A/N - thanks guys, everyone seems to like that E and D are back together. Some of you obv hoping all will be sorted. Sorry, Not quite all done yet though, still Lady C and her meddlesome ways... :) but still, on that the home stretch now. Slightly shorter chapter today. I'll see if I can get another up tonight, no guarantee!
Chapter 38 - The brightest of all auras.
The next day Elizabeth was hopeful that Darcy would return with Bingley but he did not. She realised that to visit three days in a row would be tantamount to announcing the banns in Hertfordshire, there was enough gossip about Jane and Bingley given the two visits and his behaviour for the evening.
The reason for Mr Bingley's visit soon became apparent, some meddling machinations of Mrs Bennet were completely to his purpose and he found himself alone with Jane and wasted no time in proposing.
When Elizabeth returned from writing a letter she found them close together near the fireplace, their hands clasped between them. They were murmuring things to each other which she could not hear but the intimacy of the scene sent a pang of longing through her. Their auras were almost one, and shone so brightly it was hard to look at. Violet streaks ran through both of them, clearly they were feeling with their whole being. She filed it away for a later date and would have quitted the room had Jane not invited her in and asked for her congratulations. She embraced both warmly and said with real feeling how happy she would be to have Mr Bingley as a brother.
He left to speak to Mr Bennet and Jane quitted the room to speak to Mrs Bennet, preferably out of anyone else's earshot.
.
When Bingley returned Elizabeth was quick to give her congratulations a second time.
"I am the most fortunate man in the world, she is an angel"
Elizabeth smiled and agreed whole heartedly.
"My friend wished me to convey his particular regrets at being unable to be here today. He was aware of my, uh, intentions and did not wish to be in the way."
Elizabeth's smile grew brighter at such news.
"Your father has been generous enough to invite myself to shoot tomorrow, I am certain my friend will join me"
The last was said casually, but Elizabeth understood the message was for her.
"He will be most welcome" she hoped her message would be equally understood.
Mr Bingley smiled and nodded and further conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Mrs Bennet and Jane.
The rest of the day was spent in a fluttering of excited chatter, discussions of dates and general planning. Mr Bingley and Jane were adorably bashful, each sneaking looks at the other and mostly just wishing they could be alone. But alas the weather was too poor to be outside. Water was in the air and the occasional shower was frequent. Even Elizabeth would not have been able to keep an area dry if she had wished it, not without severe consequences elsewhere. Not a compromise she was willing to make, even for her dearest sister.
.
When the gentleman departed for the evening Elizabeth and Jane retired to their room to discuss the events of the day.
"Oh Lizzie, Tis too much. I am so happy"
"And so you should be dearest Jane. Even if you did not say so, I can see it in your aura, it is blinding"
"Oh Lizzie, you always though auras brighten with Love."
"Indeed I did, and if yours were any brighter I fear I would go blind. But I cannot complain, you are most fortunate"
Jane smiled her beautiful smile "he is the most affable man"
"And quite taken with you I dare say. Might I enquire how long had you been alone when I, inadvertently, interrupted you?"
Jane blushed "not too long" the reply was almost a mumble, Elizabeth was intrigued, Jane did not mumble.
She affected and air of disinterest "and did you make the most of your time alone?"
Jane blushed again, deeply.
"Oh Jane, you cannot hide from me"
Jane looked up and smiled "we may have kissed"
Elizabeth's raised an eyebrow "did you now? Can you share what it felt like?"
Jane lay back and looked at the ceiling with a sigh "it was wonderful, I cannot describe it. But it made me feel warm all over, as if I had fire magic," she sighed again and Elizabeth smiled.
"Well you should get a good nights sleep, dearest, and we shall have to see if we can arrange for a few stolen moments again sometime."
Jane gasped, shocked but then giggled and the girls lay down to sleep.
Elizabeth lay awake long after Jane's soft breathing become regular. The scene between Jane and Bingley had been so tender. She longed for that, for something she had never had. Her bond with Jane was strong but it was not the same as what she had witnessed. She suspected the relationship between a man and wife could be so much more. Society restrictions meant that intimacy was rarely displayed, it was considered ill bred to do so, and so one could presume that such intimacy was uncommon. Elizabeth did not want a marriage by which she was little more than an ornament on a gentleman's arm, or a breeding vessel for the next generation. She wanted companionship, laughter, love. She wanted a man who wanted to see her everyday and have conversations rather than just exchange pleasantries.
Her mind went to Mr Darcy. Her recent interactions had been memorable. He listened when she spoke and did not try to discount her from topics that were 'unladylike'. And when he smiled at her, well she knew what Jane had meant about feeling warm all over. If he could make her feel like that with a look what would a kiss do to her? A pleasurable shudder went through her followed by the realisation that she could not see herself marrying any other man.
The shock of such a thought was enough to make her gasp out loud, luckily Jane did not stir. How could he have gone from being the last man in the world she could marry to the only man she would consider? She should have realised what was happening to her. Hadn't her thoughts been full of Mr Darcy ever since, well really ever since his letter, but certainly since Derbyshire. She closed her eyes and suppressed the groan, she had rejected a man that was, in personality and temperament, most suited to her.
She, Elizabeth Bennet, was in love with Mr Darcy.