Page 25 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

“Aye, miss?”

“We do not recognize your livery. From where have you come?” Jane asked, smiling engagingly.

“From Netherfield, miss.”

“Thank you,” she said, nodding her dismissal. He hurried off, and she looked at Lizzy and Mary. “An invitation?”

“Let us make haste and discover it,” Lizzy suggested, starting forward.

They found their mother in the morning room, an expression of rapture overtaking her countenance. She held a stiff card against her bosom.

“We have received an invitation, girls!” she cried. “From Netherfield!”

“An at home day announcement?” Jane asked, hastening across the room. “From Miss Bingley?”

“From Miss Bingley, yes,” their dear mama revealed, her eyes wide, and her smile a little cunning. “But it is better than a lady’s at-home day. It is an afternoon party for Thursday, where we are to try a new tea blend. I expect the gentlemen will be there, which they might not have been for an at-home day.”

“We shall not be required to leave after twenty minutes, either,” Lizzy pointed out.

“No, indeed,” their mama said, nodding in clear satisfaction. “And tea is so dear that the party must be exclusive. They will not part with this new blend to just anyone.”

Mary scowled. “If that is so, I wonder at their inviting me.”

Her mama grimaced. “They only invited me, your father, Jane, and Lizzy.” She waved the invitation at Mary’s cold expression. “How were they to know you are out as well, Mary? Besides, Miss Bingley will not wish to have your glum face ruining her party.”

Jane, who had been warmly holding her mother’s arm, released it, retreating into the corner of the sofa.

“I shall not attend if Mary is not invited,” Jane said in a soft, but resolute voice.

“But, Jane!” her mother exclaimed.

Jane held up her hand. “No, Mama. You cannot convince me, for I am determined not to go without Mary.”

“I will also stay home,” Lizzy said, taking up the challenge. She tucked her arm through Mary’s and squeezed it.

“I cannot go where I have not been invited,” Mary said, swallowing and looking downcast.

“But, girls,” their mama wailed. “I am sure it is only a misunderstanding. You simply must go. Jane, you cannot lose this opportunity to get to know Mr. Bingley better. And Mr. Darcy, as well, Lizzy.”

“What about Lydia and Kitty?” Jane asked.

Their mama winced.

“I see,” Jane said quietly.

The door flew open, and the two youngest Bennet sisters swept into the room.

“We are finished,” they announced, grinning widely.

Lydia stopped their forward motion by grasping Kitty’s arm. “Say, what has all of you looking so miserable? Has someone died?”

Lizzy shook her head. “That is not the problem. We received an invitation to an afternoon party—”

“From Lady Lucas?” Kitty asked.

“No, not from Lady Lucas,” Jane said in her quiet way. “The invitation is from Miss Bingley.”

Mary brushed past them, heading toward the door, saying, “We younger sisters were not invited.”