A startled hush fell.
Bingley flushed crimson.
Jane appeared equally mortified and delighted.
Mrs. Bennet turned toward her husband. “Mr. Bennet.”
“What?” He lifted his brows mildly. “The poor fellow has seemed moments from bursting since entering the room. I consider myself merciful.”
Bingley laughed helplessly then, one hand passing over his face briefly before turning toward Jane with such unconcealed affection that Elizabeth felt warmth rise instantly in her chest.
Mr. Bennet leaned back in his chair. “Since the gentleman appears temporarily incapable of coherent speech, I shall do him the service myself.” His gaze moved around the room with deliberate calm. “Miss Jane Bennet has agreed to marry Mr. Bingley.”
For one suspended moment the room remained completely still.
Then Lydia shrieked loud enough to startle everyone.
Kitty burst into tears.
Thomas and Toby shouted triumphantly at precisely the same instant.
Mrs. Bennet pressed both hands to her mouth before crossing quickly toward Jane, emotion overcoming composure fully for perhaps the first time Elizabeth could remember in years.
“My dearest girl,” she whispered.
Jane rose to embrace her mother while Bingley looked on with such open happiness that Elizabeth suspected he scarcely knew where to direct his attention first.
Mr. Bennet stood more slowly.
“Well, Bingley,” he said, extending his hand, “you have demonstrated either remarkable wisdom or alarming recklessness. Time shall determine which.”
Bingley grasped the outstretched hand. “I am the happiest man alive, sir.”
“Yes, yes. Most newly engaged men insist upon the same thing.” Affection unmistakably softened Mr. Bennet’s voice. “Fortunately for you, Jane possesses enough sweetness to tolerate your enthusiasm.”
Jane giggled through visible tears.
Charlotte Lucas offered sincere congratulations while Lady Lucas declared she had expected precisely this outcome from the beginning. Mr. Harrop attempted loudly to compare marriage to crop rotation before being silenced by three separate people simultaneously.
Wilson congratulated the couple properly enough, though Elizabeth noticed something newly guarded in his expression afterward.
Not bitterness. Calculation. As though Jane’s engagement had altered the landscape beneath his feet.
Beside the fire Miss Bingley smiled beautifully and said every proper thing while her eyes remained cold.
Elizabeth scarcely noticed.
Because in the midst of the joyful confusion, her gaze lifted instinctively toward Darcy.
He was already looking at her.
The warmth there struck deeply enough that for one strange moment the rest of the room seemed to soften around the edges.
Pride rested in his expression for Bingley’s happiness.
Something gentler appeared beneath it when his eyes met hers.
Not surprise.
