Page 11 of To Win Her Affections

Darcy shrugged, not because he did not care, but because he was not concerned. “Miss Bennet is well able to hold her own against your sister.”

“That is the truth!” rumbled Hurst.

“I shall take Caroline aside and explain certain facts of the situation to her,” said Bingley. “Do you wish me to inform her of Miss Bennet’s visit?”

Though he considered it, Darcy shook his head. “That is not your responsibility, Bingley. Tomorrow morning, I shall speak of it to your sisters.”

Bingley nodded. “May I assume the introduction of Miss Bennet to your sister went well?”

“They have already agreed to dispense with formality,” said Darcy, again feeling the pleasure of their instant friendship.

“Whereas Caroline presumes but has never received such permission,” said Hurst.

There was nothing to say to that. Darcy knew that Miss Bingley took liberties when addressing his sister, but he had said nothing because of his friendship with Bingley. Georgiana, he knew, ignored it, though she did not appreciate Miss Bingley’s presumption.

“Tell me, Darcy,” said Bingley, though his tone was diffident, “have you heard anything of Miss Bennet’s family?”

Before Darcy could so much as muster a response, Hurst’s snort interrupted anything he might say. “Come, Bingley, say what you mean. You are not asking about the Bennets, but more particularly about Miss Jane Bennet.”

Bingley appeared a little shamefaced, but he did not contradict his brother. Instead, he turned an expectant gaze on Darcy.

“The subject of her family has not arisen between us,” replied Darcy, “except that the Gardiners’ children are staying at Longbourn in her sisters’ care. Should there be anything of particular importance to relate, I suspect she would have told me.”

“That is not necessarily true,” disagreed Hurst. “As I recall, you were not so close in Hertfordshire as to invite intimacy.”

“I also met her in Kent,” said Darcy, feeling a little defensive.

Hurst looked on with interest. “That only proves my point, old boy. You count Bingley among your closest friends, yet this is the first time you have said anything about meeting Miss Elizabeth when visiting your aunt.”

“And that is curious,” added Bingley, looking at Darcy with some intensity. “I cannot imagine how Miss Elizabeth came to be in Kent.”

“Do you recall that ridiculous parson, the Bennets’ relation?” asked Darcy. “He attended the ball in their company.”

Bingley did remember, if his moue of distaste was any sign. “Aye, I remember him. He was the fellow who danced badly and spent the entire evening speaking of some patroness or another. My focus was on Miss Bennet, but even I noticed him.”

“That is him,” agreed Darcy. “The patroness of whom he spoke is my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”

“That is a coincidence,” said Hurst.

“It is,” agreed Darcy. “Mr. Collins married Miss Charlotte Lucas in January. The new Mrs. Collins invited Miss Elizabeth to Kent, and her stay at the parsonage coincided with mine at Rosings.”

Again, Hurst regarded him as if he suspected something that he did not yet name. Bingley appeared oblivious.

“To return to the initial conversation, you know nothing about the Bennets.”

“I do not, my friend,” said Darcy. “I apologize. To reiterate, if something significant had occurred—such as the marriage of a beloved sister—I suspect she would have mentioned it.”

Bingley did not appear to appreciate the notion of Miss Bennet being married, but he offered a curt nod.

“In this instance,” said Hurst, “I think you must take the initiative yourself, Bingley. Should you wish to know more of Miss Bennet, you may ask Miss Elizabeth yourself.”

After considering it for a moment, Bingley gave a decisive nod. “Yes, I suppose I must. Tomorrow may be difficult, but the following evening will provide an opportunity.”

As he watched his friend, Darcy realized that continuing to withhold the truth of his interference was cruel, and it could not go on. Though he considered telling Bingley the truth now, Darcy refrained. He was not afraid of Bingley’s reaction. What held him back was his uncertainty about Miss Bennet’s current situation, despite his confidence that Miss Elizabeth would have said something on the subject if there had been anything of significance to relate.

For information about Miss Bennet, he would need to apply to her sister. Darcy resolved to do just that when the opportunity arose. Once she told him, Darcy could take the opportunity to apologize to his friend, and perhaps give him some encouraging news about Miss Bennet. If the situation was different, he could at least break it to Bingley gently.

It was some time before Darcy sought his bed that night, as Bingley was in a talkative mood. Much of his conversation consisted of his recollections of Hertfordshire and Miss Bennet in particular. This did nothing more than confirm Darcy’s resolve. Once he apologized, Bingley would have the information he needed. Then he could act without interference as he should have done in the autumn.