Page 119 of Near Pemberley

Darcy shook his hand. “No murders. No robbery.”

“Then the situation is already improving.” Bingley threw himself into a chair and glanced around the room. “I confess I expected to find you looking more distressed.”

“I have had several days to grow accustomed to the situation.”

That answer immediately caught Bingley’s attention. His smile faded. “Something has happened.”

“Yes.” Darcy remained standing for a moment before moving to the fireplace. “Have you come here straight from the trip?”

“Essentially yes. Though I dropped Caroline off before coming here.”

“Miss Bingley?”

“She insisted that I bring her.”

“Right. Then you must be famished. Let me have some food brought.” With that, Darcy opened the door and gave his instructions to the footman.

“Thank you. Yes, I could eat something.”

“I am sorry for not writing why I asked you to come. It is not something one commits to paper.”

For the first time since entering, Bingley felt uneasy. “What is it?”

Darcy was silent for several seconds.

“Darcy?”

The other man remained standing by the fireplace, one hand resting upon the mantel.

At last, he said, “I have something to tell you, and it is long overdue.”

Bingley blinked. “You worry me. What is this about?”

Darcy looked into the fire.

“When we talked after we left Netherfield, I shared my opinion about Miss Bennet.”

Bingley straightened. “That is a curious beginning.”

“I had no right to interfere. I am sorry for it.”

“No right?”

Darcy shook his head. “I have learnt a hard lesson. When it comes to women, I am no expert. Please do not ask me how.”

Bingley stared at him. “Darcy, you are alarming me more with every sentence.”

“That was not my intention.”

“It rarely is.”

For the first time, a faint shadow of amusement touched Darcy’s expression. Then it disappeared. “When we left Netherfield, I believed Miss Bennet esteemed you, but I also believed her feelings were considerably less engaged than yours.”

Bingley’s face grew serious. “Yes.”

“I was mistaken.”

The words hung between them.