Chapter 15 If Mr. Darcy Dared

Elizabeth’s mouth hung open in surprise. Then she slowly began to nod. “I was present when the post arrived: parcels for father and a note from Aunt Phillips. Our letters were the only correspondence from Netherfield.” Elizabeth reinforced Jane’s supposition. Now it was Elizabeth’s turn to share an uncharacteristic expression, one of apprehension.

As Elizabeth handed the letter from Caroline Bingley back to her sister, Jane doubled down on their gambit. Very calmly, she walked over to the fire and cast the parchment to the flames.

“Bravo!” Elizabeth said. Jane smiled broadly when she turned around once the letter had reduced to nothing but ash.

“I hope you do not feel I have performed badly. But I cannot bear to go another day without seeing Charles.” Jane confessed

Elizabeth heartily nodded and approached her sister to embrace her. “I can say much the same thing about Fitzwilliam.”

The two young women shared a small squeal as it was one of the few moments in which they both acknowledged they were equally engaged to be married with nothing but excitement and love in their futures. The door to their bedroom opened and Mrs. Bennet appeared in the doorway, quite flustered.

“Well, what is it? Don’t tell me the gentlemen have decided to dine away tomorrow.” Mrs. Bennet said.

The two girls shared a conspiratorial wink, yet it was Jane who addressed her mother. “No Mama, both Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley are eager for our attendance.”

Over his wife’s shoulder, Mr. Bennet peered into the bedroom, seemingly to inspect the fracas. He sniffed. “So which one of them wrote two notes? My money is on Mr. Bingley.”

As Elizabeth was about to speak, Jane beat her in the timing.

“You know him well, Papa. The first note expressed how excited he was for I do believe Mr. Bingley dearly loves to entertain. And then the second note asked for me to send any requests Lizzy or I have of the staff so that he might prepare.”

As Mrs. Bennet entered the room and fawned over both of her girls for their great luck, Mr. Bennet frowned.

“Well I’ve made the carriage available for both of your use tomorrow and there will be no changes to that arrangement,” Mr. Bennet pronounced, hinting at the disaster of the last time Jane called at Netherfield Park and her mother had made her go on horseback. Jane had caught a cold, and she was stranded at Mr. Bingley’s home for nearly a week, with Elizabeth joining her.

Mrs. Bennet wheeled around to look at her husband as though he were a strange creature indeed.

“Certainly they will take the carriage; we cannot risk a single sniffle with Jane’s wedding so soon. Elizabeth may fall ill and recover, but not Jane. I’ve already informed the younger girls that if they wish to see their aunt in Meryton, they must walk.”

Mr. Bennet groaned as the conversation turned to selecting attire a full day ahead of the invitation. Satisfied his desires for the girls’ transportation would be fulfilled, he smirked as he wondered if his wife’s wishes had been opposite if she wouldn’t go out and sabotage the carriage herself.

Entering his study, Mr. Bennet picked up a long, rectangular parcel bound in brown paper and twine. He cut the wrapping and pulled out a new book from his brother in London, Mr. Gardiner. As he settled in for an afternoon of reading, he breathed a sigh of relief that his part of the wedding planning began and ended with the contracts and paying the expenses.