Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
If the Gouldings’ dinner had not settled the matter to Mrs Bennet’s satisfaction, a letter came three days later that quickly convinced her that their troubles were over.
Miss Bingley wrote to invite Jane for luncheon and tea.
Contriving to the height of her powers, Mrs Bennet arranged for Jane to go on horseback, confident that the weather would break and strand her daughter in the same house as Mr Bingley.
Sure enough, Jane had been gone less than an hour when the heavens opened in a brief but drenching rain shower.
Sometime later, a letter was brought announcing that Jane had been caught in it and was now unwell.
“People do not die of trifling colds,” said Mrs Bennet confidently, only to recollect and add, “Young people, at any rate.” She called for the housekeeper.
“Hill! Hill! We must send over Miss Elizabeth’s new nightgown and slippers, for they are much nicer than Miss Jane’s, and it would not do for the house to think us all paupers.
” She paused as though waiting for Elizabeth to object to this summary appropriation of her birthday present, but when no objection came, she continued to Elizabeth’s horror, “Perhaps, Mr Bingley will visit her—now, it is no use you looking like that, Lizzy. You do not know what gentlemen are, and if he can only be induced to compromise her, we shall all be safe.”
This was quite enough to decide Elizabeth that she must visit Jane as soon as possible. The very next day she set off across the fields and lanes, clambering over stiles and leaping over puddles, determined to arrive as soon as possible, no matter the jeopardy to her shoes and stockings.
There was no doubt that Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst were, or pretended to be, much shocked at her arrival in this manner.
However, Mr Bingley was all that was welcoming and quickly ordered a maid to take her up to Jane’s room.
It was soon evident that Jane was really unwell, and with her father’s health so much in the foremost of her mind, Elizabeth was happy to agree to Mr Bingley’s suggestion that the apothecary be sent for.
Jane grew more feverish and uncomfortable as the hours passed, and it was only when Mr Johns arrived and reassured them all that it was merely a bad cold that Elizabeth felt she could leave her sister.
It was by then too late for her to return to Longbourn, so she readily accepted the invitation to dine and stay the night.
It was obvious that Mr Bingley was truly concerned and that Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst merely pretended to be.
When Elizabeth eventually left Jane to go and dine, she overheard those ladies engaged in abusing their acquaintance.
When they had exhausted that entertainment, they both moved to wondering what could have kept Captain Darcy, who had been expected back that day, and wishing he were there already.
Remembering the gazetteer, Elizabeth realised that, for a lady in Miss Bingley’s position, Captain Darcy, a wealthy member of a much-lauded profession with an independent fortune and aristocratic connexions, was a prize well worth bestowing her twenty thousand pounds on.
She wondered whether the captain had any views on the subject, or even whether he was to be allowed any. Miss Bingley would doubtless scorn Mrs Bennet for her matchmaking, but in ambition and cast of mind, there was little to choose between them.
After a dull evening in which only Elizabeth seemed to be content to sit with a book, which she soon discovered held the missing gentleman’s bookplate, they all retired for the night. Jane was asleep when she checked; so, unwilling to disturb her, Elizabeth went to her own room.
Elizabeth had been given the room next to Jane’s and left the doors to both rooms open in case Jane needed her during the night.
A little after midnight, she was awakened by the sounds of a carriage outside and voices and running feet in the hall below.
The same noises had obviously awakened Jane, for Elizabeth heard her name being called.
Swiftly, she wrapped a shawl about her shoulders and tiptoed to the door of her room. She could see the light of candles in the hall and hesitated in case someone should come upstairs.
The voice of Captain Darcy rang clearly up the stairs. “I am so very sorry, Bingley, but I could think of nowhere else to go. If we can but rest here for a few days, I shall arrange to rent a place I can take them to.”
Mr Bingley replied with all the gruffness of an English gentleman caught in the act of being generous, “Think nothing of it, my dear fellow. Mrs Needham is making up the rooms now. Come into the library; there is a fire in there, and tea will be along in two shakes.”
As Elizabeth scurried into Jane’s room, she heard Mr Bingley exclaim, “Oh, what a truly damnable business!”
Jane had an uncomfortable night and did not truly fall asleep until almost dawn.
As Elizabeth left her sister, she could hear the house beginning to stir.
Despite her restless night, she was determined to come down for breakfast, for it would never do to give the impression that the Bennets were lie-a-beds.
She need not have worried as only the gentlemen were present when she arrived.
Mr Bingley was quick to enquire after her sister, and even Captain Darcy managed a few civil words.
He seemed unaffected by a disturbed night, and Elizabeth reflected that a captain at sea must be accustomed to a lack of rest.
She had almost finished her repast when Miss Bingley swept in, bearing the unmistakable signs of someone not used to early mornings and doing her best to hide the fact.
Watching her greet her brother, and especially the captain, Elizabeth realised that Miss Bingley knew someone had arrived in the night but had not yet been informed who it was, and she was consumed by a curiosity it would have been most ill-bred to display.
She had just begun with, “Charles, I understand—” when there was an almighty crash of broken china from somewhere close that quite drowned what she was about to say.
In the dead silence that followed the crash, Elizabeth heard the sound of running feet and a boy crying out, “I am sorry, Mrs Needham—I am, I am. It just sort of slipped.” She could not hear the reply, and the voices disappeared downstairs as someone came to sweep up the broken pieces.
“Really, Charles! How many times have I told you? We have to get rid of the boy before he breaks every piece of china we have!”
Mr Bingley looked self-conscious. “Caroline, I told you. I promised Reverend Carter to find a place for the boy so he would not have to go on the parish, poor lad, and he is perfectly willing—just clumsy.” He turned to Elizabeth. “I appeal to you, Miss Elizabeth: What would you do?”
Elizabeth hesitated, unwilling to interfere with another woman’s housekeeping, but the look of indignation on Miss Bingley’s face spurred her to reply.
“Well, if it were up to me, I would put the boy to work in the stables. Is it the youngest Dalton, by the way? I know there were five children to place when the parents died. If it is, Mr Dalton was our local farrier, so the boy is used to horses. If you still need someone in the house, Mrs Needham is a local woman. She is sure to know of a lad who would suit.”
Mr Bingley sat back in his chair and blew out his cheeks with relief. “Bravo, Miss Elizabeth. All our problems solved in one go. A Solomon come to judgment indeed.”
Miss Bingley appeared about to expostulate when a maid entered, curtseyed to the captain, and said, “Excuse me, sir, but the young lady was asking after you.” The gentleman quickly rose, tossed his napkin on the table, and with a bow to the ladies, left the room.
After a few seconds, Elizabeth followed suit, realising that Miss Bingley was about to start an argument with her brother that she had no wish to witness.
Upstairs, she found Jane still asleep, so she left her to return to her own room.
However, as she stepped into the corridor, she discovered Captain Darcy waiting for her.
He bowed, appeared uncomfortable, and then said, “If you have a moment, Miss Elizabeth, may I ask for your assistance with my sister?” He looked at the carpet, at the wallpaper, and then at Elizabeth.
He was not wearing the green spectacles, and for the first time, she saw that his eyes were an attractive deep brown.
“I brought my sister and her mother with me last night. My sister is unwell but is understandably unwilling to discuss what is wrong with an elder brother she has not seen for over five years. I would ask Mrs Darcy, but she had a very disturbed night and is still sleeping.” For the first time, he looked tired but ploughed on.
“Am I asking too much if I request you to see whether there is anything to be done? She is very shy, but since you have younger sisters, I feel sure you are the best person in the house to help. I shall, of course, wake her mother if need be, but I would prefer not to if it can be avoided.”
Elizabeth professed her complete willingness and waited while he knocked on his sister’s door. “May I come in, sweetheart?” he said gently. Captain Darcy must have taken the confused murmur from inside as assent because he waved Elizabeth to enter with him.
There was a maid in the room and a fair young lady in the bed. At first Elizabeth took her for perhaps seventeen or eighteen years of age but soon realised that she was rather younger, for all her womanly form and features.