Chapter 5
Chapter five
Elizabeth entered the breakfast room and paused a moment upon seeing her uncle already seated at the table. “Good morning, Uncle. I hope you are well.”
“Very well indeed, my dear,” Mr. Gardiner replied, setting aside his newspaper with a smile.
“It is always a pleasure to have you in Gracechurch Street. Next time, however, I shall insist you remain longer. Your aunt will never forgive me if I allow you to escape without attending the theatre or making a proper tour of the shops.”
Elizabeth laughed lightly as she crossed to the sideboard. “You are most kind, sir. It would be agreeable, I confess. Yet I do not know that I may safely absent myself from Longbourn for so long.” She resumed her seat opposite him. “Have you had an opportunity to look over the papers I brought?”
“I have,” he answered. “They are thorough, and most carefully ordered. You have arranged matters admirably, Lizzy.” He regarded her over the rim of his cup. “Yet I sometimes wonder whether you permit anyone to share in the arranging.”
Elizabeth made a small dismissive gesture. “You assist me, sir.”
“In trade, perhaps,” he said gently. “I did not speak of trade alone. Lizzy”
She met his look, uncertain how to answer, and for once without an immediate reply. “It is only prudent that I attend such matters.”
“Prudence is a virtue,” he agreed, “but it need not be solitary.” His tone remained mild. “In any case, you must promise that your next visit shall not be so brief. Bring Jane, if you may, or Mary. Your aunt would be delighted.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I shall attempt it, though Mama is at present resolved that Jane be much in Mr. Bingley’s company. She is determined upon the point.”
“I am well acquainted with my sister’s resolutions,” he said with quiet amusement. “They are not easily diverted.”
“It would be easier for Jane,” Elizabeth continued, “were Mama less intent upon securing a particular conclusion. I have endeavoured to assure her that we shall not be ruined if events proceed at their natural pace, but she does not easily relinquish a favourite scheme.”
Mr. Gardiner rose from the table. “Longbourn will not crumble because you are absent a few days,” he said mildly. “You may trust it to endure.”
Elizabeth inclined her head. “If you insist, sir, I shall endeavour to remember it.” She rose as well. “I will go and take my leave of my cousins before I depart.”
He watched her a moment as she moved toward the door. “Do not forget, Lizzy,” he added quietly, “that you are valued for more than your accounts.”
She paused only an instant, as though the words had caught her unawares, then her expression softened. “You are very good to me, Uncle.” And with that, she headed upstairs.
***
Mr. Hill entered the drawing room and presented Jane with a letter upon his silver tray. Jane smiled and accepted it.
As he withdrew, she glanced at the seal. “Oh, it is from Miss Bingley.”
Mrs. Bennet leaned forward eagerly. “Well, open it, my dear. What does she say?”
Jane read silently for a moment, her expression softening. “She writes that the gentlemen are engaged to dine with the officers this evening and asks whether I might join her and Mrs. Hurst for dinner at Netherfield.”
“Of course you must go,” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. “You shall answer at once, though it is a pity the gentlemen will not be present.”
Jane inclined her head. “I should be happy to attend.” She crossed to the writing desk, penned her note, and dispatched it with Mr. Hill before leaving the room.
When she returned, Mrs. Bennet waved her handkerchief decisively. “You must ride. Take Willow.”
Jane glanced toward the window where the clouds had already begun to gather. “Mama, it appears likely to rain.”
“Yes, indeed, and then you must remain the night,” Mrs. Bennet said eagerly. “What is the advantage of dining there if you do not see Mr. Bingley?”
“I should prefer that Mr. Bingley not see me standing in the hall dripping upon the carpet,” Jane replied gently.
“If you depart at once, you may arrive before the rain begins. Go, child. Make haste.”
Jane withdrew to prepare for her visit.
***
Elizabeth smiled as the carriage turned into the lane leading to Longbourn; It was a comfort to be home.
As the carriage drew up before the house, she observed Willow standing saddled near the steps, the bay gelding quiet and patient, his tack neatly arranged. A groom held the reins and touched his hat as she descended.
“Harris,” she said, glancing toward the darkening sky, “is Jane to ride out?”
“Yes, ma’am. She is invited to dine at Netherfield.”
“I see.” Elizabeth surveyed the clouds darkening. “The carriage is here and may be used instead. Pray return Willow to the stable.”
Harris hesitated only briefly before bowing and leading the horse away.
Elizabeth had scarcely reached the steps when Jane appeared.
“Lizzy, you are returned. How was your journey?”
“Quite pleasant,” Elizabeth replied, embracing her sister. “But why were you to ride in such weather?”
Jane paused and studied her more closely. “Lizzy, are you quite well? You look as though you have not rested much.”
Elizabeth smiled lightly. “The roads are tiresome, nothing more.”
Jane’s expression softened, though she did not press the matter. “Miss Bingley has invited me to dine. Mama believed the carriage unavailable.”
“Well, it is most conveniently returned,” Elizabeth said lightly. “You must change, and you will reach Netherfield comfortably before the rain begins.”
Jane glanced toward the drawing room. “Mama will be disappointed.”
“Allow me to speak with her,” Elizabeth said quietly. “Go and dress.”
Jane gave her a look of quiet gratitude before turning away.
Elizabeth entered the drawing room.
“My dear Lizzy,” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. “You are returned at last.”
“I am, indeed, Mama.”
“Jane has been invited to Netherfield. Is it not delightful?”
“I hope she will find it so.”
Mrs. Bennet looked toward the window, then back at Elizabeth. “I had intended she should ride.”
“The carriage spares her discomfort,” Elizabeth replied calmly. “We would not wish her to arrive in a less favourable state.”
Mrs. Bennet hesitated, then sighed. “Very well. It may be for the best. And if the rain continues, she shall at least see him at breakfast.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Exactly so, Mama.”
***
Jane watched the countryside pass as the carriage conveyed her to Netherfield. She was grateful Lizzy had insisted she take the carriage.
Lizzy takes care of them all, she thought. I must see that she is not always the one to do so.
Soon the carriage drew up before Netherfield. The footman set down the step and assisted Jane as she descended. Within moments she was conducted to the drawing room.
“Miss Jane Bennet,” the butler announced before withdrawing.
“Miss Bennet,” Miss Bingley said smoothly. “We are delighted you could join us.”
“Thank you,” Jane replied, taking the offered seat. “I am pleased to accept your invitation. I hope you find Hertfordshire agreeable.”
Miss Bingley gave a slight shrug. “It serves its purpose, though London offers far greater variety. We spend most of our time there.”
“I have visited London on occasion,” Jane said gently. “My aunt and uncle reside there.”
“Indeed?” Miss Bingley’s brows lifted. “And where do they live?”
“On Gracechurch Street.”
“How very charming,” Miss Bingley replied brightly.
Dinner was announced, and the ladies proceeded to the dining room. After the first course, Miss Bingley resumed the conversation. “Your sister appears remarkably engaged in various concerns. Does she frequently travel to town unaccompanied?”
“Lizzy is much attached to our aunt and uncle,” Jane said calmly. “She finds great pleasure in their company.”
“And she is attentive to the estate as well, I believe?”
“She has always been attentive to whatever lies before her.”
Miss Bingley inclined her head, then continued lightly, “And you, Miss Bennet? How do you occupy yourself in the country?”
“There is always something useful to be done,” Jane replied with an easy smile.
Miss Bingley regarded her closely. Jane met her look with the same gentle composure.
“But do you not prefer the diversions of town? Assemblies, concerts, larger society?”
“They are very agreeable,” Jane said, “yet one may find contentment in quieter pursuits as well.”
Mrs. Hurst nodded faintly. Miss Bingley regarded Jane for a moment, then allowed the subject to drop.
When the meal concluded, Miss Bingley rose. “Shall we return to the drawing room for tea?”
***
Jane glanced toward the window as the rain struck sharply against the glass. She folded her hands in her lap and resumed her composure, though the sound of the storm grew steadily louder.
A firm knocking at the front door was followed by voices in the hall. Moments later, Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Hurst entered the drawing room, their boots damp and their coats marked by the weather.
Bingley’s face brightened at once. “Miss Bennet. What a pleasure. I had not the slightest notion we were to be so fortunate this evening.” His gaze flickered briefly toward his sister.
Miss Bingley inclined her head. “As we were to be without the gentlemen, we thought it agreeable to secure Miss Bennet’s company.”
Jane rose gracefully. “It has been a most pleasant evening. I trust my carriage will arrive shortly.”
Darcy crossed to the hearth, removing his gloves as he spoke. “I would not depend upon it. The lane is nearly impassable. The mud is deep, and the water at the creek has risen considerably.”
Bingley’s expression shifted at once from pleasure to concern. “Then it cannot be considered. Miss Bennet, you must remain here tonight. I would not forgive myself were you to meet with difficulty upon the road.”
Jane inclined her head. “You are very kind, sir.”
Miss Bingley rose and drew the bell cord with composed deliberation.
When the housekeeper appeared, she said smoothly, “Miss Bennet will require a chamber this evening.”
“Certainly, madam,” the housekeeper replied.
Jane turned to her with a gentle smile. “Thank you, Mrs. Nichols.”
Darcy’s hand paused upon the poker for the briefest moment before he adjusted the log in the grate.
Mrs. Nichols inclined her head and led Jane from the room.
***
Darcy’s gaze followed Miss Bennet before he turned back to the fire.
When the door closed, Miss Bingley resumed her seat.
“It is fortunate the weather has declared itself so decisively.”
Bingley looked at her in mild surprise. “Fortunate?”
She lifted her teacup lightly. “Only that Miss Bennet need not venture out again tonight. One might almost suppose the evening arranged itself in her favour.”
Darcy settled the log more firmly into place. “She could not have reached Longbourn safely in any conveyance. Even my own would have struggled upon that road.”
Bingley turned toward him. “Do you suppose it will clear by tomorrow?”
“That depends upon the rain,” Darcy replied evenly. “If it continues, I would not expect the roads to improve before the following day.”
Miss Bingley looked up quickly. “Surely it cannot persist so long.”
Bingley smiled. “We shall see what the morning brings.”