Page 25 of To Win Her Affections

“I could do nothing less,” replied Darcy.

Bingley offered a brief nod. “Tell me, Darcy—is there more to this story? I noticed you took great care to speak of your own role in this, but you have avoided any mention of my sisters.”

“That is because I do not wish to cast aspersions or speculate about their motivations,” replied Darcy. “But I have no compunction about telling you what I know—though it is less than you might wish.”

“I do wish it,” said Bingley. “Since I know that getting Caroline to tell me is an exercise in futility, any additional information you can give me would assist when I must confront them.”

“Very well,” said Darcy. “Of the details, I know but little. Miss Bingley has made some mention of exchanging letters with Miss Bennet, but the contents of those missives are a mystery to me. What I can tell you is that Miss Bennet was in London for some weeks.”

Bingley gasped. “Miss Bennet was in London?”

“As I understand it,” replied Darcy, “she returned to London with the Gardiners after Christmastide and remained there until the spring.”

“And when did you learn this?”

“Some weeks later,” replied Darcy. He smiled and added: “If you recall, I spent little time with you during the season, and saw your sister only a few times.”

Bingley’s grin was not at all pleasant—it looked more like a shark. “How could I forget? Caroline spent months lamenting the distance between us. Though you said nothing on the subject, I suspected two months living in the same house as Caroline cured you of any desire for her company.”

Darcy met his expression evenly. “I shall not say you are incorrect, my friend, though I would not impugn your sister.”

“Then Miss Bennet visited my sisters?” asked Bingley.

That was the crux of the matter.

“She did,” said Darcy.

“And Caroline received her?”

“Yes, though she claimed a prior engagement—Miss Bennet left soon after, or so I believe.”

“Caroline said nothing of this,” said Bingley, appearing angry. “No doubt she forced Miss Bennet to leave early, then either refused to return the visit or made it clear that she had no further interest in friendship.”

“The latter, I suspect,” replied Darcy, “though Miss Bingley only said what I have told you.”

Bingley snorted with disdain. “I know my sister, Darcy—I know exactly how she handled Miss Bennet’s visit. But that is not a matter that concerns you; I shall take the subject up with my sisters at the first opportunity.”

It was several moments before Bingley spoke again. For some time, he stood by the window, though Darcy was certain that he saw nothing outside.

“To own the truth,” said Bingley at last, “I am uncertain what I should do with this intelligence.”

“Because of the time and distance from the event.”

“Yes,” said Bingley, not turning around. “Or that is a part of it. Another matter that concerns me is how I suspect Caroline acted toward Miss Bennet. Can she have offended Miss Bennet so much that she has no wish to receive me?”

“That I cannot say,” replied Darcy.

“Yet Miss Elizabeth suggested otherwise.”

Darcy shrugged, though his friend could not see it. “She did, though she was careful not to speak for her sister. However, I would have you remember one important point.”

Bingley turned and waited for Darcy to clarify.

“I always observed that Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth were the closest of sisters—if there is anyone alive who understands Miss Bennet, it is her younger sister.”

For a moment, Bingley considered this, then he gave a slow nod. “Yes, your logic is sound.”

When Bingley sat in an attitude of deep thought, Darcy left him to ponder the situation, which Bingley did for several moments. Then he sighed and turned again to Darcy.