Reaching out, Jane smoothed an errant strand of hair from her brow. “Well, it is her loss because I have found you lovely company and have enjoyed getting to know you.”
With misty eyes, Evaline smiled in response. Trying to soak up all the older sister affection that she could from the eldest Bennet sister, she replied, “I have also enjoyed getting to know you all.”
“I am glad. Would you like some more tea?” Looking at Evaline’s empty teacup, Jane raised her eyebrows elegantly.
Nodding gratefully, Evaline said, “Yes, thank you. I really enjoy your tea.” After filling Evaline’s cup, Jane saw to the others, and Evaline gratefully took a sip of the hot brew. Before Jane had reclaimed her seat, Evaline finally felt bold enough to ask what had been on her mind for a while. Clearing her throat, she said, “When I found out the other night of how Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth came together, I was stunned. You also told me how your sister Catherine ended up with an earl. That was an interesting tale, I must say. I was there for Mary’s adventure with my brother Gabriel. I saw for myself how their relationship formed, but I have yet to hear of how you ended up with Mr. Bingley. I would love to hear the story, unless you think me too bold?” Looking around the room, she smiled at her brother and Mary and then realized that Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth had looked up from their game and were watching her as well.
For a moment, Jane seemed frozen, standing between the tea service and her settee, surprise written on her face. Evaline worried that she had misspoken and was about to apologize for her blunder, but noticed Elizabeth shake her head ever so subtly and decided to keep her mouth closed. Going to his wife, Mr. Bingley placed his chin on Jane’s shoulder, hugging her from behind. “Why don’t you tell her, love? I know not all of our tale is pleasant, but neither was Elizabeth and Darcy’s.”
Turning her head ever so slightly, Jane’s blue eyes met her husband’s, and they seemed to have a silent conversation before she turned back to Evaline and said, “I suppose tonight is the night I will tell you the story of how I lost my heart and quite happily became Mrs. Bingley.” Then, accompanying him back to their seats, she leaned into her husband and began to tell her tale.
Chapter One
“You are an angel, Miss Bennet, and the London season shines brighter with you here.” Though the beaming gentleman in front of Jane probably intended for his words to flatter her, she found herself fighting a shudder. “Your beauty puts all the other girls to shame. Tell me you have another set available for me.” Reaching out, he gripped her gloved forearm.
Removing her arm from his grip, Jane somehow kept her serene mask in place. “I am sorry, Mr. Forsham, but you will have to give one of the other young ladies some attention.” Looking around the room, Jane spotted a sweet girl she had met earlier standing by the wall, a wistful look on her face. “Why not ask Miss Florence Meriweather to dance? She appears to be free for the next set.”
With a laugh, Mr. Forsham appeared to study Miss Meriweather across the room. Then, looking back at Jane, he attempted to recapture her hand while loudly proclaiming, “You are too droll, Miss Bennet. Why would I offer to dance with a mouse such as her when I can bask in the glow of a diamond, even if I am not fortunate enough to dance with you a second time?”
Keeping out of his grasp, Jane anxiously wondered how Elizabeth or Mary might handle a similar situation. She was confident that Elizabeth would use her sharp tongue as a defense. However, a remark that would indubitably sail right over his head would not free her from her supercilious partner. Mary would start quoting scripture or Fordyce. Jane’s middle sister had long ago learned that most people became uncomfortable when she started spouting scripture. It had worked especially well on their father, Mr. Bennet, whose cruelty had forced them all to develop their own sort of defense mechanisms.
Jane had developed a mask of serenity. Her father's power to hurt her diminished when she learned not to flinch, causing him to abandon his efforts after only a few stinging remarks. Jane tried to see the best in people and could often do so, but the superficiality that she was encountering in London ballrooms hurt her too tender heart. Just because she could pretend she was unaffected did not mean she was not hurt, and what hurt Jane the most was people who were intentionally cruel to others.
Seeing the look on Florence's face decided it for Jane. The poor girl had clearly heard his slight, and that simply would not do. Offering a sweet smile with intentions of disarming the gentleman—if he could even be referred to as such—Jane responded to Mr. Forsham’s earlier comment. “Mr. Forsham, if you are so interested in spending time in my company, perhaps we could converse until my next dance partner arrives? Shall we discuss the war on the continent? Or would you rather speak of the state of the poor and whether you feel it has had any influence in the Luddite movement?” Raising her brows in question, Jane waited for his response, knowing full well she had discomposed him.
Mr. Forsham’s eyes bulged out for a moment before he clamped his mouth shut with a tilt of his head. After hesitating briefly, he composed himself and chided, “Oh Miss Bennet, you do not have to worry your lovely little head about such matters. You are not like that mouse, Miss Meriweather. While she may need to cultivate accomplishments and learn things, you do not. You are a diamond. Your beauty is enough to draw me in. All you need to do is grace my arm, grace any man’s arm, and they will be satisfied. I will be satisfied.” Finally capturing her hand, he patted it as one would a confused child and then said, “You are like the sun, Miss Bennet. You do not need to worry about filling your head; you only need to shine.”
Tugging her hand from his grip as delicately as possible, Jane used her sweetest voice to say, “Oh, but Mr. Forsham, have you not heard the story of Icarus? There is danger in drawing too close to the sun. Do not forget the sun will burn you if you are not careful. It may be wise to use better discretion.” Dipping into a sharp curtsey, Jane bid him goodbye and stalked elegantly across the room. Those who did not truly know her would be blissfully unaware of how upset she actually was. Jane’s serene beauty and tranquil demeanor had become renowned during her London season, but she had to admit to herself that her well of calm was running dry. It was becoming harder and harder for her to remain composed when presented with so many uncaring fools.
Not worry her lovely little head indeed. Jane was not stupid. She knew her looks were what people first noticed about her, but she was more than a pretty face. Making her way to Miss Meriweather, she tried to cheer up the younger girl, but quickly realized that she was not receptive to Jane’s overtures of friendship. That was the second lesson she had learned in London—not all the women she met wanted to become friends with the season's brightest diamond.
She had recently overheard a conversation of two debutantes saying that having Jane Bennet stand next to you was to cast a shadow on your own beauty. No one wanted to be compared with an incomparable beauty, not that anyone would blame the superficial and empty-headed gentlemen who wanted an equally empty-headed beauty on their arm. Resigned, Jane complimented the girl’s dress and moved along to find her party.
“Men swarm around your daughter like bees to honey. They seem to be unable to resist her magnetic presence,” Lady Derby murmured to her companion as they watched the young blonde speak with a gentleman across the room. Cousin to Mrs. Gardiner, the countess had long been friendly with the Bennet ladies.
Fanny Bennet watched her daughter with a motherly eye. From this distance, she could not see Jane’s expression, but she could read her posture. Shaking her head, Fanny bit back a sigh. She did not think Jane was enjoying the ball at all. Turning to Lady Derby, she said, “Sadly, they often seem more like flies.” Careful to keep her face clear of concern, Mrs. Bennet’s annoyance was only shown in her comment, “They hover annoyingly, and at times, bite.”
Lady Derby turned back to Fanny and consoled, “Yes, you more than most understand that, and I can see why you worry about Jane. However, you know she is a strong girl and can hold her own. Some people may see her beauty and placid facade as weakness, but those that wish to take advantage will learn to regret it.”
Laughing softly, Fanny said, “Sometimes I wonder how Lizzie would have handled a London season as a debutante. She certainly would not tolerate some of what I know Jane does for the sake of peace. Her need to see people treated well would have set her against the tabbies and the rakes in a trice.”
Lady Derby was forced to hide her chuckle behind her fan. “I so love your Lizzie. I truly hope some of her vigor rubs off on my girls.”
“I must thank you for encouraging her to take up archery. It has proven very helpful to Lizzie and the others.” Fanny sometimes feared what would have happened if Lizzie hadn’t taken to the sport. Not only did it seem to help Lizzie with her control and patience, but it had also already helped Kitty to build her own courage and self-confidence. That was even putting aside the time Kitty had to use her newfound skill for protection.
“It is no bother. My girls were too young to teach, and Lizzie was such a ball of energy at fourteen that I had to give her something to do. Now I have partners to practice and compete with.” Lady Derby smiled as she spoke, but rather than watch the other people around the room, her attention remained on Mrs. Bennet.
Eventually Fanny realized where Lady Derby’s attention lay, and quirking an eyebrow, asked, “Why do you look at me so? I know there is nothing wrong with my appearance.”
“No, there is nothing wrong with your appearance. That is not what I was considering.” Lady Derby’s eyes narrowed slightly as she seemed to ponder something. “You know, I do not think anyone present would believe that you are thirty-nine. You could very well pass for a much younger woman. In fact, you are much prettier than half the debutantes of the season.”
Fanny tilted her head, wondering what her friend was about. “While I will thank you for your compliment, I am wondering why you say such things.”
“Have you considered remarrying?” Lady Derby fastened her eyes on Fanny, her face clear of artifice.
Shocked, Fanny reared back from Lady Derby, then, stepping closer, she hissed, “I am still married to a very unpleasant man. Why would you speak of me marrying another one?” Shaking her head slightly, Fanny looked back at the dancing people. Why would Lady Derby say such a thing? She really had no desire to trap herself again, even if she was still desirable.
“You know that Mr. Bennet will not live forever. In fact, with what I know of his dissolute lifestyle, I doubt he will live much longer. You could still have a chance at a loving marriage in the near future.” Lady Derby’s comment came as soft as a whisper but left Fanny feeling as though she had been struck by lightning.
She had tried to ignore any news she heard about her estranged husband, but she did know that after she and her girls had fled, he had gone bankrupt and was forced to find employment. Reports of him had become scarce since he arrived in London, but she knew her brother stayed up to date on his whereabouts and situation. Just thinking of the man, even safe in a ballroom free from his reach, sent shivers down her spine.
Glancing at Lady Derby, Fanny saw her concern. She knew that her friend’s marriage had been a love match, and all evidence suggested that they still loved each other deeply, even after over a decade of marriage. Meanwhile, Fanny had fallen out of her infatuation with her husband Thomas after two days of wedded bliss. “I know you only want to see me as happy in marriage as you are, but please do not try to get me to dream of something that, at least for now, cannot be. If I become a widow, I promise to think about what you have said. Until then, however, let us discuss more pleasant things.”
Nodding in agreement, Lady Derby smiled and said, “All right, my dear. I hear you went to the opera last week. What did you think of the new stage set? I hear it is quite beautiful.”
Finding her mother and Lady Derby talking happily in a little alcove, Jane quietly joined them. Her next dance partner had yet to claim her for their set, so she had a moment to relax without worry. Without interrupting their conversation, Jane studied the two women. Of similar ages, they were both beautiful, though Jane found that her mother’s blue eyes seemed to have a more serious look about them.
Her mother was still remarkably attractive for all that she had two daughters over twenty. It helped that she was seventeen when she had Jane. It was easy to see that Jane had inherited her looks from her mother—both women blonde and blue-eyed. Some people might say that it was a gift to have inherited her looks, but Jane knew her mother’s beauty had not done her any favors.
Jane was unsure that her own beauty would benefit her any more than her mother’s had. Her mother’s appearance had won her the attention of the heir to Longbourn, who turned out was not worthy of the title gentleman. Then Fanny had been stuck at Longbourn for over two decades, dealing with his cruelty and negligence before Lizzie and Mr. Darcy had found a way to force his hand.
The Bennet ladies had finally escaped his dominion, but Jane wondered if anyone but her sister Elizabeth was truly liberated. Though they all fought his influence with every step they took, they were all still haunted by their past.
Mrs. Bennet’s cobalt eyes scanned Jane before she said, “You look as if you have had enough this evening. Would you like to go home, sweetheart?”
