Page 39 of To Win Her Affections

“Then I urge you to be honest with him, Lizzy.” Aunt Gardiner smiled with affection. “He can withstand an honest answer, even if that answer only gives him leave to redouble his efforts to earn your good opinion. You would do yourself and him a disservice if you send him away without giving him the time to prove himself.”

“As always,” replied Elizabeth, “your advice is excellent. Before I offer any response, I will ensure that we understand each other.”

Mrs. Gardiner patted her hand. “That is all I can ask. Now, we should depart at once, or we shall be late.”

“MISS BINGLEY WAS WAITING at the inn for Miss Bennet?” demanded Darcy.

“I caught wind of it after my sister left and hastened to Lambton to intercept her.” Bingley’s stony countenance told Darcy he had been unsuccessful. “I arrived in the middle of their argument, but take heart, my friend—Miss Bennet appeared none the worse for wear.”

“Of that, I have no doubt,” replied Darcy, knowing this situation had gone too far. “Miss Bennet is an intrepid lady—though I mean no slight to your sister, Miss Bingley does not possess the means to intimidate her.”

“I do not doubt it, my friend,” replied Bingley. “Caroline is capable, but Miss Bennet has never struck me as a woman who would quail before her supposed superiority.”

“Trust me, Bingley,” said Darcy wryly, “if Miss Bennet can withstand my aunt, Lady Catherine—and I have the evidence of my experience that she can—then your sister could do very little to distress her.”

Bingley nodded but then sighed. “Though I am loath to cede your company, I think we should shorten our visit and go north without further delay.”

“That is unnecessary, Bingley,” said Darcy, though he protested out of friendship rather than conviction. “Once Miss Bennet departs as she will in two days, our visit may proceed as we intended.”

“That is just it, Darcy,” said Bingley, a little ruefully, “when I consider how Caroline will behave even after Miss Bennet departs, I shudder with mortification at the very thought.”

Darcy could not disagree. “She will redouble her efforts.”

“At least,” said Bingley. “The visit will become unendurable for you, and intolerable for me. As such, I believe it would behoove us to leave as soon as we can. If it were not already so late in the day, I would insist we leave tomorrow.”

Bingley turned a sly look on him. “Unless I am mistaken, you intend Miss Bennet and the Gardiners to spend the day at Pemberley, do you not?”

“If they are not already engaged,” said Darcy, chagrined at being so transparent.

“Then you are in luck, my friend,” said Bingley. “Mrs. Gardiner said they are quite at their leisure tomorrow.”

Darcy could not prevent the grin that tugged at his lips, and Bingley did not hide his diversion.

“Added to that,” said Bingley, “if you consider the benefits of our early departure, I suspect you will agree with my intention to leave as soon as may be. Though I must still escort my family to the north, you may follow Miss Bennet to Hertfordshire, on her heels if you wish it.”

“When you put it that way, I cannot but agree.”

Bingley grinned as irrepressible as always. “Somehow, I thought you might see it that way.”

Darcy nodded, but turned businesslike. “Before we do anything else, I believe there is a task I have left far too long. Your sister continues to hope against all evidence that I will offer for her. Unless you have any objections, it is time she learns the truth.”

Dubious, Bingley stared at him. “Are you certain? Should you succeed with Miss Bennet, that will be evidence enough.”

“That is true, Bingley,” said Darcy, “but it would be better for us all—and kinder to her—if she does not live in suspense. It is not commonly done—this I know. But I think it is best in this situation.”

“Very well, Darcy,” said Bingley. “If you insist, I have no objection.”

When they agreed on how it was to be done, Bingley left to summon his sister while Darcy went to the sitting-room. They had considered doing it in the study, but rejected it because it would resemble a recalcitrant child called to account for some misdeed. While Darcy waited, he pondered what he might say to Miss Bingley, and if thoughts of Miss Elizabeth Bennet intruded as they often did, he forced them to the side in favor of the current business.

Miss Bingley entered with her brother, appearing reluctant, her eyes finding Darcy the moment she entered, judging, trying to decipher his mood. Knowing that delay would not do them any favors, Darcy spoke at once.

“Thank you for attending me, Miss Bingley. There is a misunderstanding between us that has persisted too long.”

“I have no notion of your meaning, Mr. Darcy,” said she, appearing nervous but determined.

There was no need to call her on the obvious obfuscation, so he did not try.

“Then I shall explain. You have harbored a hope that I will offer for you, Miss Bingley—this much is clear. I wish to inform you without disguise that I have no intention of it. If this brings you pain, I apologize, but I never intended to lead you on.”