Chapter 12

Jane

He led them to his private box which truly had a great view. As he had said there was ample room for all of them there. Before the second half of the opera started they got to know Mr. Harrington better, Jane decided that she had been silent long enough.

"So Mr. Harrington, you came to the opera with a friend, is your family not here with you?"

"Indeed they are not, I have very little family left I'm afraid. Both of my parents are gone, I have no aunts or uncles, and my only brother is a Captain in the Navy, so I do not see much of him at all."

"I am so sorry."

"There is nothing to be sorry about, I am used to it. My parents died in a carriage accident 8 years ago and my younger brother joined Royal Naval College in Portsmouth when he was only 12. I am quite used to it." Jane did not know what to respond to that, she was so used to having a large family, it seemed so terribly lonesome what he was describing. Lizzy decided to change the course of the conversation, although Jane was not certain she preferred this topic either.

"So how do you know Miss Bingley if I might ask?"

"Through friends. The friend that came with me tonight went to school with Mr. Darcy and through Darcy I know Mr. Bingley. Neither is more than just an acquaintance but through him, I have moved in similar circles and encountered them many times. How do you know Miss Bingley."

"Mr. Bingley leased Netherfield park in Hertfordshire which is quite close to our estate. We got to know him and his family and his friend, Mr. Darcy, until they abruptly left." Thankfully at that moment, they heard the warning that the second half was about to start. Mr. Harrington led Jane to the best seat of the box and then sat right next to her. A part of Jane was very pleased by his attention but another part worried her a bit. Excluding the awful scene with Miss Bingley, this was going much better than she had anticipated. But was he just being kind because he disliked Miss Bingley or would he be interested in getting to know them better? Suddenly Jane felt him lean into her and felt his breath in her ear.

"Are you enjoying the opera, Miss Bennet?" A shiver went down her spine. It was strange, as much as she had felt for Mr. Bingley she had felt nothing like this. This was a very different kind of feeling she had never encountered.

"I am, all the emotion that is expressed even if I cannot understand the words, I find it very moving."

"So do I. Some prefer musicals, as they can understand the words better or a play, but the opera has always been my favorite."

"Mine as well, Lizzy prefers comedic plays that show the human folly, but there something about the power of the singing in an opera that nothing can match for me."

"I will let you enjoy it then." And as respectful as it was, a part of Jane was disappointed. But Jane let herself be immersed in the music once more to distract herself from his presence, which only worked until the opera ended. When it did she became very aware of his presence again.

"What a wonderful opera, I immensely enjoyed it." Lizzy spoke up before Jane had time to think of something to say. Aunt and Uncle Gardiner next to her agreed.

"Thank you so much for inviting us to enjoy it from your box Mr. Harrington." Uncle Gardiner thanked Mr. Harrington. "It had been a wonderful experience."

"I am glad Mr. Gardiner, do you have more plans to go to the theatre or the Opera? My box is open for your family anytime."

"That is very generous of you."

"Not at all, it would be my pleasure. My friend is not a great enthusiast of the opera or the theatre and I have greatly enjoyed your company. I prefer to enjoy a show with people who enjoy what they are watching as well." Mrs. Gardiner looked at her husband and Jane recognized her aunt's face, she was planning something.

"Mr. Harrington, why do you not let my husband and I pay you back with a dinner."

"I would enjoy that very much."

"Are you available sometime this week?"

"I will be available the day after tomorrow."

"Wonderful, it is decided then." Her aunt looked very pleased, and the truth was Jane was also very pleased that they would be seeing him again. They left the private box and Jane could see that everyone was moving out and leaving in mass. Her Aunt and Uncle were leading the group with Lizzy following and Jane and Mr. Harrington in the back. She knew that she would see him again in two days time but she did not want to leave with only saying goodbye.

"I am very grateful for your generosity in coming to my aid and then the offer for better seatings, especially considering our first meeting."

"Why, our first meeting left quite an impression, it is not every day such a beautiful woman crashes into you." Jane blushed, he was very charming she had to admit. "But I did not lie, I enjoy watching the opera more with other people that enjoy it. My friend is a very good friend but in this, we do not have similar tastes. The opera bores him to tears and talks to me about other subjects incessantly, and when I fail to respond he normally abandons me for other friends who are similarly uninterested with the opera and more interested in gossip. But, I also dislike sitting in a box by myself, so truly, you and your family have been very pleasant company."

Lizzy

Elizabeth was trying to contain her smile but was failing miserably. She was walking ahead of Jane and Mr. Harrington but could hear every word they were speaking. She had come without any set plans for the evening at the opera but it had gone better than she could have imagined. The opera was beautiful, they ended up seeing it form a private box with a fantastic view, they met a handsome gentleman with potential and best of all, she got to see Miss Bingley being put in her place. It was very unkind of her to have that thought but Miss Bingley had it coming. Lizzy had truly enjoyed watching her face when Mr. Harrington had come to their defense. Even if the opera had been terrible it would have been worth it for that moment alone. She knew it was not very Christian of her, but no one was perfect.

It would have also been worth it for Mr. Harrington. He was single, handsome, intelligent, kind. He had come to their aid when he barely knew them and had offered to seat them in his box. He had heard their talk with Miss Bingley and knew that she had looked down on them, yet he had still invited them to sit with him. By Miss Bingley reaction and the way she talked to him she guessed he was a man of wealth and some importance. She was looking forward to getting to know him better, especially since Jane seemed to be interested in him. She was clearly trying to hide it but failing completely. Not even Bingley had managed to get such a reaction from her, most would not realize how obvious she was being but to Lizzy and their aunt and uncle it was very clear. Now Lizzy just had to make sure he was to be trusted, they had believed in Mr. Bingley and look where that had ended.

Mr. Harrington knew Mr. Darcy even if they were not close friends, so maybe Miss Darcy would have some information for them. Tomorrow they were having tea with her, she would try to see if Miss Darcy had some information, that way she could be better prepared for the dinner in two days time.

They eventually managed to get out of the crowd and the theatre. They said their goodbyes to Mr. Harrington and got on their carriage to go back home. Once seated she could not help herself.

"So Jane what did you think of Mr. Harrington?"

"He was very kind."

"Jane, mama is not here you can say what you think."

"I don't know Lizzy. I did like him, I'm sure you could all tell. He was kind, generous, handsome, I have not liked someone as much except Mr. Bingley. But I do not want to hope anything just yet. I got my hopes up about Mr. Bingley and we saw where that ended. Let's wait for the dinner and see where this goes." Aunt Gardiner held Jane's hand for a second.

"I know you were very disappointed by Mr. Bingley, but Mr. Harrington seems very different from him. For one, he seems like a strong man with clear ideas. He also seemed kind and generous, I do not believe that he would raise someone's hopes up without cause. But you are right, let's take this one day at a time. First dinner in two days time. So what did you all think of the opera?"

They all had a wonderful journey home as they shared their enjoyment of the show.