Page 8 of The Sole Love

It was odd that the events at the Parsonage could now be interpreted in such a way, but Mr Darcy, in his letter, had only tried to make her understand his reasons for acting as he did.

Later, as they prepared for sleep, Elizabeth reached a decision. She could not tell Jane about her own troubles, but Jane had to know more about Mr Bingley and decide for herself what to do with that knowledge. It was time for her to continue living, to look towards a future that might contain another man who would love her faithfully, rather than remain forever bound to the hope that Mr Bingley would return.

They were quiet for some time while Elizabeth mustered the courage to speak.

“My dear,” she said, not looking at her sister, “when I was in Kent, I had the chance to talk quite a lot with both Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr Darcy. I also tried to learn what had happened with Mr Bingley and perhaps come to London with better news.”

“But you have not,” Jane whispered, as she did when she was excited or sad.

“No. I discovered many things, but none to your benefit. That is why I hesitated to tell you. But it is better that you know, and I believe you are strong enough to hear it.”

“You were right: his sisters were firmly against you.”

“I know now. But at Netherfield, they seemed polite, even friendly, and that confused me for so long.”

“I think they were friendly as long as Mr Bingley was not visibly interested in you. Then, when a deeper relationship became possible…well, they reconsidered their position and strongly advised him not to return to Netherfield. Please, Jane, be wise and face the truth. We shall always encounter opposition from the family of a possible suitor if he is rich or titled.”

“But the Bingleys’ fortune was made in trade. He may be rich, but his good fortune was and is Mr Darcy, who introduced him into circles above his station.”

“We do not know that. Honourable people with a large fortune might easily be accepted in good society.”

“Our family is also honourable.”

“Yes, of course. We have an impeccable reputation, and Papa is highly respected in the county. Still, you have to accept that it is not enough.”

“Society is unfair and…and prejudiced!” Jane exclaimed with unusual force.

“Yes, I entirely agree, but objecting to the situation is not helpful. His sisters want him to marry into a titled family, even if they are poor, simply to be accepted into the circles they desire. As I see the situation, only Mr Bingley is received in such society; his sisters, especially Miss Bingley, await a good alliance to gain entrance themselves.”

“That is possible,” Jane finally said. It was a painful glimpse of a world she preferred to judge by kindness and good intentions.

“Now, my dear, Mr Darcy is his close friend, and in the past…” Elizabeth hesitated.

“In the past…?” Jane prompted.

“Well, it seems that Mr Bingley has had a tendency to fall in and out of love.” Elizabeth watched her sister’s face change from red to white and immediately regretted sharing that fact.

“I was only one of his loves?” she asked in a heart-breaking whisper.

“My dear, just imagine that Papa forbade you to marry Mr Bingley. What would you have done?”

“I should have followed Mr Bingley to the end of the world, with or without Papa’s blessing.”

“Even if he were poor?”

“Yes!” Jane cried.

“You would not care about Papa’s advice, or mine, or anybody else’s?”

“No!”

“So you have your answer. You are like Mr Bingley in some ways: kind and always ready to believe the best,” Elizabeth said, bringing a pale smile to her sister’s face. “Yet no one could persuade you to renounce him because your feelings for him have remained unchanged.”

“I see what you are trying to say.”

“Of course you do. You are beautiful and witty, you have a solid education and kind manners, but you must understand that the perfect love we dream of may not always exist…at least not as we imagine it.”

“You really think so?”