Jane felt her conversation with her mother had gone as well as she could have hoped. Still, she was preparing for further action. Action she would introduce that next time she was in company with the gentleman from Netherfield. In the meantime, she returned to her room. She wrote a lengthy letter to her Aunt Gardiner. She did not betray her sister's confidence regarding Mr. Darcy, but she wanted to apprise her aunt of her mother's plans for Elizabeth and Mr. Collins.
Sealed letter in her hand, she went to make her way downstairs to add it to the outgoing post. She noticed Elizabeth standing by the window at the top of the stairs. The window overlooked the drive and the front entrance of the house. Wondering at what drew her sister's attention, she came up behind Elizabeth. She had to smile at her sister's distraction.
"It is a very nice prospect, is it not?" Elizabeth started. She had not heard Jane's approach. Though she blushed at being caught, her gaze remained focused on the view outside.
Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy were below. Apparently, there was an issue with Mr. Darcy's horse for he was bent over at an awkward angle, feeling the animal's near front fetlock. In doing so, the tails of his coat hung to one side, revealing a rather well-shaped backside.
"Yes, Jane. It is." Elizabeth admitted tersely, with a quiet sigh. Jane hoped Elizabeth's response was due to her advice to not resist her attraction to Mr. Darcy. If that was so, she could not find amusement in Elizabeth's behavior. Though knowing Elizabeth, it would be just like her to confess her admiration for Mr. Darcy's fine posterior simply to inspire that very result. Jane would never tease a vulnerable heart.
The gentlemen handed the reins of their horses off to the waiting stable hands and presented themselves at the door of Longbourn. Jane and Elizabeth joined them at the bottom of the stairs and escorted them into the parlor. Thankfully, Mr. Collins was absent, having invited himself along to Mr. Bennet's visit to Sir William Lucas.
Greetings were barely made, and the party seated when Lydia preempted her mother's effusions towards Mr. Bingley. "Mr. Darcy, I am ever so curious. You frightened that Mr. Wickham off yesterday. And then took Mr. Denny off with you. What did Mr. Wickham do? He is excessively handsome. Was it something shocking and scandalous? Is he a rake?"
"Lydia! You are very impertinent! Do not bother Mr. Darcy so." Elizabeth quietly scolded her younger sister.
"I do not think Mr. Darcy is bothered by impertinence. At least he always seems quite pleased with yours." Lydia's reply was delivered at a much louder volume so that everyone in the room could hear. Both Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth blushed and looked away. Jane had to concede that Lydia's observation was correct.
"A rake? My goodness, is there a rake in our midst, Mr. Darcy?" Jane thought this might be the first time her mother addressed Mr. Darcy directly since that first assembly when they met.
"Mrs. Bennet, you need not fear. The Mr. Wickham that Miss Lydia speaks of is well known to me. His is not an acquaintance you and your daughters would wish to make. I will only say he is not worthy of polite society." He met Mrs. Bennet's eyes with a steady gaze. He saw when understanding took hold. "However, I do not believe you will have the occasion to meet. He has determined the life of an officer is not for him. Indeed, believe he has already removed from the area."
"Is that all? It must be a good story if you will not share it." Lydia pouted, disappointed that Mr. Darcy did not share any salacious details.
"Lydia, Mr. Darcy is under no obligation to impart his personal business for your entertainment. We must all be thankful that he took action to ensure we are protected from whatever unruly propensities Mr. Wickham may harbor. That is quite enough." Mrs. Bennet's staunch defense surprised everyone.
Mr. Darcy made a slight bow from his seated position, acknowledging his appreciation of the matron's approval. She nodded in return and gave him a small smile.
That done, the conversation turned to more pleasant topics. The party fell into their usual groupings and occupations. Mr. Bingley engaged in conversation with Jane and Mrs. Bennet. Kitty and Lydia were involved in a favorite pastime of designing what they imagined to be the perfect ball, deciding on menus and music and dances and decorations. Mary, with sheet music before her, worked her fingers across the table as they would if she were seated before the pianoforte. Mr. Darcy walked to the window and stood looking out at the back garden.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth picked up a book and pretended to read. Only Jane noticed this as peculiar. The book she picked up was John Gregory's A Father's Legacy to his Daughters. Mary, when challenged to read something other than Fordyce's Sermons, had claimed Gregory's manual on conduct as an alternative.Elizabeth was infuriated by Gregory's words. She took particular offense to his comments on learning, "If you happen to have any learning, keep it a profound secret, especially from the men, who generally look with a jealous and malignant eye on a woman of great parts, and a cultivated understanding." She vowed the next time she picked up the book it would only be to throw it in the pond.
Jane's eyes often drifted from Elizabeth to Mr. Darcy trying to discern more of their feelings. While she had promised herself not to tease or laugh at Elizabeth any longer, she made no such promise regarding Mr. Darcy. She had previously noticed Mr. Darcy looked at Elizabeth a great deal. What made her smile was the fact that, today, every time he looked at Elizabeth, he found her staring back. Every time. And there were many. The poor man did not know what to do.
Unfortunately, both Mr. Bingley and Mrs. Bennet noticed her distraction and to whom it was directed. Both individuals created a scenario in their minds to account for the attention she directed to Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. One scenario proved more accurate than the other.