Page 16 of The Engagement at Longbourn

Bingley looked down. Richard studied him.

“There is something else.” Bingley lowered his voice. “Darcy persuaded me to leave.”

“So I gathered.”

“He thought Miss Bennet did not care for me.”

“Did you?”

Bingley glanced toward the open door as though Jane might materialize there. “I thought she did. Then I thought perhaps I had only wanted her to.”

Richard’s expression became less teasing. “Darcy is an excellent judge of land, horses, accounts, and men who are trying to cheat him. Women are less certain territory.”

Bingley huffed a laugh.

“At present,” Richard continued, “he believes himself engaged to Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

Bingley’s head snapped up. “Believes?”

Richard’s mouth twitched. “That is a longer story.”

Before he could explain, Darcy stirred. “Bingley.”

Charles leaned close. “I am here.”

Darcy opened his eyes with effort. “You came back.” “Of course I did.”

“Jane.”

Bingley stiffened.

Darcy’s brow furrowed as if arranging a difficult thought. “I was wrong.”

Richard’s brows went up.

Bingley stared. “What?”

“About Jane.” Darcy’s eyes drifted closed again. “Elizabeth says Jane feels deeply.”

“Darcy, Elizabeth has said nothing of the sort in my hearing,” Richard observed.

Darcy ignored him. “Bingley.”

“Yes?”

“Do not be an idiot.”

Then he slept again.

Bingley looked at Richard.

Richard folded his newspaper. “Remarkably lucid, considering.”

That afternoon Bingley remained at Longbourn. He carried messages for the physicians, sent a servant to Netherfield for wine, and allowed Mrs. Bennet to feed him enough cold beef for three men. He also found Jane alone for five minutes in the small breakfast room. She was arranging flowers that had been sent by a tenant’s wife for Mr. Darcy.

Bingley hovered in the doorway. “Miss Bennet.”

Jane turned. “Mr. Bingley.”