Behind the Mask: A Pride & Prejudice Alternative Novel by Bronwen Chisholm

Author:Bronwen Chisholm [Chisholm, Bronwen]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: Romance, Historical, Regency, Historical Romance
ISBN: 1515389618
Amazon: B013L4E9QM
Publisher: Harvestdale Press
Published: 2015-08-07T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

“Oh, Mr. Bingley! It is a long time since you went away!” Mrs. Bennet effused. “I began to be afraid you would never come back again. People did say you meant to quit the place entirely; but, however, I hope it is not true.”

Taking a deep breath, Mr. Bingley tore his eyes away from Jane Bennet and addressed her mother. After seeing Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam off that morning, he had called for his horse and ridden to Longbourn. Since his arrival, he had been seated in the chair closest to Miss Bennet while her mother spoke tomes, but she had yet to meet his gaze. Fear clutched his heart.

“I was delayed in London or I would have returned much sooner, I assure you.” His eyes had returned to Miss Bennet as he said the last, but still she studied her needlework. Mrs. Bennet began a recitation of events which had transpired during his absence, but he barely attended her. Instead his mind searched for words to say to draw his lady’s attention away from her employment.

“Lizzy, what is the matter? Why are you coughing so?” Mrs. Bennet’s shrill voice pierced Bingley’s thoughts, and he turned to see Miss Elizabeth looking at him pointedly.

“Forgive me, Mama,” she said while holding Mr. Bingley’s gaze, “a bit of crumb lodged in my throat. How are your sisters, Mr. Bingley? I believe Jane said they were not themselves when she last saw them in London. I hope they have recovered.”

Bingley’s brow creased in confusion, and he turned in time to see Miss Bennet direct a fierce glance at her sister before dropping her eyes to the cloth she now held limply in her hands. “You were in London?”

“Why yes, Mr. Bingley. Did your sisters not tell you Jane visited them there?” Mrs. Bennet looked between the couple, suddenly uncertain of what was occurring.

“Miss Bennet?” he said softly, waiting for her to look at him.

Jane could feel the eyes of all in the room resting upon her. Taking a deep breath, she steadied her nerves and drew upon the newfound strength she had discovered while away. Slowly, she raised her eyes, followed by her chin until she met Mr. Bingley’s gaze directly. It was the first time she had done so since his arrival, and she was overcome by the look of distress and vulnerability she saw there. She swallowed the lump which had taken up residence in her throat, and nodded. “I returned to London with my aunt and uncle at New Year’s. I wrote to Miss Bingley of my plans, but she insisted she had not received my letter.”

Bingley closed his eyes, “How long were you there?”

“I returned to Longbourn only yesterday.”

“And you saw Caroline while in London?”

Jane nodded, “I visited her shortly after my arrival.”

Bingley’s eyes opened wider. That was in January; why am I only now hearing of this? “Did she return your visit?”

Fighting the urge to lower her eyes, Jane held his as she answered. “Over a fortnight passed before she visited me in Gracechurch Street.

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