Bingley relaxed. “I have no fear of that. I am certain that if I inquire, she will tell me the truth. And then at least I will know.”
“If you are so sure, why did you not simply return to ask?”
His friend’s brows pinched together. “Because my appearing at Longbourn alone to speak with Miss Bennet would have been seen as confirmation that I would propose. I do not know her feelings on the matter, and I would not have her mother insist upon Miss Bennet either accepting me or Mrs. Bennet publicly declaring me a scoundrel.”
“Yes, we know enough of Mrs. Bennet to believe her capable of both.”
Bingley shook his head. “I am pleased to open Netherfield for you and your family, of course. It suits my own purposes exceedingly well, for now I shallnotbe appearing at Longbourn alone. But to own the truth, Darcy, I am surprised. I believed you would never again return to Hertfordshire, for you did not appear to enjoy your time there any more than Caroline.”
Across from them, Georgiana’s keen interest in this conversation had not escaped Darcy’s notice.
Darcy considered his response carefully. “I have two reasons. First, Wickham is still attached to the militia there.” He offered Georgiana a brief, apologetic glance. “I only saw him once, but I regret not acting. I wish to ensure he does not take advantageof the townspeople.” He did not mention that they ought also to be concerned about their daughters. Georgiana was now aware of Wickham’s dalliances, but there was no need to broach that topic in her presence again.
Bingley nodded slowly, though his expression grew thoughtful. “And the second?”
Darcy hesitated. “The second reason,” he finally said, choosing his words with care, “is to better acquaint myself with the Bennets.”
His friend’s eyes widened, and his expression brightened. Darcy knew instinctively that Bingley had misunderstood.
“My dear friend,” Bingley exclaimed, “I cannot tell you how grateful I am for your support, particularly knowing your sentiments about Mrs. Bennet and the younger sisters.”
Darcy did not correct Bingley’s generous interpretation of his actions. He assuaged his guilt by telling himself hewouldhave come to assist Bingley had his friend confidently announced he wished to ally himself with Miss Bennet. His thoughts shifted to Miss Elizabeth, as they often did, now. He recalled that wretched assembly and how his first impressions of Miss Elizabeth had been entirely in error. She was an active woman, of which he approved, and a clever one. And yes, for all the protestations he had made before he allowed himself to become acquainted with her, Miss Elizabeth was also beautiful.
Georgiana cast him a sympathetic smile, though she could not know his thoughts. Darcy sat in silence, lost in contemplation as the carriage rumbled onward, Bingley’s cheerful chatter fading into the background. The answers he sought awaited him in Hertfordshire. There was nothing for it but to move forward.
The entire Bennet household gathered at the windows as Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, and two others stepped out of a large, gleaming black carriage. Elizabeth thought the young woman must be Miss Darcy, but she did not know who the other man might be. He did not look like either Mr. Bingley or the Darcys. He had sandy-brown hair and was of medium height, but his lean figure bespoke strength.
Truthfully, she was surprised that anyone had accompanied Mr. Bingley on his first visit to Longbourn, let alone Mr. Darcy who had never ventured to her home during his months of residence last autumn. She had not expected ever to see the man again.
Mrs. Gardiner turned to Elizabeth with a bright smile. “Well, Lizzy, thisisa timely arrival. Now we shall see whether Mr. Wickham’s sketch of the Darcys is a faithful one.”
Elizabeth did not reply, but she offered her aunt a little smile.
As the Netherfield party reached the door of the drawing room, her mother’s voice echoed with barely contained excitement as she urged her daughters forward. Her father, however, held his ground. When Mr. Bingley greeted him with a warm smile, Papa responded with a cynical twist of his mouth.
“Mr. Bingley,” he said, “welcome back to Hertfordshire. I trust London was suitably diverting?”
Mr. Bingley flushed, understanding perfectly. “It was very lively, sir,” he replied, casting an apologetic glance toward Jane, who gave him a gentle, encouraging smile. “But I am happy to have returned. My sisters send their regrets. They are visiting a friend for the festive season, so I am afraid we four must represent Netherfield.”
Her father raised an eyebrow at this and then nodded. “Then we are fortunate to have you here.” He waved at the Gardiners. “I believe you have met the rest of my family, but this isMr. Gardiner and Mrs. Gardiner, our brother and sister from London. They came to spend Christmas with us.”
The Netherfield party made all the proper salutations.
“Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner,” Mr. Darcy said gravely, ignoring her younger sisters who had taken up their own pursuits on the far side of the room, “may I introduce my sister, Miss Darcy, and my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam?”
Elizabeth curtsied while her mother exclaimed with pleasure. It required a nearly heroic effort not to wince, but she managed it.
Her father turned to greet Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Darcy with polite formality. While the rest of the party began to converse with the Gardiners, he disappeared from the room, leaving everyone else to entertain their guests.
“Well, he would be a fine one for reconnaissance,” Colonel Fitzwilliam observed quietly to Mr. Darcy when he realised they had been abandoned. “Hardly noticed him slipping away.”
Elizabeth blushed at her father’s rudeness, but there was nothing to be done. She had not been meant to hear that exchange, and so she dared not offer an apology. She forced her eyes away from the cousins and towards her eldest sister, who was now speaking with Mr. Bingley. Jane’s face was radiant with a quiet joy as Mr. Bingley renewed his attentions, and witnessing her happiness lifted Elizabeth’s spirits. Mr. Darcy’s presence, however, still bewildered her. She knew he was staying at Netherfield, but even so, his arrival with Mr. Bingley was unexpected. Yet here he was—standing in her family’s drawing room, his family in tow, conversing politely with Uncle Gardiner about the fishing at Pemberley, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
It was not long before Mamma’s effusive chatter rose above the more reserved conversations. She fussed over Mr. Bingleyand Colonel Fitzwilliam with unrestrained delight while her eyes darted toward Mr. Darcy with apprehension. Mr. Darcy, for his part, bore it all with a polite nod, his gaze steadfastly avoiding Elizabeth, though it occasionally lingered on Jane.
Elizabeth realised that she had been very nearly staring at Mr. Darcy and turned away.
Mary, seated near the fire, looked up briefly from her well-worn copy ofStrictures on the Modern System of Female Education,her expression one of quiet reproach. She only turned back to her reading after delivering a particularly solemn and largely unnoticed observation about the importance of humility to her two younger sisters. Kitty, meanwhile, was in the corner with Mrs. Gardiner, shyly displaying a ribbon she was carefully embroidering using a stitch her aunt had taught her. Mrs. Gardiner praised her work, and Kitty blushed, pleased with the gentle attention.
