Chapter Thirty-Five

Mr. Darcy received an express from Charles Bingley to tell him of his engagement to Miss Bennet. He was delighted for his old friend. He thought Miss Bennet rather quiet with little to say, but from the moment Bingley had met her, he had been entranced by her, and Darcy had realised very quickly they had an agreement between them. But then Bingley had been foolish and made unwise investments, putting his fortune in jeopardy. His friend had always been too nice and had been easy prey when he had fallen in with some unscrupulous investors. When Bingley had first appealed for his help and Darcy had learned just how deeply in debt he was, he had been loath to help his friend. He did not understand how he had got himself in such a mess that he threatened his home and his future happiness. But he had found it difficult to see his friend so unhappy.

"I will make you a loan," he'd promised and although Bingley had not wanted to take it, he had insisted. He had also found him some people that could help Bingley get out of the mess he was in. In comparison to the troubles Georgiana had got herself into, helping Bingley had been easy. He was relieved he was marrying someone as sensible as Miss Bennet. So his friend's future was settled, as was his sister's. Now he had to think about himself. The time when he would lose Pemberley if he did not find himself a wife was coming upon him far faster than he would like.

Both Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam had advised him to take any wife and Bingley had even suggested his sister Caroline, but he could not do it. Miss Bennet was the only person he had ever considered to be suitable as his wife and she had turned him down. Perhaps with Georgiana in London he could come to a legal agreement with his uncle to oversee Pemberley even if he no longer owned it. Even the thought of it hurt him greatly. There had to be another solution.

The atmosphere at Longbourn changed for the better after Jane's engagement to Mr. Bingley, though Elizabeth did not see Jane quite as much as she would have liked as Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst seemed to want her at Netherfield a great deal. Elizabeth spent a great deal of time with her mother and tried not to be irritated by the incessant talk about weddings and rich husbands. Whenever she could, Elizabeth took the opportunity to escape the house and go for a walk or visit old friends. Lady Lucas was delighted when Elizabeth called and brought her news of Charlotte, describing in detail Charlotte's new life, her comfortable home, and the kind patronage of Lady Catherine.

"You will be next, Elizabeth," said Lady Lucas as she left.

Elizabeth had merely smiled but as she'd walked away, she wondered how she was going to endure the constant reminders of her need to find a husband. She did not want a husband, but she did need to think about finding herself a new position. If she was to be a companion again, it would be for someone of mature years who liked to stay quietly at home, pursuing their embroidery and reading books and had no unfortunate relatives like Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

"Lizzie, how do you think I look."

Elizabeth made her sister twirl around several times, and pretended to examine her closely.

"Lizzy, is something wrong?" asked Jane. "Do I have a smudge on my nose, is my hair coming down? Pray tell me so at once. I would not wish to embarrass Mr. Bingley."

Elizabeth laughed. "Oh Jane. You look beautiful as always. Do not worry. I was teasing you and your dress suits you very well. Naturally I cannot hope to compete," she said, smoothing down her own dress.

"Nonsense, Lizzy. You are very attractive. Mr. Darcy must have thought so or he would not have proposed to you."

"I don't want to think of him, Jane." Elizabeth was finding him very difficult to banish from her mind.

"I didn't mean to hurt you. Please forgive me."

"Jane, you didn't hurt me," said Elizabeth swiftly. "Anyway, tonight we are going to enjoy ourselves. Did you say Mr. Bingley has invited a special guest?"

"So he told me," said Jane, as she tucked in a tendril of hair that was falling loose, "but he refuses to say who it is. He asked we arrived early so we have an opportunity to meet him."

"How very curious." Lizzy picked up her shawl. "Then we had better leave."

Mrs. Bennet insisted on examining both their dresses. "Jane, you look beautiful. Mr. Bingley will be so proud of you."

"Thank you, Mama. Lizzy looks very nice too," said loyal Jane.

"That neckline isn't quite right" said Mrs. Bennet, tugging at it so hard Elizabeth wondered if it was going to give way in her hands. "Now Lizzy, you never know who Mr. Bingley might have invited. You must keep your eye out for a husband."

"Mama, I don't want one," protested Elizabeth.

"Lizzy, I have told you before, you cannot be selfish. You are nearly as pretty as your sister. If there is a gentleman at dinner who can provide you with a home, then you must make every effort to entice him."

Elizabeth tried not to snap. She had no intention of chasing any man present at Mr. Bingley's dinner party.

"Mama, don't you think it would be better if I went rather than Lizzy?" asked Lydia. "I am sure that I would win myself a husband, as young as I am."

"I would too," said Kitty, who as usual followed Lydia's lead despite being two years older.

"Well, I don't want to go," said Mary. "I have a new sonata to practice."

Lydia raised her eyebrows to the heavens. "No, Mary, no one wants to listen to your music. Kitty and I want to dance. You can play for us."

"Mama, it is not fair. Why should I play for them? No one ever wants to hear my music."

"Oh, do be quiet, Mary," snapped Mrs. Bennet wearily. "You do try my nerves. Think of your sisters and play for them."

Mary looked very disconsolate and Elizabeth could not help feeling sorry for her. It was true they rarely listened to Mary play, but she really wasn't very good. "Mary, let us practise some duets tomorrow," she suggested.

"Thank you, Elizabeth, but I do wonder if it is wise to play with another person. There is a chance that one player may have skills that do not match the other leading to a performance that is out of time and therefore disappointing those that are listening."

"Shall we go, Lizzy?" asked Jane.

"Yes, let's," said Lizzy. Even an evening with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst would be a welcome change from her silly sisters. Poor Mary. She really did make life very difficult for herself.

Mr. Bingley was hovering in the hall when they arrived, his handsome face wreathed in smiles. "My dearest; Miss Elizabeth. Welcome."

"Thank you, sir. It is kind of you to invite me," said Elizabeth.

"You will always be welcome, Miss Elizabeth. Indeed, I want you to think of Netherfield as a second home."

Elizabeth inclined her head. She was so pleased that he and Jane were getting married. He was such a kind man and their natures so similar that she was certain they would be very happy.

"Caroline and Louisa are already in the drawing room. They are looking forward to seeing you both."

Elizbeth resisted the urge to look at Jane. Mr. Bingley was so very kind, but he was blind to the true nature of his sisters. Elizabeth knew with a certainty that Mr. Bingley's sisters despised her and Jane even though they pretended otherwise. She only hoped that they would not cause trouble for Jane once she was married.

Mr. Bingley offered Jane his arm and he escorted them both to the drawing room.

Caroline Bingley was standing near the unlit fireplace, a discontented look on her face, which changed the moment they came into the room.

"Oh, my darling Jane. How lovey it is to see you. And how beautiful you look. That colour suits you so well. It was very popular in the season last year."

Elizabeth saw Jane flinch slightly. The remark was typical of Miss Bingley. Seemingly nice remarks were always spoilt by an unpleasant comment.

"And Miss Eliza as well. I can see you are in rude health. You always sport the complexion of someone who likes to tramp among the hills."

"I think Miss Elizabeth looks very nice indeed," said Mr. Bingley quickly as a footman offered them a drink.

Elizabeth was grateful. She could see that it was going to be a long evening.

"And how are the rest of your family, Jane?" asked Mrs. Hurst, a tiny woman with dark beady eyes and a bitter mouth. "Are your sisters well? I am sorry they are not here this evening, they could have entertained us."

It was another slight, but Jane answered her politely, saying that her sisters were busy with their own pursuits.

"Miss Elizabeth, I have some music for Miss Mary Bennet. She told me when she last met she had been hunting for a Mozart piano sonata and I have tracked it down," said Mr. Bingley as Jane sat down besides Mrs. Hurst.

"Indeed, sir. Mary will be delighted and it is very kind of you."

"Let me show you…"

"Charles, this is hardly of importance now," snapped Caroline Bingley "I am sure Miss Eliza can look at it later."

"No, Caroline. I want to show her now. We will be back in a moment."

Elizabeth merely smiled and followed Mr. Bingley from the room. She could not understand why she needed to look, but as Mr. Bingley was the host of the party she could hardly refuse.

"It's in the library. I left it on the table."

He opened the door to reveal a figure standing at the window. Elizabeth swayed. That height and that fine figure could only belong to one person. He turned around and Elizabeth didn't know what to say.

"The music is on the table," said Mr. Bingley and before she could reply had quietly closed the door and left them alone.