Mr. Darcy felt his eyes narrowing. “Very much?”
She looked at him and began to laugh. “It is far too early in our acquaintance for either of us to feel jealousy.”
He supposed she was right, but he felt it nonetheless.
Chapter Fourteen
Elizabeth had never been happier to be back in her own home. Even the incessant chattering of Mama, Kitty and Lydia was sweet music in comparison with Miss Bingley’s screeching. She and Jane had not finished readingThe Midnight Bell, so she was taking it home to finish it, with Mr. Bingley’s hearty consent.
Jane was still tired from her illness and retired to their room immediately upon their arrival. Elizabeth had started up the stairs with her, but Mama had called her back.
“Lizzy? Lizzy, I would speak with you.” Her mother’s voice was determined.
Elizabeth said, “Go on up, Jane. I will join you shortly.”
She followed her mother into the parlour. Mrs. Bennet sat in her favorite chair and gestured to Elizabeth to sit in the sofa beside the chair.
“Tell me everything, Lizzy.”
“About?”
Her mother’s eyes narrowed.
Elizabeth sighed. “Very well; Mr. Bingley is very much interested in Jane, but Miss Bingley opposes the match.”
“Will that deter Mr. Bingley?”
“Yes, I very much think it will. I was seated beside Mr. Bingley at dinner yesterday evening and he told me that he cannot go against his sister’s wishes.”
“He truly said that?!” Mrs. Bennet was shocked, and fanned herself vigorously.
“Words to that effect, yes.”
“Tell meexactlywhat he said.”
Elizabeth closed her eyes, trying to recall Mr. Bingley’s exact words. “Let me see. We were speaking about Miss Bingley not leaving Mr. Darcy alone –“
“Who is Mr. Darcy, pray?”
“Oh, I forgot that you had not met him. He did not attend the assembly due to a bad headache, but he is Mr. Bingley’s good friend and is staying at Netherfield to help Mr. Bingley learn about estate management.”
“So this Mr. Darcy must have an estate of his own.” Her mother’s tone was thoughtful.
Elizabeth realised that she had to be careful now. She did not wish to lie to her mother, but nor did she wish Mr. Darcy to become an object of interest to the Bennet matriarch. “I suppose he must, though I know very little about it.”
“You must learn how to ferret out such information, Lizzy! Very well; go on.”
“Miss Bingley has very much set her cap for Mr. Darcy, though he is completely disinterested in her –“
“Wait, Lizzy. If Miss Bingley is interested in this Mr. Darcy, he must be quite wealthy.”
Elizabeth stared at her mother. “You are singularly focused on Mr. Darcy; I am trying to tell you of my conversation with Mr. Bingley.”
“And you are singularly unfocused on what is in your own best interest, Elizabeth. No matter; continue.”
Elizabeth cleared her throat and stared at her mother mutinously for a moment before continuing. “As I was saying, Mr. Bingley commented on his sister’s continued pursuit of Mr. Darcy despite his obvious disinterest. I asked why Miss Bingley was Netherfield’s hostess rather than Mrs. Hurst who, as a married woman, should have been his choice for hostess. He said that Miss Bingley wanted to impress Mr. Darcy by showing what a good hostess she would be for Pem-“ And here she stopped, realising that any mention of Pemberley would alert her mother to Mr. Darcy’s desirability as a suitor.
“Go on, Lizzy.”
