Page 18 of The Sole Love

“Exactly, but we are good people in the end. Even Mr Darcy must eventually see us as we are: imperfect, perhaps, but happy, honest, and loyal people. From now on, you must think first of yourself, of how to improve this relationship you seem to share with him, and nothing else. Let Jane take care of herself this time, and if she cannot…well, she will have to learn her lessons as we all do.”

Elizabeth admired her aunt. She was always ready to listen to her nieces’ problems, and she also possessed the experience, common sense, and wit to see matters more clearly than they did.

“I admire your relationship with my uncle,” she said, blushing. It was unusual for parents to converse with their children so openly. Her father had always spoken freely with her, but he had guided her chiefly through the worlds of thought and reading. She could not imagine discussing such personal matters with him.

“Do not be fooled by the way we behave in public,” Mrs Gardiner said. Seeing Elizabeth’s astonishment, she continued, “We have our problems, and it took some time for your uncle to understand that he could not make all the decisions for our family. But gradually, he began to value my opinions.”

∞∞∞

“Do you like David…Mr Haskett?” Jane asked Elizabeth.

“Yes, I like what I have seen of him, but I need more time to form an opinion.”

“You will have plenty of time, dear sister, as we intend to see a great deal of each other.”

“Do you want to marry him?” Elizabeth asked as they prepared for a ride in an open carriage in Hyde Park, like so many Londoners who went there to see and be seen.

“No,” Jane answered without hesitation. “Well, perhaps in the future, but now I am enjoying our life with Aunt and Uncle. I adored living at Longbourn, but now that I have discovered a different way of living here in town, I want to spend as much time as possible in London.”

Balls and parties, visits to the theatre, rides and dinners had gradually become part of Jane’s life. Her natural inclination to think well of everyone had returned with surprising force, and almost every new acquaintance seemed agreeable or interesting. The shy young lady who had barely looked at her partner while dancing at Netherfield had not entirely disappeared. Still, she was now more confident, more willing to enjoy herself and less afraid of showing her pleasure. Young Haskett had encouraged that change from the beginning.

“He practically knows all of London.”

That was certainly not true, but Elizabeth could not deny that she liked David Haskett, particularly because of the change he had brought about in her sister’s behaviour and spirits. His intentions appeared honourable, and his eyes softened whenever he looked at Jane. He seemed to have taken it upon himself to show her that life in London could be enjoyed from breakfast until supper in a whirl of activity.

David’s mother had died when he was an infant, and Mr Haskett had later remarried. He and his second wife had two daughters about the same ages as the Gardiner girls. Jane had always been fond of children and affectionate with her young cousins; since meeting the Haskett girls, she had behaved like an attentive elder sister, always insisting that they be included whenever possible.

“I feel as though I am an older sister.”

“You already are, my dear,” Elizabeth replied with a touch of irony. “You have Mary, Kitty, and Lydia at home.”

Jane dismissed her words with a wave of her hand, a gesture quite unusual for her.

“You know what I mean. Our sisters are almost grown, while Cynthia and Alexandra are still young and looking for someone to follow.”

“They have their mother.”

“Of course I am not trying to take Mrs Haskett’s place. I can hardly wait for Mama and Papa to arrive. It will be my first opportunity to spend time in Bath.”

Recently, Mr and Mrs Haskett had invited the Gardiners to join them at their property near Bath. The invitation had been extended to the Bennets, as Mr Haskett was eager to see his old friends again.

Finally, Jane accepted that it was time to tell her mother what was happening, though she remained determined not to let Mrs Bennet interfere in this new relationship.

Amid the general enthusiasm, Mr Gardiner wrote a long letter to his sister and brother Bennet, insisting that they make the journey to London and then accompany them to Bath. He also mentioned that Jane had finally stopped grieving and seemed ready to continue with her life far sooner than any of them had expected.

And not in just any manner, but in the company of the son of an old friend.

Chapter 9

Mr Gardiner’s letter arrived at Longbourn on a rainy afternoon at the end of June, an hour or so before dinner. Mr Bennet carried it into the library and sent for his wife. Letters from London were always welcome, and Mrs Bennet settled eagerly beside him, waiting for the news.

Before opening the missive, they sat for a while discussing their daughters. They decided it was probably time to call Elizabeth and Jane home and allow Kitty and Lydia to spend some time in London instead. Their youngest daughters constantly complained about being left behind while their elder sisters enjoyed all the benefits of travel.

Mr Bennet finally put on his glasses and opened the letter. As usual, he quickly glanced through it before reading aloud, smiling at some of Mr Gardiner’s more elaborate phrases.

“Hurry, Mr Bennet. Do not smile to yourself. I am also eager to know their news,” said Mrs Bennet.

Her husband nodded and began to read, adopting the deep voice of her brother Gardiner, much to Mrs Bennet’s amusement.