Page 101 of Roses from Pemberley
He shrugged, in no way apologetic. “I doubt that Bingley missesmeat all. And I should think he would be thankful to be left alone with his new wife.”
“Yes, I suppose you have a point,” she responded, turning in her seat and wrapping her arms around his waist.
“I like your dress,” he said.
She looked down at her bronze-coloured taffeta dress and the gold necklace with ruby gem at her throat. “I shall allow you to remove it later,” she said playfully.
"I look forward to it," he responded.
After dinner that evening, the ladies retired to the drawing room, allowing Elizabeth to ask her sister how she fared.
“I could not be better, Lizzy. And you?”
“Pretty much the same, dear sister.”
They sipped their sherry and Elizabeth thought about the past spring, when she had been so ill and awoke to find that her wishes of having Jane nearby had come to fruition.
“I never did ask you, Jane - though I have been meaning to - how did Bingley ever convince you to come away to Rosings with him with nothing more than a maid? I would think that our uncle would not have allowed it.”
Jane nodded and looked thoughtfully towards the fire. “I never did tell you, Lizzy, but last winter in London was one ofthe saddest times in my life. I had gone there, you see, full of sanguine hopes. I thought that when I saw Caroline and Louisa again, our friendship would continue and that I would somehow encounter Charles again. But, when they did not return my call for another two weeks, I began to lose hope. Even more so when they eventually did arrive but stayed no more than a quarter hour. They told me that Charles was too busy to join them and that he was frequently at Mr. Darcy’s home, calling on his sister.
“I was heartbroken and felt like a fool. To have thought a man like that could ever love me when, naturally, he would wish for someone…better. I wrote you letters but never told you how I truly felt. I supposed it would fade one day, that I would be back to my normal self eventually. But unfortunately that did not happen. I felt sorry for myself and barely ate. My aunt grew fearful and threatened to tell you and Mamma about it. So I began to put on a semblance of complacency just so she would not write to you. But all I wished to do was lie in bed all day and cry.”
“Oh, dearest, I never knew!”
“How could you? I never told anyone about it.”
Elizabeth shook her head and held Jane’s hand.
Jane took a fortifying sip of her sherry and continued. “And then one day there was a knock on the door and Mr. Bingley appeared in the drawing room. You do not know how shocked I was. He spoke of how ill you were and how Mr. Darcy had sent him to collect me in order that I might tend to you. Uncle did not believe him at first, accusing him of making everything up for some nefarious purpose of his own. But then Bingley mentioned the letter from Mr. Darcy, and he and my aunt conferred for some time in his study, leaving Bingley and myself alone in the drawing room.
“I must say that I was confused. I thought, you see, that he was there for me. But he was only a messenger, and a way oftransporting me to you. But still, I knew that I wished to go - if only for your sake. But it was awkward, standing in the drawing room with him. I completely forgot myself, not even offering him any refreshments. He kept staring at me and I could not even look at him.” Jane sighed. “Eventually my uncle came out and agreed to let me go, telling me that my aunt could vouch for Mr. Darcy’s family, who were well known in Lambton where she had grown up. But Uncle insisted on sending a maid with me. He was also introduced to Dr. Stephens, who came down from the carriage to meet him, and who also vouched for Mr. Darcy’s integrity. I begged Uncle to let me go, telling him that I would never forgive him if something happened to you because I was not there to help you. In the end, he had no choice but to agree.”
Elizabeth chuckled. “He must have been surprised at your sudden resolve.”
“He was taken aback, I assure you.”
Elizabeth could just imagine her uncle’s surprise at having Jane speak to him in that manner. “And how was your journey to Kent?” she asked at length.
“Honestly, Lizzy, I was so worried about you that I barely paid any attention to Mr. Bingley. I looked out the window, mostly, not really knowing what to say to him.” Jane smiled. “But he remained kind throughout, not even calling attention to the fact I never spoke. I suppose he could tell how worried I was. He reminded me of how strong you were and how you had walked three miles to Netherfield just to care for me. And it made sense that I would now be able to care for you and eventually see you better.
“At some point, not wishing to appear rude, I inquired after his sisters and Mr. Darcy. He told me that his sisters were well but that he had not seen Darcy in over a month, as he and Miss Darcy had spent most of the winter at Pemberley. It was then that I knew Caroline had lied to me, that Charles was neverinterested in Mr. Darcy’s sister. And it was a shock to discover that Caroline was actually not the friend I’d thought her to be. I told him that I called on his sisters and he said he never even knew I was in town. He was mortified and apologised on behalf of them.”
Both were silent for a while.
Eventually Elizabeth said, “Are you pleased that Bingley has finally cut all ties with Caroline?”
“No, not really. It makes me sad that Charles had to choose between his family and ours. It would have been nice to have a sister like Georgie…instead of Caroline.”
Elizabeth smiled sympathetically. “But Georgie will now also be your sister.”
“Yes, I suppose she will.”
“And, given how cruel Caroline was when we last saw her at Rosings, do you not think it is better not to see her again?”
Jane looked at her in understanding, then said, “I suppose it is the best way to look at it.”
They were interrupted by the entrance of the gentlemen who each immediately went to his wife.
