Caroline nodded. “Honestly, Charles, sometimes it is as if you go about with your eyes closed.”
“Darcy and Miss Elizabeth? Truly?” Bingley mulled that over, the cogs of his mind almost visibly turning. “Even though she has no dowry and no connections?”
“Even though,” Caroline said firmly. “He is enamored.”
“Huh.” Bingley’s brow furrowed in thought.
“No dowry still?” Richard asked. “Then she did not make a similar bargain over me?” That boded well for Darcy’s future with her, but it would have chuffed Richard to see his father lose money as well. Such arrogant interference should cost.
Shaking her head, Caroline said, “I tried to persuade her to sign, but she would not take me at my word that she has no chance of wedding Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam.” A warm smile for him accompanied that. “And I could not reveal the truth, obviously.”
“You did what you could,” Richard said with a shrug. It was not as if his bride bringing in a few thousand pounds would change Darcy’s fortune. “And you have secured the funds from my aunt?”
“I have.”
“I am going to offer for Miss Bennet,” Bingley said loudly, cutting off Richard’s next words.
Footfalls sounded in the hall, two maids entering. They exchanged a look, likely wondering at the odd silence, then set down their trays.
As the maids left, Caroline turned to her brother with a smile. “She is everything lovely and will make you a wonderful wife.”
“She seems a very kind, pleasant person,” Georgiana added.
Bingley didn’t seem to hear her. He frowned at his sister. “I thought you and Louisa were opposed to the idea.”
“I did not wish such a connection to hamper my chances of a good match.”
“And since you believe Darcy will propose to Miss Elizabeth, you no longer have that fear?”
Richard silently commended Caroline’s composure when she managed not to so much as glance his way as she said, “I am decidedly past that worry.”
Casting Richard a strange look, Georgiana set to preparing more tea.
Richard cleared his throat. “I will be in London for several days. You are residing with the Hursts?”
“We are, but I mean to return to Hertfordshire first thing tomorrow.” Bingley spoke with considerable enthusiasm. “I cannot permit another day to pass without extending my offer.”
“I believe I will remain in London for a time,” Caroline said calmly.
Bingley turned a surprised look on her. “You will?”
“I will.”
“Then I will call on the Hursts tomorrow,” Richard said lightly.
Bingley frowned, as if he could tell he was missing something but had no notion what. Richard met his confusion with a bland look. Across from him, Caroline picked up her teacup, not quite hiding a smile.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The day after learning of their middle sister’s elopement, Elizabeth shared a sofa with Jane, her mending, and their joint misery. Word had reached them late yesterday that Mr. and Miss Bingley had left for London. Certain news of Mary’s elopement couldn’t have spread that quickly, Jane seemed convinced they’d departed because of Elizabeth’s bad behavior. They had argued the matter all evening, and started again come morning. Elizabeth did not care to be at odds with her older sister, Jane’s disappointment and sorrow slicing into her heart.
“It is the only explanation for why they would leave so suddenly and without offering their farewells,” Jane murmured under her breath, jabbing her needle forcefully enough to make Elizabeth wince.
“That, or because they mean to return with alacrity,” Elizabeth whispered back. “It is not as if London is far.” Like Scotland. To Scotland and back was a journey of weeks. A month, even. Before that sort of journey, a person should find a way to bid farewell to anyone about whom he cared.
“You simply found that man, and then told Colonel Fitzwilliam about him?” Jane whispered, pulling her needle through.
“I have told you twenty times already,” Elizabeth cast back, her voice rising in aggravation despite her best effort.
