Page 75 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

“That seems odd. Will Miss Mary be married before you, then?”

“Possibly!” Bingley shook his head. “In truth, Jane and Miss Mary spoke of a double wedding. Jane is three years older than her sister but must wait.”

“Did Mr. Bennet explain his reasoning?”

Bingley hemmed and hawed, but finally Darcy understood Mr. Bennet trusted the familiar man more than the unknown Bingley or his sister.

“Will you spend more time in Hertfordshire, then, so Mr. Bennet can know you better?”

“Caroline would have a fit if I even suggested staying more than a fortnight there.”

Darcy looked at Bingley, waiting for him to realize Mr. Bennet may be correct about him. When he did not, he spoke again.

“Will you not attempt to rein in your sister’s outspoken and unhelpful manners? You said Mr. Bennet’s biggest objections were your age, which will be rectified by time, and your sister’s behavior, which may only grow worse with time.”

Bingley’s face fell. “I have tried, Darce. She refuses to listen.”

“Do you not know to what most people listen?”

Bingley shook his head.

“Money. I am sorry, but it is true. Perhaps tightening your hold on her allowance will encourage her to heed you.”

“I will take it under consideration. You may very well be right.”

Darcy had ordered his meal and begun eating his fish and peas. He pushed the food about on his plate, considering what to say. He had hoped Bingley would mention Elizabeth without his prompting, but they canvassed nearly every other Bennet but her.

“Did Miss Elizabeth go to Hertfordshire for Christmas?”

“Yes, and do you know, I have never seen her so happy.”

Darcy’s heart warmed to know she had experienced a good holiday with her loved ones.

“She must have liked being back in the countryside. Was the weather conducive for her to walk and ride?”

Bingley looked momentarily bemused. “Oh, yes. I believe she hardly cared whether it was wet or dry. Jane said she went out every day. One day, we all walked through Meryton—that is the local village. That reminds me, you remember that fellow Wickham?”

“Wickham! What about him?” Darcy had barely heard of his former friend’s doings for more than three years. “Did you see him in Hertfordshire?”

“No, no. Apparently he has been calling on Miss Elizabeth⁠—”

“What!” Darcy could not allow the scoundrel anywhere near Elizabeth.

“What is the problem? Caroline saw them both on Bond Street last month and introduced them.”

“And he has been calling on Elizabeth?” Darcy was so agitated he had left off her courtesy title, but his friend did not seem to notice.

Bingley looked as though his memory was being taxed beyond the reasonable. “I…I believe she said he told her he would call when she returned to London. I did not ask questions, not knowing it would be so important. Forgive me, I forgot you have feelings for her. But really, if you will not pursue her, you cannot expect nobody else to court her.”

“I am aware, but Wickham is the worst kind of man. She cannot know what he is. Will you speak to her?”

“I could try. We do not see each other often in town, but we had a good rapport in Hertfordshire, so if I could see her in a natural setting, I could mention…what exactly would I mention? I know nothing of the man except that you grew up together because he was the steward’s son and always about.”

Darcy considered how to protect Elizabeth. He would tell her himself, but given their lack of communication for the past two years and the urgency of the message, he thought Bingley would be better suited to delivering it.

“George Wickham should not be trusted around women. He does not respect them. Since he was sixteen, he has used and discarded servants, tradesmen’s daughters, and even poorly protected gentlemen’s daughters. He can have nothing good in mind for Miss Elizabeth. He is also a terrible gambler, had no profession last I heard, and does not pay his debts, so he could never support a wife and would be looking only for an heiress to wed. She must be made to understand he will not have marriage in mind.”

“Oh, dear.”