* * * *
‘Ah! There you are, Jane. Why are you not dancing? There are a dozen attractive gentlemen without partners, you only have to look in their direction and they shall be here immediately to ask you.’
Jane shook her head slightly. ‘I have no wish to dance again, thank you, ma’am. I am engaged for the supper dance with Mr Bingley, I believe it is the one after this, and I do not wish to be overheated.’
‘Indeed you do not, my dear. I see that he has not stood up so far with anyone apart from Miss Bingley, Charlotte and yourself. He has walked past several hopeful young ladies, I am sure that is a sign of his partiality to you.’
The music finished and Jane turned, eagerly scanning the crowd, waiting for Charles to arrive. She dreaded to think what her mother might say to embarrass them both, so moved away as soon as she saw him advancing in her direction.
His colour was hectic, his eyes alight with laughter. ‘My word, that was a lively jig. I have scarcely got breath enough for our dance, Miss Bennet.’
‘I shall be perfectly content to sit it out with you, Mr Bingley, if that is what you prefer.’
‘Of course not, I am not such a weakling. Come, Miss Bennet, they shall start without us if we do not take our places right away.’
As the music faded the doors to the grand dining room were thrown back and he escorted her to a small table set aside from the others; she could only assume that he had planned it this way.
A footman immediately produced a glass of cool lemonade for her and champagne for him.
Two plates from the buffet table arrived moments later. She looked down in dismay at the amount of food piled on her plate.
‘I shall never eat all this, Mr Bingley. It is delicious, no doubt, but I have not such a prodigious appetite.’
He grinned. ‘No matter, leave what you do not wish to eat, Miss Bennet. I told him to put on one of everything. I had no notion Caroline had ordered such a variety.’ He poked through the mound on his own plate. ‘Good grief! I believe there is a slice of apple tart and a portion of junket or some such underneath the savouries.’
Jane’s hands flew to her mouth. ‘Oh dear! What shall we do? I am partial to lobster patties, but not when they are served with apple pie.’
He looked truly perplexed until he realised she was having difficulty containing her giggles. Immediately they were helpless with laughter. ‘We cannot eat this, shall I fetch you something else?’
‘No, thank you, this lemonade is sufficient. I hope we will not hurt anyone’s feelings if the plates are left untouched.’
He mopped his eyes. ‘I cannot think what possessed the man to do this.’ He stared more closely at the footman in question and then he turned to her, a look of bemusement on his face. ‘You know, that footman, he is a groom. I believe that Caroline has dragged the poor fellow from the stables and decked him out in a borrowed livery for the evening. No wonder he had no idea what to serve us.’
Jane looked more closely at the footman, and underneath his periwig she could see his complexion was tanned, she could not see his hands as he was wearing white cotton gloves. ‘Poor man, he must be finding it a sore trial feeding us after a stable full of horses.’
He turned to her and held out his hand. ‘Miss Bennet, let us stroll about the house, the entrance hall is the quietist place at the moment.’
They left the mishmash of food and slipped away unnoticed; his guests were too busy devouring the delicacies that had been provided for them to be watching anything else.
‘Mr Bingley, I heard very disturbing information about Mr Wickham and Mr Darcy. I could not believe what I was told and gave no credence to it. However, Mr Wickham does seem an honest gentleman, so I am in a quandary as I cannot understand why he should make up such a tale.’
‘I am afraid I do not know the whole of the history and am quite ignorant of the circumstances which have principally offended Darcy; but I will vouch for my friend’s good conduct and his probity and honour. I am perfectly convinced that Wickham has done some something to earn his opprobrium. I am sorry to say that this gentleman is not respectable, he must have been very imprudent and deserves to lose Mr Darcy’s regard.’
‘Have you met Mr Wickham before this, Mr Bingley?’
‘No, I never saw him until the other morning at Meryton. I have no reason to question Mr Darcy, if he disregards the young man, then he must have done something dishonourable.’
Jane sighed. ‘I hate to think ill of Wickham, he seems so amiable and Elizabeth seems quite taken with him. However, I am sure that you know more about the matter than I, and I do not intend to worry you with it any longer.’
‘Darcy is like family to me, I hope you understand my loyalties must be to him even if I do not know the exact circumstances.’
‘I do so agree; duty to one’s family must be paramount in everybody’s life. I should hate to disoblige my parents if it were possible to do otherwise.’
They continued their stroll about the circumference of the ballroom. ‘Have you made any plans for the Christmas festivities, Miss Bennet?’
‘Yes, my aunt and uncle, Mr and Mrs Gardiner, come down to Longbourn for a week. We do not have a moment to ourselves, but I sincerely hope that you shall have time to call in and see us. Are you planning anything here, Mr Bingley?’
‘After tonight I never wish to hold another function again. However, I expect that Caroline and Louisa will arrange some private parties, I shall let you know in good time so that you and your family may attend.’
They stayed together for a while longer and then Jane thought it best to return to the supper room before her absence was noticed. He went to claim Mrs Hurst for her dance and promised to return to her side as soon as it was done. She met Elizabeth in an ante-room.
‘Jane, are you enjoying yourself? I have been watching you; I believe that you and Bingley seem perfectly matched.’
‘I do hope so, Lizzy. He is everything I ever wanted in a gentleman, he is kind, amiable and I do believe he returns my regard. I shall not say too much on the subject, for he has not mentioned the future, but I believe I am not mistaken. And his sisters are my greatest friends; surely they must wish us to be connected?’
‘I am sure that they do not, Jane. Bingley has monopolized you all evening; there are several young ladies smarting from his walking past without asking them to dance. Did you have time to ask him if he knew anything about his business between Mr Darcy and Wickham?’ Jane told her what she had heard. ‘I have not a doubt of Mr Bingley’s sincerity,’ said Elizabeth warmly, ‘but you must excuse my not being convinced by assurances only. Bingley’s defence of his friend was a very able one, I daresay, but since he is unacquainted with several parts of the story, and has learned the rest from that friend himself, I shall venture still to think of both gentlemen as I did before.’
Jane was relieved when the subject returned to Charles and herself. She prayed that Elizabeth’s confidence in his intention of making her an offer was not misplaced. He had not mentioned anything specific, but she was sure she had not imagined the attention he was paying her. Certainly her mother and Lady Lucas were convinced that she would soon be living as mistress of Netherfield.
Jane decided not to rejoin her mother but remain with her sister, Elizabeth, until Mr Bingley came to find her. She smiled warmly as he approached.
‘Pray excuse me, sir, I must speak to an acquaintance. But first, may I compliment you on the success of your ball.’ Elizabeth smiled and vanished into the crowd leaving Charles much perplexed.
‘My dear Miss Bennet, it has seemed an interminable time since I last spoke to you. Do you think I should have asked Miss Elizabeth to dance? She did not look especially pleased to see me.’
‘No, sir, we had been discussing other matters and she was thinking of those things. Her expression was not in any way connected to your arrival.’
‘In that case, we both have the approval of at least one sister. As we may not dance again, do you
wish to sit down and play a hand of cards? Or you could introduce me to the people that you know, I am all but a stranger in the area, am I not?’
Jane had no wish to waste a moment of their time on playing cards. They had not been perambulating around the place for many minutes when she observed that the orchestra were no longer playing.
‘I believe that there is talk of singing, Miss Bennet. Do you wish to participate in this or shall we be observers?’
‘I have no wish to perform in so public a place, thank you. But please, if there is any other young lady you wish to sing a duet with, I shall be pleased to listen.’
She noticed, with dismay, that Mary was first to take the piano stool. Her sister played a tune that she almost did not recognize and after a pause of half a minute began another. This time she sang and Jane wished that she had the courage to accompany her, for Mary’s voice was not strong and her manner a trifle affected. There was nothing she could do, and fortunately her companion was unmoved by Mary’s display. So she smiled at Mr Bingley and they resumed their conversation.
‘At what time do you intend the last dance to be?’
‘I have no idea, Miss Bennet. I have left all those matters to Caroline. I hope that you are not thinking of rushing away early?’
This was the last thing on her mind. ‘No, Mr Bingley, I shall be happy for this evening to go on for ever.’
Jane was given an extra fifteen minutes of private conversation with Charles as for some reason their carriages were the last to appear. They departed without any fixed agreement between them as to when they should meet again, but Jane was content. She was almost certain that he returned her love, that his sisters approved of the connection and that it could only be a matter of time before he made her an offer.
On the return journey she volunteered to travel with her sisters and Elizabeth climbed in with Mr Collins and her parents. Even Lydia was quiet, apart from the odd comment to say how tired she was. She closed her eyes and could not help but smile at the thought of what might be the outcome of her next meeting with him.
No sooner were they private, their ball gowns hanging neatly in the closet, than the two sisters scrambled into bed eager to discuss the events of the evening.
‘Lizzy, I saw you dancing with Mr Darcy, did you part on bad terms? I fear that you must have asked him about Wickham.’
‘I did, and regretted it. He was most disagreeable and refused to tell me what I wished to know. I am sure it was his doing that Mr Wickham did not come to the ball. I was so looking forward to dancing with him, it quite spoilt the evening for me.’
‘Charlotte thinks that he is interested in you…’
‘Mr Wickham?’
‘No, Mr Darcy. He only danced with Bingley’s sisters and yourself. You might not have noticed how honoured you were, but others did.’
‘That is nonsense, and you know it, Jane. But, I must admit he said nothing bad about Wickham, merely agreed that he was good at making friends but less so at keeping them. I cannot make him out at all. There are times when I find him an invigorating companion, but mostly his pride gets in the way of me liking him. Enough of me, I noticed that you and Bingley spent a deal of time together. And I was not the only one to remark on it, Sir William made a point of coming over and telling Darcy what a handsome couple you made.’
Jane felt a glow of happiness. ‘I can tell you, Lizzy, that the more time I spend with him the better I love him. Although he did not say so in as many words I am expecting him to visit in the next day or two. Can you imagine the transports of delight from our mother? Should you be pleased if I became Mrs Bingley?’
‘You know I should, for I have already told you that I like him very well. I could not think of a better man to become my brother-in-law, however, I am not so sure about welcoming his sisters into the bosom of our family.’
Laughing, Jane leant over and blew out the remaining candle leaving them in the soft glow of the fire. ‘Imagine their delight at becoming part of this family? I think we should have the better of the arrangement.’
Chapter Ten
Jane dressed with particular attention the next morning hoping Charles might come immediately. However, what took place after breakfast made further contemplation of the possibility of a match between herself and the man she loved, take second place. She was occupied upstairs when she heard pandemonium erupt below. Her mother appeared to be very vexed about something. She moved towards the door, but heard hurrying footsteps approaching. Her sister came in, her face a little paler than was usual.
‘Jane, it is as I feared. Mr Collins has just made an offer and I have refused him. However, he will not take my refusal seriously. Our mother is beside herself: she has run to seek support from the library and I expect to be summoned to answer for myself at any moment.’
Jane was not surprised by this revelation; although Elizabeth had not intimated she was aware of Mr Collins intention, she knew her sister could not hold the man in high regard.
‘Oh dear! Mama will be suffering from her nerves for days after this. But you are right to refuse him, Lizzy, he is not the man for you.’
‘I hope that I can convince our mother of that. I believe she was hoping I should marry him so that Longbourn shall stay in the family. This must be how Mr Collins intended to make recompense, by marrying one of us. Jane, you know my feelings on the subject of matrimony. I have little regard for it, but it would only be supportable if one’s feelings were engaged. I could not contemplate a union of convenience.’
‘And no more could I. I do hope Bingley does not come this morning when the house is in such an uproar.’
Sure enough, not long afterwards the summons came and Elizabeth was obliged to join their father in the library. ‘I shall not change my mind, Jane. I know it would be helpful if the entail was circumvented in this way but I refuse to marry Mr Collins; the man is a nincompoop.’
Jane was glad she had not been put in this situation; if Mr Collins had asked her what would she have said? She frowned. It did not bear thinking of; as she was officially as unattached as her sister, she might not have been so ready to refuse, not when accepting would please her mother. Elizabeth would not be so coerced, or feel obliged to do anything she thought was wrong.
‘Jane, I cannot tell you how unhappy I am. Your ungrateful sister has refused to marry Mr Collins. It would be the answer to my prayers, I could die happy knowing that one of my daughters was living here in my stead. You must speak to her, convince her she must marry him for all our sakes.’
‘I cannot do that, ma’am, Lizzy is adamant she will have none of him. Like me, she will not marry unless she loves her partner.’
Her mother threw up her hands in disgust. ‘Love? What has that to do with the subject? One marries for the benefit of one’s family and one’s self; love may come afterwards if it wishes. No, Lizzy must be made to see the advantages of this match. It is up to you to persuade her.’
‘I have told you, it would do no good. You know once Lizzy has made up her mind she will not budge from it. Mr Collins must look elsewhere for his wife, I am sorry, but you must forget about a match within this family.’
Eventually, exhausted by the argument, Jane escaped to the garden. She glanced frequently towards the paddock hoping to see Charles cantering across but was disappointed. If only he would come this minute, her mother would go into raptures and Lizzy would be forgiven. When she returned to the house it was calm.
She had no doubt that her mother would not speak to Elizabeth for days to come, the atmosphere would be unpleasant, but she would remain apart from it all. This upset would not spoil her happiness. She was sorry that her sister should have to suffer in this way, but as long as neither Charles, nor his sister, were party to the argument she would be content to wait until it was her turn to receive an offer, one she would accept unlike her sister and Mr Collins.
* * * *
Charles had never enjoyed an evening so much. He knew his mind was made up. Tomorr
ow he would go and speak to Mr Bennet, ask if he could pay his addresses to Jane. He knew some of her relatives were not quite acceptable, but they could have no objection to his choice. She was everything a man could wish for in a partner.
The next morning he was surprised to find both Darcy and Caroline waiting to greet him in the breakfast parlour. ‘It is a fine morning, but I did not expect to see either of you abroad so soon. I am going to break my fast and then ride at once to Longbourn.’ He smiled at them and was shocked when they did not respond.
‘It is as I feared, Miss Bingley, we have almost left the matter too late.’
‘What matter? Why are you both looking so Friday-faced? Do you not intend to wish me joy?’
‘Charles, you must sit down, we have serious matters to discuss. You must not be so precipitant in your desire to ask Miss Bennet to marry you. Have you considered to whom she is related? Her sisters are little better than flirts; and Mrs Bennet is the outside of enough. Surely you do not wish to have her for your mother?’
His joy in the day began to fade. ‘I do not understand why you should say this, Caroline. Jane is a friend of yours, you have smiled on us both throughout these past few weeks. It is no matter to me that her sisters and mother are silly. It is Jane Bennet that I wish to marry. Why should you suddenly change your mind?’
It was Darcy who replied. ‘My dear Bingley, are you sure that Miss Bennet reciprocates your feelings? It is obvious to all who know you well that your heart is engaged, but I do not believe that she feels the same way about you.’
‘How can you say that? She has spent time with me and is always smiling and happy in my company. I am sure that she loves me.’
‘I am certain that she does not; I agree that she enjoys your company, but I watched her closely throughout last night’s event and at no time did I see her treat you with any more partiality and she did any other gentleman. I believe she has an open disposition, and it is her nature to be friendly with anyone who shows her kindness.’
Miss Bennet & Mr Bingley Page 11
