Chapter Thirteen #3
Jane sighed heavily. “I wrote to Lizzy already, for I hardly know what we shall do. When I tried to reason with Father about her being of age to be my sister and not my mother, he seemed disinclined to consider a match with a lady nearer to my mother’s age.”
“But your mother herself, I daresay he will always carry a torch for her. When we were last in Highbury, the day Lizzy bought that book, I had taken her about the village to afford Mr. Bennet the privacy to propose to her again; he could scarcely wait a fortnight after Lady Amelia’s death – and you know his father beat him senseless to force the match. ”
Jane gasped. “I did not know that part! How dreadful!”
“Your grandfather was a cruel, stupid old devil. But I suppose Miss Bates did not know either, if she still resented his first marriage enough to refuse him. I was part of their set, twenty years ago; I saw how much they loved one another.”
“Then we cannot give up hope,” Jane cried. “I expect a reply from Lizzy any day now; she will think of something.”
“Aye, she will, the clever girl. I will keep your secret, and we shall bide our time until the moment is right. I’ve no wish to part with you just yet!
But I can tell you one thing, my dear – we shall not be adding any more of the walnut dye to your hair!
It will fade by weeks’ end, and your father will see that fair reminder of his first and only love! ”
Jane embraced the housekeeper once more, content to pass another half hour conversing of what her life had been, and how different she was from her sister.
This only increased Bessie’s resolve that the broken family ought to be reunited once and for all, and with such an ally Jane was coaxed into believing, as she had in Weymouth, that it would all work out in the end.
***
The next morning, Jane had a letter from Elizabeth which bore remarkably good news.
There were new neighbors in Highbury. The Coles had intended to purchase a manor in Highbury, but the wealthy son of a tradesman from the north had rented it out from under them – and he was none other than Charles Bingley, who spoke of his sister Caroline’s betrothal to Mr. Bennet.
That same Mr. Bingley had, to Jane’s astonishment, swiftly become engaged to Emma Woodhouse.
This link to Highbury made Jane almost grateful to Miss Bingley, for it was mentioned that afternoon when Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst came to tea at Netherfield.
Knowing the superior sisters were expected, Jane also invited Charlotte in a cryptic message that beseeched her to bring her mother and sister, and to lend her support of any proposed plans for travelling.
Jane wanted not only the assurances of her friend, but an audience for Miss Bingley to perform to.
Mr. Bennet declined to take tea with so many ladies, which was just what Jane anticipated; she had sprung the perfect trap.
Naturally, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst had also had word of their brother’s sudden betrothal.
Though they had hoped their brother might make a match that brought themselves more connections in society, they were content to boast of Miss Woodhouse’s wealth and accomplishments, and even speculated that their brother had not further need of the estate he had rented, when the elderly Mr. Woodhouse would surely rely on him to assist in the running of Hartfield.
Names such as Woodhouse and Hartfield might be familiar to Mr. Bennet, who had quarter for half a year in Highbury; it was fortunate that he did not join the ladies until near the end of the visit.
Jane had been quiet and polite, allowing Miss Bingley to believe their last altercation was still a triumph for her.
But when Mr. Bennet joined them, Jane became as gregarious as her sister, and carefully dominated the conversation.
“Father, Miss Bingley has had a letter from her brother, who is also engaged to be married. I feel I have not done enough to congratulate you and she, and I must do so now, for it occurs to me that one happily betrothed couple must be in want of the company of another. Mr. Bingley wishes his sisters to keep house for him in Surrey, that he might entertain his neighbor and woo his betrothed, and surely you will not wish to part with her at such an exciting time in your own courtship.”
Miss Bingley eyed Jane with suspicion but slowly nodded her head. “It is true; I should not hesitate to accept his invitation – indeed I might have accompanied him from the start, but for my attachment to my dear Mr. Bennet.”
“His letter paints a very pretty picture of the county,” Jane said, looking to Charlotte for encouragement.
“Oh, yes! I have heard Surrey called the garden of England .”
Jane smiled gratefully at Charlotte and spoke again before Miss Bingley could reveal any names that would cause her father to balk at her scheme.
“I should like to see Surrey; I daresay my taste of travel has left me desirous of more. But would it not be a fine thing if we all answered Mr. Bingley’s summons?
His house had no name when he took possession of the place, but Miss Bingley says he has christened it Milton Hall at the behest of his bride, and from all that he writes of her, I daresay I might find a friend in the young lady to whom I shall be connected by marriage. ”
Mr. Bennet sighed and looked between Jane and the still stunned Miss Bingley. “And I suppose we shall conveniently pass through London, which you were vexed to not see more of on your way to Weymouth.”
“We must surely break our journey there,” Miss Bingley said, scrutinizing Jane’s sudden vivacity. “We need not stay long there if you do not wish it, my darling, but I confess I am eager to meet the young lady I am to call sister.”
“Surely any young lady must be elated at the prospect of a new sister ,” Jane agreed.
She had never gotten all along well with Miss Woodhouse – there was no animosity between them, but neither had there been overly much warmth.
At present, however, Jane was easy to adore the young lady for being the means of enacting such a convenient scheme.
“And you might consider purchasing your trousseau in London,” Jane told Miss Bingley, knowing how this would only create a modicum of tension between her father and his betrothed which would serve her well in Surrey.
Mrs. Hurst was delighted by this, for she declared it very odd that her sister and Mr. Bennet had not yet set a date for their nuptials.
Charlotte again agreed with Jane, looking as wary as Miss Bingley, and Jane squeezed her friend’s hand.
“Perhaps your parents will allow you to travel with us, Miss Lucas? Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst will often be kept busy by the duties of hostessing for their brother, and I should like a friend at my side, if Miss Woodhouse does not care for my country manners.”
Lady Lucas had no objection to this, though Mr. Bennet had not yet agreed to the plan. Jane was sure she would convince him, and she thought it a right thing that Charlotte should be rewarded for her kindness, and reunited with the real Elizabeth.
“Of course,” Miss Bingley said. “Why, Eliza, it is a great relief to me that I have your support at last. I suppose our last tête-à-tête made a lasting impression on you.”
Jane bowed her head to give the impression of contrition. “I am loath to admit it, but you gave me much to consider.”
Miss Bingley grinned, her shoulders straightening in a posture of triumph as she pushed her advantage.
“My brother does have a great friend of his staying with him, but I cannot encourage you to set your cap at him , Eliza, for much is expected of him by his family, but there must surely be some local baronet or gentleman of property who may please you better than the young men you met in Weymouth.”
Smiling at her own private thoughts, Jane agreed in all sincerity.
Lady Lucas liked this very well, and she began to suppose there me even be such a one for her daughter.
Mr. Bennet was too overcome to do anything but capitulate to the will of so many women, expressing a hope that Mr. Bingley at least had a decent library.
And then Miss Bingley struck the final blow.
“And if we depart tomorrow or Friday, we can arrive in time for the banns to be called – not only for Charles and his lady, but for us, my dear. With the Hursts on hand, and your ward, we shall be among everyone we hold dear; we might marry in the same ceremony.”
She cast a look of challenge at Jane, who could only agree to this with a smile, while her every thought rebelled at such a union.
But compliance was in her nature, and she knew she needed only to get Mr. Bennet to Highbury to have the final triumph.
After three weeks in the same village as Miss Bates, Mr. Bennet was very likely to marry – and Miss Bingley rather less so.