Page 5

The assembly progressed, and she and Jane proved to be popular partners. Near the end of the evening, Mr. Bingley solicited a second set with the eldest Bennet sister. What a joy to see her sister singled out. She watched, satisfied, as Mr. Bingley escorted Jane to the floor once more.

Mrs. Bennet was by far the most pleased and spent the ride back to Longbourn congratulating herself on having given birth to such beautiful daughters.

“Jane, Mr. Bingley is besotted! Yes, this is it. I can feel it. He is the one who will save us from the hedgerows.” She continued in that vein until they reached home, where she promptly repeated herself to Mr. Bennet.

“Enough! It has been a peaceful evening. If only Mr. Bingley had sprained his ankle after the first set. Then I might not be plagued by your repeated triumphant exclamations.” Mr. Bennet shook his head. “Come, my dears, it is best that we go to bed.”

He offered his wife his arm, and Mrs. Bennet took it, covering her mouth against a strong yawn.

The sisters followed their parents upstairs. Elizabeth helped Jane to undress, and her sister returned the favor.

“Well?” Elizabeth asked.

“Well, what?”

Elizabeth shook her head. “You cannot hide from me, dear sister. I know you better than anyone. You like him.”

“Mr. Bingley is merely amiable and eager to please,” Jane protested, though her cheeks betrayed her.

“Oh? If you insist.” Elizabeth hit Jane with a pillow. “I shall reserve judgment, but my initial impressions are that he is a kind, welcoming man.” She paused. “Not every charming gentleman will leave and never be heard from again, dearest.”

Jane sighed. “Are you still holding on to that childhood grudge? I was not in love—merely enamored and welcoming of the attention.”

“Protest all you like.” Elizabeth crossed her arms.

“You must forget him, Lizzy. You have painted an innocent man as a poetical villain. It has been seven years.”

Elizabeth did not reply. She would never forgive the man who caused her sister pain, even if Jane was determined she should.

3

Six Weeks of Courtship

It was soon clear to everyone that Jane was enamored with Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth watched their neighbor closely, but he seemed to be everything he presented. Mr. Bingley’s sisters, by contrast, were supercilious and pretentious. They looked down on everyone in the area, and more than one person said they’d overheard them calling the residents all manner of names.

Elizabeth’s reservations about her sister making a match with Mr. Bingley gradually subsided. Jane’s confidence grew with every moment of attention he granted her, and his genuine enthusiasm for her company could not be mistaken.

Mr. Bingley called at Longbourn a few days after the assembly, ostensibly to speak with Mr. Bennet about estate business.

“I do appreciate your aid, sir,” he said as the gentlemen joined the ladies in the drawing room for tea. “My friend was to come stay, but his visit has been delayed until November. It cannot be helped, but it has left me floundering.”

“The estate manager will handle most of your concerns,” Mr. Bennet replied agreeably. “That is a benefit of leasing an estate. I admire your efforts to understand the situation.”

Mr. Bingley greeted the ladies and promptly sat beside Jane. Elizabeth noted her sister’s blush and was happy when she and Mr. Bingley began to speak easily.

Elizabeth opted to keep Mrs. Bennet distracted during tea. She whispered about anything she could think of to distract her mother, and it worked. Mr. Bingley ended up staying for more than an hour. Finally, he thanked them for the hospitality and departed.

“What an amiable gentleman!” Mrs. Bennet cried. “And so attentive to Jane. My dear girl, you will be engaged before Christmas, I am certain.”

“We have only just become acquainted, Mama,” Jane reminded her. “Please, let our friendship proceed naturally.”

“Am I not doing that?” Mrs. Bennet blustered. “Of course, I am. Now, let us discuss what we must do to secure Mr. Bingley. Five thousand a year! We would be saved from the hedgerows.”

And thus, it continued. Elizabeth worked to keep Mrs. Bennet’s excesses disguised from the Netherfield party while encouraging Jane to display her emotions. Jane struggled with removing the carefully curated mask she had worn for years, but tried to listen to her sister. Her efforts appeared to be working, however, because Mr. Bingley continued to call.

The gentleman’s sisters invited Jane to dine with them one night, soon after the militia came to be quartered in Meryton for the winter. Elizabeth managed to convince their father to send Jane in the carriage, despite Mrs. Bennet’s desire that she go on horseback. This proved to be wise, for a deluge began soon after her departure.

“Jane would have been forced to spend the night had she arrived on Nellie,” Mrs. Bennet complained. “Lizzy, you ought to mind your own business.”