AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Bingley’s jaw fell open.
“But she is an altogether inappropriate match for me,” Darcy continued. “At the time of our departure from Hertfordshire I believed myself to be a cool and rational creature, but now I think I was influenced by an anxiety to escape her vicinity.”
“Oh.” It was all Bingley could say. Had not Darcy always disliked Miss Elizabeth? He felt as if he had wandered into a mirror world where up was down and left was right.
“But simply because she is an inappropriate match for me, it does not follow that her sister is the wrong choice for you. Viewing it from a more disinterested perspective today, I may have allowed my sentiments about Miss Elizabeth to color my judgment about Miss Bennet. I apologize most profoundly, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”
Bingley took a moment to completely reorganize his understanding of the world before he could formulate a response. Darcy and Caroline had caused Bingley much pain, but Caroline had cared only about her own social standing. Whereas Darcy…stood in the middle of his study quite desolate, like a man who had lost his last friend on earth.
In a flash of understanding, Bingley realized his friend was desperately, violently in love with Elizabeth Bennet—although he might honestly believe he had overcome the infatuation. Bingley experienced an entirely new emotion: pity for Darcy, whose efforts to overcome his feelings were likely to be as unsuccessful as Bingley’s had been. Darcy’s ravaged expression suggested Bingley had best keep this supposition to himself.
However, Bingley had never been one to hold a grudge, particularly now that he understood his friend was suffering as well. “Of course I accept your apology.”
Darcy’s expression lightened, and he took a step closer to his friend. “Please remain. Tomorrow I depart for Kent. It was to happen next week, but my aunt has written to hasten my arrival. I would not like to part on difficult terms. The house will be empty save the servants, and you need not be troubled by my presence.”
Bingley’s shoulders slumped with relief. In truth, he had few other options for lodgings. The only other house where he would be readily welcome was the Hursts’ townhouse, and sharing a roof with Caroline would be even more distasteful. “Very well.”
Darcy extended his hand. “Are we friends again?”
Bingley took it. “Of course.” He could not manage to stay angry with Darcy for long, particularly when the other man was so contrite.
Darcy smiled ruefully. “In truth I find myself in a most ironic situation. I have discovered that Miss Elizabeth Bennet is visiting her cousin within miles of Rosings Park, my aunt’s estate. I have conquered my infatuation with her, but no doubt I will have many opportunities to further resist her charms.”
“No doubt,” Bingley echoed, noting the haunted look on Darcy’s face.
Darcy glanced at his desk, his expression growing unreadable. He must have revealed more of his inner thoughts in one hour than he customarily did in a month. “I should return to my work.”
“Of course,” Bingley murmured. He watched Darcy stride purposefully back to his desk and then slipped quietly from the room.
Chapter Six
The next morning Bingley and Darcy shared an amiable breakfast before the latter rolled off in his carriage to collect Colonel Fitzwilliam for the journey to Kent. Although Darcy’s departure did not take long, Bingley was practically bouncing with impatience by the time his friend was gone. The moment Darcy’s carriage disappeared from sight, he rushed upstairs to don attire suitable for a morning visit.
During the night he had wrestled with his best course of action. Jane’s hasty departure from the park had been quite worrisome, but Bingley was very far from desiring an end to the acquaintance. Whatever disturbed Jane, he hoped to set it right; no doubt it was his family’s responsibility.
Harvey, his valet, was ruddy-cheeked and a bit portly for such a young man, but Bingley had been quite pleased with his work. He put the finishing touches on Bingley’s cravat. “You’ll be sure to impress the lady, sir.”
Bingley felt himself coloring. “Do all the servants know I am going to visit a lady?”
Harvey gave him a cheeky grin. “There may be one or two who remain unaware. Perhaps old Crawley in the stable…”
Bingley ignored the other man’s tone; for some reason his servants always seemed to adopt a casual air with him. It was a mystery to him. Darcy’s servants would never treat their master so informally. “How did you acquire that knowledge?”
“I’m acquainted with the Gardiners’ maid, Maggie Coates. She told me you was acquainted with the Miss Bennet they’ve got visiting there.”
Oho! Bingley knew he should be above gossip, but this was not just a matter of idle curiosity. “Did Maggie mention anything Miss Bennet said about me?” Bingley was hopeful Jane welcomed his advances, but she still might decide his family was too troublesome.
Harvey adjusted one of Bingley’s cuffs. “No sir. Sh-She only said you knew this Miss Bennet when you was staying in Hertfordshire. But that was b-before my time with you, so I couldn’t comment. Not that I—I would not ever gossip about your business, sir,” the valet added hastily.
“Of course not,” Bingley said, not at all sure that was the case.
Harvey was uncharacteristically tongue-tied, and Bingley suspected he knew the cause. “Precisely how well do you know Miss Coates?”
Harvey dropped Bingley’s watch fob, cursing under his breath as he stooped to pick it up. “I beg your pardon, sir. Pretty well, I would say. She grew up on the same street as me, but I don’t see much of her since she went to work for the Gardiners.” The young man threaded the fob into the front of Bingley’s waistcoat. “She’s a pretty little thing and cl
ever, too.”
This last sentence—along with the deep red of the valet’s face—confirmed Bingley’s suspicions. In general Bingley was not a scheming man. He preferred to live life openly and honestly without excessive concern about future plans. However, it had occurred to him that the Gardiners would want the maid to chaperone Jane on any walks. If the maid were distracted, Bingley and Jane might enjoy greater privacy. “Would you like to accompany me to Gracechurch Street?”
