Chapter 15

15

E lizabeth trudged up the stairs. How she hoped Jane would soon be well enough to go home! Mr. Darcy was being scrupulously polite, and had not asked about anything that was not already common knowledge, but it could not be long before he did, she was sure. And he was too clever not to know if she was being evasive.

And, in the meantime, she would have to sit here, unable to do much; or go to the cottage, or play and sing. Oh, it was all too, too much!

Fortunately for her peace of mind, she found Jane awake and feeling well enough for a bath. Assisting with that and helping her to dress was a balm to her soul. Elizabeth pushed away her annoyance with feeling trapped here and vowed to enjoy her sister's company.

"All right, Jane. If you want to be more awake this afternoon and able to go downstairs, then you ought to rest on the bed this morning. Perhaps I could read to you." She eyed the books she had selected after her walk. "I am afraid there is not much of a selection. What about this one? At least we have not already read it."

She waved the copy of Clarissa at her sister, who smiled and lay back, ready to be amused. Elizabeth opened the book, skipping through the front matter until she came to the beginning.

"It seems to be a letter first." She skimmed the page and then shifted more firmly in her chair.

"Letter one. Miss Anna Howe to Miss Clarissa Harlow

January the 10th.

I am extremely concerned, my dearest friend, for the disturbances that have happened in your family. I know how it must hurt you to become the subject of the public talk; and yet upon an occasion so generally known it is impossible but that whatever relates to a young lady, whose distinguished merits have made her the public care, should engage everybody's attention. I long to have the particulars from yourself, and …"

She glanced up at Jane, who had her eyes closed, and raised her eyebrows before returning to the story. She read steadily for half an hour, until Jane shifted restlessly.

Elizabeth put the book down and turned to ring for tea. "Can you not concentrate, Jane?"

"I am sorry, Lizzy, you are the best reader I know, but all I can think of is whether Mr. Bingley likes me."

Elizabeth laughed and turned to embrace her sister. "And letters from unknown fictional ladies distract you, I suppose. Well, when they bring up the tea, I will faithfully repeat to you every word I have heard from Mr. Bingley today. Then you may be assured of his affections."

"Don't tease me, Lizzy." Jane pleated the edge of the coverlet between her fingers. "I am afraid Miss Bingley and her sister do not feel that I am in any way suitable for their brother."

"Why? What happened at dinner that you haven't told me?" Elizabeth sat on the edge of the bed, and squeezed her sister's fingers. "Tell me."

"Well, they were asking all about our relations. I could see them turning up their noses that the Philips' don't have an estate, but live in the town; and they didn't even try to hide their horror that Aunt and Uncle Gardiner live in Cheapside." Tears started to Jane's eyes. "I love my family very much, and they were so disdainful. How can such people be sisters to a very amiable man like Mr. Bingley?"

In the same way as they, Jane and Elizabeth, had such brash sisters as Lydia and Kitty, and a very vulgar mother, Elizabeth supposed. She shook her head.

"Jane, dear, you know that all families have very different characters within them. Mr. Bingley will know his sisters' views very well, but he still shows you marked attention. What you must do," she brushed her sister's hair from her brow, "is make sure he knows of your feelings — with all due decorum, of course — but also that you are far more than just the most beautiful face. We have been fortunate to have had the attentions of masters and tuition, which must rival the most exclusive seminary, and even surpass it in the teaching of manners, seeing Miss Bingley's mistakes in that subject!"

"Oh, Lizzy! You must not be so unkind," Jane coughed.

"So Miss Bingley can be unkind about us, but we cannot be unkind about her?"

Jane seemed to have no answer to that, and Elizabeth looked at her carefully and decided some more of the powders were warranted. The fever must not be allowed to return, because Jane would be much restored if she could have an hour in the company of Mr. Bingley this afternoon.

She hoped very much that gentleman had a little more integrity than she had seen so far, and the words of her song threaded through her mind.

"that she was a true soul

behind the lovely face

not just a trophy to boast of to all."

Charlotte really helped her write the most beautiful songs, and Elizabeth knew she must argue passionately that Charlotte come with her when she went to town.

Town. Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. Elizabeth sighed; she could hardly wait to go. There, she did not need to hide her playing. The music room was far from the nursery, so she did not disturb her little cousins even if she stayed up late at night.

Not so little, she suddenly thought. Boys were not generally taught to play, and Lilibeth was still too young, but Maddie was … what? About seven years or so, now? She must have begun basic piano lessons. Perhaps Elizabeth could write some very easy tunes for beginners. Maybe even basic songs with a small range and catchy little tunes.

She smiled and began to hum. Charlotte would think of simple words that would sound very sweet in a lisping little girl's voice to please their parents.

"Lizzy?" Jane sounded bemused. "What is that song?"

"I don't know." Elizabeth pretended she was puzzled. "I was just thinking that little Maddie must be learning children's piano tunes, and that reminded me of what we used to play. Is that not one of them?"

This was the worst part of her gift; having to hide her composing even from her most beloved sister. But Papa was insistent. Jane would never be able to keep it a secret when trying to defend Elizabeth when she was being berated by Mama, and so she must never know.

She glanced at the clock. "Let's settle you down for a while, Jane, now you've taken the powders. There is time to rest before our trays arrive, and then you will feel well enough to spend an hour downstairs and reassure Mr. Bingley that you are much improved."

In the middle of the afternoon, Elizabeth escorted her sister down to the drawing room, where Mr. Bingley had ensured a leaping fire in the hearth, and a comfortable chair and footstool were drawn up closely to the warmth.

Once her sister was settled, and Mr. Bingley had drawn his chair up beside her, Elizabeth crossed the room to look for a book rather more enticing than Clarissa . She turned the books over listlessly, finding none of them inspiring.

"Might I bring a further selection from the library, Miss Elizabeth?"

She started and turned round. "Mr. Darcy! I am sorry, I had not known you were so near."

His expression softened, and she dropped her gaze. "No, I thank you. I have been reading to Jane much of the morning, and the thought of a book at the moment does not appeal, odd though it seems to me." She chanced a smile. "I have never declined the opportunity to read before."

He nodded, serious. "And yet, it is as well to take heed of one's inclinations, I believe. It would not do to strain your eyes." He seemed to cast around for an idea.

"Might you care for a game of chess? Your father beat me soundly, so I may not be accomplished enough for you, but I will do my best."

Elizabeth brightened. "That will do very well, Mr. Darcy. Papa says you are a very good player. Thank you." She crossed the room before him towards the table inlaid with the chessboard and the pieces already placed.

She picked up one pawn of each colour and held her hands behind her back. "Which hand, sir?"

He smiled, apparently genuinely. "Left, please." Her left hand held the black pawn, and so she took her own chair by the white side.

Miss Bingley and her sister crossed the room to see what was happening. "Miss Eliza, how can you think you are good enough to play Mr. Darcy?" Her whiny voice switched to a fawning tone as she addressed the gentleman.

"It is very good of you to give up your time to play a local person, Mr. Darcy."

He nodded and followed Elizabeth's opening move with a standard response. They played the first half a dozen moves fairly swiftly, before he looked up at Miss Bingley. "There are some excellent local players, Miss Bingley. I am hoping for a challenging match."