Page 40 of To Win Her Affections

All pretense dropped away, as Miss Bingley shed her mask of uncertainty and glared at him, tall and proud. Bingley, standing a few feet away from her, noticed the change and directed a glance heavenward.

“Then I suppose you mean to offer for Miss Elizabeth Bennet?” Miss Bingley huffed with contempt. “That is a singular choice, Mr. Darcy. By all means, make her the mistress of your estate. I am certain her mother and all her sisters will lend Pemberley distinction it does not already have.”

“That is my business, Miss Bingley,” replied Darcy evenly. “I shall neither confirm nor deny your conjecture. The salient point is that I have no interest in a closer relationship with you. As you have misunderstood my behavior, I shall clarify. Bingley is my friend. My association with you has always been a product of that friendship. Regardless of any hope you had, it has never been my intention to foster a connection between us.”

“As I have told you several times,” said Bingley. “But you would not listen.”

Miss Bingley ignored her brother, but she did not respond either. Instead, she was considering Darcy, no doubt trying to judge the degree of his determination. She need not have bothered.

“Bingley, I understand you mean to cut short your visit.”

Bingley’s grin was tinged with determination, amusement, and perhaps even a touch of anticipation. “Yes, my friend. I believe under the current circumstances that it is for the best.”

“Charles!” exclaimed Miss Bingley.

It seemed Bingley had not told his sister about his decision. Or she had not believed him. Either way, it was of no concern to Darcy.

“My decision stands, Caroline,” replied Bingley. “Thank you for your hospitality, my friend. In two days, we shall depart for the north.”

“Very well, Bingley,” said Darcy with a nod. “Perhaps we shall meet again soon.”

Bingley’s grin spoke to his eagerness. “Very soon, I think.”

With a nod, Darcy excused himself and returned to his study. He considered calling for Georgiana to tell her the news, but opted to wait until that evening. Knowing her opinion of Miss Bingley as he did, Darcy knew the Bingleys’ departure would be a relief.

That was an amusing truth, but not important. What was more important was Darcy’s freedom to retire to Netherfield the moment the door closed behind the Bingley family. As Darcy knew Mr. Gardiner intended to tour a few more locations of interest on his way south, he would wait. The moment he knew when they intended to arrive at Longbourn, Darcy would plan his journey south. Georgiana would not protest—in fact, it would please her to keep Miss Bennet’s company.

Chapter X

Jane was the only member of the Bennet family on whom Elizabeth could rely for regular letters from home. Mary wrote, but her letters were often dry, and she rarely bothered when Elizabeth would only be gone for a short time. Kitty and Mrs. Bennet were a lost cause, and Mr. Bennet detested writing. The less said about Lydia, the better.

Had Elizabeth not been so distracted by meeting Mr. Darcy, she would have paid more attention to the paucity of letters from her closest sister of late. As it was, the morning after her outing with Mr. Darcy, the maid presented her with two letters in the post, and Elizabeth realized it had been a week since she had last heard from Jane, which was most unusual.

“Letters from Jane?” asked Aunt Gardiner, showing Elizabeth a knowing expression.

“Yes, at last,” replied Elizabeth, inspecting the two envelopes. “This first was sent several days before the second.”

A moment later, Elizabeth looked up. “The letter was misdirected, as Jane did not write the directions well. That is most unlike her.”

“Unless I am mistaken,” said her uncle, “you would prefer to stay and read your letters.”

“If it is not too much trouble, Uncle,” said Elizabeth.

The Gardiners shared a look in the fashion of couples who know each other intimately.

“Of course, you wish to read your letters,” said Mrs. Gardiner. Then, projecting a show of innocence far too calculated to be real, she added: “Did you not say Mr. Darcy promised to visit this morning? The arrival of the post is most fortuitous, would you not say?”

Elizabeth opted to ignore the tease. “Then I shall remain. If you return in thirty minutes, I shall be ready to accompany you.”

“If Mr. Darcy does not arrive before then, I have misjudged the man altogether,” said Mr. Gardiner.

The teasing did not stop after that, for the Gardiners were eager to release their wit. Elizabeth bore it with good grace before shooing them from the room. When they were gone, she sat down at the table and examined the letters for a few more moments, trying to understand why Jane had been so careless in writing the directions. She discovered nothing and finally opened them, knowing that was the best way to learn what she wished to know.

THE MOMENT DARCY ENTERED the room, he knew something was amiss. Miss Bennet was sitting at the table with a letter clutched in her hand, another on the table, tears running down her cheeks as if her heart were broken. He did not think, did not hesitate—he rushed to her side to offer what comfort he could provide.

“Miss Bennet!” exclaimed he, his usual composure deserting him. “What has happened?”

She looked up at him, not seeming to recognize him for an agonizing moment, then her vision clouded over, and she looked back down at her letters. Every instinct told Darcy to close the gap, take her into his arms, and comfort her. Beyond the impropriety of such an action, Darcy sensed she needed something other than physical comfort. With some effort, he forced himself to wait.