Chatper 27:

Jane was smiling, really smiling, something she had not done in a very long time. She had forgotten about her promise to protect her heart and instead she was simply enjoying the moment, and enjoying she was. the Viscount was showing her how the glittering stars made shapes in the sky and she found it fascinating.

"Again!" She exclaimed, looking up and squinting, to see if she could see a shape on her own.

The Viscount smiled and obliged.

"Close one eye and give me your hand" he said, reaching for delicate gloved hands, "Look, see there, a scorpion"

"That is frightening" said Jane, being able to see it now that he had shown her.

"Jane! Peter!" A female voice came from behind them and they both let go of their hands and looked behind them, quietly annoyed that Penelope had interrupted them. There were other couples on the terrace and many chaperons, there was nothing improper about their being there, but nonetheless, it piqued Penelope's interest, as well the gentleman that was with her.

Mr. Bingley had come with Miss Penelope in search of Miss Bennet.

"Penelope" said Peter, his face unreadable, "Mr. Bingley."

"The Supper Set is about to begin" said Mr. Bingley, looking at Miss Bennet with confusion. He forced a smile and offered his arm, which she reluctantly took and went back into the Ballroom with Mr. Bingley, looking back once at the Murphys, who stayed on the terrace.

Mr. Bingley puffed out his chest while walking with the beautiful Miss Bennet and gladly took his place with the other couples, looking at his beloved.

"You look lovely tonight, Miss Bennet" he said gallantly. Jane forced a smile but felt uncomfortable. He had often complimented her before but now it felt empty. The music and the dancing began and it was a few minutes before they spoke.

"And how are you enjoying town?" asked Mr. Bingley, searching for a topic of conversation.

"I have only just arrived" said Jane. They fell into another uncomfortable silence and she realized, they never truly had what to talk about. It was superficial and included a lot of compliments on his part and perhaps too much staring. Did they even know each other?

"Have you known the Viscount long?" asked Mr. Bingley, feeling confused and perhaps even betrayed, that she was entertaining someone else's attention.

"Not at all" said Jane, twirling with the next step.

"I thought we had an understanding" said Mr. Bingley, now more visibly upset.

"I apologize, I do not have the pleasure of understanding you" said Jane, raising an eyebrow.

"It seems that the Viscount is trying to court you and when we spoken in Longbourn, I thought we came to an understanding that after the Darcys wedding, you would give me the pleasure of courting you" said Mr. Bingley.

Jane thanked the stars that the next step involved switching partners for a minute, which gave her just enough time to regain her composure.

"Mr. Bingley, I do not know the Viscount's intentions, nor would I discuss them with you" said Jane, "When you were in Longbourn, you courted and gave rise to expectations...that you did not fulfill. Even if your sisters kept the knowledge that I was in London, are you not a free man that could have gone back to Longbourn? If you truly cared for me, would you have simply forgotten about me for months?"

"I did not forget about you for a single moment" said Mr. Bingley with feeling, "I wanted to go back to you."

"And why did you not?" asked Jane, her voice now stern, and eyebrow raised. Mr. Bingley stared at her in disbelief. He never thought his sweet Jane would question him, and even less on this topic. He did not want to admit that he did anything wrong and hearing the judgment from her, took away any romantic feelings that this dance could have brought.

Mr. Bingley did not respond, he could not respond, for he did not know the answer himself. They finished the dance in silence, each parting ways at the end, without looking back.

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The morning after a Ball is the perfect time to sit over tea, scones, and fresh fruit and trade gossip. The Bennet sisters woke late, for the Ball had ended very fashionably late, and they were now enjoying a light break fast in Mrs. Darcy's parlor.

"Would you like more tea?" asked Elizabeth, pouring herself another cup and offering Jane. Elizabeth loved this parlor, it was so cozy and warm.

"I thank you" said Jane.

"So how was your dance with Mr. Bingley?" asked Elizabeth, for she had seen them dancing.

"Oh Lizzy, it was dreadful" said Jane, taking a sip of tea. "We then had to sit in awkward silence during Supper, I cannot believe that I ever thought myself in love with him" said Jane truthfully. "It was so dreadful Lizzy, oh my, I have become horrible" said Jane blushing.

"No, you have not. You have become honest" said Elizabeth with pride.

"I do not think I want his attention Lizzy" said Jane truthfully, after a few moments of silence.

"I do not think he is worthy of it, my dear" said Elizabeth, now sharing her opinion at last. "What about the Viscount?"

Jane blushed becomingly.

"I see" said Lizzy teasing her.

"Penelope found us in the terrace, he was showing the stars, I do believe she felt it was scandalous. Mr. Bingley was with her—they both looked surprised" said Jane.

"Does it matter?" asked Elizabeth nonchalantly.

"No, I do not think it does" said Jane, now smiling and reaching for a scone.

The ladies were interrupted by a footman who brought in flowers that had been dropped off for Miss Jane Bennet.

"Beautiful!" said Elizabeth, standing up to smell them. She asked the footman to place them by the window.

"There is another one, ma'am" said the footman, going back out of the room and bringing with him another one.

"Jane!" whispered Elizabeth, excited for the attention her sister was getting. "Who are they from?"

"You can look" said Jane teasingly, for she saw how excited Elizabeth was.

"No, no, these are your flowers, pray tell what they say!" said Elizabeth. Jane stood up reluctantly, enjoying the smells emanating from the flowers.

"These are from the Viscount" she said smiling, it was an arrangement of white roses. She picked up a card and read:

"Not as bright as the stars, they reminded me of you nonetheless.

We arrived very late last night, I look forward to calling on your tomorrow.

-P"

Jane walked over to the second arrangement, a mixture of flowers and colors. Beautiful but in a way, erratic.

"To the most beautiful lady I have had the pleasure of knowing.

-C.B."

Jane held the card and read it again—her face not forming a single smile. That was all she had been to him, a pretty flower. And for a moment Jane held it close and thanked him for abandoning her, for she was more than a pretty flower, if anything, she was a glistening star.

PNPNPNPNP

Please dont hate bc its short! Thats all I had time to write and I'm writing as a post since this is all a new part of the story. Do you think Mr. Bingley could redeem himself?