Page 62 of Miss Bingley’s Return

“No,” replied Mr. Bingley. “I needed to return to London on a matter of business. Two days later, Darcy and my family returned to London, and Caroline persuaded me to stay in London for the winter. I do not believe she understood at the time, but I had already seen Miss Whitcombe and did not protest.” Mr. Bingley shook his head. “There are two things I regret—that I behaved in such an open manner with you and that I did not take my leave.

“Caroline, of course, understood the danger at once, but rather than push for a return to Netherfield, she tried again to introduce me to other ladies. When that did not work—”

“She drew Lizzy and me to London,” finished Jane.

Appearing a little shamefaced, Mr. Bingley said: “When I saw you, I was confused—I had truly esteemed you.”

“Yet you were much more careful,” said Jane.

“I was. I had no choice, for I would not give you hope where there was none.”

Jane nodded, but she was curious about something. “Do not concern yourself for my welfare, Mr. Bingley, for I do not consider myself used. I am curious about one thing—was last night when you chose in Miss Whitcombe’s favor?”

The question seemed to take him aback, but he pondered it for several moments before he replied. “Perhaps the conscious choice, yes, but I do not think the outcome was in doubt since I saw Miss Whitcombe again after returning from Hertfordshire.”

“Then I hope you will accept my fondest wishes for your happiness,” said Jane with all the sincerity she possessed. “I do not regret what passed between us, Mr. Bingley. But I no longer mistake it for anything other than what it was.”

“You are far more understanding than I deserve,” said Mr. Bingley.

Jane could not help but laugh. “If you asked Lizzy, I am certain she would agree with you. Then again, she has always been my most ardent supporter.”

Mr. Bingley’s eyes found Elizabeth, and Jane noted her sister’s attention was on her book, her lips curved in a slight smile. That alone told her that Lizzy could hear something of their conversation, and agreed with Jane’s assessment.

“I apologize, Miss Bennet,” said Mr. Bingley, turning back to her. “Not for choosing Miss Whitcombe—what I feel for her is not new. I apologize for placing you in a situation of expectation without certainty.”

“Thank you, Mr. Bingley,” said Jane, knowing she should not absolve him of wrongdoing, even though she now understood it was for the best that it ended this way. “I believe I have also learned something from this. Kindness and affection are not the same as constancy—you offered me the former, but you could not grant me the latter. Miss Whitcombe has your constancy, and she is a fortunate woman. I also deserve it with a man who will offer it to me.”

“There is no one more deserving,” was Mr. Bingley’s simple reply.

For a few moments more they spoke, but the important points were acknowledged and understood. When Mr. Bingley rose to depart, he bowed over her hand, then turned to Elizabeth, some of his joviality returned.

“Unless I am mistaken, you are Miss Bennet’s ardent defender. I trust you will maintain that role and run off those who are unworthy of your sister’s attention.”

Elizabeth, as her wont, laughed at his sally. “Of course, I shall, Mr. Bingley. Should matters proceed as I suspect they will, I hope we will remain friends.”

The gentleman’s irrepressible grin now appeared affixed to his face again. “Should matters proceed as I suspect, we shall remain friends, Miss Elizabeth. Unless you send my friend away, that is.”

Elizabeth shook her finger at him. “That is enough, Mr. Bingley. Mr. Darcy has improved in essentials, but there is still much more that I must know about him before we may proceed.”

“Learn what you must, Miss Elizabeth,” replied he. “Darcy is the best of men—should you allow him, he will make it his life’s mission to ensure you are happy.”

“We shall see, Mr. Bingley.”

Mrs. Gardiner returned to the room, hearing voices, and after a few moments, Mr. Bingley went away, leaving the three women together. The moment he left the room, she turned to Jane.

“Well, Jane? Has he satisfied your curiosity?”

“More than satisfied, Aunt,” replied Jane.

“Excellent. Now you must tell us all about it, for I am afire with curiosity.”

Laughing, Jane did just that.

By the time Mr. Darcy visited the next day—in Mr. Harrington’s company—the ladies of Gracechurch Street had come to terms with what Mr. Bingley had told Jane. Mr. Darcy had spoken with Mr. Bingley in the interim, and though he had not explained everything to his friend, Mr. Darcy now understood events the same as Elizabeth did.

“Some of this was known to me,” replied Mr. Darcy when they discussed it. “But not all. What is your opinion?”

“Just that matters have settled in the way I suspect they were meant to,” said Elizabeth. “Jane wishes to find a man whose heart will belong to her—that would never have happened with Mr. Bingley.”