Page 101 of A Most Beloved Sister
He limped over to the bench and sat next to her, which caused her a bit of surprise, as he was usually adamant on observing propriety between their different classes.
“I need to tell you something.”
“This sounds serious,” she said, panic rising in her chest. “Is everyone well at Longbourn?”
“Yes, yes, everyone in your family is well. This is news of the best kind. Well, I think so, that is. I hope you will as well.”
“Jamie, just tell me!”
“Penny and I are getting married.”
She stared at him, then broke out in a wide smile. “Why, that’s wonderful! I am so happy for you—both of you! But when did this happen? I had no idea there was a relationship of that nature between the two of you!”
He gave her a bashful grin. “We didn’t really let people on to the idea that we were courting until I could come up with a way to support us.”
“And?”
“Mrs. Pingree offered me a position as headmaster for the boys in the disabilities home in London. She said Penny could be a teacher there, too, since she knows how to read and has worked as a lady’s maid for you at times. If there are any children, they could be kept with us and in the nursery sometimes real easily.”
“Then you’ll be leaving Hertfordshire?” Elizabeth’s heart broke.
Jamie nodded. “That’s why I wanted to talk to you. It’ll be announced at the assembly tonight.”
Impulsively, Elizabeth briefly squeezed his hand. “I will be sorry to see you go, but I am happy that you’ll be in a place where I’ll be able to see you again.”
“No matter where I am, Miss Lizzy, I’ll always come if you need me.”
The two sat in companionable silence for several minutes, unaware of a pair of eyes peering down at them from a Netherfield window.
∞∞∞
The musicians at the Meryton assembly had finished tuning their instruments by the time Elizabeth entered the room. She was immediately welcomed by Charlotte Lucas, who greeted her with a warm embrace. “Oh, Eliza, it has been too long.”
The two friends linked arms and made their way to a side of the room where they could speak without being interrupted. “How is Jane doing? I have wanted to call, but we haven’t seen her at church, and your sisters say she is doing poorly.”
“I’m afraid this is the end,” Elizabeth said. “She is only awake for perhaps five hours a day, but only for about an hour at a time.”
Charlotte’s eyes welled up. “At least she has had the comfort of her husband. His ability to support her is no small thing either.”
Had such a thing been said even a fortnight prior, Elizabeth might have taken offense at the smallest inference of Jane accepting Bingley for mercenary reasons, but this past week at Netherfield had shown her the truth of Charlotte’s words.
“So how was your time in London? Did you meet any new gentlemen there? Have you any new beaus, or a suitor or two?”
Try as she might, Elizabeth could not help but blush. The smile on Charlotte’s face spread into a wide grin. “Oh, youdohave a new lover!”
“Hush, Charlotte! For heaven’s sake, lower your voice!”
Elizabeth looked around, hoping no one had heard her friend’s jest. Fortunately, the music for the first set had begun, and people were taking their places in the line. She absentmindedly noticed Jamie and Penny standing up next to Kitty and Major Wickham, along with Lydia and another officer. Kitty was glaring at Lydia, who was laughing boisterously and practically falling over herself as she danced the first steps.
Pushing her sisters and their vulgar behavior from her mind, she returned her attention to Charlotte, who was watching her with an expectant smirk.
“Well?” Charlotte asked.
“Yes, there was a gentleman with whom I spent a not inconsiderable amount of time. But this is neither the time nor the place to discuss it. If I have your word that you will not share it with anyone—not even your mother—then I will tell you all next week.”
Charlotte sighed dramatically. “Very well, but only if I do not perish from curiosity first.”
“If you do, then it will be by a thunderbolt.”
