It shouldn't bother me, it shouldn't bother me, it shouldn't bother me……I just kept repeating that over and over in my head a little while later as I stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom, staring at my pale reflection now after splashing cold water into my face. I looked tired and old. Haggard even. Strange for someone who was barely in her twenties. They say love ages you. Love? What the hell? Had I just said love? I shook my head at myself, my eyes now wide with bewilderment. I was not, I repeat, not in love with Mr. Fitzwilliam 'devil incarnate' Darcy! Nope, nada. A knock sounded on the bathroom door, and I stood still a moment in hesitation. I wasn't really ready to leave my sanctuary. I had been in there a while, long enough that Jane had finally abandoned the room. She was probably back to claim the luxurious space, but I just needed the time alone. And then I heard a sniffle. I looked over my shoulder at the locked door.
"I'm assuming you're not here to see if I'm okay." I called out as the sniffling continued. It could only be Jane. I walked slowly and carefully toward the door. I didn't think that my emotions could handle much more turmoil. Yeah right! I was a woman and you know what they say about women. God created woman out of bone so they could sweep up the dirt that man leaves behind. I pulled the door open, preparing myself for the onslaught but not for the distressed Jane I found now. She was both livid and upset, sniffling while looking at me woefully before turning around, stomping across the room and opening the bedroom window. Oh no! She wouldn't!
"Jane…" I warned as she picked up one of the expensive shammed pillows off of the bed before pulling back her arm and sending it sailing out the window. I gaped. She must be seriously upset. Jane always seemed to turn to the theatrical when she was severely distressed. She picked up another pillow and I yelped.
"Jesus, Jane! What's going on?" I asked resolutely, not making it over to her in time to save the second pillow, although I did grab the vase she was presently aiming for. She looked up at me, her eyes flashing.
"They're gone! Oh, there was a nice little parting message and a nice job opportunity for us both, but those sons of bi…."She began sarcastically as I grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. She finally looked me in the eye.
"Now, breathe. Take in nice cleansing breaths and once you're calm, explain to me in slow precision exactly what is going on." I demanded as she hefted in several deep gulps of air. That's not what I had meant by cleansing breaths, but whatever works, right? Jane looked at me coldly.
"Our boss and his little whipping boy, Charles Bingley, are gone. They have decided to leave the running of this branch of the business to someone else and to leave us hanging. Of course, we have jobs lined up in Merryton, as if that parting gift is supposed to make us feel better! God, the man could have just told me that he didn't love me." Jane ranted as I stared at her in shock. What did she mean they were gone? As for the man loving her, I knew instinctually that she was referring to Bingley. I was just too dazed to do anything but stare at the moment. Jane picked up another expensive article of decoration and I didn't stop her. I didn't even notice what it was. Whatever it was, it was glass because even I delighted in the sound of it shattering on the ground below. A commotion from outside the room made us aware of the fact that Darcy's aunt had heard the ruckus we were causing. I was still in shock, although it was slowly dissipating. Staring at Jane, I hissed.
"The coward!" I almost yelled as Jane looked over at me in confusion. Of course she was confused. No one, other than Darcy and I, seemed to be aware of the tension between the two of us. He was a friggin' coward! Running afraid because he couldn't handle what had happened. Damn him! And on top of that, he was getting married. Who did he think he was? Julius Caesar? Because let me tell you something—Et Tu Brute! I sobered as the knob on the bedroom door jangled, and I looked at Jane.
"You said your dad has money, right?" I asked dubiously as I glanced out the window to the shattered antique and muddy pillow shams down below. Jane shrugged. I think she would have had her paycheck docked for a lifetime just for that tiny moment of satisfaction. A woman yelled, and I yelped. It was time to get the hell out of dodge!
"What do we do?" Jane asked suddenly as I looked over at her grim face in astonishment. We? I rolled my eyes.
"Face the piper." I proclaimed as I pulled the door open to find a very angry Catherine DeBourgh as she tapped her cane against the hard floor. I smiled weakly.
"Would you believe it was a momentary lapse in judgement?" I asked candidly as Jane chuckled and Lady Catherine pointed her cane toward the stairs.
"Out now! Out!" She shouted as I quickly turned around and started stuffing things in my bag while Jane grabbed hers. As we were being ushered out the door, I looked over at Jane.
"Did anyone say anything about accommodations?" I asked quietly as Jane nodded.
"Lucky us. Yes." She replied as we began to walk, both of us quiet for different reasons. I didn't feel lucky.