Chapter Fifteen
Mr. Bingley was a man of action. He rode, he danced, he visited friends. Weeks of enforced inactivity had him bored nearly into a coma, with the result that he gave more attention than usual to his correspondence. He read several letters of business and responded to them before happily turning his attention to a brief message written in Mr. Darcy’s careful script.
Bingley,
I have decided to remain at Netherfield at least until your arrival, though I am likely to depart soon after. I have a good deal of information to relate to you regarding your new estate, and prefer to do it in person.
Darcy
“What has Mr. Darcy to say?” Miss Bingley enquired. She attempted to maneuver herself so that she could read the message over her brother’s shoulder without it beingtooobvious, but her brother folded it in half before she could manage to do so.
“Good news for you, Caroline.”
“How so?”
“He says he will remain at Netherfield until we arrive.”
“Oh! Why, that is excellent news indeed!”
“But he adds that he will leave soon after,” her brother advised her.
“Well, perhaps he will find a reason to stay,” Miss Bingley declared, and with that she whirled about and headed upstairs.
“There is no point in repacking yet again, Caroline!” Mr. Bingley called after her, but she ignored him.
Chapter Sixteen
As a mild October turned into a rather blustery November, Mrs. Nichols rather unceremoniously handed Mr. Darcy a message before turning and leaving the room without a word. Mr. Darcy scarcely noticed; he had become accustomed to the inattention of the servants.
Darcy,
I am healed at last, and the doctor says I may travel! Expect me in two days’ time! Also expect Caroline to have her claws out for you; she has packed and repacked five times, hoping to impress you with her gowns. I can only apologise for her!
Bingley
Oh, Lord, Caroline Bingley in full huntress mode, with himself as the hunted! I should leave for London at once, Mr. Darcy thought, while knowing full well that he would not,couldnot, leave Miss Elizabeth just yet. He avoided her, as he had plannedto, but he thought about her constantly. He would be ready to leave eventually, of course; the enchantment would fall from his eyes and he would learn to see her as just another brown-haired young lady. It would be well if that happened sooner, rather than later.
“Mrs. Nichols!” he called out.
The woman appeared. “Yes, Mr. Darcy?” Her irritation at having been summoned by him was clear.
“Mr. Bingley will arrive with his two sisters and brother-in-law in two days. If I may give you a hint, the younger sister is extremely particular, and will want the best bedroom available, as well as several courses at dinner.”
Mrs. Nichols nodded, and headed for the door. Before she could make her escape, Mr. Graham brushed past her, entering the room with a very pained expression in his face. “Mr. Darcy,” he began, his voice evincing some confusion.
“Yes, Mr. Graham?”
“There is a – a man here for you.”
“Indeed? Has he a name?”
“He says his name is Franklin, and that he is your valet.” The disbelief in Graham’s voice was evident. “I told him that this could not possibly be true and instructed him to be on his way. He refused, rather rudely, and demanded to see you at once.”
Mr. Darcy began to chuckle. “And I am willing to bet that he has more than one trunk with him.”
“You would be correct in that, Mr. Darcy.”
Mr. Darcy made his way rapidly to the entryway. “Franklin!”
