Page 114 of The Engagement at Longbourn

Bingley sat down in relief. “Good.”

“Why is that good?”

“I thought I was the only one.”

Mr. Hurst raised his glass. “Marriage terrifies sensible men.”

Richard said, “You married Louisa.”

“Exactly.”

Bingley laughed. Darcy allowed himself a small smile. The Earl of Matlock entered with Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Bennet, who had been invited for one glass and somehow remained for two hours.

The Earl looked at the bottle. “Are we becoming sentimental?”

“Bingley is pacing,” Richard said.

“Darcy is lying about nerves.”

“I admitted them.”

“Progress indeed.”

Mr. Bennet took the chair opposite Darcy. “You may still escape.”

Darcy said, “No.”

“I was speaking to Bingley.”

Bingley grinned. “Also no.”

“Then I have done my duty.”

Mr. Gardiner poured a small measure of brandy.

The conversation drifted from weddings to estates, from estates to hunting, from hunting to a story about Richard at seventeen attempting to ride a horse through a garden gate too narrow for the saddle.

“It appeared wider from a distance,” Richard protested.

Darcy said, “You were drunk.”

“I was optimistic.”

“You broke the gate.”

“And my collarbone.”

Mr. Bennet looked at Darcy. “A family tradition, then.”

Darcy sighed. Later, after the others went to bed, Bingley remained with him. “Darcy.”

“Yes?”

“I have not thanked you.”

“For what?”

“For coming back.”