“Do not say it, Caroline.”
“Apparently, I must. Youwillbe careful with Miss Bennet. I have said it before, and you promised you knew what you were doing, but it does not look like you do. Others will start to speak of it.”
Her brother let out an annoyed breath. “I am having a bit of fun with her. It is just a touch of—”
“Lust? Flirt with her and enjoy her smiles all you like, but make your position very clear. Let her know she can have no expectations from you.”
“I have, I have. Forget about her. I have several ideas for how we can use the next few days to work on Darcy.”
Although her concern was not banished, Caroline allowed him to redirect their conversation.
CHAPTERTHIRTY
Darcy woke the next morning to the sound of heavy rain hitting the window. As the hours passed, it was apparent that the weather would not improve that day. There had been no sign of the impending downpour when they left Meryton the previous night, and he had planned to leave the house early and ride about the countryside between Netherfield and Longbourn until he met Miss Elizabeth or until he had to abandon hope of doing so. Despite what he had overheard her mother and aunt saying, he had to speak to her about Mr Collins. Even if people expected the match, if she had not promised herself to him, if Mr Bennet had not given his consent, then…Well, then Darcy would have to make a very quick decision about how to act. Given the rain, he was left to hope he could carry out his plan the next day.
Miss Bingley made every effort to keep Darcy suitably amused, to such an extent that he almost told Bingley to ask her to stop. He appreciated it, but it was too much. She insisted on playing the pianoforte for him, proposed game after game of cards, requested he read aloud to her, and the endless talking! She mentioned books they had both read, but then showed very little understanding of them, discussed politics with even less success, and went on for some time about the joy of having a country estate.
By mid-afternoon, Darcy decided that, if he did not know better, he would suspect she was trying to garner his interest. He sincerely hoped that was not true. It would make his friendship with Bingley awkward, possibly resulting in it ending, and he did not wish to see her disappointed. Darcy had been careful not to raise her expectations, even in the summer and early autumn when he had been considering which of the ladies of his acquaintance were potential wives.
Choosing Miss Bingley would have been wrong because it was impossible to feel for her even a small part of what he already felt for Miss Elizabeth. There was nothing Darcy could do about his sentiments, and the depth of his affection for Miss Elizabeth was likely what made it so difficult for him to admit she might not be free to love him.
By dinner, Darcy’s irritation with Miss Bingley, and even Bingley, was becoming acute. The number of times she mentioned Derbyshire and Pemberley convinced him she was waiting for him to issue an invitation for them to spend the summer at his estate.
Whereas, if I am fortunate, I shall be married and disinclined for company.
To distract his host and hostess as much as to prevent himself from imagining what the summer could be, Darcy asked, “When do you expect the Hursts? Although it is still raining, it is not as heavy as it was earlier, and it might stop entirely overnight.”
Bingley and his sister regarded each other for a moment before Bingley laughed and said, “I thought I told you. Silly of me to think about it then convince myself I had actually done the thing!”
“What Charles means to say is that they are not coming.”
Miss Bingley spoke calmly, almost as though she did not care, but she must. How often had Darcy heard the Bingleys talk about their father’s greatest wish being for Bingley to secure an estate and better establish their family’s position in society? Why would Mrs Hurst not make the effort to visit as soon as possible? Bingley had told him they expected to see the Hursts by the end of October, and it was presently a month later.
“I am surprised,” Darcy replied, attempting to hide his confusion which might appear rude. Part of his shock was that they seemed unconcerned with their sister’s absence and apathetic about the fact that their friends from town would not be with them when they hosted their first large party at their country estate. The Bingleys had explained they wished to limit the invitations to those in the neighbourhood, as a special thank you to them. Their reasoning was lost on him.
“It is unfortunate. For us, that is. Louisa is perfectly content where she is, and she and my brother-in-law will see Netherfield sooner or later,” Bingley said.
“Are you perhaps planning to invite some of your acquaintance for Christmas, since you decided not to have them to your ball? You were quite enthusiastic to have friends stay when we talked about it in town.”
“Perhaps we shall have them in the spring. An Easter party might be just the thing, but we shall see. You know I do not like to decide what I shall do so far in advance. Who knows what I will be occupied with come March?” Bingley laughed, though it sounded strained.
Darcy nodded once to acknowledge the response and turned back to his dinner. His appetite abandoned him at Miss Bingley’s next words.
“We expect happy news from our neighbours any day now. I am referring to the Bennets. One of the girls told me Mr Collins secured a living in Essex. I heard from more than one person that the wedding date will be set for next month, and he will take up his new duties by the end of the year. Naturally, he wants his dear wife to go with him.”
Darcy swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. “There has been no announcement of a betrothal.”
“Not yet, but I believe I am to blame for that, or rather my brother and I.” Miss Bingley gave a soft giggle.
Darcy looked from one to the other. “I do not understand.”
“The dear Bennets know how important it is to us that the ball goes well. They do not want to draw attention away from it. The dear girl is beloved by everyone, and the evening would become about congratulating her. It is very good of her to think of such an eventuality. I can only imagine how excited she is to explore her new neighbourhood.” Miss Bingley gave him a pleased smile before taking another bite of chicken.
Darcy had rarely experienced a complete absence of sensation before, but Miss Bingley’s speech had that effect. It sounded as though she had actually talked to ‘the dear girl’ herself, and since Miss Bingley had previously claimed knowledge that Mr Collins was going to marry Miss Elizabeth, she must mean—
He would discover the truth for himself, and he would do it soon. If there was no opportunity before the ball, he would ask Miss Elizabeth during it. If both of those attempts failed, he would call on Mr Bennet on the twenty-seventh and have a frank conversation with him.
If Miss Bingley was correct, then Darcy would leave Meryton that very day.
