Bingley made a wry face. “From what you say of the lady, she vanishes rather easily.”
“All the more reason for you to stay close. And if it can be said so lightly, there is more at stake here, even than her life. Or mine.”
At that, Bingley’s expression sobered. “Does she know?”
Darcy hesitated. “Not all of it. Not yet.”
Bingley considered him. “Is it trulyhersafety you are guarding, or your own sanity?”
Darcy did not answer.
Bingley pushed off the doorframe with a yawn. “Very well. I shall smile at Miss Bennet until my face aches. I shall attempt to match wits with Mr. Bennet in chess—”
“No chess.”
Bingley’s brow furrowed, still somewhat cloudy from sleep. “Eh?”
“Bennet is too much of a distraction. You may smile at his eldest daughter all you like, becauseshewill not let Elizabeth out of her sight, andyouwill not lose Miss Bennet. But do not, for the sake of all that is decent, let Mr. Bennet suck you into his study for a round of chess.”
Bingley sighed and nodded wearily. “Very well. Your Elizabeth will be guarded. And with any luck, your future mother-in-law will attempt to fatten me until I cannot fit into my carriage for the journey home.”
“You meanyourfuture mother-in-law. Bingley, you had better get some more sleep.”
Bingley rubbed his face. “My what? Something the matter with Mrs. Bennet?”
Darcy gave a huff of breath that was not quite a laugh. “I suppose that depends. The ladyisa gracious hostess, if something of a mercenary one. You will not eat half the ham she offers.”
“I shall eat all of it,” Bingley declared, tossing a jaunty salute, followed by a shake of his head, as if trying to finish rousing himself. “For queen and country.”
Darcy chuckled. “Good. Mr. Bennet is aware of certain… matters. A quiet word with him, and he will make excuses for your presence all day if needed.”
“Excellent. Then I shall install myself in their drawing room with every intention of overstaying my welcome.” Bingley paused, his tone softening. “Ride fast. Return faster.”
Darcy nodded once and turned back to the desk. He had letters to burn, notes to hide, and a pistol to clean.
He would be gone no more than a day.
He only prayed it was not too long.
Themorninghadbeguninnocently enough.
The family was just sitting down to breakfast—a modest affair, despite Mrs. Bennet’s regular attempts to bully the cook into producing something grander—when Hill entered, cheeks flushed and voice breathless.
“Mr. Bingley, ma’am,” she said, bobbing a curtsy. “He is on the front steps.”
A spoon clattered. Lydia gasped. Kitty squealed.
Mrs. Bennet leaped to her feet so fast her chair tipped backward and nearly toppled Mary. “Mr. Bingley? At this hour?” Her voice rang with triumph and something very near hysteria. “Well! I told you all! Did I not say he would come to his senses? Oh, Jane, this must be in your honor!”
“Mama!” Jane hissed, mortified.
But Mrs. Bennet was undeterred. “He has repented, I am sure of it! Blind he may have been these six months, but no man could stay blind forever when confronted with such beauty. Oh, Iknewyou could not be so lovely for nothing!” She gave Jane a look so pointed it might have left a bruise.
Jane’s blush bloomed instantly. Elizabeth, watching from across the table, wanted to bury her face in her hands in secondary embarrassment.
Mr. Collins cleared his throat loudly, his expression twitching between confusion and indignation. “Mr. Bingley?” he repeated. “At Longbourn? Without invitation? At breakfast?”
Mrs. Bennet fluffed her skirts, pinched her cheeks, and fluttered toward the hall. “Well, he shall have it now, sir! We are not so high in the instep as to turn away a man of such fortune. I say, he may have all the eggs and ham from the larder if it keeps him here long enough to effect his purpose!”
