Page 47 of To Go Against Her Heart
“Why would I meet him?”
“Why not? He may call on you if he becomes aware of your presence in town unless you have dissuaded him from doing so,” she said with a smile, and Elizabeth remained silent. Somehow, Charlotte seemed to understand that something had transpired between Elizabeth and Darcy, well contained from the eyes of society. She was positive that he had regard for her, and Elizabeth felt the same way about him.
“There is no possibility of meeting Mr. Darcy, and I do not understand what the need is to discuss him. My only intention of traveling there is to support Jane. I hope you will keep her in your prayers, Charlotte. She doesn’t deserve to be disappointed in love,” she said, and the friends parted with emotion.
Finally, the day arrived for them to leave, and Mr. Bennet was sad to see his most sensible daughters depart from Longbourn. It was still undecided when they would return, and Mrs. Gardiner wanted them to stay with her for a few months.
“I am trusting you with my daughters, Edward,” Mr. Bennet said to his brother, something he had not said to him ever in his life. Mr. Gardiner assured him of their well-being and safety.
As the carriage left, both Elizabeth and Jane felt emotional and unsettled. Yet, more so than her sister, Elizabeth allowed herself tohopeas she scarcely ever did. She did not want to return to Longbourn without ensuring her sister’s happiness.
Chapter 18
The morning was bitter with the winter chill, and the tension in the room was so dense it seemed to reflect even in the air that circulated. Elizabeth noticed that Miss Bingley remained unsettled even ten minutes after their arrival. Elizabeth and Jane had called on the Bingleys that morning, a week after they arrived in town. Though they were welcomed warmly and with pleasant smiles, Elizabeth could sense that the sisters were very uncomfortable seeing them. After exchanging pleasantries, Miss Bingley mentioned several times how thrilled she was to see Jane and called it a delightful surprise to see her in town. However, when Jane learned that Mr. Bingley was away on some business, her heart sank.
“We have been most pleasantly engaged since our return to town, Miss Bennet. Mr. Darcy and his sister were overjoyed to have us back, especially during the holidays. I trust your Christmas was a joyful one as well.”
“Yes, very much, Miss Bingley. Our uncle’s family spent time with us in Longbourn,” Jane replied.
“I understand you returned to town along with them. It’s always fortunate to have some relations here, though situated on the less favorable side of town,” she said, and Elizabeth held her breath, not wanting to lose her temper.
“I hope our acquaintances are well in Hertfordshire,” Mrs. Hurst asked.
“Yes, they are, and we were quite surprised by your sudden departure,” Elizabeth replied, raising her eyebrows.
“Miss Eliza, we never intended to spend Christmas there. We always get invited to Pemberley, but now, since the Darcys were in town, my brother wanted to return,” she said, and Elizabeth merely nodded.
“Is Mr. Bingley well?” Jane asked, mustering courage.
“Oh! Yes, he is. He often calls on Miss Darcy, and he could not miss his engagement with her this morning. He requested me to convey his regards to you and his friends in Hertfordshire. He is particularly fond of her music, and I must tell you the young woman plays remarkably well,” she said, and Elizabeth watched Jane’s disappointed face.
This cannot be true; did he deliberately excuse himself from our visit?
“We are indeed fortunate to have such genuine friends in town. We have not had a week pass by without dinner invitations or parties. And Miss Darcy has been most anxious to make up for the time we lost in the past months of us being in Hertfordshire. Just last evening, we dined with her, and, according to my brother, she is the most accomplished woman amongst our circle.”
Elizabeth observed Mrs. Hurst, and she could see a hint of discomfort on her face as though she disagreed with her sister. As for Jane, whatever lingering doubt she harbored regarding Mr. Bingley’s affection vanished entirely, and the sisters left with no intention of prolonging their visit. Although Miss Bingley promised to call on her soon, Elizabeth knew that it was just customary.
Once the carriage started, Jane started sobbing.
“I should never have come here, Lizzy. Please do not think I am angry with you; I could have lived without understanding his true feelings. But now, knowing the truth that he chose to excuse himself from meeting me, pains me more than I can express,” Jane cried with anguish.
“Maybe Miss Bingley concealed the information of your arrival from him and ensured he was away as you mentioned in your note that we would be calling this morning.”
“I do not think so, and there is nothing more to say about this matter. I am tired of blaming his sister every single time, and I am certain she would not dare to play a vile game like that. This will not do; I can no longer stand my own expectations, and do not want to entertain my hopes regarding him. I am sorry, Lizzy. I knew you meant well, but it is what it is,” Jane said, finally giving up hope.
Elizabeth still could not believe that Mr. Bingley was capable of avoiding her sister and suspected Miss Bingley’s hand in the scheme. Mrs. Gardiner sensed that the visit did not go as anticipated after her nieces returned, and Jane immediately excused herself and left for her room.
“Are you certain that Mr. Bingley was aware of Jane’s visit?”
“That is what Miss Bingley states, but I feel she could have easily concealed it from him. Maybe we should have visited unannounced; Jane did write to Miss Bingley before our call.”
“I wonder if at all there might be some truth in suspecting the nature of his feelings.”
“I do not think so. Jane might not believe it, but Miss Bingley is capable of separating them once again. I could see that her sister, Mrs. Hurst, felt very uncomfortable with Miss Bingley’s efforts to make us believe that her brother has been spending much time with Miss Darcy.”
“Honestly, I feel as dejected as Jane now,” Mrs. Gardiner said, and Elizabeth suddenly felt helpless and lost.
I pressured Jane to travel here. After failing so miserably in judging someone’s feelings for me, how did I dare meddle in her life and give her hope?
