Page 153 of A Question of Character

“I require no persuasion to call upon the lady I court.”

Miss Bingley’s expression froze.

Mrs. Hurst wisely lowered her eyes to her work.

The silence that followed became sufficiently uncomfortable that even Miss Bingley abandoned it.

“Mr. Bingley has been looking for you.”

“I shall find him presently.”

He escaped before Caroline could recover.

Bingley occupied the library with an estate map spread across the table.

“There you are!” he exclaimed. “I was beginning to think Longbourn had adopted you.”

Darcy managed a faint smile.

“I should not object overmuch.”

“I knew it.”

Bingley folded the map.

“You do not look happy.”

“I am not.”

He sank into the nearest chair.

Bingley regarded him for a long moment before pouring two glasses of port.

“You need not tell me if you prefer silence.”

Darcy accepted the glass.

“I fear I have behaved badly.”

“With Elizabeth?”

Darcy nodded.

“I asked her to choose.”

Bingley’s brow furrowed.

“Between yourself and Mr. Wickham.”

“Oh.”

The single syllable contained considerable sympathy.

“I did not intend to frame it so bluntly,” Darcy continued. “At least, I believed I had not. But upon reflection...”

“You did.”

Darcy rubbed a hand across his forehead.