Chapter 17 #2
Jane’s eyes lit immediately. “Mr. Bingley is here?” she asked breathlessly.
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes. “Yes.” What did she know about him to make her so excited? Elizabeth had told her almost nothing.
Jane turned back to the mirror to ensure her appearance was perfect.
Caroline went to call for tea, speaking softly to Elizabeth on her way out the door, “Jane is lovely and does not debate with me as you do, and we share so many interests. I will introduce her to my friends from school, and we will have a perfect Season. Thank you for bringing her today, Eliza. Now you will not have to pull yourself from your books to entertain me.”
So, this was it, then. Instead of gaining Jane’s friendship, she had more completely lost Caroline’s. As soon as she had gone, Elizabeth spoke.
“Jane, what do you know of Mr. Bingley?”
Jane had the decency to blush. “You mentioned him, of course.”
“I do not believe I said more than that Caroline has an elder brother. I did not even mention his age or that he is single.”
Jane appeared flustered. “I…he…he has been mentioned by many of the young ladies I have met in London. You know Aunt and Uncle have taken me to the finest events they can gain access to, full of wealthy tradesmen and their families. Mr. Bingley is a common topic of discussion among the daughters of tradesmen. Apparently, he is one of the most eligible bachelors they have a hope to catch, as he also comes from trade. His father left him a vast fortune of one hundred thousand pounds. Did you know, Lizzy?” Jane sounded excited.
Elizabeth clenched her fists. “This is why you wished to accompany me today? You did not wish to become closer to me or even to meet Caroline.”
She had begun with her voice slightly raised, but so hurt and stunned was she that her cousin had used her to get close to Charles that as she continued, she could scarcely speak above a whisper. “You are nothing but a fortune hunter. When did this change occur, Jane? What has happened to you?”
Elizabeth felt the prick of tears in her eyes.
Jane had always wished to marry for love. They had not talked extensively of such things when they were last in the habit of sharing confidences, as they had been young, but her cousin had said she would marry only for the deepest of love.
“It is what is done, Lizzy. Do not hate me for doing as my mama wishes. You should have written to us of Mr. Bingley and introduced me to him last year when you first met him.”
“Last year? We were becoming friends between his school terms, but then he was in mourning, Jane. He was not looking for a wife!” Elizabeth had not even considered introducing Mr. Bingley to Jane.
Should she have thought of it when Jane arrived last month?
Probably. But he had still been in mourning until about a week ago, so she would not feel guilty for not thinking of it. More calmly, she continued.
“I saw Mr. Bingley downstairs for the first time in months, and I offered to introduce you. If you still wish to meet him, come downstairs.”
Jane’s eyes softened. “You offered to introduce me?”
“Of course I did, Jane. He is my friend, and you are my cousin. I only wish I could still call you a friend.” Elizabeth turned to go.
“I am sorry, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth halted but did not turn back until she felt Jane’s arms around her waist. She turned and tentatively returned the embrace.
“Lizzy, I…I know I have been unkind. I have not known what to do. Mama did not wish me to play with you or even speak with you. She told me I had to save our family by marrying well and that you would hinder me because of…of…”
“Because of my low-born origins?” Elizabeth supplied.
Her cousin nodded. Though several inches taller and nearly three years older than Elizabeth, Jane looked small.
“Then why did you explain this now? Why not go on as before? Why did you apologize to me, and for what?”
Elizabeth had tried for a full month to gain Jane’s attention, but now that she had it, she could not be sure she wanted it. If Jane was not the same girl she had loved when they were children, did she even wish to try to resume their friendship?
“I have been so lonesome, Lizzy,” Jane whispered.
Elizabeth laughed bitterly. “You have been lonesome? You who have been surrounded by all the young women—and men—in Meryton since you were sixteen? You who have had the attention of your mother and your sisters and now your aunt and uncle and all the eligible tradesmen in London? You have been lonesome? I do not think you know the meaning of the word, Jane.”
“Forgive me. I see I have upset you. Your friends will likely be wondering where we are. Would it be possible for us to continue this discussion when we return to my Aunt and Uncle’s home?”
“Certainly. I would not deprive you of Caroline and Charles’s company,” Elizabeth ground out and swept her arm toward the door to invite Jane to lead the way.
Jane took a few steps toward the door but stopped in front of Elizabeth.
“I am sorry, Lizzy,” she said faintly. “I see how you would not believe me, but I will do all I can to make it up to you.” With that, she walked out of the room, pulling her shoulders back and lifting her chin as she glided along the passageway and down the stairs.
Following her cousin, Elizabeth had lost her righteous anger, but she was not satisfied. She would get through this introduction and the remainder of the visit, and then she would discover Jane’s intentions toward her.
“Jane, there you are,” Caroline said as they entered the drawing room. “Eliza, why did you keep her so long?”
“I apologize.” Elizabeth saw Charles stand and turn and knew the moment he had seen Jane, as his movements and possibly even his breathing halted. “Jane, may I introduce Mr. Bingley. Charles, this is my cousin, Miss Jane Bennet.”
Charles bowed, and Jane curtsied, and they moved toward each other and were sitting and speaking before Caroline had moved to the tea table.
Caroline gaped and sent a questioning look toward Elizabeth, who shrugged.
Caroline closed her mouth, and Elizabeth helped her distribute tea before they sat together.
They were not far from the couple, so Caroline’s whispers would have been heard if they had any attention to spare beyond each other.
“It looks as though I thanked you too soon for introducing me to your cousin, Eliza. If my brother becomes infatuated with her, I will never forgive you!”
“I thought you liked Jane,” Elizabeth said.
“I liked her as a friend for myself, but I never would have considered her for my brother. You know my ambition, Eliza. How could you? You know Charles and I must both marry well, not forgetting wealth and especially connections!”
“You may be seeking high connections, but has Charles indicated that is his goal?” Elizabeth asked.
Caroline sputtered. “I…he…Louisa and I have made it very clear. Charles knows his duty.”
“Then you likely need not worry. Besides, he is far too young to think of marrying. Men do not wed as early as women do.”
“That is true. Perhaps you are correct. Charles probably behaves in this lovesick way with all the girls he meets. It is only that I have not seen it in my own drawing room before.” Caroline shuddered.
“Everyone is struck by Jane’s beauty, but she has yet to receive an offer as far as I am aware. You surely need not fear for Charles,” Elizabeth said before she realized she may sound spiteful. “Jane is very good, though, and you would be blessed if you could call her sister.”
Elizabeth hoped that was still true. Either Jane was an excellent actress, or she was enamored with Charles already and not merely angling after his wealth.
Her friend nodded, took a few breaths, and sipped her tea. “Very well. I will watch, and I will not yet banish Jane.”
“I thank you for your restraint,” Elizabeth said sardonically.
“I had expected I would have to feign interest, but Lizzy! Mr. Bingley is perfect!” Jane’s smile was genuine as they sat in the carriage together to return to Gracechurch Street.
“He appeared to think the same of you.”
“Do you think so? You know him well. Do you think he truly likes me?” Jane sounded so hopeful.
“I have not seen him behave in such a manner before, but then I have not seen him with any girl besides his sisters and myself,” Elizabeth cautioned. “You must also accept he is full young.”
“He is older than I am.”
“Jane. He is still an Oxford student. He cannot marry until he graduates, or at least you could not live together. He will not be of age for a year and a half and will not finish school until almost a year after that!”
“I could wait for him,” Jane said softly.
“And I would fully support you, as I like Charles immensely, but Jane, consider. You would not be able to marry for more than two years. Even more significant, you only met him today and spent less than half an hour with him. Do not rush your feelings, I beg you.”
Jane nodded and stared dreamily out the carriage window.
The cousins did not continue the discussion begun in anger in Caroline’s room.
Jane had an evening engagement with the Gardiners and then began attending events nearly every day with Charles and Caroline, with Mrs. Hurst chaperoning.
Elizabeth was invited to join them all on a walk in the park once, and she spent a couple of hours in the afternoon with Caroline and Jane twice in that week leading up to Easter, but for the most part, she stayed home.