Page 35 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

“Oh, do! Leave the door open so we may hear you play,” Caroline said.

Elizabeth found herself playing louder than the piece demanded to drown out the chatter and giggles from Caroline’s room upstairs.

“Lizzy! I thought I recognized your dulcet tones,” Charles said, coming through the doorway.

“I apologize, Charles,” she said, forcing herself to play more piano than forte.

“It is good to see you, Lizzy! It has been too long. I have been home from Oxford a month, and this is the first you have been here, if I am not mistaken.” Charles appeared as cheerful as always, and Elizabeth could not help but return his smile.

“I could hardly come visit you!” Elizabeth laughed. “Caroline invited me to come today.”

“Who is upstairs? I hear someone with her.” Charles turned to hear better.

“That is my cousin Jane,” Elizabeth said slowly. Her heart dropped as she realized she would now lose Charles’s attention as surely as she had lost Caroline’s. And if Mr. Darcy were to visit, he would be lost in her beauty, as well. Elizabeth had only ever had thoughts of friendship toward Charles and hoped he would still speak to her, but something about Mr. Darcy falling for Jane bothered her more for some reason.

“Would you like to meet her?” she asked, not wishing to prolong the inevitable.

“If she is as amusing as you are, I should be delighted,” he grinned.

“I shall go up to see if they will be pulled away from their talk of gowns,” Elizabeth said, rising from the bench.

“Excellent. I will speak with Hurst and return in a quarter of an hour. Perhaps Caroline would like to call for tea,” he suggested.

Elizabeth did not know Jane any longer. She had not known her intimate thoughts or dreams in nearly six years. Still, her cousin surprised her. She walked into Caroline’s room to see Jane wearing one of Caroline’s fine new gowns for the Season. A maid was finishing an elaborate hairstyle. Jane stood and looked ready for a ball. Elizabeth had not noticed before that Jane and Caroline were practically the same height. Jane was more willowy, but the gown fit her well.

“You look stunning, Jane,” she said.

“Thank you, Lizzy. You should dress up, as well.” Jane looked at an assortment of gowns laid out on Caroline’s bed.

“Nothing will fit Eliza,” Caroline said. “She is far too short and would trip as she walked. And her bosom is not large enough to fill these gowns.”

Elizabeth had already surmised as much, but she did not like to hear it spoken.

“Regardless, I have been requested to summon you both. Charles wishes to drink tea with us,” she said.

Jane’s eyes lit immediately. “Mr. Bingley is here?” she asked breathlessly.

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes. “Yes.” What did she know about him to make her so excited? Elizabeth had told her almost nothing.

Jane turned back to the mirror to ensure her appearance was perfect.

Caroline went to call for tea, speaking softly to Elizabeth on her way out the door, “Jane is lovely and does not debate with me as you do, and we share so many interests. I will introduce her to my friends from school, and we will have a perfect Season. Thank you for bringing her today, Eliza. Now you will not have to pull yourself from your books to entertain me.”

So, this was it, then. Instead of gaining Jane’s friendship, she had more completely lost Caroline’s. As soon as she had gone, Elizabeth spoke.

“Jane, what do you know of Mr. Bingley?”

Jane had the decency to blush. “You mentioned him, of course.”

“I do not believe I said more than that Caroline has an elder brother. I did not even mention his age or that he is single.”

Jane appeared flustered. “I…he…he has been mentioned by many of the young ladies I have met in London. You know Aunt and Uncle have taken me to the finest events they can gain access to, full of wealthy tradesmen and their families. Mr. Bingley is a common topic of discussion among the daughters of tradesmen. Apparently, he is one of the most eligible bachelors they have a hope to catch, as he also comes from trade. His father left him a vast fortune of one hundred thousand pounds. Did you know, Lizzy?” Jane sounded excited.

Elizabeth clenched her fists. “This is why you wished to accompany me today? You did not wish to become closer to me or even to meet Caroline.”

She had begun with her voice slightly raised, but so hurt and stunned was she that her cousin had used her to get close to Charles that as she continued, she could scarcely speak above a whisper. “You are nothing but a fortune hunter. When did this change occur, Jane? What has happened to you?”

Elizabeth felt the prick of tears in her eyes.