Page 27 of The Sole Love

“I shall write to Mr Haskett and tell him that your mother is very ill and you have to go home.”

“But what will you tell Jane? She will never forsake him.”

“Illness is a good argument. We shall tell Jane we came to London to see a doctor,” Mr Bennet said, slightly more composed. “And considering the relationship she has with her mother, she will be worried enough to come home.”

“Yes, she has a special relationship with Mama,” Elizabeth said with no hidden meaning. Still, she suddenly lowered her head as all words regarding Jane now had another meaning.

“Lizzy, it is all right; we are not going to reinterpret every word we say about her,” Mr Gardiner said vehemently. “Nothing has changed regarding Jane, and as soon as this problem with young Haskett is over, we shall forget everything and live as if it did not exist.”

“Regarding Jane,” Mr Bennet said.

“What do you mean?” Mrs Gardiner looked attentively at her brother-in-law. He was calmer than when they arrived, but that did not mean forgiveness.

“I mean it will take me some time to think and decide about my attitude towards Mrs Bennet.” He sounded neither sad nor desperate, but he was undoubtedly angry.

They sat in silence for a time. It was difficult to contradict him. Jane was without fault while Mrs Bennet had more than one. How was he to manage their future relationship? It was his decision, and his family gathered around him could not know what it would be.

“So, Lizzy, what do you think about our plan regarding Mr Darcy…and Mr Bingley?” Mr Gardiner asked, as he understood how difficult it was for Mr Bennet to ask his daughter to make another sacrifice for the family.

Elizabeth just shook her head, incapable of speech. She was sorry for Jane, though for once, the prospect of her own happiness was greater.

“We shall leave you, gentlemen, while I have a little talk with Lizzy,” Mrs Gardiner said and invited her niece to the parlour.

As soon as they were seated, Aunt Gardiner took Elizabeth’s hands in hers and spoke calmly.

“Now, my dear, let us also think a little about what is best for you. Miss Darcy invited you to visit in the morning and play duets.”

That was true; a letter had come just the other day, and Elizabeth had answered with great pleasure. It was clear that Mr Darcy was responsible, wanting to see her and perhaps spend some time with her.

“You do not have to discuss the upsetting events in Kent, but you can say in a very light and friendly tone that the two of you must mend Jane’s situation, which could be a true beginning for your love.”

As always, her aunt was right.

“But what will happen if this plan with Jane and Mr Bingley does not work?” Elizabeth asked, again worried.

“Then the gentlemen will have to think of something more dramatic and inform Mr Haskett about—”

“Oh, my God. No! That cannot happen. The more people who know our secret, the less safe it will be.”

“I agree, but there may be no other way. If we were to tell Jane, it would destroy her. You and your sisters are Bennets, David is a Haskett, and she is the only one in the wretched position of being seen as a mistake.”

“That explains why Mama was so close to her—as if she wanted to give back what she took away when…” Elizabeth blushed. She could not imagine how a young woman could do such a thing.

“Was it a great love? Then why did Mama not marry Mr Haskett?”

“My dear, let the past be forgotten and concentrate on the present. We must manage this dreadful situation.”

“The plan seems rather impractical. Suppose I ask Mr Darcy to find out whether his friend still loves Jane. How would we proceed from there?”

“Perhaps you could ask him to mediate in this situation, since he bears some responsibility for it as well.”

Mrs Gardiner did not want to reveal her own doubts. There was no harm in Elizabeth asking Mr Darcy for his help, and perhaps Mr Bingley’s return might change something. More importantly, it would give Elizabeth and Mr Darcy another opportunity to overcome the differences between them. But if the plan failed, as she feared it might, the matter could no longer be left in the hands of the young people. They would have to speak to Mr Haskett.

She was sorry for Jane and understood that she and the family could suffer. Still, as long as they told the truth to Mr Haskett, he would surely find it necessary to forbid the relationship.

But Mrs Gardiner wanted more than anything in the world, especially in the present situation, to see Elizabeth and Mr Darcy settle their differences—which were small in her opinion—and discover the love they deserved.

“Elizabeth, my dear,” Mrs Gardiner finally said.