Page 47 of Miss Bingley’s Return

Mrs. Hurst’s eyes flicked to where Elizabeth was speaking to several other ladies, and then to her sister, who was next to Mr. Darcy. Then her eyes found Jane again.

“My sister was excited to welcome you to London,” said she, not revealing anything.

Jane did not want to get into a back and forth about who was more excited, but before she could summon a response, Mrs. Hurst spoke again.

“How have you and Charles been getting on?”

It was more direct than Jane had supposed, though the question was not a surprise.

“Do not suppose that I ask with ulterior motives, Miss Bennet,” said Mrs. Hurst. “Nor do I ask to censure. I know my brother, yet what I see in him appears to be at odds with Caroline’s interpretation, and I would know the truth.”

Jane considered how to respond, then decided the absolute truth would serve. “I esteem Mr. Bingley very well, Mrs. Hurst, but I do not believe he is mine.”

“Yet Caroline would have you for a sister regardless.”

“Would you?” asked Jane pointedly.

It was Mrs. Hurst’s turn to consider her answer. “If it is the wish of you both, I would not oppose it.”

For a moment, Jane reflected on the benefits of saying what she knew of Miss Whitcombe. In the end, she decided against it. But Mrs. Hurst had made her sentiments clear, so Jane elected to return the favor.

“Then we are aligned in spirit, Mrs. Hurst. However, I would like you to know that I will not accept Mr. Bingley unless I have his assurance that it is his choice, because of his attachment to me. No other consideration will induce me to accept.”

Mrs. Hurst’s gaze never wavered. “When we departed from Hertfordshire, there was some . . . suggestion that your mother would have more influence in your decision than you suggest.”

“My mother’s character is not a mystery to me,” replied Jane. “Yet my opinions are not the same. Mama worries about the future—I am not insensible to the realities of my situation, but I will not compromise my principles. The choice is mine, and my father will support me.”

That was all Mrs. Hurst needed to hear. She nodded and squeezed Jane’s hand. “Please understand that should my brother choose you, I will welcome you, and not for the same reason as Caroline. If he does not, then I wish nothing but the best for you.”

It was a statement of friendship Jane had never heard from Mrs. Hurst, and far more sincere than anything Miss Bingley had offered. Moved, Jane could do nothing but return the sentiment.

“We must wait and see what happens. Should Mr. Bingley choose against me, I hope to keep your friendship.”

“I would like that.”

Jane did not have long to reflect on what had just occurred. The moment Mrs. Hurst stepped away, another approached, bowed, and engaged her in conversation.

“This is a most interesting evening, Miss Bennet,” said Mr. Harrington.

“Why is that, sir?” asked Jane, though she had an inkling of his meaning.

The gentleman regarded her over the rim of the glass he held, sipping from it in apparent thought. “Why, only that the conductor of recent events seems content to pull back and witness rather than control.”

“It is no surprise you have seen something of it, I suppose,” replied Jane. “But I am curious about how much.”

Mr. Harrington did not vacillate. “Miss Bingley is determined to match you with her brother. The extent of your interest and Bingley’s in obliging her is less certain—in fact, Bingley seems torn between two worlds. While this is going on, however, your sister and Darcy have been orbiting each other in ever closer circles. It seems Miss Bingley has finally taken notice.”

Jane followed his gaze to where Miss Bingley still stood with Mr. Darcy. Unlike before, however, she had taken notice of Jane’s position with Mr. Harrington, though Jane could not say if she had seen anything of her conversation with Mrs. Hurst. Miss Bingley had not chosen to move just yet, but the threat of it hung in the air.

“That last is more curious than anything,” continued Mr. Harrington, capturing her attention once again. “Though I have never counted Darcy a close friend, our circles overlap, and I have been acquainted with him for many months. Darcy has never so much as glanced at a woman twice.”

“Then this is even more curious than I supposed,” said Jane, stifling a laugh. “For you see, when Mr. Darcy came to Hertfordshire he acted as if everyone was beneath him, and my sister did not like him at all.”

Mr. Harrington chuckled. Another man was moving through the room, brushing past him, murmuring an apology, but Mr. Harrington took no notice.

“That first does not surprise me, though the last is interesting. Most ladies in society will forgive almost anything once they learn of Darcy’s position.”

“Lizzy is no typical lady,” replied Jane. “My sister is far more concerned with character than wealth.”