Chapter 3
Three
“Asummer wedding would be just the thing, do you not agree?”
Jane’s face was frozen in a rictus of pleasantry, her eyes dull, as she replied to Miss Bingley, “Oh yes, of course.”
“It is too soon to declare a specific date, though I shall be certain to recommend June as the best possible month. It is likely to be warm enough to host the breakfast by Pemberley’s lake.”
“How lovely.”
Elizabeth listened to their guest torment Jane in this way with her lips pressed firmly shut lest she unleash the set-down that longed to burst out of her.
More than two weeks, and very nearly three, after they had paid their call to Miss Bingley, the lady, at last, had deigned to return it.
Elizabeth and Mrs Gardiner—who traded subtle scowls with her across the tea table—were united in wishing she had not, for aside from the rudeness of putting the duty off for so long, Miss Bingley also plagued Jane with conjectures of an impending wedding between her brother and Miss Darcy.
Whether they actually intended to marry or it was merely the sisters’ fancy, Elizabeth could not definitively say, though she strongly suspected the latter.
What sort of gentleman would make love to one lady so assiduously and then take another to wife within the span of two months?
Even if she could believe Mr Bingley to be so callous—which she did not—Miss Bingley offered no proof of the supposed attachment and would never go so far as to say that the pair were engaged.
Elizabeth detected a strong whiff of duplicity in it all.
Regardless, it was clear that Jane believed every word of Miss Bingley’s flim-flam and suffered greatly in hearing of the proposed arrangements.
“And if one wedding should bring on another…well, I shall not be the one to complain!”
Miss Bingley’s shrill titter did not successfully cover Elizabeth’s snort. If anything is less likely than Mr Bingley attaching himself to Miss Darcy so soon after making love to Jane, it is Mr Darcy offering for Miss Bingley. He tolerates her company with barely more equanimity than he does mine!
When Miss Bingley shot her a gimlet look, Elizabeth belatedly brought her handkerchief up to her nose. “Excuse me.”
Miss Bingley turned her head away, nose in the air, and announced, “I must be going as my sister is expecting me.”
Jane rose in tandem with their guest and muttered some words of thanks for the visit, which Elizabeth noted Miss Bingley did not return with any similar effusions of pleasure or any intent to return.
The lady was gone soon thereafter, the drawing-room door closing behind her with a decided bang that rang through the house.
Jane stood in place with her eyes trained on the closed door. Her hands were twined together at her middle, and Elizabeth was alarmed to see that they were shaking. “I-I think I shall lie down for a bit, if I am not needed.”
“We have no plans for today. Take as long as you need. I shall call you down for dinner,” replied Mrs Gardiner, her voice soft with compassionate concern.
Jane nodded and left with her head down, closing the door far more softly than Miss Bingley had. Elizabeth chewed on her lip as she watched her dear sister depart in such dreadful spirits.
“I detest Miss Bingley!” she declared with a stomp of her slippered foot. It was more like Lydia to behave thus, but Elizabeth had no better way to vent her spleen without breaking something. “Wretched, wretched girl! Why did she come at all if she only meant to distress Jane?”
Mrs Gardiner sighed, shaking her head. “I daresay that was her motive. You were entirely correct when you proclaimed her a false friend over Christmas. Poor Jane did not see it before, but I doubt she can lie to herself about Miss Bingley’s true character now.”
“Horrid creature,” Elizabeth mumbled. “I have known for months that she did not approve of her brother’s attachment to Jane, but even I failed to appreciate her malicious nature. She seemed almost giddy at seeing Jane so distraught.”
“Some ladies enjoy nothing better than cutting down one of their own. It is an unfortunate truth of society.”
Elizabeth’s gaze strayed to the door her morose sister had recently disappeared through. “I suppose there is little hope of Jane recapturing Mr Bingley’s interest now.”
“Though not entirely impossible, I shall admit that her seeing him again becomes increasingly improbable. She would do better to forget him and try to move on with her life.”
“Is it not too soon for her to seek another suitor, Aunt?” Elizabeth fidgeted with her skirts as she returned her attention to Mrs Gardiner. “Jane’s heart is loyal, even if Mr Bingley’s supposedly is not, and I cannot see her attaching herself to another gentleman so hastily.”
Mrs Gardiner leant forwards and patted Elizabeth on the hand, stilling its fretful motion.
“That was not my meaning, dearest. Although I am certain Jane will find another young man to love in time, my present inclination is to treat her to the various sights and pleasures London has to offer. What are fickle lovers to ices at Gunter’s and evenings at the theatre?
Surely a bit of distraction from her troubles will do her good. ”
With her eyes raised to the ceiling where Jane dwelled in misery above them, Elizabeth replied, “I dearly hope so.”