Page 181 of Near Pemberley

“None of it matters more than Elizabeth.”

Bingley sank back into his chair. He leant against it, exhaled, and passed a hand over his face. “You shame me. You really love her?”

Darcy smiled from ear to ear.

Bingley stared at him for another heartbeat, then slapped both hands upon his knees and rose again, laughing. “You rascal, I never knew.” He caught Darcy briefly by the shoulder, giving it an affectionate shake. “Come, I need a drink. Let us go to my study. You had better tell me everything.”

“I confess…” Bingley said, shaking his head. “After everything you told me – Hunsford, Lambton, Wickham – I scarcely dared imagine matters could end so well.”

“Neither did I.”

The warmth between them returned so naturally that, for a moment, it seemed the painful conversation of several days earlier belonged to another lifetime.

Before either gentleman spoke again, the door opened.

Miss Bingley entered. She stopped upon seeing Darcy. “Mr. Darcy.”

He rose and bowed. “Miss Bingley.”

She looked from one gentleman to the other. “I hope I am not interrupting.”

“Not at all.” Darcy remained standing. “In fact, you arrive at an appropriate moment.”

Something in his manner made her suddenly attentive.

“I have just informed your brother that Miss Elizabeth Bennet has accepted my proposal.”

The colour left Caroline’s face.

She appeared likely to lose her balance. One hand reached instinctively for the back of a chair, and she remained there until she recovered sufficient composure to speak. “Miss… Elizabeth?”

“Mrs. Darcy the day after tomorrow.”

She lowered herself slowly into the chair. “You proposed to Miss Eliza? Surely, sir, it is a joke.”

A silence followed.

At length Caroline raised her eyes. “Mr. Darcy… May I speak plainly?”

“You may.”

“Surely, after the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Miss Lydia…”

Darcy put his hand up. “You are acquainted with Miss Lydia’s circumstances?”

Caroline hesitated.

Darcy turned to Bingley. “You told her?”

Bingley tried to speak.

“I told you those things in confidence.” His voice had become noticeably colder.

Bingley looked down.

For several moments Darcy said nothing. “I see.”

The disappointment in those two words was more severe than any anger might have been.