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The next 15 minutes were the most excruciating of Bingley’s life. There was no rancour in Kitty’s tone, it was an almost dispassionate recitation of the two months through the lens of a young lady of the neighbourhood. Kitty saved the worst until last.

“It has been speculated among many of the neighbourhood as to the provenance of this Mr. Darcy. He acted in such a rude manner that many do not believe him to be this gentleman, if indeed he exists. The common supposition is that Mr. Darcy was nothing but a tradesman acting this way so that he would not be found out. All the aspects of his behaviour fit this pattern. The only strong rebuttal to this speculation is that no one can explain why you would allow this to happen.”

Bingley was speechless and Mary used the opportunity to call for fresh tea.

“Let us wait until the tea is refreshed then you may respond.”

Ten minutes later Bingley had gathered his wits.

“I think the first thing I will say is thank you. Your answers suddenly make more sense of many of the interactions during my time in Hertfordshire. What I am also not going to do is try to sweep away or rationalise any of these observations. Some of the detail may be open to debate but the underlying issues have to be considered.”

He finished his tea and stood.

“I was poorly advised throughout my time at Netherfield Park but that is no excuse. Thank you for your candour and be assured I will not call on you again. Good morning ladies.”

Bingley bowed and headed for the door but stopped, the handle in his grasp. He turned back to them.

“That was Fitzwilliam Darcy, who is the master of the Pemberley estate in Derbyshire. That you thought the man was a tradesman masquerading as Darcy is horrifying.”

With that Bingley collected his hat and gloves from the footman and was gone.

--

Kitty, with some comments from Mary, finished telling her aunt and uncle of what had transpired. They had delayed telling Mrs. Gardiner so that the tale only needed telling once.

“You were not as blunt, or as cruel, as you had prepared to be. That is not a complaint, but what stayed your hand?”

“His honesty at the beginning. He talked about walking into the Assembly and being the focus of attention. We saw Mr. Bingley last week and he presents confidently. But it is within the sphere he grew up in. He did not need to pretend to be someone or something else. He did not explain the lack of recollection at the various events after the Assembly but I did not repeat the charge.”

Kitty smiled.

“I remember the first set of dances at my first Assembly. An Assembly where I knew everyone. I could hardly concentrate on anything because I was so conscious of all the subtle different rules I needed to obey. I sympathised, to a minor extent, with what Mr. Bingley was going through. But the other thing that was very clear was his lack of support from the rest of the party. Two landowners, one already the master, the other the heir, and two sisters who went to a reputedly good seminary where such matters would have been a key part of the syllabus. I toned down the charge that he is nothing but a milquetoast and placed more of the blame upon the sisters. If he is sufficiently self-aware he will realise what I did not say.”

“What of the charge against his guest, Mr. Darcy?”

“He confirmed that he was who he said he was. But there was something else, although it remained unsaid. What do you think Mary?”

“This is nothing but merest speculation but he had the look of a man who had become used to the way Mr. Darcy behaved and was amazed that someone had called him on his behaviour. I do not know if that is true but as he left he appeared to have shaken off his old, accepting ways. It will be interesting to observe him the next time we run into him at a social event.”

“There was no anger?”

“None at all. He sat slightly open-mouthed in astonishment most of the time. But remember he said that it put many of the interactions into a new light. I think he was confused as to what to do while he was there. Again, nothing but speculation. He made no effort to refute any of the particulars.”

Kitty stood.

“I am going to bed early this evening. Although the conversation was not contentious I am still tired. Good night.”

Mary accompanied her sister leaving the Gardiners to consider what they had heard.

“You knew of the family when you were growing up. Does what we have heard over the last year, especially the confirmation that it was Mr. Darcy in Meryton, ring true?”

“I am surprised and disappointed. The speculation that it was a tradesman masquerading as him was always unlikely, but I held onto that hope. The word from the servants whenever they were in the village was that both children were shy. And Mr. Darcy hid this shyness behind a haughty demeanour. It appears to have gotten worse in the years since I married you and we moved to London.”

She suppressed an inelegant shrug.

“It is over. I think all five of us can draw a line in the sand on the whole episode and move on with our lives.”

“Do you think Lizzie will agree to this?”