Page 133 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

“Smoked pike,” Darcy said. “Bingley and I caught it. There is a man in Meryton who smokes the locally caught fish on behalf of anglers.”

His cousin wrinkled his nose. “I cannot tell if I like it or not. I usually like smoked fish, but perhaps I am simply not hungry.”

Darcy wondered if Douglas had been paying particular attention to Miss Bingley or if he had simply been polite in his attentions. Darcy and Bingley kept leaving him and Miss Bingley to their own devices while they pursued the two Bennet sisters. His cousin seemed too upset, however, for someone who had merely been polite.

“When are you setting off for Hemel Hempstead?”

“In an hour or so.” Douglas abandoned his plate of food and concentrated on his coffee. After Basile reminded him of his duty by patting his leg, he continued to supply the cat with tiny morsels of fish.

“Will Miss Bingley and her maid be accompanying you as was planned?” Darcy asked before he stabbed a thinly sliced piece of roast beef.

“I do not know if she is still interested in sitting in a carriage with me for an hour with only her maid to support her,” Douglas admitted. He shrugged slightly.

The subject of their discussion sailed into the small dining room, her chin in the air, but her expression less pinched than the previous evening. Darcy and the colonel both rose and bowed.

“Good morning,” Miss Bingley said brightly.

“You appear to be feeling better,” Douglas said, pulling out her chair in preparation for when she had her plate of food.

“I am, thank you. Have you been feeding Basile some fish?” she asked him.

“I have. He is a gourmand.”

She chuckled, and then her gaze turned to her other guest. “Mr. Darcy.”

“Miss Bingley. Thank you for accompanying my cousin on his journey to Hemel Hempstead today. I hope we have not inconvenienced you,” Darcy said, returning to his seat as she took swift steps toward the sideboard.

“Not at all. I am looking forward to the excursion,” Miss Bingley said.

Darcy exchanged glances with Douglas. He looks distinctly relieved. Can it be that my cousin has found a potential wife at last?

*

After their morning meal, Jane accompanied Lizzy on her rounds of the barnyard animals. As usual, they approached the stables first. They greeted each horse by name, and Lizzy watched them carefully as they were led out of their stalls by the head groom and walked around in the stableyard. As the second carriage horse was led out of the yard and put into a paddock, Jane took Lizzy’s arm and squeezed it.

“Dearest?” Jane’s soft voice hummed with expectation.

Lizzy looked into her beloved face and smiled. “Yes, Jane?”

“Mr. Bingley is coming today,” she whispered excitedly. “I can scarcely bear it…the waiting, I mean.”

“Are you going driving again?”

“Maybe…I do not know…Lizzy, Mr. Bingley is coming to see Papa.”

Lizzy gaped at her. “Truly?”

“Yes. Truly.”

Lizzy chuckled. “Jane, dear, you look like you might vibrate out of your skin. Have you warned Papa?” Jane swiftly nodded. “And have you told him of your regard for Mr. Bingley?”

“Yes. I told him last evening.”

“So, that is why he looked so mischievous this morning at table,” Lizzy said, laughing behind her hand. “You naughty girl. What a sister I have that you did not come to my bedchamber last night and tell me all about it then. Were you afraid I would disapprove of you marrying such a delightful, friendly gentleman?”

“You might have thought Mr. Bingley too young to marry,” Jane said, looking abashed. “I could not bear it if you did not love him at least half as much as I do—as a brother, of course.”

“Of course,” Lizzy said, beaming. “Mama will be pleased. She would have quizzed you something dreadful if she knew Mr. Bingley is coming to see Papa today.”