“You offended quickly,” Thomas returned.
A brief pause followed.
Darcy allowed it.
“Tell us your plans,” Toby said at last. “For today.”
Darcy glanced toward the horizon before answering. “Bingley and I are to dine with the officers this evening. Mr. Hurst will join us.”
The boys exchanged a look.
It was not a simple look.
Darcy recognized it immediately.
Mischief.
Interest grew.
“And before that?” Thomas asked.
“There is little arranged.”
Another glance passed between them, more deliberate this time.
Toby turned back. “Then we can help you.”
Darcy raised a brow. “Can you?”
“Yes,” Thomas said. “We can.”
“How?”
The answer came with evident satisfaction.
“Miss Bingley has written to Jane and Lizzy,” Toby said. “They are to dine at Netherfield this evening.”
Darcy’s expression changed.
“They are?”
“Yes,” Thomas confirmed. “Mama told them at breakfast.”
“And they are to come in the carriage,” Toby added. “Because of the rain.”
Darcy frowned slightly.
“I was not aware Miss Bingley intended to receive guests this evening.”
Thomas shrugged. “She does.”
“Or she pretends she does,” Toby said.
Darcy narrowed his eyes at them.
“Pretends?”
The boys exchanged another glance.
