November 12, 1811 Longbourn, Hertfordshire

A note came for Jane during breakfast. It was from Miss Bingley, inviting Jane to come for dinner. Mrs. Bennet was loudly excited, proclaiming to all and sundry that of course Miss Bingley would enjoy getting to know the woman her brother would marry. Her only disappointment came when she learned that Mr. Bingley would not be there. A slightly devious look crossed her face as she looked out the window.

"Of course you'll go," she cried, "You may ride Nelly, as it looks like rain. They will ask you to spend the night, and you shall have your opportunity to visit with Mr. Bingley!"

"Mama!" Lizzy exclaimed, "The ladies will see through this ploy, and think that Jane is desperate!" She was appalled at her mother's suggestion, but Jane's cold glare toward her implied that she may not be. Indeed, her words confirmed Lizzy's suspicions.

"I think Mama has a wonderful idea. I must take every opportunity to place myself in Mr. Bingley's company." Jane looked away, her nose slightly upturned. "His sisters enjoy my company, and will never presume me to be duplicitous."

"Do you love him?" Lizzy remembered whispered conversations when they were girls, vowing to only marry for love and respect, especially after viewing their parents' marriage.

Jane laughed humorlessly. "It's not love, silly child, it's marriage." With that, Jane and her mother left the table to plan her outfit. Lizzy was left feeling confused. What had happened to her sister?

Shortly after Jane left that evening, the rain started. It began as a sprinkle, but quickly became a deluge. Mrs. Bennet heartily congratulated herself when another note came from Netherfield, informing the family that Jane was to spend the night. The next morning, Jane sent a message to her mother, claiming that she had come down with a cold, and would not come home right away. Mrs. Bennet cackled with glee, but despite her discomfiture, Lizzy was concerned about Jane's health.

"You should go to Netherfield to take care of Jane. I don't trust that Bingley woman to know what she likes." Mrs. Bennet pursed her lips and nodded.

"I don't know, Mama," Lizzy demurred. She felt fairly certain Jane would not like her company, but she also couldn't deny her basic instinct to protect those that she loved. No matter how Jane currently felt about her, Lizzy still loved her sister.

"Nonsense. You are the perfect choice," her mother remarked. "You are too ugly to tempt Mr. Bingley away from Jane, and you may find a way to help her catch him. You can also bring some of her more attractive outfits in order to lure Mr. Bingley into proposing."

"Mama! Jane is ill! She will not be luring anyone into anything!"

Mrs. Bennet just snorted. "We'll see, Elizabeth. Just do as I say and bring her clothes with you."

Lizzy was appalled at her mother's attitude, but followed her directions. When she had a small valise packed with Jane's best clothes, she requested the carriage. "Your father needs the horses on the farm today, you will have to walk."

"Not that I mind walking, but the roads are muddy. I won't be fit to be seen! Also, I have Jane's valise with me. Surely the horses could be spared?" This last sentence came out as a desperate question. Lizzy couldn't fathom what the ladies would think if she showed up with her hems six inches deep in mud, but it was sure to be negative.

"You'll walk, Elizabeth. I don't want there to be any reason to send her home so quickly. Also, you will stay as long as Jane needs you, assisting her in any way possible. Do not get Jane's things wet or dirty." With this, Mrs. Bennet practically shoved Lizzy out the door. Huffing with frustration, she began the three-mile trek towards Netherfield.

By the time Lizzy arrived, her hems and boots were indeed covered in mud. She was embarrassed as the butler led her through the halls to the drawing room, aware of the footprints she left behind. Oh, if only she had been allowed to take the carriage! Upon entering the drawing room, she looked up from her dirty footwear to see Jane sitting on a couch with Caroline Bingley, chatting as if she hadn't a care in the world. Lizzy blinked at the sight and stuttered, "Jane? I... I thought you were ill."

Jane exasperatedly rolled her eyes. "What are you doing here Elizabeth?" She asked irritatedly. "It is extremely rude to show up without an invitation, and so filthy besides! Really, Elizabeth, are you still a child to be traipsing through the mud?" She and Caroline giggled as Jane turned haughtily away.

Lizzy stood, mouth agape. "Mama sent me to help and to bring your clothes." She finally replied. "Let me deliver this valise to you, and I will be on my way." She had no wish to stay here any longer.

Jane looked at her, calculatingly. "Mama told you to help me?" Lizzy reluctantly affirmed the directive. "Well, in that case, I do have something for you to do. I need a reason to stay here for a few days without being confined to a bed-chamber. You can be ill while I visit with my friends. It's perfect!"

"Jane, this doesn't make sense. Why claim an illness? Why should I be ill? I refuse to tell a falsehood to Mr. Bingley."

"You'll do as I say, Elizabeth! Or I shall tell Mama that you refused to help me." Jane smiled victoriously.

"Really, Miss Eliza," Caroline whined, "You are acting like we are asking you to murder someone! All you need to do is stay in a lovely guest room for a couple of days."

"What are you getting out of this situation?" Lizzy asked, confused as to why Mr. Bingley's own sister was in on the scheme.

"Never mind about that," Jane retorted, "Just do as you're told." Before Lizzy could say another word, she was escorted upstairs and abandoned in an unused bed-chamber.

She paced the room, trying to make sense of the last quarter-hour. Caroline Bingley thought herself above the personages in Meryton. She had heard her say so. Why had she suddenly befriended Jane? Why conspire with her against her own brother? Lizzy was sure something underhanded was going on, and she was determined to find out what.

Her investigation began as she snuck out of her room. She moved silently down the hallway in her stocking feet, having removed the muddy boots. She refused to cause any more additional work for the poor Netherfield staff. As she approached the family wing, she could hear voices. Creeping closer, she could distinguish the conversation.

"Cease fretting, Caro! I can control my sister." Jane's voice was authoritative and unyielding.

"Fine," Caroline replied sulkily, "Just remember, I help you win Charles, and you help me compromise his friend."

"Of course," Jane soothed. "Elizabeth's presence shall not hinder our plans. Charles is so close to proposing already. All he needs is a little push. I am hoping I can talk him into a special license so we can marry before Elizabeth does. After we wed, I will help you pursue your target."

"I still cannot believe that anyone would choose to marry that uncivilized hoyden!" Caroline tutted. "She is positively wild!"

Jane sniffed. "He has never met her, which is the only way she could ever wed. She is ugly and utterly worthless but by wedding the heir, she will keep my father's estate in the family."

Neither needing nor desiring to hear more, Lizzy meandered back to her room, her heart breaking. Her beloved sister, her one true friend amongst her family at Longbourn, was gone, and Lizzy could not understand why. She had been the one to be betrayed, first by Jane reading her journal then by her caustic attitude, not the other way around! She decided at that point to leave her sister alone. Jane would act how she wanted. Lizzy only hoped Mr. Bingley would be able to see past her arts and allurements before it was too late.

Lizzy stayed in her room, only sneaking out in the early morning for her daily walk. By the time they went home on Sunday, Jane was happily engaged to Mr. Bingley. Mrs. Bennet happily declared that she knew how it would be, and that Jane could not be so beautiful for nothing. Lizzy secretly added that she could not be so conniving for nothing either.

The next day brought Mr. Bingley back to Longbourn with an invitation to a ball he was holding in Jane's honor. It was accepted with alacrity. He was sure to secure Jane's most important dances and to assure them that the incoming Mr. Collins was not to be excluded. It seemed unfair to Lizzy that Jane had, again, gotten her way.

Hungry Like The Wolf by Duran Duran