Page 163 of A Question of Character

The prospect did not comfort her.

Still, she went.

twenty

Matters of the Heart

Elizabeth had not meant to neglect Jane.

The discovery came upon her in a shameful little rush one morning when Mr. Bingley’s curricle appeared in the lane, his groom behind him, and Jane, who had been sitting quite serenely over a piece of work by the window, colored before the sound of wheels reached the front door.

Elizabeth paused with one hand upon the back of a chair.

“Oh,” she said.

Jane’s needle moved with suspicious care. “Oh?”

“You are expecting Mr. Bingley.”

“Mama is expecting Mr. Bingley. I am merely aware that he sometimes calls at this hour.”

“Sometimes?”

“Lizzy.”

“How many times have I missed this?”

Jane’s mouth trembled with suppressed amusement. “Enough that I began to wonder whether Mr. Darcy had carried off your powers of observation along with your peace of mind.”

Elizabeth dropped into the chair opposite her. “That is unkind.”

“It is true.”

“I thought you were incapable of such cruelty.”

“I have been saving it.”

Elizabeth laughed despite herself, then sobered. “I am sorry, Jane. I have been selfishly occupied.”

“You have been in love and vexed and uncertain. That is a great deal of occupation for one person.”

“I would rather be in love.”

“That would be simpler.”

“It would also leave me less aware of Mr. Darcy’s every contradiction.”

Jane set her work aside. “You are still troubled.”

“How can I be otherwise? Mr. Wickham sits in our drawing room and appears every inch the reformed man he claims to be. Mr. Darcy, whom I trust, insists he is dangerous. And both gentlemen speak with such conviction that I sometimes think the truth has played us a very unkind trick.”

Jane’s expression gentled. “Perhaps the truth is merely waiting for someone patient enough to find it.”

“I am not feeling patient.”

“No. I had observed that.”

Before Elizabeth could reply, the door opened and Mrs. Bennet entered in a flutter of satisfaction.