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“Perhaps you will think me officious in my interference,” he said, “but I have entreated Bingley to come to Netherfield.” Elizabeth’s heart leapt. “I hope he will arrive soon. I wanted to entice him here earlier, but business kept him in the North.”
“Dare I think…?”
One side of William’s mouth quirked into a smile. “I have every reason to believe he was no more successful at forgetting Jane than I was at forgetting you.”
“Oh!” Elizabeth leapt down from the wall, too full of energy to stay seated. “If he and Jane—then she need not accept Mr. Shaw! That would be marvelous!”
“She has not already accepted Shaw, has she?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “He has not visited, but I expect him soon.”
“Could you induce her not to accept his proposal or at least delay…without telling her the reason? I can hardly promise that Bingley will propose. Who knows how they will feel when seeing each other after two years? But I would like him to have the opportunity.”
Elizabeth chewed on her bottom lip. “I will find a way.”
He grinned. “I have faith in you.”
She rested her weight against the wall. “But, William, none of this will induce my cousin to leave Longbourn.”
He frowned into the gathering dusk for a long moment. “He must be convinced that Aunt Catherine needs him. Perhaps some sort of crisis…”
“We could hardly provoke a crisis in her life!” Elizabeth said.
He was silent for so long that Elizabeth worried what he might be contemplating. Had this situation driven him to desperation? “William?”
“Certainly I would not create a crisis for its own sake,” he said slowly. “But we might take advantage of a crisis that presents itself.”
“What do you know?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I cannot say more at the moment; it would require betraying confidences.”
“Of course.”
William jumped down from the wall as well and took her hand. “Georgiana is now at Darcy House in London. I will invite her to Netherfield. Bingley and other guests will be arriving; they will be more comfortable with a hostess in residence.”
Elizabeth restrained the impulse to ask the identity of these “other guests”; it was hardly her business. “It would be lovely to see Georgiana again.”
“Then it is decided. There is only one difficulty remaining.”
Elizabeth frowned at him. “What is that?”
He leaned toward her and whispered, “How will I induce you to accept my proposal?”
The answer was so unexpected, Elizabeth had to laugh. “I hope you are not unaware of your progress on that front.”
Their faces were mere inches from each other. He gave a mock frown. “Hmm. I believe you require additional persuasion.”
“What methods would you use?” she asked in a hushed voice.
He smiled enigmatically. “I have various methods at my disposal. Would you like a demonstration?”
“Yes.”
His lips met hers, and no more words were exchanged for a long time.
***
Two days later, Darcy stood before the door to Netherfield as a well-sprung carriage rolled into view. As soon as the vehicle stopped, the door opened, and Bingley practically bounced out before lowering the steps to help the others emerge.
