Alias Thomas Bennet by Suzan Lauder

together—without the influence of those Bennets—to relate the importance of fortune and connections and his duty to a good marriage and make sure he is aware of all Jane Bennet’s shortcomings in that regard.”
    When she was interrupted by a request to join a table at cards, her entreaty was ended for the moment, but over the following week, she relentlessly took Darcy and the Hursts aside to urge them to follow when Bingley went to London and convince him to abandon his pursuit of Jane Bennet.
    Darcy did agree with Caroline’s views on the duty of making a good marriage, but he had other reasons to desire that Bingley not return to Hertfordshire. He was alarmed at the intensity of his increasing affection for Elizabeth Bennet. He had always been a sensitive young man and now had become affected by the playful manners and familial caring observed in the second eldest daughter of his newest good friend, Thomas Bennet.
    He enjoyed her company immensely, but convivial feelings had given way to desires he knew he must repress. He was quite aware of the power she had over him and wrestled between the sensible solution of escaping before the danger became too great or staying to enjoy the exhilaration he felt in her presence. Darcy’s sense of duty was pushing him towards the former. Miss Bingley’s plan offered a way to exit gracefully from the situation, and he began to convince himself it was for the best.
    So, as Miss Bingley was working her manipulations to separate Bingley from his beloved, Darcy mentally started listing other justifications for Bingley to quit Netherfield permanently. He had almost fooled himself into believing the justness of Miss Bingley’s scheme to satisfy his own reasons for cutting ties to the Bennets. But as much as he was determined to accede to the plan, guilt was niggling in the back of his mind.
    The Hursts were of the same sentiment as Miss Bingley, having no intelligence to the contrary relating to the fortune of Jane Bennet. They liked her in a true sense, in contrast to Miss Bingley’s falsity of affections, and perceived their brother was very likely in love with the lady. But self-preservation required them to agree with Caroline unless there was a very strong incentive otherwise. She would be impossible to live with if she were not to get her way on an issue of such paramount importance to her.
    Thus Caroline’s plan was gaining supporters. While her brother was in the room, she continued her denunciation of Jane and Elizabeth and made untoward suggestions regarding their possible past. As was usual, her brother indulged her in allowing the diatribe, and although he found it annoying, he only occasionally requested her to be more kind when speaking of the Bennets.
    ***
    Elizabeth and Lydia were enjoying the cool autumn afternoon as they took a long walk near Oakham Mount when Lydia started a new topic.
    “Have you ever been in love, Lizzy?”
    “I cannot say I have ever felt a tendre towards any man, Lydia. I have enjoyed the particular company of certain lively and intelligent gentlemen of my acquaintance, but I have not had any serious suitors thus far, so no one has touched my heart in a truly passionate way. As you well know, I always delight in the company of amiable people, men and women alike, with whom I can jest and tease. Why do you ask?”
    “I was wondering how one goes about recommending oneself to a gentleman of interest without being seen as forward or wanton,” Lydia said with a glance at her sister. “Oh my, Lizzy! Your face shows concern about which gentleman I might like in such a way! Do not distress yourself! I assure you, I have no particular individual in mind at present. I am much too young for romance in any case.
    “My reason for asking is my curiosity about my observations of Jane and Mr. Bingley when he comes to call. His preference for Jane is quite evident since his countenance is demonstrative of his affections. Jane has always been quiet and