Page 6 of A Sisterly Bond

Your truly,

William Collins.”

Mr Gardiner put the letter down, looking at his wife and nieces, who were momentarily speechless. Then Elizabeth began to laugh.

“Every time we believe Mr Collins cannot be worse, he proves us wrong,” she stated, and the others only nodded. “I confess I greatly anticipate meeting Lady Catherine de Bourgh — she must be quite a spectacle herself. I wonder whether she resembles her nephew Mr Darcy, for she cannot possibly be anything like Miss Darcy.”

For the rest of the day and during dinner, the main subject of conversation was the Darcys and their relatives. The doctor arrived and briefly examined the patients, declaring himself satisfied with their progress but still recommending no travel for several more days. Elizabeth found herself content with the notion and wondered when they would be able to accept Miss Darcy’s invitation for tea.

Chapter 3

The following morning brought a quiet industry to Gracechurch Street.

The fortuitous meeting with Miss Darcy was still discussed with much interest, and even Mr Gardiner engaged in the conversation.

“So will you consider Miss Darcy’s invitation?” the gentleman enquired. “Do you think it was meant in earnest or just a polite gesture?”

“She seemed eager to prolong our encounter and quite disappointed when we could not oblige,” Mrs Gardiner said. “It must have been my previous knowledge of her parents that aroused her interest, and I have to say it touched my heart. I would feel uncomfortable to disappoint her again. What do you think?”

“I think you should write to her, if you feel it is appropriate. Besides, a visit to Miss Darcy would be a pleasurable diversion, I assume,” Mr Gardiner replied, glancing at his nieces.

“She did come to my aid when I fell, which very few, if any, other ladies of her status would have done,” Elizabeth interjected, half in jest. “Some ladies of significantly lower status would have never helped anyone,” she added meaningfully.

“I cannot argue with you, Lizzy. You have been very quiet, Jane. What do you think?” Mrs Gardiner asked.

“Miss Darcy is very beautiful, as well as charming,” Jane said softly. “I wonder whether I should consider her invitation too… I doubt she has any interest in me.”

“What nonsense!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “I admit her main interest must be in the acquaintance with our aunt, but Miss Darcy was so amiable to both of us too. How could you disregard her attentions because of some silly implication by women of lower status and character?”

Glances were exchanged around the table, and Elizabeth continued, “I am sure we all understand what I mean. Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst stated that their brother dedicates most of his time to Miss Darcy and suggested their connection is expected to grow into something more. Miss Darcy explained she had scarcely seen either Bingley. Who should we believe, really?” She gave her sister a firm look.

“My last visit to Grosvenor Street was rather unpleasant. I hope a more delightful one might eclipse that memory, so I shall write to Miss Darcy immediately. I think we could spare some time for such an occasion,” Mrs Gardiner concluded.

“Speaking of writing,” Mr Gardiner said, “I just received a reply from my brother Bennet. Lizzy, you may want to read and answer it since half of it contains teasing about your delay in meeting Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”

“Papa never disappoints,” Elizabeth said with a laugh.

After that, Mr Gardiner departed to attend to his business, Jane expressed a wish to play with the children, and Elizabeth and Mrs Gardiner moved to the library.

“Jane is still disheartened, after all this time,” the lady said once the door closed. “I fear she simply chooses to remain trapped in her sadness and refuse to even attempt to mend her broken heart.”

“I confess I hoped to find her in a better disposition, but I was wrong,” Elizabeth replied. “And I am angry with Mr Bingley. He is either weak or just shallow and unworthy of such devotion.”

“What do you mean, Lizzy?”

“It is quite simple, Aunt. If his feelings for Jane were strong enough, he would not have simply disappeared when he said he would return to Netherfield in a week. He broke his promise, so there were either no true feelings on his side or not enough determination to fight for them, even against his own sisters.”

“Your judgment is harsh but sound. I admit I have struggled myself to find an excuse for him not even sending Jane a polite greeting after all these months. If he has some regard for her, he should have done so. Unless his sisters have not informed him that Jane is in town, which would be a shocking deception on their part.”

“If they have dared to sustain such a lie for all this time, it cannot be out of any sort of consideration for their brother. They simply treat him like a child. Which leads me to believe he is unworthy of Jane’s affection and devotion because his feelings must have been shallow or his character weak,” Elizabeth concluded, growing irritated.

“I would like to find reason to disagree, Lizzy, but I cannot. Now let us write our letters, then I shall go and ask Sir William whether he wishes to send a reply to Mr Collins.”

***

The following morning brought warm, sunny weather, a note from Miss Darcy that she was expecting them for tea the next day at noon, and a surprise: Mr King, Mary King’s uncle, called at Gracechurch Street. The Bennets’ connection to the Kings was just a superficial one; they rarely, if ever, visited Hertfordshire, so such an appearance was utterly fortuitous.

“Mrs Gardiner, I beg your forgiveness for arriving unannounced,” Mr King said. “I am not sure whether you remember me since we only met once, this past Christmas, when you visited Longbourn. Your sister Mrs Bennet provided me with your address.”