Page 1 of Her Whole Heart
Chapter One
Longbourn, December 1810
The night was as black as pitch, and the single candle Elizabeth Bennet carried into her sister Jane’s room offered barely enough light for them to see one another’s faces. Even so, Elizabeth knew that Jane’s trunks were piled up at the foot of her bed, just as hers were, one remaining unlocked until the morning for a few final items.
“Lizzy,” Jane whispered, “I am grateful for this opportunity to help my family, you know that I am. But . . .”
“But you want to marry for something more than wealth,” Elizabeth said, finishing the sentence that Jane had let trail away.
Jane sighed. “Yes. Is that ungrateful? Mamma would have had me out in society years ago if we had not convinced her to wait for the money to grow enough for a season in London. And after we have studied and saved and sacrificed—after we have memorized Debrett’s until we have the names dancing in our heads—I find I lack the courage to proceed.”
Not that either of them planned to make much use of Debrett’s. Elizabeth took her sister’s hands. “What troubles you, Jane?”
“So many things. What if a rich gentleman makes an offer, but I do not like him? What if there are two gentlemen who notice me—how am I to choose without hurting anyone?” She looked down at her hands and at last spoke her true fear. “What if no man notices me at all?”
With her head bent and her beautiful countenance aglow in the candlelight, Jane appeared truly angelic. Elizabeth could not help but laugh a little.
“Jane, let us make a wager.”
“Elizabeth.”
“Oh, stop. The one who is correct only wins the right to lord it over the other.”
Jane’s cheeks pinked, and she nodded. “What is it, then?”
Elizabeth crossed her arms over her chest. “I say that by Easter you will have at least one offer of marriage.”
“Elizabeth,” Jane groaned again, rolling her eyes. “You love me, so naturally you believe everyone else will, too.”
“Idobelieve it. Everyone of value, at least. Now in my case . . .”
“You will have suitors swarming like bees on a flower.” Jane held up a wagging finger when Elizabeth protested. “You have no idea how people are drawn to you, and Papa and Mamma are not likely to point out your warmth or wit or charm. You are not treated as you should be by our family, dearest.”
Elizabeth smiled weakly at her sister. "There has been little difference between my treatment at school and here at home."
“I love our parents, Lizzy, but they have always been selfish." Jane shook her head when Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak. "You know they are, dearest. And Lady Henrietta and her friend Lady . . .”
“Pen. Penelope.”
“Yes, precisely. They were the same. They disliked you because the other girls at school admired you so. It did not suit their understanding of rank and status.”
“Not this again. The other girls avoided me.” Just like Mary, Kitty, and Lydia had.
“They were afraid.”
“So was I,” Elizabeth said softly enough that Jane had to lean forward to hear.
Jane took a deep breath. “Then we must be brave together.”
“Indeed,” Elizabeth replied stoutly. “One benefit to a season in town is that we may rely upon one another and our own good sense, without interference from anyone else.”
Jane threw her arms around Elizabeth in a swift embrace. Elizabeth returned it, squeezing hard before they both settled back against the headboard. She took a deep breath. “I am sorry that neither Papa nor Mamma understands why I insisted we wait so long to access our funds. But you do, do you not?”
“Of course,” Jane said immediately. “Not only have the Carlisles offered to host us, we have now arrived at the moment when our chances of making a good match are at their peak. Thanks to you, we have enough saved to be respectable choices in terms of fortune, and we are of a good age to marry—neither too young nor too old.”
Her sister’s acceptance meant everything to Elizabeth. “It is not thanks to me, but I appreciate your understanding nonetheless.”
After a short silence, Jane said, “It was truly kind of Amelia’s uncle and aunt to offer to sponsor us. For connections we could not provide—but now we can, if only in a small way.”
