A Jane Bennet Variation

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What better way to start the year that to focus on one of Jane Austen’s most beloved characters? Join Austen Variations as we spend January looking into the lovely Jane Bennet.

 


pnp1_766In Pride & Prejudice, after Jane Bennet receives the letter from Caroline Bingley informing her Mr. Bingley is not returning to Netherfield, Elizabeth reflects, “That he [Bingley] was really fond of Jane, she doubted no more than she had ever done; and much as she had always been disposed to like him, she could not think without anger, hardly without contempt, on that easiness of temper, that want of proper resolution which now made him the slave of his designing friends, and led him to sacrifice his own happiness to the caprice of their inclinations.” Jane, of course, is anxious to find reasons to think well of him, and will hear nothing of it.

Colonel-Fitzwilliam-pride-and-prejudice-1995-6169369-150-201But I’ve always wondered — what if Jane Bennet had another man, one with more backbone, to compare to ‘the most amiable man of her acquaintance’? Would she be able to find some anger at Mr. Bingley then? Jane Bennet ended up telling me the answer herself when I wrote Mr. Darcy’s Refuge, when she meets Colonel Fitzwilliam, an equally amiable man but one who could stand up for himself in disagreements. She falls in love with him, but believes he is in love with Lizzy. Here’s the scene where the details come out, as he is fetching her to London under false pretenses.

 

At first Jane had been nervous, perched on the narrow seat of the curricle. She had never ridden in such a stylish vehicle before, nor so far from the ground in an open carriage. But Colonel Fitzwilliam had noticed her discomfort and made a joke about how he felt tiny when he stood beside one of the fashionable high-perch phaetons, and shifted to make more room for her so that she did not have to sit at the edge of the seat. She noticed his skill at handling the team; she was not accustomed to seeing a driver so responsive to his horses.

 

As always, she found him remarkably easy to converse with. She still could not understand why Lizzy had chosen Darcy over his much more amiable cousin, and wondered, not without guilt, if her sister had made her choice based not on her heart but on the need for one of them to marry well. If Bingley had lived up to her expectations of him, Lizzy would not have had to consider their family’s future when making her decision. At least Lizzy did seem genuinely attached to Mr. Darcy, but that could be an act. She would need to see the two of them together to know for certain.

 

“Since you are aware that Lizzy is in London, I assume Mr. Darcy must be as well. Have they been able to meet?”

 

“Several times. In fact, there is a confession on that subject I must make to you.”

 

Jane’s stomach lurched, and it had nothing to do with the motion of the curricle. She did not want to hear about Colonel Fitzwilliam’s heartbreak at Lizzy’s hands. She could accept that her own romantic fantasies about him were hopeless since he could not afford a woman with her poor prospects, but it was harder to face that he cared for Lizzy more than for her. “I am eager to hear it,” she said politely.

 

“I am taking you to London under false pretences. While my mother did in fact invite you and Miss Elizabeth to tea, it was only after she discovered that you would be coming anyway. I chose to tell your mother of the invitation as the reason you should be allowed to come with me because my instructions were to fetch you without telling your mother the true cause.”

 

Jane’s heart began to flutter. “What is the matter? Is Lizzy ill? Or my father?”

 

“Miss Elizabeth gave me a letter for you which explains the situation.” He withdrew a folded paper from his pocket and handed it to her.

 

Darting a glance at him, Jane opened the letter and began to read. She gasped when she reached the part about her father’s heart seizure, and she must have turned pale since the colonel placed his hand lightly on her arm and said, “He is better now.”

 

Not for the first time, she wondered how he could tell so easily what she was thinking. Her eyes hurried through the rest of the letter. “They are to be married tomorrow?”

 

“Yes, and Miss Elizabeth very much desires your presence.”

 

Her first thought, oddly enough, was for the colonel. How this sudden marriage must pain him, yet he had gone out of his way to fetch her and had even been reassuring her when he himself must be in need of comfort! Her earlier envious thoughts were banished now, replaced by a desire to protect him from pain. “Thank you for bringing me,” she said slowly. “I appreciate the efforts you have taken so that I may attend.”

 

“It is a pleasure and an honor to be of service.” He sounded as if he actually meant it. In a lighter tone he added, “Even if it did require me to indulge in a bit of prevarication with your mother just as she was proclaiming how she knew she could trust me to bring you safely to your uncle’s house.”

 

She turned a grateful smile on him. “You gave her such delight by making her believe that the Countess of Matlock wished for my presence enough to send her son for me. You may be certain she will be sharing that story with everyone of her acquaintance!”

 

“I hope the change of plans does not cause you any distress.”

 

“Not at all!”

 

“I am glad. You seemed a little subdued, and I supposed you might be disappointed.”

 

How could she tell him she felt pain on his behalf? “I was taken aback to hear of my father’s heart seizure.”

 

“Of course.” He looked at her with such sympathy that she felt almost guilty for misleading him.

 

“I am also a selfish creature, and I find myself sad to be losing my sister’s companionship sooner than I had expected.”

 

“That is a worry I can help allay. Darcy and your sister plan to spend a month or more at Netherfield so that she can be near your father during his recovery.” He seemed to be watching her very carefully.

 

The mention of Netherfield did not cause her the pang of distress that it had so often since Mr. Bingley had left. “It is kind of Mr. Bingley to allow them the use of it.” How odd it was – usually she found it difficult to speak his name, but this time it rolled off her tongue without a second thought.

 

He seemed unusually preoccupied with the horses as he steered them around a slow farm cart. “I understand that Bingley will be returning there soon as well.”

 

For a moment she could not think at all. She had prayed for so long to hear this news, had longed for it and dreamed about it, and now that it was here, she felt nothing except embarrassment for all the talk and pitying looks that would now begin anew, just when they had started to wane. With Lydia’s disgrace, Mr. Bingley would be that much less likely to seek her out. He might even start dangling after some other pretty girl who would at least have the advantage of knowing that he would eventually disappoint her hopes. She would not be able to avoid seeing him if Lizzy was living at Netherfield. To her astonishment, she realized she did not want to see him at all, and that distressed her most of all. She looked away from the colonel, pretending interest in the farm they were passing. At least she had the consolation that the colonel did not know what Bingley had meant to her.

 

With great care, Colonel Fitzwilliam said, “Darcy tells me there is a lady in the vicinity whom Bingley has found himself unable to forget, and whose acquaintance he intends to renew.”

 

“Does he?” The uncharacteristically angry words escaped Jane’s lips before she realized what had happened. “I wonder that any lady who had been abandoned so long would be willing to receive him again. I suppose he believes his fortune is enough to gain him forgiveness.”

 

Colonel Fitzwilliam did not appear to be disturbed by her outburst. In fact, he seemed to be smiling, or at least as much as he could while tunelessly whistling. “Many ladies would tolerate a great deal for a fortune such as his.”

 

She could not understand him. Was he laughing at her? She took care to speak in her normal, calm voice when she said, “Perhaps some might think it naïve of me, but I believe that true affection and respect are worth more than the largest income. Is something the matter, Colonel? You have gone quite pale.”

 

His pallor was belied by his expression as he beamed at her. “I am quite well, thank you! I am merely suffering from an unaccountable urge to spring the horses, but I will not subject you to that.”

 

Pleased to see him cheerful again, she said recklessly, “Why not? Is it too dangerous?”

 

He smiled broadly. “You do not mind if I spring the horses? It is not dangerous, at least not on such a good road. The horses are very well trained.”

 

“I cannot say if I will mind, as it is something far from my experience, but I will never know if I do not try it.” She could not understand what had happened to her normal reticence.

 

“In that case, you might wish to hold onto the rail.”

 

Obediently she leaned forward and gripped it with both hands. “Very well, you may do your worst, sir!”

 

He hesitated. “Will you tell me immediately if you find it at all unpleasant?” At her nod of agreement, he shook the reins. As the horses shifted in unison to a smooth canter, the curricle surged forward.

 

The wind whistled past Jane’s ears. It was an odd but exhilarating sensation to hurtle along at such a speed with no enclosing carriage. The countryside almost seemed to blur beside them, but her attention was captured by the colonel’s intent expression as he drove, shifting the reins slightly from time to time, the team responding instantly to his instructions. Despite their speed, she did not doubt his command of the situation.

 

He reined the horses in as they came up behind a plodding stagecoach, deftly veering around it and onto the clear road ahead at a trot. “Well?” he said. His hair was becomingly tousled and his expression was boyish.

 

“It might be a bit much for everyday, but there is something pleasing about it. You drive beautifully. I was not in the least bit frightened.”

 

His expression of satisfaction warmed her heart. He said, “Thank you. Darcy’s team is a pleasure to drive. I have none so fine. Actually, I do not own a team at all, just my horse, but he has bravely carried me through several battles, so I cannot complain.”

 

“Carrying you to safety seems of greater value than the ability to race along the highway in a fashionable equipage.”

 

“Ah, but the fashionable equipage is enjoyable, is it not? Still, one can live without it. Tell me, Miss Bennet, would you consider an offer from a gentleman with little to offer except his affection and respect?

 

Jane’s heart slammed against her ribs. She could not possibly have understood his question correctly. He was in love with her sister, and Lizzy had told her that the colonel needed to marry an heiress. How could he be offering for her? Or was her heart hearing only what she desired in a question that had been meant innocently? That must have been the case. The disappointment was bitter. It was exactly calculated to make her understand her own wishes, even though they were in vain.

 

But she intended to keep the colonel’s respect, so she put on the calm face she employed to disguise distress. “Is that a theoretical question, Colonel?”

 

The corners of his mouth twitched. “For the moment, yes. After all, your father has made quite clear his opinion of gentlemen who offer for his daughters without speaking to him first. Fortunately, I know precisely where to find him.”

 

Heat seemed to pour through her, and Jane was certain her cheeks must be scarlet. She looked down to hide the incredulous smile that insisted on showing itself. “But you hardly know me.”

 

“Do you recall the day we met, and you walked with me through the gardens to the wilderness beside your house? By the time we left that wilderness, I felt I had known you all my life. When we danced together at that assembly, I realized that I found more pleasure in one of your smiles than I could recall experiencing in a day spent with any other lady.” He paused, then began again, his voice rough. “Despite my profession, I am not a violent man. But when I learned Bingley intended to return to Hertfordshire, I wanted to run him through. That was when I first knew what it would cost me to see you married to another man.”

 

“Yet you were the one to tell me of his return.”

 

“Of course. I would not attempt to secure you under false pretenses. You deserve to know that you have a choice, especially since he has so much more to offer than I do.”

 

“I beg to differ.” And she looked up at him with her heart in her eyes.

 

What do you think? Could Jane Bennet ever discover her anger at Mr. Bingley, or would she have to bury it deep inside forever?


 

 

50 comments

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    • Ruth Clapp on January 13, 2016 at 12:50 am
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    Iys been too long since I read REFUGE. Thanks for the reminder.

    1. So glad you liked it, Ruth!

    • Kath on January 13, 2016 at 1:37 am
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    I am only just starting to read Jane Austen variations and this site has been a wonderful find. I loved this and now need to read the book.

    1. I hope you enjoy it, Kath! There’s a big world of Austen variations out there to discover.

    • tgruy on January 13, 2016 at 2:43 am
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    Where do I find the whole story???

    1. It’s from Mr. Darcy’s Refuge. It’s primarily an Elizabeth and Darcy story, but Colonel Fitzwilliam is a major character with his own subplot.

        • tgruy on January 14, 2016 at 1:57 pm
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        I will get it as soon as I have time to breathe, let alone to read…

    • Michelle Hall on January 13, 2016 at 4:03 am
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    I loved this book and I think Jane Bennet and the Colonel would suit each other very well. Thank you. A lovely start to a Wednesday morning!

    1. Thanks, Michelle! I really enjoyed writing about Jane’s eyes being opened as she saw Colonel Fitzwilliam stand up to her father, so unlike Mr. Bingley.

    • EvelynTost on January 13, 2016 at 4:19 am
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    Oh, just lovely!! Now I really need to read “Mr Darcy’s Refuge” again. Thank you for this!

    1. Glad you enjoyed it!

    • Nathalie on January 13, 2016 at 5:37 am
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    It is a beautiful love story and a more bolder Jane that I find so lovable. In versions where Bingley and Jane do marry, I always picture in my mind Jane initiating a discussion on Bingley’s rude disappearance, even if it is after they are married when she finds strength in a new-found intimacy.

    1. I hope she would have had that discussion with him and not just swept it under the carpet!

  1. I need to read this book!

    1. I hope you enjoy it, June. While it’s primarily a Darcy and Elizabeth story, the Colonel plays a much larger role than he does in my other books, and I had a lot of fun writing his relationship with Jane.

    • Susan Parker on January 13, 2016 at 8:18 am
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    I love this!!! Now I have to go read Mr. Darcy’s Refuge.

    1. I hope you’ll let me know what you think of it!

    • Vesper Meikle on January 13, 2016 at 8:49 am
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    Bingley? Who? Faced with the Colonel I wouldn’t even remember who Bingley was even with his fortune. Looks like I am going to have buy this – any book with this Colonel is worth reading

    1. Colonel Fitzwilliam really develops as an independent character in this book, and I’d be tempted by him too!

    • Carmelita De Jesus on January 13, 2016 at 9:04 am
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    Ah, another favorite of mine! I love this Jane-Col. Fitzwilliam pairing! *sigh*

    1. Thanks, Carmelita! Kisses to Sylvie. 🙂

    • Caroline on January 13, 2016 at 9:53 am
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    I love stories where Jane ends up with the Colonel or some other strong man; Bingley is a wuss IMO and Jane deserves someone better than him and his sister(s). I’d love to read a story about the Colonel and Jane and their life in France and living with Lady Matlock.

    BTW, not all Carolines are mercenary.

    1. I see you’ve read the book! It would be fun to explore more about their life after the book ends.

      And there are some very nice Carolines out there!

        • Caroline on January 13, 2016 at 5:43 pm
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        Yes, I have and have read 9 of your books multiple times. Sometimes I read from beginning to end, and sometimes I find my favorite spot and start from there. I’m always excited when a new book comes out. Thanks for all the reading pleasure!

    • Talia Sommer on January 13, 2016 at 10:01 am
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    Your Refuge Jane storyline is one of my favorite ones. I love that you put her with Col F. I would love more like this. Hooray for Jane!

    1. Thank you! You may get your wish yet. 🙂

        • Caroline on January 13, 2016 at 5:39 pm
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        Yippee!

  2. I so enjoyed Refuge, and now I want to read it again! 😀 Thanks for this lovely excerpt!!

    Warmly,
    Susanne 🙂

    1. So glad you enjoyed it!

    • sharon on January 13, 2016 at 1:11 pm
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    i beliee jane was hurt by bingley as he left town suddenly but she is not mean spirited that is why she loves him i think do you not believe this to be true ,very well done scene

    1. I don’t think Jane is mean-spirited at all, but the reality is that someone is to blame for Bingley leaving Netherfield. Either he was toying with her in the first place and left of his own accord, or he was sincere in his feelings for her but gave way to persuasion not to return. Either way, he has behaved badly towards her. In my view, it’s not mean-spirited to hold someone responsible when they’ve behaved badly. Or at least that’s my 2 cents!

    • Pam Hunter on January 13, 2016 at 5:56 pm
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    Lovely excerpt. Thank you, Abigail!

    1. Thanks, Pam!

    • Carol on January 13, 2016 at 6:38 pm
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    Excellent excerpt. Read Refuge awhile back. Must read it again. I do not hate Bingley, but I do hate that he left Netherfield without so much as a goodbye. Colonel Fitzwilliam many not have much in the way of money, but what he’s got is first circle family. He knows his mother and Darcy will help him. Glad he’s giving Jane a choice. Bingley could not grow a backbone quick enough to regain Jane’s feelings. Think seriously young Jane. The colonel is a real man while Bingley is not at all sure of himself. Thanks for the excerpt, Abigail.

    1. Thanks. I agree; I don’t hate Bingley either, but he must have known Jane would be hurt by his departure, if nothing else because of the derision she’d face for failing to secure him.

    • junewilliams7 on January 13, 2016 at 8:53 pm
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    I agree with Carol above – Bingley should have said something to Jane before leaving Netherfield, before Darcy and his sisters ganged up on him. It would have taken him just a few minutes to stop at Longbourn, hardly a delay. So, what fate do you have for Bingster?

    1. Here’s what I wrote about Bingley’s fate:

      After receiving the intelligence of Jane Bennet’s engagement from Darcy, Charles Bingley had a great many things to say to the man he had trusted above all others, some of them true, some false, but all of them angry. Given the choice of blaming his sister, Darcy, or himself, he elected Darcy as the least painful choice to carry the onus of his culpability in losing Jane Bennet. His intention was to put an end to their friendship, but he gave way under pressure from his sisters and maintained a civil relationship with the Darcys, although without the closeness of previous years. He never returned to Netherfield and soon after gave up the lease. A year to the day after Jane’s wedding, Bingley announced his engagement to a delicately bred girl from York with golden hair and pretty manners.

        • Caroline on January 14, 2016 at 3:24 pm
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        Again, this shows how selfish and immature Bingley is. Rather than taking the blame and realizing what he did, he blames others and Darcy wound up being the scapegoat. Darcy had Bingley’s best interests at heart, while his sisters were conniving and vindictive in their attempts to reach the first circle. To them, Jane was not good enough for their brother. Jane is well rid of him!

    • RMorrel on January 13, 2016 at 10:15 pm
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    Simply wonderful

    1. Thanks!

    • Deborah on January 14, 2016 at 6:36 am
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    I loved his book. Thank you for posting this story to jog my memory. I have to reread it. Depending upon the circumstances, I believe Jane could become angry at him. I mean, to not have enough back bone to stand up to his sisters and friend. I think there would have to be, at least, a discussion about it between the two of them.

    1. If there isn’t a discussion, Jane would have to continue to blame herself as she does in P&P, and that wouldn’t be good. So I hope they would have talked about it.

    • TLeighF on January 14, 2016 at 12:22 pm
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    This is a scrumptious scene! I, Tito, must go back and reread the book. I love the Jane-Colonel pairing. When I was younger and first read P & P, I thought the Bingley -Jane story line as romantic and cheered when he came back. But as I’ve matured and read it again and again, his thoughtlessness and lack of backbone bother me. Jane deserves better!

    1. Thanks! I wonder, too, whether Jane would end up resenting him for causing her so much pain.

    • Clytie Koehler on January 14, 2016 at 3:52 pm
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    Very interesting discussion above. I too love the pairing of Jane with the colonel. He has always been an attractive character in my view. Bingley did blow it, but just to give him a little credit: when he left Netherfield he expected to return very soon, and, he relied on his wicked sisters to write an explanation to Jane (I think he did in the original although I have read so many variations!). I have read refuge several times, along with most, if not all, of your other P&P’s, Abigail, and I always enjoy them tremendously. Thanks and R.E.S.P.E.C.T! I always look forward to your next.

    • A. Kemp on January 15, 2016 at 5:24 am
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    As much as I like the idea of Jane and Col. Fitzwilliam it sounds as if she has to deal with her feelings for Mr Bingley. You can’t start something new (successfully I mean) and still have “issues” with somebody else. I’d hate to have to break the colonel’s heart but it has to be done. Besides, I always thought I’d love to see him end up madly in love with Georgiana Darcy. Don’t know why but I do.

    • Kim P. on January 15, 2016 at 9:53 am
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    I remember being surprised that Jane ended up with Col. Fitzwilliam when I read this book, but it’s nice to see her with choices and showing a little bit of backbone! Besides, who wouldn’t want the charming & noble Col. Fitzwilliam?

    • Sheila L. M. on January 15, 2016 at 7:06 pm
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    I have read that book twice in full and read certain scenes again and again. I have to say one of my favorite scenes is when Elizabeth and the Gardiners arrive at Pemberley and Darcy is there.

    As to Jane: yes, I can see where a man who knows his heart and is not persuaded by others would be a greater prize. Jane should be angry but if the Colonel did not come forth she might have accepted a returned Bingley to secure her family’s future.

    • Sarah on January 15, 2016 at 9:41 pm
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    Now I feel the need to go back and read Mr Darcy’s Refuge again 🙂

      • Clytie Koehler on January 17, 2016 at 12:23 pm
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      As do I. I reread my Austen variations as I glacially write my own! Regards to all of my Austen “connections”.

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