Page 13 of Resilience

“Yes, I prefer history and novels, though I see no need to limit myself. I enjoy anything that looks or sounds engaging,” Elizabeth admitted.

“I quite agree. One may learn nearly as much from the observation of fiction as from more instructional texts.” Darcy smiled.

“That is not a common opinion amongst gentlemen,” Elizabeth noted.

“That is all too true,” he agreed. “But my father had an open mind, and so the library at Pemberley is extensive and varied.”

“My father is similar, although I suspect the library at Pemberley is somewhat more extensive than the one at Longbourn.” A creak in the hall made them both jump, and she curtsied and took her leave of the gentleman.

“I must see if I can bring anything to my sister. Thank you for the book, Mr Darcy.”

As she left the library, she encountered Miss Bingley in the hall, obviously eavesdropping near the open door. “Miss Bingley, are you looking for a book?

“Yes, I was looking for something to read to Jane.” Miss Bingley eyed the novel in Elizabeth’s hand. “I am sure that one would be just the thing.”

“I am sorry, Miss Bingley, but this book was loaned to me, so I cannot lend it myself,” Elizabeth apologised. “But I am certain you will find something in your library.”

She curtsied and left Miss Bingley in the hall.

She only read quietly in Jane’s room for a half hour before Miss Bingley returned to wake Jane–again–for no reason that Elizabeth could determine. Jane was quick to excuse Elizabeth from the room, who then found Georgiana and Priscilla in their shared parlour, where they often spent time hiding from Miss Bingley.

Later, Elizabeth checked upon Jane again not long before it was time to go down to dinner. She found Jane waiting in irritation.

“Lizzy, how could you?” Jane demanded.

“Jane, whatever are you speaking of?” Elizabeth asked with an air of tiredness about her. She was tired of being at Netherfield and tired of being unwelcome to Jane. She wished to go home, even with Mr Bennet’s financial resentment flavouring each conversation held in his house.

“Can you not go two days together without seeking attention? Now from men who are spoken for? How can you explain your conduct?”

“Spoken for?” Elizabeth laughed. “The only gentleman in this house who is spoken for to my knowledge is Mr Hurst, and I hope you do not believe I have set my cap at him. Nor would I compete against you for Mr Bingley after you have declared your interest to me, particularly since he is quite obviously falling in love with you just at the thought of your being ill under his roof.”

“Miss Bingley believes she has an understanding with Mr Darcy,” Jane explained. “Lizzy, she is deeply attached to him. She says that their union was planned while the previous Mrs Darcy was dying.”

“She may be deeply attached to his circumstances and his wealth, Jane, but I am quite certain that Mr Darcy does not like Miss Bingley. I have never witnessed him encourage her in any way. If anything, he is distinctly discouraging in her presence. And what sort of lady becomes betrothed to a man who is not yet widowed? I might be persuaded that Miss Bingley is such a woman, but I simply cannot believe that Mr Darcy is such a man. What a thing to say about a widower. He certainly does not deserve this disparagement of his character.”

“You are lively, and you draw the attention of the men away from even the loveliest ladies, that has always been true, Lizzy.” Jane crossed her arms over her chest. “Miss Bingley is certain that your behaviour has encouraged him away from her. You are always drawing him in, she says. You work just like Mama and Lydia when it comes to men.”

“I beg your pardon!” Elizabeth would not stand for such an insult. “I have never behaved like Lydia in my life, and I do not believe that I am drawing Mr Darcy away from Miss Bingley, Jane. I am only the friend of his cousin and sister.”

“I am certain that you believe so.” Jane shook her head. “I only wish that you would be more cautious, for my sake if no other’s. If you steal his sister’s intended, do you really believe that Mr Bingley will offer for me?”

“Jane Bennet, I would hardly steal anyone’s intended!” Elizabeth objected. “Mr Darcy is not interested in me, so if he does not marry Miss Bingley, it will hardly be my fault.”

“Then please…do not again place me in the position of defending you!” Jane insisted firmly. “If you wished for my happiness, you would leave Mr Darcy and his family alone.”

“I cannot just ask the man not to speak to me and it would be the height of cruelty for me to snub his sister and cousin after they have extended their friendship, Jane, quite of their own accord, I might add.” Elizabeth would not be moved. “Poor Miss Darcy would be hurt, and Lady Priscilla would be rightfully outraged. But I assure you, I do not seek out Mr Darcy’s company, and I will continue not to seek him out intentionally. That will have to be enough for you.”

“I cannot believe you will not oblige me in this matter.” Jane’s tone was harsher than Elizabeth had ever heard it.

“That is because the very notion is ridiculous, Jane, and there is little else I can do about it!” Elizabeth cried. “I have almost no dowry, no connections. The behaviour of our mother as well as Kitty and Lydia makes us nearly notorious. Mr Darcy would sooner take up with a circus before he offered for someone with my background. The man’s last wife brought him a fortune most men would kill for. Why on earth would such a man take any respectable interest in me?”

“He would not, and I am glad that you recognise how easily you might be taken advantage of and used, Sister.” Jane’s tone was unyieldingly cold.

“That is not at all what I meant!” Elizabeth objected. “Mr Darcy is an honourable man, I am sure of it, he would never make such an offer! I am certain he has no interest in making offers to me of any kind.”

“You are probably correct. You are so coarse that I doubt that you could even serve in the capacity of mistress with any distinction. But you must not chase after him. Promise me now, Lizzy.”

Elizabeth stared at her sister in disbelief, then turned on her heel and left Jane alone in her room.