Looking at the gowns, Jane fleetingly wondered if Mr. Bingley had a preference in colors. Shaking her head, she asked, “I do not know. Which do you think is most flattering?”
“You look well in both, if I may say so, but you often wear pink dresses. It is possible that the change in color might draw some attention.”
“Then peach it is.” Nodding her head, Jane began the routine of preparing for the day. It would be nice to spend time with Elizabeth after being apart for so long. She would also have the opportunity to study Mr. Bingley and planned to keep a watchful eye, eager to glimpse any reason to hope on that front.
Chapter Four
As he stirred his tea with his spoon, the gentle clinking went unnoticed by Bingley. Though when he glanced briefly away from the doorway and in the direction of his friend, he noticed the annoyance on Darcy’s face. Promptly removing his spoon and laying it on the saucer, Bingley reflexively shrugged his shoulders. “Sorry about that. I know you hate that sound.”
Briefly making a face that stemmed from years of companionship, ranging back to their adolescence, Darcy said, “I know you are worried about her, but I am sure she is well. Otherwise, I would have heard of it before now.”
Leaning back in his chair, Bingley sighed and tapped his fingers on the table. Eventually he said, “While I know that, I still cannot help but worry. You are married to the woman you love and can see to her whenever the mood strikes you. I, on the other hand, must merely worry and pine.”
Taking a sip of his morning coffee, Darcy raised his eyebrows and looked at Bingley in a way that he recalled from his days back at Cambridge. Often when Bingley would struggle to study before a test, Darcy would try to help quiz him. He would regularly become frustrated when Bingley could not seem to remember things he should, in Darcy’s opinion, have known. “Yes, if you recall, I had my own cause for worry as I was falling in love with her sister. So I am not unsympathetic to your plight.”
Running his hand down his face, Bingley looked from the doorway to Darcy once more. “Yes, I know. I am simply out of sorts.” Gaze flickering around the empty room, Bingley sat up straighter, realizing what it was that had seemed off. Mrs. Darcy was not present. “Where is your lady love? Isn’t she normally as deliriously happy to rise early as you are? It is rare to see you without her by your side when not at the business of running Pemberley.”
Twisting his cup back and forth on the table, Darcy’s brow drew together in apparent consternation. “Yes, well, she was sleeping so soundly that I did not want to disturb her. You are correct in thinking she is normally up with the sun, but she has been sleeping more of late.”
Watching his friend worry about his young wife made Bingley feel like a cad. How was that he had not noticed his friend’s agitation before now? Leaning forward in his chair, Bingley sought to reassure Darcy. “I am sure she is merely adjusting to the responsibility of running an estate. A few good night’s sleep is all she needs.”
Smiling faintly at his friend, Darcy said, “Yes, I am sure it is something as simple as that, though I do hope she is not coming down with something.”
“Who is coming down with something?”
Bingley’s attention swiveled to the doorway where Jane stood. Her blue eyes were on both the men, eyebrows raised. “Your sister is sleeping in later than usual, and her husband is concerned that she may be coming down with something. I have been trying to convince him she is fine.”
Tilting her head, Jane was quick to say, “I am sure she only needed some extra sleep, but even if she comes down with a spring cold, you will find there are plenty of ladies present to ensure her quick recovery. I would not worry overmuch about it, William.”
Darcy nodded while Bingley hopped to his feet and pulled out the chair next to his for her. “Do sit down. I will get you some tea, unless you would prefer coffee this morning?” Looking at Jane closely, he studied her appearance, hoping to find her improved from the previous evening. Though she seemed to be only slightly paler than usual, the peach dress she wore was lovely, and Bingley was happy to see her appearing much better than the night before. The lines of pain were no longer evident, and her smile seemed genuine and certainly less brittle. “Is your head improved?”
Moving to sit down, Jane smiled at him in a way that would have caused Bingley to stumble had he been attempting to walk. “I know that I normally prefer tea, but coffee with cream and sugar sounds lovely. Thank you for your concern. My head is much improved from last night. Sometimes a good night’s sleep will improve much in what ails you.”
Bingley moved to the sideboard to prepare Jane her cup of coffee as she spoke. He was happy he had been correct in thinking her improved. Returning to her side, he placed the cup and saucer before her and was relieved when she smiled after her first sip. “Would you like me to make you up a plate?” he asked, grateful for the opportunity to dote on her.
Taking another sip of her coffee, she asked, “Have you gentlemen not eaten?”
“No, we have been waiting for the ladies to join us.” Darcy’s gaze shifted from Jane back to the doorway, almost as if he wished his wife to magically appear. “I suppose they will all come down soon enough.”
Jane glanced at Bingley with an amused look before saying, “Yes, I am sure they will come down shortly.” They turned to watch Darcy’s normally stoic expression morph into a rueful blush. Smiling, Jane continued with, “I am sure Lizzie will not mind at all if you start without her.”
Bingley watched as Darcy sighed, pushed back from the table, and went to the sideboard. “I suppose it is a waste to let all of this lovely food sit here and grow cold.”
After she had finished eating and chatting with Mr. Bingley and William, Jane went in search of her sister. William had seemed to take her reassurance well enough, but that did not mean she was not also concerned for Elizabeth. There were only a few places her sister could be, and Jane made quick work of finding her.
In the end, Elizabeth sat yawning at her dressing table, and Jane actually stood watching her for some time before she was noticed. Turning, she smiled warmly at her sister. “Jane, are you feeling better?”
“Much,” Jane smiled as she tilted her head and studied her younger sister carefully. Had she been unwell yesterday without Jane noticing, or did she simply have a very poor night’s sleep? “Though I am now wondering how you are feeling. It is not like you to awaken after me. Are you well?”
Yawing again, Elizabeth shook herself like a dog shaking water off its back. “I simply cannot get moving this morning. Things have been relatively calm, and I slept well, but I am dragging today, and I cannot understand why.” Glancing back to herself in the mirror, Elizabeth poked at her cheek, apparently taking in her pallid complexion.
Walking over to Elizabeth, Jane took up the brush and began running it through her sister’s wild locks. It was a soothing action for them both, going back to a time before either of them had a lady’s maid and they took turns caring for each other. “Whatever this is, I am sure you will be well served to have a hearty breakfast. I think Mother and our sisters will be in the dining room, unless you want to eat up here?”
“No, I will go down. I know William is most likely worried about me, and it is not as if I am actually ill, only exceedingly tired.” Elizabeth punctuated her comment with another exceptional yawn. Then, with a determined set of her shoulders, Elizabeth stood and linked her arm with Jane’s, and together they descended the stairs.
As they made their way down, Jane wondered what their mother would think of Elizabeth’s lack of energy. It was very unlike her younger sister, but Jane refused to be concerned. There were, after all, plenty of simple possibilities, at least one of which was rather positive.
Breakfast was a jolly affair, with all the sisters chatting merrily over eggs, sausage, and various baked goods. Jane enjoyed a second cup of coffee while everyone ate and chatted. She shared a look with her mother, full of implication. It seemed that they both were developing suspicions about Elizabeth.
It was always interesting for Jane to note how in tune her mother seemed to be with all of her daughters. With a few glances, they could share their concern for Elizabeth, as well as their suspicions. Jane noticed when Elizabeth took a second helping of sausage but turned her nose up at coffee and instead asked for tea with sugar and no cream. There was definitely something going on.
“Mr. Bingley!”
A familiar small voice grabbed Bingley’s attention and, turning around, he spotted Kiernan hurrying in his direction. He had come to know the courageous boy during the whole escapade back in Meryton. Bingley studied the boy as he approached on the well-worn path that traversed the Pemberley’s kitchen gardens. Carefully dodging a plant that Bingley was unfamiliar with, Kiernan practically skipped over to him. Kiernan hadn’t seemed to have lost any of his enthusiasm, if his grin was any indication, though he had shot up in height.
Greeting him with a smile, Bingley said, “Kiernan, it has been a while. How are you and your family?”
Kiernan’s intelligent brown eyes sparkled as he nodded his head. “They are well. Thank you for asking.”
Bingley still felt vaguely guilty whenever he looked into the boy’s kind face. It was only too easy for him to still remember the bruising on his cheek. The memories of the previous autumn flooded back, reminding him of his sister's cruel actions when she not only struck the boy but also forcibly expelled him from Netherfield. It had been the event that finally spurred him into action. He not only allocated Caroline's pin money for the quarter into an account for the boy, but he also reached out to his Aunt Guthrie for support. In the end, it had been the very best thing—Caroline had spent the winter with their aunt in Scotland and was much better for it.
“I am glad.” Bingley was truly relieved that Kiernan seemed to be adjusting to the move from Longbourn. Darcy had offered a home to any families that had felt the need to flee Mr. Bennet’s grasp, and Kiernan’s family had been the first to accept. “Do you like the home farm?”
Bouncing eagerly on his toes as he spoke, Kiernan answered, “Yes! Not only do I have my own room and get to help with the cows, but my whole family is also glad. Though I must admit that I am especially fond of the tutor Mr. Darcy has arranged for me. I get to take lessons three days a week.”
