Charles Bingley smiled at the sky when he got up. Charles Bingley smiled at the sky when he went to the breakfast room. Charles Bingley smiled at the sky when he exited the Hursts’ townhouse and walked to his friend’s. Indeed, the Gods had favoured his proposal day with a clear blue sky. A stroll in Hyde park would certainly appear very enticing to Jane and Miss Elizabeth but the temperature was low enough to frightened away some of the ton.

When he arrived in Holland Park Avenue, Mr. Darcy was already waiting for him.

“Well, Bingley, how do you feel?”

“Well enough, Darcy, well enough… You?”

“Me?” He took a moment before pursuing. They were alone, settled in the library for a tea before their call in Gracechurch Street. “I’m still willing to win Elizabeth, if that’s what you want to know. But I’m somewhat at a loss as to the way I should follow…” Although, he wouldn’t utter the question, he let it show clearly in his look, and to his relief, his friend got the hint.

He replied in a doctoral voice. “I’ve learnt recently that, on matters of the heart, when one knows one’s heart, one ought to be very clear on one’s decision.”

“Bingley, come on! Considering her present mindset, I cannot declare my undying love to Elizabeth. She thinks I only observe her to despise. She finds me vain, haughty. Last time I spoke to her, really spoke to her, I ended by saying that she had overreacted to my undue interference in your affairs. She wouldn’t understand, she couldn’t understand…”

His friend was shocked by such words. He had always found that Darcy had a strange relationship with Miss Elizabeth but, in his careless, idle ways, he had never given it any thought beyond mere observation. But he had enough faith in his friend’s understanding to believe that, unfortunately, he had to be in the right. How could Miss Elizabeth be so wrong in her comprehension of Darcy?

“Indeed, Darcy, she couldn’t… Spiteful, vain and haughty? These are heavy faults indeed! How come she’s so wrong about you?”

“I’ve been asking myself the same question for the past twelve hours… And the answers I gathered so far, make me believe that my behaviour may have led to some misunderstandings. I never disguised my annoyance with her wild relatives. I never tried to mingle with the Hertfordshire society. I made the unfortunate mistake of misapprehending her sister’s feelings. And I forcefully struggled against my admiration for her… I would call this reserve and a high sense of propriety, she calls it spitefulness, vanity and haughtiness…” Darcy thought somehow odd to be confessing to his friend, to be elaborating a strategy with his friend but he had done such a poor job in his dealings with Elizabeth that he needed advice. And Bingley was not only fairly successful in his own sentimental life, he was also the only one Darcy could go to…

“Well, then the first step seems pretty obvious. It’s this misinterpretation of your character that has to be dealt with.”

“Thanks Bingley,” Darcy replied dryly, “I had already come to this conclusion. What I’ve yet to fathom is how I’m to do that!”

Bingley remained silent for a while. Eventually, he resumed their conservation. “It’s not your mind or manners that have to improve, it’s her knowledge of you; by that, she will understand better your disposition. And the only way for her to be better acquainted with your character is to be honest with her.”

“Honest?” Darcy was disagreeably amazed by this reply. “Bingley, you know that disguise of every sort is my abhorrence! I’ve always been truthful, too truthful maybe…”

“False, Darcy. You’ve not been sincere with yourself for a very long time on the matter of your feelings for her. How could you have been with her? And anyway, you misunderstood me. I meant that you have to reveal what your inner feelings are, and not only with regard to her. She’s bound to misconstrue your meaning? Don’t let her draw her own mistaken conclusions! Tell her your reasons and your feelings. Be honest about your private self with her.”

Bingley let his friend ponder on his answer for a while. At last, he stood up and started pacing in the room. He was more than ready to try and help his friend in wooing one Bennet daughter, but he had to conclude his own wooing of another Bennet daughter! It was now late enough for an early call, he would not postpone his proposal any longer.

“Well, Darcy, you may be able to delay our call longer, you may even be willing to, but I’m not. Shall we?”

Darcy started at this question. He had been completely oblivious of his friend’s movements. And as much unprepared as he felt he was, he also knew that he would always be.

“Yes, Bingley. Go for it! Shall we take my carriage to take Miss Bennet and Elizabeth to Hyde Park? What do you think? Could the setting suit you?” An almost teasing grin flourished on his lips.

A smiling Bingley agreed and, a few moments later, the Darcy carriage was on its way to Cheapside.

After a late morning, the Gardiner household had settled in its daily routine. Mr. Gardiner had eventually gone to his office. The eldest children were with their teacher, the youngest with their nurse and Mrs. Gardiner was in the drawing room with her nieces. The ladies sat, apparently occupied at their works. Mrs. Gardiner’s wrath had disappeared with the night but, as her nieces still felt awkward around her, the conversation was not as fluent as usual. Moreover every carriage rolling in the street raised their attention and caused unfinished sentences to be the norm in their discussion. Eventually, after another such noise, a knock was heard at the front door. Lizzy looked up at Jane and, taking hold of her hand, she smiled knowingly to her. Her aunt’s face showed the same happiness. Jane’s smile was shier and a sudden blush had coloured her cheeks.

“Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, Ma’am.”

The usual pattern of greeting took place. Mr. Bingley didn’t hesitate and kissed Jane’s hand, Mr. Darcy bowed to the ladies as his look paused shortly on Lizzy, Mrs. Gardiner warmly welcomed the callers, Jane smiled and blushed again and Lizzy curtsied. However, an acute observer may have noticed small changes. Mr. Bingley had lingered longer on Jane’s hand; Mr. Darcy’s complexion was somewhat more heightened, as was Jane’s blush; and Lizzy’s eyes were more questioning and less accusative when looking at the taller gentleman.

“Shall I ring for tea?”

“Well, actually Ma’am, the weather is sunny if cold… Um… And it could turn back to rain or snow so fast… That is… Darcy and I thought that…”

“Mrs. Gardiner, Bingely and I would like to ask your permission to take your nieces to Hyde Park. We could easily have one of your maids with us. We would be very honoured.”

The eldest lady looked at her nieces whose pleasure at such a scheme was quite evident. She was confident that her previous day scolding had not been in vain and, as Mr. Darcy proposed to take a maid with them, she saw no inconvenience in it. After all, she had also to play her part in Jane’s happiness.

“Well, if Jane and Lizzy agree, just go!” She replied with a shrug and a smile. “I’ll ask Jenny to accompany you.”

Soon enough, the ladies had put on their warm apparel and the four of them exited the house, finding a smiling-to-the-driver maid waiting for them near the coach.

In the carriage, the maid’s presence gave them a good reason not to go beyond very small talk, and all of them were quite glad of the fact. It was nonetheless decided that they would leave the vehicle once in the park to stroll around and take benefit of the fresh air.

A subdued Jenny shyly spoke up. “Excuse me Miss, but I’m not dressed warmly enough… Ma’am spoke only of a carriage drive… And it’s freezing cold outside…”

Jane looked embarrassedly to her sister. Lizzy discreetly raised an eyebrow. What could they do anyway? And Lizzy had already decided that she would willingly pair with Mr. Darcy in order to allow Mr. Bingley some privacy with her sister.

“All right, Jenny, you may stay inside.”

Both Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy released a comforted breath; they would be able to carry their plan through…

After a few moments after the carriage had passed the gates of the park, Darcy thumped his walking stick on the roof and the driver pulled over. The gentlemen exited and handed the ladies out. The decision to go on smaller lanes was taken collegially and the small group departed.

From the window of the carriage, Jenny smiled. Well, I hope this will do the trick. I’m not sure the Mistress would be very happy, though… Well, since Mr. Bingley has entered the house, Miss Jane has seemed to re-live… they deserve that! As for Miss Lizzy, well, I’m no blind! If this driver could eat me up with his eyes as his master does Miss Lizzy, I’d mind not being alone with him! Seeing her thoughts in flesh in front of her, she welcomingly prompted: “Yes?”

“Hey, ‘tis freezing cold outside. I thought to myself that maybe the inside’d be warmer…“

“It is, it is! Come on in!” She said with a bright smile while he was opening the door.

Everyone’s mind was alike and, very quickly and very naturally, Mr. Bingley and Jane outstripped Mr. Darcy and Lizzy. The future bridesmaid and groom wore similar smiles but none of them ventured a glance at the other to see it. The lady was deeply happy for her sister and couldn’t but comment on the fact. She nonetheless tried to voice her satisfaction as inoffensively to the supposed feeling of her companion as she could.

“Jane has been very happy lately. I confess it makes me very happy too.”

“I can’t speak for your sister but I can tell that Bingley has regained all his cheerfulness, and in barely more than a week time!”

Lizzy started at Mr. Darcy’s tone. There was no regret, no condescension, no condemnation in it. Indeed, had he not been Mr. Darcy, she would have heard joy. She took a sidelong look at him; her eyes told her that her ears might have been true. And her eyes also told her that an almost smiling Mr. Darcy was a sight for sour eyes. Her heart missed a beat and she let it overpower her prejudice for the time being. She therefore spoke honestly:

“I really feel they deserve each other: They are of the same understanding, they both have such goodness, Jane’s sweetness is the perfect answer to Mr. Bingley’s enthusiasm. I’m really glad Fate put them in the same corridor!”

Darcy’s mind was racing. Her speech had been free of resentment. She had spoken freely of her true feelings to him without a mask. Such an opportunity may not happen again for a while. He had to further the conversation.

“I’m also glad of the fact… I suspect you feel surprise at such a declaration.” He looked down to her, saw surprise indeed written in her eye and smiled at her. The effect of his smile was instantaneous. She forgot to breath and stared blankly at him.

“I must say this meeting caused some embarrassment to me and that, on learning it had happened, I didn’t voice such an honourable feeling.” Her attitude had gone to an expectant look, which he understood, and a slight blush, which he would have hoped to.

“But Bingley’s sorrow had been caused partly by a misconception of mine and partly by a concealment of mine. Once I had been informed of my error of judgement, I couldn’t but change my mind and rejoice in his newly re-born happiness.

“And he has been so good as to forgive me, causing the burden I was carrying to disappear. I therefore feel happy too!”

She had stopped walking as those revelations were astounding her. Her face reflected such incredulousness that he chuckled. This only deepened her amazement and increased her pulse. She eventually managed to utter a: “Indeed you astonish me, Sir.”

“So I see, Miss Bennet! Might I be so bold as to add that I’m also very happy Fate allowed you and I to go back to civility?” and that I deeply wish It will allow us to go far beyond civility?

She was silent for a moment. “Why! … Yes, you might… As we appear to be speaking our mind, I’d just wish to add that I’m ashamed of my behaviour towards you yesterday. I fear I haven’t been fair and I’ve allowed past resentment to lead my manners.”

“Please, Miss Bennet, do not make yourself uneasy on my account. I certainly have a heavy share of responsibility in our past… misunderstandings. I cannot think of some things I said without abhorrence."

Lizzy had been rendered speechless. Once again he had been able to bewilder her. At last she resumed her walk, the sound of his boots on the gravel path informing her that he had followed her lead.

Meanwhile, in spite of their brisk walk, Mr. Bingley and Jane managed to keep up a conversation. Both were very aware of what was supposed to come next, as even Jane’s humility could not vanquish her confidence. Nonetheless, they made more than small talk: they talked about the previous day ball and about the surprising but welcome sun, two topics that happened to play not so minor parts in their relationship.

Several times, he checked over his shoulder to see if his friend and her sister were still in sight. At last they happened to be sheltered by a curb of the lane and a tight-throated Mr. Bingley was able to suggest a pause on a near-by bench.

Jane’s heart thumped in her chest. The moment had come. She blushed, half-wordily agreed and took the lead to sit on the bench. Mr. Bingley went close-by but started to pace back and forth in front of it. Not a word was exchanged for a while. Eventually, Jane managed to speak:

“Mr. Bingley, wouldn’t you like to come by me?”

Indeed, that was exactly what the gentleman wished, and for the remaining of his life, too! He hoped she would consent, he deeply hoped she would, but phrasing the proposal was beyond his reach at the moment. He nodded and took his place by her side. Both sat straight, looking at a frozen bush in front of them. Mr. Bingley breathed deeply and shifted towards Jane.

“Miss Bennet… Jane… I…Um… When I… Um… That is to say…”

She turned slightly towards him and placed her left hand in his joined ones. Finding his eye, she asked: “Yes Charles?”

Her gesture had exactly the effect she had sought. As hypnotised, he rallied his spirits.

“Jane, when I entered the Meryton assembly rooms, it felt like how I represent Eden. It was warm, there was music and people were happy. When my eyes settled on you, I thought I had entered Eden. You looked to me as the angel of this Paradise. When we talked and danced, I knew I had entered Eden, ‘cause you revealed a goodness only equal to your beauty. Everything about you has since proved me right. You are, without any doubts, the most amiable, the most forgiving, the most handsome lady of my acquaintance. I wish I were a poet, to celebrate the beauty of your character. I wish I were a reader, to at least tell you verses almost worthy of you. But I’m not… We both know that I’m not worthy of you, I’ve proved it by abandoning you once.”

She shook her head but let him go on. “But since the Lord, in His generosity, has given me a second chance, I will most gladly take it.”

He took her second had in his and intently declared: “I love you Jane Bennet. I love you so much I almost vanished when I thought you would not have me. I love you so much I cannot imagine my future without you in it. I love you so much it doesn’t matter if you don’t. Jane, will you marry me?”

Despite her tight throat and her swimming eyes, she steadily replied. “I will Charles…” And she let a few tears escape while her mouth was smiling. He let her hands to cup her face and dry her cheeks with his thumbs. Her radiant smile took his breath away and he softly touched her lips. She parted them lightly. The wetness in her eyes was now replaced by hopeful expectation. Unable to resist and forgetting the whole world around them, he leant towards her, tentatively placed his lips on hers and shyly kissed her. Although her answer was as timid, it was here nonetheless. She pushed back and he deepened the kiss. Soon enough, she was enfolded in his arms and hers were around his neck. This was indeed exactly what she had been looking for… It was even more than that… And yet, it appeared that it could be even better…

An indefinite while after, they broke the kiss but remained closely entwined. Her forefront against his, her eyes closed, her heart beating wildly, her breath uneven, she whispered: “I love you Charles. I’ve never stopped loving you.”

“O Jane…” His overwhelming love made him speechless. Had he spoken, she would have heard an unsteady voice. He showed it nonetheless by wandering kisses upon her face. He eventually managed to utter: “My most beloved Jane…”

For a while, they could only exchange a few words as the necessity of proving to one-self that they were, indeed, living this most dreamt of moment urged them to more physical intercourses. They nonetheless managed to speak of the days to come and the way to formerly announce their engagement.

Ultimately, sounds of the town managed to intrude into their world. They became aware of the impropriety of their behaviour and regretfully sat in a more appropriate attitude, Mr. Bingley keeping one of Jane’s hands in his nonetheless. Mr. Darcy and Lizzy found them in this position soon after.

“Bingley, Miss Bennet, we’ve finally caught on you…”

Neither one nor the other replied but both blushed forcefully.

Without looking at Elizabeth and therefore able to keep his serious mien, Mr. Darcy went on: “Miss Elizabeth and I thought that maybe we ought to go back… The cold tends to break through even the thickest linens.”

The sited couple seemed to rediscover the low level of the temperature. “Indeed, it does!” replied a still dreamy gentleman. “Shall we go back, Ja… Miss Bennet?”

A very smiling Jane stood up and took the arm Mr. Bingley had instantly offered. The group resumed their walk, still paired as they had started. Although no word of the very new betrothal was told, Mr. Bingley and Jane’s beaming countenance revealed their newfound happiness.

Two steps behind, and with some proper distance between them, his friend and her sister followed silently. Just before joining the carriage, she said: “Well, you and I behaved very well and very usefully, did we not?”

Although he couldn’t see her smile, he recognised the playfulness of her tone. He tried to match it. “We did, we did…” After a small hesitant pause, he added: “And I must say I feel deeply happier than yesterday.”

She was, once again, quite surprised by such a confession. She thought she heard more than happiness for his friend in his voice. She felt more unsettled than ever in the course of their acquaintance. She decided nonetheless to answer honestly. “As I do, Sir.”

The trip back to Cheapside was uneventful. Jenny, although slightly flushed, contently observed her companions, Mr. Bingley and Jane were only aware of each other and Mr. Darcy and Lizzy looked joyfully on the couple.

The only sad note of the afternoon was that both gentlemen were unable to accept Mrs. Gardiner’s invitation to stay for diner when they arrived in Gracechurch Street. Mr. Darcy had a previous engagement with his newly arrived aunt and uncle and Mr. Bingley had yielded to one of Caroline’s plea to accompany her to one of her friends’. As the hour had drawn late, the partings occurred soon after their return.

The three ladies saw the gentlemen out. Mrs. Gardiner allowed Mr. Bingley and Jane some very few moments of privacy by detaining her other niece and Mr. Darcy by the door.

“Sir, I thank you and your friend very much for taking such a good care of my nieces.”

“Our pleasure Ma’am.” The glance he threw then at Lizzy spoke volume to the eldest lady of the truthfulness of his last reply.

“I hope we’ll be able to meet soon again.”

Her niece interfered in the conversation. With a smile and a hint towards her sister and her suitor, she said: “Aunt, I believe we will meet again Mr. Bingley very soon…”

“And I’ll gladly join my friend if he wishes,” interrupted Mr. Darcy who flushed immediately after.

Lizzy’s face had taken a similar shade and she didn’t dare raising her look at her companions before the carriage had left.

Meanwhile, and once again completely oblivious of their surroundings, Jane had accompanied Mr. Bingley to the carriage.

“Jane, I’m so sorry to be obliged to leave you so soon. But Caroline has had a very strange behaviour since yesterday. I couldn’t let her go alone to Lord Dushbarn’s. All her ‘friends’ will be here and I’m really worried she might not be up to it.”

“Charles, I’ll miss you…” unable to refrain a blush, which was replied by a smile, she paused briefly, “but I’m glad you’ll be there for your sister. I shamefully confess I have not paid a lot of attention to her yesterday…” her blush deepened, “but I shall be very happy to call on her if you think it could be useful.”

“It would be useful, as it would allow me to see you more,” replied a tenderly teasing Mr. Bingley. “But I shall miss you until our next meeting. And I look forward seeing your father in a week hence to ask for his consent.”

Mr. Darcy had by then joined him near the carriage. Mr. Bingley placed a lingering kiss on the hand he still held and eventually released it.

On the step of the door, Jane and Mrs. Gardiner waved the gentlemen good-bye.

As soon as the carriage had left, Lizzy’s power of speech came back. With a teasing smile, she said:

“Jane, would you care to tell us how you found the park?”

Jane answered back. “The park, Lizzy? It’s been ages since I’ve been in a park!”

A laughing Mrs. Gardiner ushered her also laughing nieces inside. The door barely closed, Jane, who could have no reserves from Elizabeth, where confidence would give pleasure, instantly embraced her and acknowledged, with the liveliest emotion, that she was the happiest creature in the world. Her aunt, who had been watching the scene with cheer joy, was soon partaking the embrace.

"'Tis too much!" Jane added, "by far too much. I do not deserve it. Oh! why is not every body as happy?"

Mrs. Gardiner and Lizzy's congratulations were given with a sincerity, a warmth, a delight, which words could but poorly express. Every sentence of kindness was a fresh source of happiness to Jane. But she couldn’t refrain a pang of regret.

"O, how I wish I could go instantly to my mother;" she cried. "I would not on any account trifle with her affectionate solicitude; or allow her to hear it from any one but myself. He told me in the park that he’d have gladly gone to my father immediately. Oh! Lizzy, to know that what I have to relate will give such pleasure to all my dear family! How shall I bear so much happiness!"

“I’m sure you shall, Jane… But you’re right, you have to think about going back to Longbourn. And what about you, Lizzy? Do you wish to stay with us or to go back before your trip to Kent?” The always practical Mrs. Gardiner asked.

Once settled in front of the drawing-room hearth, Jane explained the arrangement planned by Mr. Bingley.

“Charles…” On hearing her aunt’s “tsk tsk”, Jane started anew. “Mr. Bingley told me he had some business to attend to before he can go to Netherfield. And the house also has to be re-opened. He thinks he could be in Hertfordshire in a week hence.”

“And what do you plan to do?”

Jane’s blushed gave her answer before she replied. “If you don’t mind, I confess I’d rather stay in London while he is.”

An indulgent smile on her lips, her aunt agreed. “Of course your uncle and I would gladly have you with us for another week.” Her tone became more serious as she went on. “But keep in mind, young lady, that as long as you’re not formally engaged, you’ll have to behave as a non-betrothed couple.”

Jane flushed violently as she could perfectly imagine she would not always wish to behave so properly. “Yes Aunt.”

For her sister’s comfort, Lizzy intervened in the conversation. “As for my plans, Dear Aunt, I cannot imagine letting Jane bear Mamma’s happiness alone. I shall go back with her to Longbourn.”

As this came as no surprise, no one contested her decision. The remaining of the afternoon was spent in Jane’s radiance. Mr. Gardiner noticed the happy mood as soon as he came back from the warehouse, and, after expressing his delight and his congratulations, he confirmed his wife’s advice regarding her niece and his suitor’s behaviours. Although it couldn’t lower her spirits, Jane exchanged with Lizzy a look that promised some nightly sister-talk.

Sow Potatoes, See What you Shall Reap, Chapter 21