“Go to town!” Miss Bingley exclaimed, her gaze flying to her brother.
“I am afraid so,” Darcy said. “Work cannot continue until we come to an agreement, and it would be wrong of me to delay seeing to it, knowing I am inconveniencing several others.”
“But we have only just arrived, Darcy.” Bingley shook his head. “There must be another way you can manage this. A few weeks will not make a difference, or-or write to tell them what you want done.”
“I fear that would only result in more miscommunication and aggravation. I am sorry, but I must go to London,” Darcy said.
Miss Bingley’s forehead furrowed. “Oh, but Mr Darcy—”
Before she could continue, Bingley said, “Well, I suppose if you feel you must go, you must, but you will return again, will you not?”
“Say that you will, I beg of you.” Miss Bingley stood and approached Darcy. “Charles and I were so looking forward to having you with us for a good long visit. You know we quite rely on your assistance.”
“That is very kind.” Darcy felt compelled to take a step backwards. He had the oddest notion that she was on the verge of grasping his hand.
“Caroline says nothing but the truth.Youare the one with experience managing a country estate, not I. Are you sure you cannot put the business off? I think you had much better do that than go rushing back to town so soon after leaving it.”
Impatience was beginning to irritate Darcy, and it took effort to keep it from his tone. “I cannot. It is better for me to go and see the thing settled to everyone’s satisfaction as quickly as possible. I would be pleased to return after that, if you wish it, though I cannot say how long it will take.”
“We certainly do wish it, do we not, Charles?” Miss Bingley touched his elbow, albeit briefly. Bingley nodded, but he had no opportunity to speak before she continued. “You must come back the moment you are at liberty. We quite depend on you, Mr Darcy. I know you will not disappoint such good friends as us.”
Darcy agreed, and after informing them he would depart as soon as his valet had a bag packed and his carriage was ready, he left the room.
* * *
That afternoon, Charlotte Lucas called at Longbourn.
“Charlotte, how good to see you!” Elizabeth said. “I was hoping you would call. The day after an assembly would not be nearly as pleasant if we did not talk it over.”
Charlotte had been a good friend to the family for more than a decade, although there had been some awkwardness the previous year, when she had flirted with William and done everything possible to make it plain she would welcome his particular attentions. Mrs Bennet had not liked it, having other plans for his future, and William had been discomposed and uncertain how to act. It had taken careful handling to save everyone’s dignity and the friendships amongst the residents of Longbourn and Lucas Lodge, but Elizabeth had managed it in the end.
“You find us alone for the moment.” Jane gestured for their friend to take a seat and poured her a glass of lemonade. “My mother and sisters have gone to see Mrs Philips.”
“Tell me, what do you think of your new neighbours, Eliza? I know how curious you are about people, and I have been anticipating hearing your impressions of them,” Charlotte said.
It was both an easy and a difficult question to answer. Once Elizabeth recalled that Mr Darcy was not, in actuality, a neighbour but rather a guest at Netherfield, she said, “I can offer no opinion of the Bingleys. I hardly talked to either of them.”
“What about Mr Darcy?”
Elizabeth was disappointed her ploy to avoid talking about the gentleman had failed. If she answered truthfully, she would have to admit she had not stopped thinking about him since their unexpected meeting that morning, about which she had told no one. Indeed, she had had little success putting him from her thoughts since they had danced together. She would,could, never admit either.
“Mr Darcy is amiable.” Elizabeth busied herself with a small wrinkle in her day gown. “Jane spent more time with the Bingleys, and I believe you spoke to them, too, Charlotte. Do you like them?”
“I do.”
“As do I, very much,” Jane said. “Miss Bingley will be a charming hostess.”
Charlotte smiled at her. “AndMrBingley asked you to dance twice. I would wager you thought he was charming too.”
Jane blushed prettily. “Perhaps, but I know the next time we meet, he might give all his attention to another lady and treat me as a stranger. Which, of course, I am.”
“I very much doubt that,” Charlotte said.
Elizabeth laughed. “He would be a fool if he did. He was taken by you. For once, I agree with my mother.”
Mrs Bennet had spent most of the morning meal insisting Mr Bingley admired Jane and would do everything possible to know her better in the coming weeks. Charlotte’s expression was a little sad as she spent a long moment studying Jane. Elizabeth suspected it was because Charlotte’s own marriage prospects were dim.
Turning to Elizabeth, she said, “Jane is too good to admit she made a conquest so quickly. I noticed you and Mr Darcy had no lack of conversation during your set.”
