Wow, it's been a while. I've been focusing on real life (and other stories) and have let this languish. This is just a short chapter to help me get my groove back for this story. I'll try to update it more regularly and keep it in rotation with my other WIP.
Thanks for your patience.
(JLC, 11/06/21)
~~OJ~~
"Bingley, why is everybody staring at me?" Jane overheard Mr. Darcy's quiet conversation with Mr. Bingley once they had returned to the house after their foray into the garden.
"Oh, are they? I had not noticed," Mr. Bingley answered, wearing a wide grin which he quickly schooled to an overly severe expression. As pleased as Jane was with her budding courtship with the man, she had to admit deception did not seem to be among his skills. After a moment's thought, she considered that was a good thing, indeed. "I am sure you are imagining it."
"And I am sure I am not. I am well familiar with being the subject of scrutiny, I assure you. Truly, is there something amiss about my person?" Mr. Darcy asked with a hint of insecurity.
"No. Why would you think that?" asked Mr. Bingley.
"Why would I not?"
"I have already told you there is nothing amiss. But let us get to the bottom of this, first, who is everyone? I can guarantee I have not been staring at you. Why would I when there is Miss Bennet to draw my gaze?" he smiled happily. "So, to whom do you refer? Is it Mr. Collins? He does seem rather enthralled with your aunt. Maybe he wants to forge a connection with you. Is it the household staff? Longbourn is not accustomed to a person of such high status, perhaps they are in awe of you."
"Bingley, it is not the staff. It is not Mr. Collins and, before you make another absurd suggestion, it is not Mr. Bennet, nor his younger daughters."
"Are you suggesting Miss Bennet is staring at you?" Jane revised her opinion of Mr. Bingley's acting skills for he suddenly looked quite disgruntled.
"Perhaps staring is not the correct word, but I feel she has me under close observation today, as does her mother. It is a marked change from our past interactions. Miss Bennet has always been pleasant but very proper in that respect while her mother barely spares me a glance, for which I am grateful. Yet, today, something is different."
"Is that all? Why even bring it up then, Darcy? Does it make you uncomfortable?"
"Of course not. It is Miss Elizabeth. She is not herself. She is quiet and not as lively as is her wont. It is she who is staring at me." Mr. Darcy glanced over at Elizabeth where she was trapped in conversation with Mr. Collins and Mary. Once again, she was staring at him.
"I repeated, does it make you uncomfortable?" Mr. Bingley asked.
"It makes me feel…unsettled."
"Is that different from uncomfortable?" At Mr. Darcy's frown, Mr. Bingley held up his hand to stop his friend from responding. "Regardless, let us use your own behavior as our guide."
Mr. Darcy sighed heavily, "Please, forget I said anything. This conversation has already gone on longer than I would have wished."
"No, no, no, I am determined to help you with this, my friend. Indulged me, please. Now, you look at Miss Elizabeth quite a lot-"
"I do not!" Mr. Darcy interrupted most empathically, which now caused most of those inhabitants of the sitting room to look their way. Jane caught Mr. Bingley's eye and he winked at her. He was clearly relishing the task she had given him.
"You do, very much as it happens. Ask yourself why. Is it because she has a most compelling blemish? Or is it that her dress is last year's fashion, and you find it intolerable? Is she too tan? Or, perhaps, you are trying to determine which hair design suits her best? Are you looking to discover her faults?"
"I cannot agree with your claim that I look upon Miss Elizabeth more than is appropriate, but when I do it is most certainly not to find fault." Mr. Darcy shut his mouth quickly, as if alarmed at what he had just revealed.
"Hmm, that is interesting. Why is it, then, that you look upon her with such intensity?" A blush started to creep up Mr. Darcy's neck. Mr. Bingley had no wish to expose his friend any more than necessary, even to Miss Bennet, and discreetly positioned them so none but he would hear the response.
Instead of answering, Mr. Darcy asked a question of his own, "Do you think she has noticed?"
"I cannot say, Darcy, but I imagine so."
Groaning softly, Mr. Darcy continued, "Am I making her uncomfortable, do you think?"
"Again, I cannot say. However, can you answer my question? Why do you look at her so intensely?" When his friend remained quiet, he was not surprised. He knew he would get no more from him at this time. "Darce, consider this – if Miss Elizabeth is staring at you as you stare at her, could it not be for the same reasons?" Mr. Bingley excused himself and rejoined the others. After all, there was a more pressing conversation to be had with Mr. Bennet.
~~OJ~~
During the young people's walk in the garden Mrs. Bennet had watched from the window. She remained watchful now that they had returned to the sitting room. She had been given much to think on today. Jane's warning about Elizabeth's likely behavior upon Mr. Bennet's death, if pushed to wed Mr. Collins, and Jane's sudden attention to Mr. Darcy had left her simultaneously perturbed and elated, though not at all surprised. She had expected Elizabeth to be selfish and difficult regarding marrying Mr. Collins, for the child gave no thought to securing Longbourn for her family. Jane's belief that Elizabeth would toss her out in the hedgerows was not something she had ever considered, yet it had a disturbing hint of truth she would choose to ignore. However, Jane's interest in Darcy was as it should be, for her Jane was far more deserving of ten thousand a year than any other. Mr. Bingley and his five thousand would do nicely for one of the younger girls.
Almost as soon as her brain began working out how many carriages her eldest would have, she noticed Jane was not actually watching Mr. Darcy but rather she was watching the interplay between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, such that it was. While Mr. Darcy might be blinded to their lack of wealth and status for a beauty such as Jane, she held no such hopes for Elizabeth. Mr. Collins was a much safer matrimonial prospect, one that she would encourage, but still, she would not be as dismissive of Mr. Darcy as she had been since his arrival in Meryton.