Page 3 of One Good Sonnet

Mrs. Bennet scowled. “Mr. Bennet, do take this more seriously. This is important.”

“You thought the last three tenants would marry one of our daughters,” Mr. Bennet reminded his wife. “None have. Perhaps informing Mr. Bingley that he has his choice will do the trick.” Mr. Bennet stood. “If you have need of me, I shall be in the library.”

“Oh, Mr. Bennet!” Mrs. Bennet’s exasperation held until her husband left the room.

“Girls, we must prepare at once. New trimmings and refreshed gowns. Jane, you have the handsomest features—he is sure to single you out.”

Elizabeth sighed. It was time again to protect Jane from their mother’s machinations. Jane’s lips were pressed into a thin line. To those who did not know her, they would attribute her manner to concentration on the embroidery in her hand. Elizabeth was not fooled. Her sister dreaded the arrival of their new neighbor as much as she did.

Mr. Bennet called on Mr. Bingley and withheld the information to torment his wife. When Mrs. Bennet learned of his call, her irritation gave way to excitement.

“Now we shall meet him when he returns your father’s call,” she told her daughters.

Unfortunately, the ladies were not at home when Mr. Bingley did so. Mrs. Bennet was thoroughly vexed when her husband could not account for any details of his call.

“How can you not know what color of coat he wore?” she lamented.

“I have told you he is an amiable man of middling height with red-blond hair and blue eyes. Is that not enough?” Mr. Bennet did not look up from the evening paper as he spoke.

“It will have to be enough. How are we to meet him? We cannot call at Netherfield.”

“He is to attend the assembly in a week,” Mr. Bennet said absently. “I am sure you can be introduced then. Sir William would be happy to do the honors.”

“You will not attend, Papa?” Mary asked.

“No, I think not. There is little to engage my attention at such events. No, I shall remain in my library with my newest book.”

“May I stay home?” Mary asked timidly.

“Why, Mary, of course not!” Mrs. Bennet snapped. “All my girls must be presented to Mr. Bingley. He might be a pious, serious sort.”

“You may stay, Mary,” Mr. Bennet said, contradicting his wife. Mary’s face lit up with happiness and relief. She thanked their father and left before Mama could drag her into an argument.

“Mr. Bingley will have four girls from which to choose,” Mr. Bennet reminded her. “And he will call again, at which time he might meet Mary.”

Mrs. Bennet was satisfied and bustled off to make plans.

Jane accompanied Elizabeth to the gardens outside where they might be guaranteed a modicum of privacy.

“How are you feeling, Jane?” Elizabeth asked. “I noted your discomfort earlier.”

“It is happening again. Every time a gentleman arrives, Mama thrusts me at him, expecting my handsome features to win him over instantly. Her overt behavior ends up deterring the man’s attention, and I am left to bear the brunt of her disappointment.”

“Perhaps it will be different this time.” They exchanged skeptical expressions and burst into laughter.

“No, I think not,” Jane said, wiping a tear from her eye. “Mama is as she ever was. I shall be made a spectacle once more.”

Elizabeth silently raged against the villain who had broken her sister’s heart seven years ago. His cruelty had sparked Mrs. Bennet’s determination to marry off her handsomest daughter. It was as if she had to prove the man had made a mistake.

“We shall bear it together,” Elizabeth promised. “Who is to say this Mr. Bingley will not immediately fall in love with you?”

“You jest,” Jane replied. “I shall act as I ever have. It is the only way to protect my heart.”

The night of the Meryton Assembly arrived quickly. Jane wore a stunning, ice-blue ballgown. It had been retrimmed with white lace, and she had pearl pins in her hair. Elizabeth wore a blush-colored gown. It was simple, but flattered her coloring.

Kitty and Lydia, she barely noticed. They rushed from the house to be the first in the carriage. Mrs. Bennet followed, leaving her first two daughters to be handed up last.

Mary and Mr. Bennet waved from the door before going inside Longbourn for a peaceful evening at home.