Chapter 20
Jane Bennet felt…. She was unable to label her feelings, but they were unpleasant. She could not seem to enjoy needlework, she had almost no enjoyment chatting with her sisters, and she found it difficult to sleep. Even sitting still was a challenge!
Most of it was Mr Darcy’s fault, of course, although she had found Colonel Fitzwilliam quite disturbing as well.
But her own family was treating her differently than before.
Her father never paid much attention to her—for him, it was all Lizzy, all the time—but it had been fun for a few days to feel like they were in a secret conspiracy together.
That, however, had been utterly spoilt, and he avoided her even more than ever.
Her mother was far less expressive than usual—saying perhaps only a tenth as much to Jane as she had before this whole Lizzy-and-Darcy-engaged thing had occurred.
Mary always had her nose in a book or sheet music, but now the way Mary looked at her as she moved from book to pianoforte was as if Mary was a gardener and Jane a slug.
Not only that, but she realised just that morning, at breakfast, that Lydia never spoke to her anymore, and for the most part, Kitty followed whatever Lydia did and ignored her as well.
If Lizzy were here, Jane would point out that Lydia was not talking to her, and Lizzy would say something like, “I wish I had your luck,” or “Surely you are not complaining!” Jane would smile, gently chide her for insulting their sisters, and feel a bit better.
But, alas, Lizzy was not there, and it was anyone’s guess if she ever would be again.
Has Mr Darcy somehow poisoned my entire family against me? Like he took away Mr Bingley?
Jane wondered why on earth the man would want to injure her! She despised him with every fibre of her being.