “When you decide, write to me and tell me the date you will arrive, and I shall visit you.”

Then she curtseyed and went away, leaving one excited matron, one bemused patron, a suspicious sister, and Jane herself, considering the matter as if trying to solve a puzzle. For several moments after Miss Bingley left, no one spoke. It was no surprise when Mrs. Bennet found her voice first.

“How excellent it was of Miss Bingley to visit!” said she, excitement ringing in her voice. “And to go out of her way to invite our Jane to London! That is a civility I had never expected of her.”

“No, I dare say that none of us had,” agreed Mr. Bennet.

“How fortunate you are, Jane!” exclaimed Lydia, giggling with Kitty. “To spend the season in London with your beau will be so much fun!”

“Maybe aunt and uncle would agree to host us too!” added Kitty.

“I think not,” said Mr. Bennet. “In London, girls do not come out until they are eighteen.”

“It matters not,” said Lydia, unconcerned. “Kitty and I prefer the company of the officers.”

“Yes, I believe we all apprehend that much,” said Mr. Bennet. “It is fortunate that Wickham is gone, for your silliness in the company of the officers rose to prodigious proportions when that man was present.”

Elizabeth did not disagree. What had prompted Mr. Wickham to depart she could not say, but not long after Christmas, he had resigned his commission and disappeared, and no one in the neighborhood had seen him since. While she had thought him an amiable man, Elizabeth’s heart had remained untouched, but the girls had lamented his absence since the moment of his departure.

The sitting-room in Longbourn then devolved into its usual factions. Mrs. Bennet crowed about the family’s good fortune and the wedding breakfast she was already planning, but Mr. Bennet watched Jane, waiting for her to speak. It was not in Mrs. Bennet’s nature to wait for a response, so her next words came before Jane could say anything.

“Oh, but this business of Jane refusing such a kind invitation is all nonsense. You must go to London, Jane. I am certain that Miss Bingley means to present you to her brother at the first available opportunity. You will have no better supporter than Miss Bingley.”