Chapter Three
The elder three Bennet sisters hid under the covers of the twins' bed, gossiping about their night.
"Mr. Bingley I just what a young man ought to be," Jane sighed. "Sensible, good humored."
"Handsome, conveniently rich," Lizzie added teasingly.
"You know perfectly well that I do not believe marriage should be driven by thoughts of money," Jane said.
"I agree in entirely," Eden said. "On the deepest love will persuade me into matrimony, which is why I'll end up an old maid."
"Do you really believe he liked me?" Jane asked.
"Jane, he danced with you most of the night and stared at you for the rest of it," Lizzie said. "But I give you leave to like him. You've liked many a stupider person."
"Lizzie!" Jane exclaimed.
"You're a great deal too apt to like people in general, you know," Lizzie continued. Eden nodded in agreement.
"All the world is good and agreeable in your eyes, Jane."
"Not his friend," Jane disagreed. "I still cannot believe what he said about you."
"Mr. Darcy?" Eden frowned. "I could more easily forgive his vanity had he not wounded mine. But no matter, I doubt we shall ever speak again."
The sisters giggled together before retiring for the night, Jane snuffing out the candle as she left. Lizzie leaned in close to Eden.
"Are you sure he didn't hurt you more than you are letting on?"
"Oh Lizzie," Eden whispered. "I cannot lie to you, but I am sure in time that I will forget about it."
For as long as Lizzie had known Eden, she knew that Eden could care less about herself and care more about the others. They were a right pair; Lizzie could not be bothered with the feelings of others and her twin would rather throw herself into the sea than let a single person be saddened. She smiled fondly at Eden, who had already fallen asleep. Hopefully Eden was right and the whole affair with Mr. Darcy would be forgotten.
The next morning, everyone sat at the dining table as Mrs. Bennet gushed to Mr. Bennet.
"… and then he danced the third with Miss Lucas. Poor thing, it is a shame she is not more handsome. There's a spinster in the making and no mistake. The fourth with a Miss King of little standing. And the fifth again with Jane."
"If he had any compassion for me, he would have sprained his ankle in the first set," Mr. Bennet grumbled.
"Oh, Mr. Bennet! The way you carry on, anybody would think the girls looked forward to a grand inheritance!"
Lizzie and Eden rolled their eyes along with Mr. Bennet. It was a speech they had heard many a time. Eden leaned over to Lizzie, whispering quietly.
"The way she carries on, anybody would think we girls looked forward to a spinsters' life." Lizzie scoffed as Mrs. Bennet continued.
"As you well know, Mr. Bennet, when you die, which may in fact be very soon."
"As soon as I can manage it," Mr. Bennet muttered. Mrs. Bennet paid no heed to his words as she kept talking as if he hadn't spoken at all.
"Our girls will be left without a roof over their heads or a penny to their name."
Having enough of the conversation, Lizzie spoke up with a slight grumble.
"Oh Mother, please! It's ten in the morning." Mrs. Bennet went to scold her but was interrupted by the maid entering the room.
"A letter addressed to Miss Bennet, Ma'am. From Netherfield Hall."
Mrs. Bennet exclaimed loudly, "Praise the Lord! We are saved!" The maid handed the letter to Jane before scurrying off. "Make haste, Jane, make haste! Oh, happy day."
Opening the letter, Jane's beautiful bright smile dimmed just slightly.
"It's from Caroline." At the mention of Mr. Bingley's sister, Mrs. Bennet's enthusiasm died down. "She has invited me to dine with her. Her brother will be dining out."
"Dining out?" Mrs. Bennet repeated slowly.
"Can I take the carriage?" Jane asked.
"Out where?" Mrs. Bennet asked, ripping the letter from jane's hand.
"It is much too far to talk," Jane said.
"Unaccounted of him," muttered Mrs. Bennet. "Dining out, indeed."
"Mama!" exclaimed Lizzie. "The carriage? For Jane?"
"Certainly not. She'll go on horseback."
If she had not been raised a proper young woman, Eden's jaw would have dropped open. It was bound to storm; she could see the clouds already forming. Jane would catch her death of a cold if she went horseback.
And that was exactly what happened.
The storm caused too much trouble for Jane to return, and Mrs. Bennet was overjoyed. However, Eden was worried for her kindhearted older sister. By the next morning, a letter arrived from Jane, which Lizzie read aloud.
"And my kind friends will not hear of my returning home until I am better—but do not be alarmed excepting a sore throat, a fever, and a headache, there is nothing wrong with me." Eden looked to Mrs. Bennet.
"I hope you are satisfied Mother."
Mr. Bennet sighed, "Well, my dear, if your daughter does die, it will be a comfort to know it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley."
"People do not die of colds," Mrs. Bennet sniffed.
"Though, she might well perish with the same of having such a mother," Lizzie mumbled.
Standing from the chaise, Eden hurried out of the room. Lizzie rushed to catch up with her.
"Wherever are you going?" she asked.
"Jane is all alone," Eden said, grabbing her shawl. "She'll be terrified. I am going to Netherfield." Lizzie hugged Eden tightly.
"You always care so much," she remarked.
"Always," Eden agreed.
Leaving the house, Eden trekked through muddy fields, slipping multiple times. She dreaded her arrival to Netherfield because it meant she would arrive in disarray. Oh, how she hated being in disarray.
When Netherfield appeared on the horizon, Eden stopped, taking in the sight of the large manor. She tilted her head slightly, then continue don her way. The path grew increasingly muddy, much to Eden's chagrin.
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