He considered that. Friends? “Well, yes, Bingley is a good friend.”
“Have you confided in him about what happened to your sister?”
“No, of course not.”
“Why of course?”
“Because if it gets out, then the Darcy name is ruined!”
She looked at him for a moment, and then spoke softly. “But by not speaking about it, you are causing yourself harm. It is not healthy to keep things suppressed in such a manner. Also, may I say that you have spoken about your grief and sorrow, but I would not be surprised if you were angry as well.”
“Angry?”
“Yes. And keeping all that inside will hurt you.’”
At that moment, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst came into the breakfast room together. Mr. Darcy could not help the growl that escaped him at this intrusion. Was there no way to speak to Miss Elizabeth without interruption?
Elizabeth left the room after wishing everyone a good day, and went back up to Jane, who was still sleeping soundly.Elizabeth sat on a chair near the bed, trying to interest herself in the volume of poetry she had taken from the library the night before.
But she could not stop thinking of Mr. Darcy. He was quite the handsomest man she had ever met. Truly, with his dark, curling hair and dark eyes, he looked like a hero from a book. He was quite tall, with broad shoulders, and muscular calves that she was certain owed nothing to padding.
She sighed and went back to her book.
Chapter Ten
Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley rode through the grounds of Netherfield, with Mr. Darcy pointing out what was favorable about the estate and what were potential problems. He was happy to be outside; he found that riding helped take his mind off his troubles. The dark fog of his depression lifted a little.
Mr. Bingley seemed eager to learn, but he had so little background in estate management that he was having trouble retaining information; Mr. Darcy thought he might be pushing his friend a little too hard.
“Perhaps it would be best if we returned to the house and wrote down what we have seen,” Mr. Darcy suggested.
“Yes! Excellent idea!” Mr. Bingley’s gratitude told Mr. Darcy that he had been right to propose the break. They turned their horses back toward the house.
“What do you know of the Bennets?” Mr. Darcy asked him.
“Miss Bennet is an absolute angel, Darcy! It is a shame she is so ill, as you are unable to see her at her best. Then again, given that you are a far better catch than I, perhaps it is just as well that you not meet her.” Mr. Bingley’s tone was jocular, but Mr. Darcy was not entirely certain he was joking.
“I would never stand between you and true love, Bingley. But what of the rest of the family?”
“There are five daughters and no sons, which is unfortunate, as the estate is entailed to male heirs.”
“That is indeed unfortunate.” Mr. Darcy hesitated. To ask additional questions would betray his interest, which he was not ready to do; surely there was a way to learn more. “Her sister is kind to come and nurse her.” There; that seemed innocent enough.
“I am given to understand that the two eldest sisters, Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, are very close. But Caroline does not care for Miss Elizabeth.”
Mr. Darcy would have liked to say that Miss Bingley cared for no one but herself, but of course could not. “And why is that?”
“Miss Elizabeth is a little too insolent for my sister’s taste.”
“Insolent?” That seemed a very odd way to describe a young lady.
“Yes, I think so. Perhapspertis a better description. Miss Elizabeth does not let anyone get the better of her. Clever, she is, and well-read. Annoys Caroline no end.”
“Does your sister approve of your interest in Miss Bennet?”
“No, I do not think she does. She thinks the Bennets are beneath us, and I should be looking higher for a wife. But Miss Bennet is everything lovely, and she is the daughter of a gentleman to boot. Nothing wrong with that, is there?”
“Of course not. Will you hold firm in this matter?”
