DARCY AND THE WRONG MISS BENNET by Jane Grix © 2019
CHAPTER SIX
That night as Elizabeth braided Jane's long blonde hair, Jane asked, "Did you enjoy playing chess with Mr. Darcy?"
"I did. He was a worthy opponent."
"He seemed more convivial tonight."
He did, but Elizabeth did not want to talk about him. Instead she asked, "What of Mr. Bingley?"
Jane said slyly, "He is always convivial."
"That's not what I meant. You and he spoke quite a bit tonight. What did you talk about?"
Jane sighed happily. "We talked about my health, of course, and the weather. But then he asked more about our family and I learned about his. His mother died when he was eleven and his father died two years ago. He is closest to an uncle in Somerset."
Elizabeth nodded. Talking about family was good because he might be thinking of adding Jane to his family. "What else?"
"He talked about his favourite dogs and asked me if I approved of Netherfield."
"Approved? Did he say approved?"
Jane blushed. "I think so."
"What did you tell him?"
"I told him it was a lovely house. Then we talked about curtains and carpets. He said he wished his library was larger and we talked about books." Jane smiled. "He has read everything by Mrs. Radcliffe."
"Well," Elizabeth said, "If I did not like him before, I would definitely like him now."
"I like him," Jane said quietly. "Very much."
"I knew it," Elizabeth cried and hugged Jane until she coughed. Then they both looked at each other and laughed.
"I think perhaps Mama was wise after all," Elizabeth said. "As much as you have not enjoyed being ill, it has given you and Mr. Bingley an opportunity to get to know each other better."
Jane said, "I think I am well enough to go home now."
"I agree. Although I am enjoying the respite, I don't want to stay past our welcome. And by that, I mean Miss Bingley's welcome. I don't think Mr. Bingley would mind if you decided to stay a month."
Jane blushed.
Elizabeth continued, "So tomorrow morning, I will write to Mama and ask for the carriage to be sent for us."
"I think that is best," Jane agreed.
In the morning, however, Mrs. Bennet wrote that the carriage was not available – they could not possibly have it before Tuesday.
"Tuesday?" Jane said. "That would make it a week."
Elizabeth let her breath out slowly. "She also states in the postscript that if Mr. Bingley and his sister press us to stay longer, she can spare us."
Jane said, "What should we do?"
Elizabeth said, "We must see if we can borrow Mr. Bingley's carriage."
The request was made at breakfast and Mr. Bingley was concerned that it might be too soon for Jane to travel until she was completely recovered. More conversation followed, and in the end, it was decided that they would spend another full day at Netherfield and return to Longbourn after church services on Sunday.
Elizabeth was happy. She was not in a hurry to return home. In truth, the hours of quiet, without Lydia, had been restorative. She felt a renewed sense of contentment with a hope for the future.
She also looked forward to more conversation with Mr. Darcy, but he seemed altered at Saturday's breakfast. Other than giving her the barest civilities, he did not single her out. He made no move to speak with her, saying less than ten words to her the entire day. When she suggested a walk outside, he declined. When she met him by chance in the library, he stared at his book and did not even look at her. After half an hour of sitting in the same room with her, he left with just a nod of farewell.
She thought his behaviour was odd, but perhaps she did not know him very well. She knew that some men could be mercurial, but she had not expected it of him. She was a little disappointed, but then shrugged it off. She reminded herself that it did not matter what Mr. Darcy thought of her.
X x x
It took all of Darcy's self-control not to speak to Elizabeth Bennet. Miss Bingley's comments Friday evening had alarmed him. He immediately realized how foolish he was behaving and how his behaviour might appear to others. He was resolved that he should give no further signs of any admiration for Elizabeth. He did not want to give her unreasonable expectations or make himself a subject of ridicule. Steady to his purpose, he ignored Elizabeth as best he could on Saturday and on Sunday morning.
The Bennets departed after Sunday morning service, to his great relief. Miss Bingley said she was glad to have fewer guests. "It will be so much cosier in the evenings."
Bingley said several times that he hoped Miss Bennet had not gone home too soon and that her health would not suffer.
"It was just a cold," Miss Bingley said sharply. "It wasn't as if she had consumption."
Mrs. Hurst laughed. "No, indeed."
Bingley blanched. "Is that even possible?"
"No," Darcy assured him. "If Miss Bennet were in any danger, Mr. Jones would have warned her."