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The brightness in Jane’s eyes brought a smile to Elizabeth’s face, for Jane did not often show her true feelings to anyone. Jane is smitten!

Elizabeth said, “We must not neglect to add that he is rich, and dare I say he is handsome.”

“Oh, Lizzy! You know neither of those things is of consequence to me. I must admit that I was flattered by his asking me to dance a second time.”

“I say it is a most befitting compliment. He would have been a fool not to have paid especially close attention to you, dearest Jane.” The two sisters joined hands. “Just think; should the two of you come to a mutual understanding, then you will no longer be obliged to accept the beau whom our excellent father has chosen.”

“Yes, but my good fortune would possibly come at the expense of your own future happiness. You will recall Papa saying that should either of us meet and fall in love and marry, then the one who remains unattached shall be the lucky bride of Mr. Caseman.”

Elizabeth shuddered. Regardless of her parents’ expectations, she concluded long ago that if she were to marry, the gentleman would be one of her own choosing. If she should find herself choosing Mr. Caseman, then it would be so much the better for everyone.

“You need not remind me of Papa’s favourite wish that one of us should marry the eldest son of his closest friend from university, but the terms of their mutual accord are so vague they might easily be comprehended as more of a strong suggestion rather than a strict edict. Papa has allowed enough latitude that we might both meet and choose our own husbands. I believe I shall have some time even after you and your Mr. Bingley are attached.”

“He is not my Mr. Bingley—at least not yet.”

A restless night filled with dread over what her sister likely suffered away from home and in the company of complete strangers, gave way to an anxious morning. Elizabeth received a letter from Jane imparting information of her ill health. Jane implored her to come to Netherfield. Coming face to face with Mr. Darcy under such circumstances as this cannot be a good thing. Meeting the Bingley sisters for the first time is hardly a compelling inducement either. Elizabeth sighed. I have no choice. My sister needs me.

It had all been her mother’s doing. When the invitation for Jane to dine at Netherfield with Caroline Bingley and Louisa Hurst arrived the day before, Mrs. Bennet had insisted Jane travel by horseback. Jane’s preference had been to take the carriage, but her mother proclaimed the horses could not be spared. Her father reluctantly agreed. Mrs. Bennet had eagerly sent her eldest daughter on her way with many cheerful prognostics of a rainy day. Not long after Jane left the house, her mother’s prayers were answered. Rain poured from the sky in droves. Jane’s dire predicament demanded she spend the night.

Once again, Elizabeth perused Jane’s missive explaining her ill-health. She attributed it to her having arrived at Netherfield soaking wet the day before. She drew a long breath. Oh, that my poor sister should find herself at the mercy of strangers! Her friend Charlotte Lucas had given her a very unflattering assessment of the Bingley sisters. Elizabeth had missed them when they called at Longbourn. By Charlotte’s account, she had not missed much, for the ladies had called on Lucas Lodge as well. Her friend supposed they were intelligent enough to have made themselves quite agreeable had they chosen to. Their countenance was handsome, their clothing elegant, and by their air, they were educated in the finest seminaries. Although Jane had described them as very pleasing women with excellent conversation, Elizabeth supposed it was simply Jane’s way. The whole world was good and agreeable in her eldest sister’s eyes. Charlotte, however, was clever and a fine studier of people.

In fairness to the two women whom she had never met, Elizabeth supposed, at the very least, their invitation for Jane to dine with them was confirmation of their good opinion of Jane, but what must they now think? Arriving on horseback on a day that promised rain defied sound judgement.

I pray they have not attributed such lack of sensibility to dear Jane—the sweetest, most unassuming person in the world. Impropriety of any kind is not in my sister’s nature. Elizabeth gathered her things and headed for the door.

Mrs. Bennet impeded her departure. “Where do you suppose you are headed, Miss Lizzy?”

“I am going to Netherfield to see Jane.”

“You will do no such thing, young lady. I will not have you arriving at Netherfield uninvited and making a spectacle of yourself; thereby, hindering Jane’s prospects when everything is working according to plan. I reckon Mr. Bingley is half in love with her already.”

“I am sorry, Mama, but I cannot be a party to your scheme. I must see Jane. She complains of a fever and a headache. She needs me!”

“Nonsense! People do not die of trifling colds. Jane’s health will return soon enough. Pray she returns to Longbourn engaged to be married.”

Passing through the hall on his way to the quiet sanctuary of his library, Mr. Bennet slowed his pace. “I am inclined to agree with your mother, Lizzy. Were Jane in any real danger then Mr. Bingley surely would have sent word. It shall prove far better for your sister’s prospects to allow your mother’s scheme to unfold.”

“Papa!”

“There, you see. Your father agrees with me. You will turn around and head back upstairs.”

Elizabeth pretended not to hear her mother’s ardent protests as she headed out the door and down the steps. I understand Mama and Papa’s desire to see their eldest daughter well settled, but surely this is not the way to go about it.

CHAPTER 2

CONSTANT COMPANY

Elizabeth enjoyed few things more than a long solitary ramble through the countryside. At first, the fresh open air quickly extinguished any concerns about how her arrival might be perceived by the Netherfield party, but not for long. In under a mile away, Elizabeth looked down at her hem—six inches deep in mud. Her untidy attire was hardly a fitting recommendation to the new neighbours. Is appearing before strangers in such an unsightly state any less of a spectacle than arriving on horseback in the pouring rain?

There is nothing to be done now. With any luck, I shall arrive with little fanfare. I shall proceed to see Jane without making Mr. Darcy’s acquaintance in such a shabby state as this. Undeterred, Elizabeth continued on her way, crossing field after field at a quick pace, jumping over stiles and springing over puddles with impatient activity, and finding herself at last within view of the house.

Once Elizabeth was shown into the breakfast-parlour, the gentleman whom she recognised as Mr. Bingley greeted her with kindness and good humour.

“Miss Elizabeth,” said he, “this is indeed a pleasant surprise to make your acquaintance after all this time in Hertfordshire. I have heard so many delightful accounts in your favour.” He stole a glance at the others before looking back at Elizabeth. “Allow me to introduce you to everyone.”

First, he introduced his eldest sister, Mrs. Louisa Hurst, and her husband, Mr. Hurst. The former addressed Elizabeth with an affected smile; the latter barely looked up from his heaping plate of eggs and bacon. He then introduced his sister, Miss Caroline Bingley.

“I concur with my brother,” she said, her voice dripping with honey, but her eyes gleaming with contempt. “It is such a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”