Page 53 of The Engagement at Longbourn

“I am not.”

“You have been staring at Miss Elizabeth for months.”

Darcy’s gaze remained on her. “She does not love me.”

Richard followed his look.

Elizabeth laughed at something Georgiana whispered. “Not yet, perhaps.”

Darcy glanced at him.

Richard shrugged. “She looks at you differently.”

“How?”

“Like a woman deciding whether a man is worth the trouble.”

Darcy frowned.

Richard clapped him on the shoulder. “For you, cousin, that is practically a declaration.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

Caroline Bingley Is Corrected

Caroline Bingley postponed her return to Netherfield for as long as pride allowed.

She had expected Charles to tire of Hertfordshire once Darcy improved. Instead he remained. Worse, his letters became infuriatingly cheerful.

Darcy continues to mend.

Jane sends her regards. Miss Elizabeth and Darcy quarrel over books daily, which seems to improve them both. Georgiana is here and quite happy. Netherfield feels like home again.

Caroline read the final sentence three times and disliked each word. She arrived in early January with Louisa and Mr. Hurst. Bingley met them in the hall.

“Caroline.”

“Charles.” She looked around. “You have altered the flowers.”

He stared. “Welcome home.”

Louisa kissed his cheek. Hurst asked whether there was luncheon. For the first hour all remained civil. Then Caroline learned Georgiana was spending the day at Longbourn. “Again?”

Bingley buttered a piece of bread. “She likes the Bennets.”

Caroline laughed. “Georgiana Darcy likes Lydia Bennet?”

“Yes.”

“That is impossible.”

“Apparently not.”

“And Darcy permits it?”

“Darcy does not ‘permit’ Georgiana to like people.”

Caroline stared at her brother. There was something different in him. He was still Charles—warm, smiling, eager to please. But the easy current by which she had always guided him no longer moved in her direction.