Page 29 of Miss Bingley’s Return

“Had I any information to share, I would speak,” replied Darcy.

Though she appeared dubious, she allowed it to pass.

“Tell me, Miss Elizabeth,” said Darcy, “is your expectation of Miss Bingley’s defeat because your sister has told you that she will fail?”

“No,” replied Miss Elizabeth, her tone succinct, almost curt. “However, Jane is exercising caution—it is wise of her, in my opinion, given what happened in Hertfordshire.”

“Yes, I can understand your point,” replied Darcy. “Then she may still be persuaded?”

“If Mr. Bingley decides that persuasion is what he wishes.”

Darcy offered a slow nod. “But she will not yield to Miss Bingley’s pressure.”

“No more than Mr. Bingley will.”

“This is most curious, Miss Elizabeth,” said Darcy, turning to her once again. “I do not intend to offend, but your mother’s statements at the ball were unmistakable.”

Relief washed over Darcy as Miss Elizabeth turned to him with a wide smile, not taken aback by his statement.

“As you perhaps noticed, my mother has never been shy about stating her opinion. But it does not follow that my opinion—or Jane’s—coincides with hers.”

“Yet she is your mother and must possess authority.”

“Yes, she does,” agreed Miss Elizabeth, “but do you suppose that a mother is in a position to force a daughter to marry against her wishes?”

“That is in the father’s purview.”

Miss Elizabeth nodded, displaying unmistakable composure. Around them, the low murmur of conversation mixed with clinking utensils and the occasional laugh, while servants moved, soft steps designed not to interrupt the diners.

“It is. What you do not know, Mr. Darcy, is that my father would never force any of his daughters to marry where they do not like, unless the circumstances were extraordinary.”

“Such as a compromise, or perhaps the family’s future support.”

Amused, Elizabeth shook her head. “My father knows how dearly bought the purchase of such support might be, Mr. Darcy. The notion of Mr. Bingley proposing to Jane was agreeable to my mother—it still is, to own the truth. But should Jane decide it is something she does not wish, she will reject him if he offers for her.”

“Then I admire your principles, Miss Elizabeth. Your stance is uncommon in the circles in which we move.”

“Yet I have not learned to condemn them.”

To Elizabeth’s surprise, Mr. Darcy stayed nearby when they moved back to the sitting-room, engaging her in low conversation about subjects other than Jane and Mr. Bingley. The gentleman was not deficient, though he was not verbose, leading Elizabeth to see more of him than she had ever expected. Mr. Darcy, she suspected, was an excellent man, though one had to know him better to appreciate his qualities—Elizabeth understood how strange it was to think of the gentleman in that fashion, given her opinion in Hertfordshire.

While she enjoyed their conversation, however, Elizabeth was not so engrossed that she did not see what was happening around them. On the other side of the room, an intricate dance was taking place. Mr. Bingley had escorted Jane back to the sitting-room and stood by her for some time, but then they had separated, Jane speaking with another lady, while Mr. Bingley had joined several gentlemen.

Not long after, Elizabeth noticed Mr. Harrington approach Jane, and after several moments, the other lady moved away, leaving Jane to speak alone with the gentleman. This was, it seemed, not agreeable to Miss Bingley.

“Oh, Jane dear, please join us, for Charles related such an amusing story!”

Mr. Harrington did not protest, allowing Jane to depart without rancor, though Jane appeared a little reluctant. Then after a time, when Mr. Bingley and Jane separated naturally, Mr. Harrington again filled the gap.

“This dance is most interesting, Mr. Darcy,” said Elizabeth to the gentleman the second time this had happened.

“It appears Miss Bingley does not mean to be thwarted,” observed Mr. Darcy.

“No, she does not,” agreed Elizabeth. “But I already knew that. Of more interest to me is Mr. Harrington’s behavior. Tell me, Mr. Darcy—do you have some knowledge of Mr. Harrington, or are you as ignorant of him as you are about Mr. Bingley’s mystery woman?”

The gentleman did not conceal his amusement. “No, Miss Elizabeth, I am acquainted with Harrington. He is a good sort—I know no harm of him.”

“That much I understand, Mr. Darcy,” said Elizabeth. “My aunt and uncle are acquainted with him also.”