Chapter Twenty-One


Eden knew Mr. Bingley would propose and that Jane would accept. There was no doubt about it. She left the house, sitting on a bench outside. The sun shone on her and reflected off a single tear that rolled down her face.

She was quick to brush it away. This was a happy, joyous moment and she had to keep a stiff upper lip. After all, it was the only thing to do. For her one and twenty years of life, Eden had always been Jane's protector and now Jane would soon have a husband who could protect her far better than Eden ever could.

Mr. Bingley and Jane would do well together. Their tempers were so much alike. She laughed to herself when she thought about how assiduously they would be cheated by their servants, being so generous with the rest.

When night fell, Jane took Lizzie's spot in Eden's bed, a bright smile on her face.
"Can you die of happiness?" she asked. "You know, he was totally ignorant of my being in town last spring!" Eden didn't have the heart to tell her that she knew all along.
"How did he account for it?"
"He thought me indifferent?" Eden faked a gasp.
"Unfathomable!"
"No doubt poisoned by his pernicious sister."
Eden giggled, "Bravo! That is the most unforgiving speech you've ever made."
"Oh, Eden, if I could but see you so happy. If there was such another man for you!"

A noise drew their attention and Eden climbed out of bed when the door banged. She walked downstairs, following her father, who opened the door with the rest of the family behind him.

In all her rich glory, Lady Catherine de Bourgh stood outside.
"Lady Catherine," Eden said. The woman did not respond, inviting herself inside. She waved a dismissive hand towards the rest of Eden's sisters.
"The rest of your offspring, I presume?" Lady Catherine asked Mrs. Bennet.
"All but two, they have lately been married your ladyship. And my eldest was only proposed to yesterday afternoon."
"You have a very small garden, madam. Now, I must speak to Miss Eden alone, as a matter of urgency."

The girl led Lady Catherine to the drawing room, holding a candle, which she set down when the door shut. They sat across from each other, Eden's hands folded on her lap.
"You can be at no loss, Miss Bennet, to understand why I am here."
"Indeed, you are mistaken," Eden said. "I cannot account for this honor at all."
"Miss Bennet, I warn you, I am not to be trifled with. A report of most alarming nature has reached me that you intend to be untied with my nephew, Mr. Darcy."

That was news to Eden herself. She did not know that she had any intention to marry Mr. Darcy.
"I know this to be a scandalous falsehood, though not wishing to injure him by supposing it possible, I instantly set off to make my sentiments known."
"If you believed it impossible, I wonder you took the trouble of coming so far."
"To hear it contradicted, Miss Bennet."
"Your coming here will be rather a confirmation, surely? if indeed such a report exists."
"If? Do you then pretend to be ignorant of it? Has it not been industriously circulated by yourself?"
"I have never heard of it!"
"And can you declare there is no foundation for it?"
"I do not pretend to possess equal frankness with your ladyship. You may ask the questions, which I may not choose to answer."

Eden felt a burning rage building up inside of her. How dare this woman come and make accusations.
"This is not to be borne," Lady Catherine snapped. "Has my nephew made you an offer of marriage?"
"Your Ladyship declared it to be impossible!"
"Let me be understood. Mr. Darcy is engaged to my daughter. Now what have you to say."
"Only this—if that is the case you can have no reason to suppose he will make an offer to me."
"Oh, obstinate girl! This union has been planned since their infancy. Do you think it can be prevented by a young woman of inferior birth and whose own sister's elopement resulted in the scandalously patched-up marriage, only achieved at the expense of your uncle? Heaven and earth, are the shades of Pemberley to be thus polluted? Now tell me once and for all, are you engaged to him?"
"I am not!"
"And will you promise never to enter into such an engagement?"

Eden stood indigently.
"I will not. And I certainly never shall. You have insulted me in every possible way and can now have nothing further to say. I must ask you to leave immediately. Good night." She threw open the door and Lady Catherine stood in a huff.
"I have never been thus treated in my entire life." She stormed past Eden to her awaiting carriage.
"Eden, what on earth is going on?" Mrs. Bennet asked.

Shaking her head, Eden made her way to the stairs.
"Eden!" She spun around, blinking back tears.
"Please," she said. "For once in your life. Just leave me alone." She walked upstairs, followed by Jane. Her elder sister wrapped her arms around Eden, holding her as silent sobs racked through her body.

Jane fell asleep long before Eden. In fact, the dark-haired girl stared completely awake at the ceiling. She climbed out of bed, knowing it would be a waste to try to sleep. She crept out of the room down to the kitchen. She took Mr. Bennet's great coat, wrapping it tightly around her body as she sat at the kitchen table, lost in her own thoughts.


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