Chapter 4

Elizabeth sat on the edge of her bed, her arm around Jane’s shoulders as her sister wept. Jane’s heart was shattered by the vicious letter from Miss Bingley — and it was vicious, even though couched in the most sickly-sweet words.

“Jane, dearest, please don’t take it so much to heart. We know it cannot be true.”

Her sister’s tear-streaked face twisted her heart. “But she must be trying to warn me to guard my heart. If …if Mr. Bingley is in love with Miss Darcy, then I can only wish him joy and happiness. And Mr. Darcy can have no possible objection to such an amiable man and close friend.”

Elizabeth huffed. “I don’t believe a word of it. If he is so enamoured with Miss Darcy, he would not have paid you such marked attention — and Mr. Darcy would have brought his sister here to be in their company.”

“Do you think so?” Jane sounded hopeful. “Perhaps Miss Bingley deceives herself.” She examined the letter again. “But she seems quite certain.”

“Yes,” Elizabeth agreed. “But we have observed how little attention or courtesy Mr. Darcy pays to her, and she says they are as good as engaged. If there is one untruth there, we cannot accept any of it uncritically.”

She would not tell Jane that Papa had ordered her to accept Mr. Darcy calling on her; if he had gone to town as Miss Bingley had intimated, then it was good riddance and she only had to contend with Mr. Collins. She firmed her resolve, she would see to it that he was in no doubt of the strength of her refusal. Then she would be left in peace.

But somehow she must help mend Jane’s broken heart. Although at this moment, she could only be there to comfort her.

* * *

It wasan hour later that Elizabeth slipped quietly downstairs and tapped on the door to her father’s library.

“Papa, I thought you needed to know Jane received a note from Miss Bingley this morning, and I believe you may be interested to read it.” She held out the note.

“Has Jane agreed that you show it to me?”

“Of course, Papa. I would not show it to you otherwise.”

She waited impatiently while he took his time to read it, seeing his eyebrows rise. Then he folded it, and placed it on his desk. “Please ask Jane if I may retain it for a little while for me to consider the matter,” he asked. Then he leaned forward.

“I imagine she is rather distressed.”

“She is. Although she does not wear her heart on her sleeve, I am sure you could tell her heart was engaged.” Elizabeth made a face. “I am concerned how she will cope once Mama realises he is gone.”

“Hmm.” Papa thought a little. “Do you know what time Jane got the note?”

Elizabeth put her head on one side. “She only said this morning. But when she said they had all gone to town, I assumed Mr. Darcy has changed his mind on what he said to you and has escaped the obligation.”

Her father smiled smugly. “And there was I thinking Miss Bingley anticipated herself and she will be dismayed to find her quarry is not in town.”

“Papa, do be serious.”

“I am, my dear. Quite serious. However, I would ask you to convey to Jane my wish that she does not tell her Mama of this latest development as yet. Your mother knows Mr. Bingley was going to town for a few days, so there will be no histrionics if she doesn’t know about the letter.”

Elizabeth looked at him doubtfully. “I will do my best, Papa. But what difference will it make?”

“I want to make some further enquiries, Lizzy. If they lead where I think they will, then it may be better if your mother does not discover the existence of this letter at all — or at least, not yet.”

“Very well, Papa.” Elizabeth tried not to let her tone show her irritation. She did dislike knowing something was afoot and not what it actually was. And did it mean that Mr. Darcy would not be calling on her after all?

If that was so, then she ought to be pleased. She was pleased, wasn’t she?

From her chamber ten minutes later, she saw James, the stable lad, riding Papa’s horse away towards Meryton. She frowned, he didn’t usually ride that way when he exercised the animal, neither did he usually take letters to the post.

She huffed, annoyed. Something was going on, and Papa was behind it all.