Page 83 of A Prudent Engagement

“And you did bring Mr. Bingley for Jane as a gift of apology, as my mother suggested you would.”

“No, no,” Darcy said. “It was Bingley’s own determination—we perhaps ought to not jest about them until such time as they have settled matters, if they in fact do.”

“Oh no. I am not inclined to wait,” Elizabeth replied. “Jane owes me a little humour at her expense. Besides, I like to imagine that they are already engaged, just as we are once more.”

“I shall appear,” Darcy replied, “in a most inconstant manner, when after the missive requesting that the rector at Kympton say the banns each week, he receives over the course of this week both a letter begging that he cease them, then an express countermanding that order and asking him to announce them from Sunday.”

Elizabeth laughed. “With such a start, I can only guess what he will think of me.”

“That you are delightful. That is what everyone will think. I am the one who will be judged.”

“Well, certainly. I imagine that I shall be the only one to properly appreciate all your virtues,” Elizabeth replied cheerfully.

“You mean to say that at times the woman is judged more harshly, even when such is unfair. I cannot disagree with you on this point. It irks me as well.”

“Enough speaking around the matter,” Elizabeth said. “How did you convince Mr. Bingley to come back for my sister? Did you simply give him your blessing to marry as he wished?”

“I did no such thing. I assure you that you overstate the influence I have on my friend.”

“Oh, well.”

All the world appeared quite perfect to Elizabeth. It was as though the late spring air was filled with a pleasant rosy glow. The breeze was soft and warm, the birds were twittering, the insects were out in their multitudinous hordes, and young lovers were walking under the oak-shaded avenues.

Darcy said, “The truth is a little embarrassing. Miss Bennet revealed certain matters to me which she begged me to not convey to Bingley. I attempted to inform Bingley that I had learnt that as a general matter one ought not to trust my judgment about the sentiments of a woman, but—”

Elizabeth laughed.

“Yes,” Darcy said wryly. “Your sister even told me directly, amongst other things, that I am not the sort of man well suited to knowing what women are thinking.”

“Oh my. How unkind.” Elizabeth giggled. “But it is the truth.”

Darcy grinned at her. “During the course of my attempt to convince Bingley that he should reappraise this specific case with my general deficiency in mind, he deduced, with the help of Colonel Fitzwilliam, who happened to be in the room, the particular circumstances which led to me making this declaration.”

“Colonel Fitzwilliam was present? I imagine that he was delighted to see you in such a state, whether he said so or not.”

“He said so,” was Darcy’s dry reply.

That made Elizabeth laugh. It really was a wonderful day.

“I do wonder where Bingley and Jane have gone off to,” Darcy added. “They are so far ahead by now that they are nowhere to be seen. I sincerely hope that my error has not caused a permanent rupture between them.”

“They have been in private conversation for nearly two hours. If, with all that Mr. Bingley now knows, they cannot settle matters between themselves, we have no business castigating ourselves about it.”

Darcy laughed. Then he added in a more serious tone, “I do wish that I had not been the cause of your sister’s unhappiness. I have often been arrogant and thoughtless, but I never was consciously cruel.”

“No, you never are,” Elizabeth replied in an equally serious tone. Then she smiled. “But I see them up there sitting together at the peak of the eminence, and I am eager to show you this view from Oakham Mount.”

“The proof of your affection,” Darcy said seriously. “One never would wish to make an enemy observe something.”

“That only follows if the observation would be delightful,” Elizabeth laughingly corrected him, “which it is in this case.”

On seeing them come close, Mr. Bingley shouted in greeting with great cheerfulness and brightness to his eyes.

That couple was engaged in easy enough conversation; whatever awkwardness had been there when they first met again had wholly dissipated. Elizabeth must assume their awkwardness, as she had been too involved in watching Mr. Darcy to notice any of what happened between them.

Jane had a light smile, and she looked sheepishly at Elizabeth but then stood and embraced her sister and asked if she would be willing to offer her congratulations.

“You are engaged!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “I am so happy to hear it! Though I fear that the happiness of this news will prevent Darcy from properly appreciating the view.”