“Then let us talk of this no more.” Jane looked at Mr. Bingley with frank appraisal. “I know something of what my father told you. The question is, will you act of your own accord or because he requires it of you?”
The boyish Mr. Bingley was now back. “I do not need your father’sencouragement. I am ready to proceed now, if you are willing. If not, then we shall move atyourpace.”
“Perhaps a little longer would be advisable.”
“That is agreeable to me. After all, the chase should be as enjoyable as the catch, do you not think?”
Jane gave him a bright smile. “Without a doubt, Mr. Bingley.”
IT WAS NOT LONG BEFOREElizabeth determined that Miss Georgiana Darcy was a dear, sweet creature. The knowledge was the final nail in the coffin of any respect she had for Mr. Wickham—the man had called her “insufferably proud” just like her brother, when even the most cursory examination of her would reveal she was only shy, not proud. With this understanding came the knowledge that she had misjudged Mr. Darcy; even if hewasproud and disagreeable, he had not deserved her denunciation as a man lacking any good qualities.
There would come a time, Elizabeth knew, that she would need to apologize to the gentleman, and that time came that afternoon. The young girl in their midst had intrigued Kitty and Lydia; they had been trying to pull Georgiana away from Elizabeth, succeeding about a half hour after she arrived. As Elizabeth watched them, she noted Miss Darcy’s astonished expression at the girls’ excesses, but she did not appear to be unhappy with her position. That was when Mr. Darcy approached her.
“Miss Elizabeth,” said the gentleman, his usual gravity in evidence, “thank you for welcoming my sister. She is shy and does not make friends easily.”
Elizabeth discovered the smile came to her lips without hesitation. “It is no trouble, Mr. Darcy. She is an excellent girl.
“Of course,” added she with a mischievous glance at the three girls, “you may wish to limit her interaction with Kitty and Lydia—there is real danger they might corrupt her.”
Mr. Darcy understood it as a jest and responded in like fashion. “Perhaps she will induce them to moderate their behavior.”
“If she can dothat, then I shall commend her. My youngest sisters have determined to go their own way—nothing their elders say has any effect on them.”
“Ah, but you are mere sisters, whereas Georgiana is the scion of a society family.” Mr. Darcy shrugged. “You know me well enough to apprehend that I care little for society, but my familyisprominent. Misses Kitty and Lydia may find her behavior worth emulating.”
“I shall hope you are correct, Mr. Darcy.”
Though knowing the moment had come, Elizabeth paused, then spoke before her courage failed her. “Mr. Darcy, I wish to extend my regrets for believing Mr. Wickham and misjudging you. We heard he absconded from the regiment and abandoned his responsibilities. I should have taken greater care and not accepted his lies on so short an acquaintance.”
“You could have known nothing about Wickham,” said Mr. Darcy without hesitation.
“It does not absolve my responsibility to remain skeptical of others until they have proven themselves.”
Elizabeth thought Mr. Darcy would continue to absolve her, but he seemed to think better of it. “That is sage advice for us all, Miss Elizabeth.”
“The worst part of it,” said Elizabeth, “is that Mr. Wickham will move on to some other unsuspecting town and continue his wicked ways.”
“Oh, you never know,” replied Mr. Darcy, his manner mysterious. “This time Wickham has deserted from the militia—the militia is not the regular army, yet they still take a dim view of desertion.”
There was something knowing about Mr. Darcy’s manner, though Elizabeth could not put her finger on it. It was as if he thought Mr. Wickham would not escape punishment for his deeds, though Elizabeth could not understand how he could be so confident. As the gentleman changed the subject before she could ask him, she remained ignorant of his meaning, though her curiosity hovered about her until their subsequent conversation pushed it from her mind.
It was nothing of any consequence; Mr. Darcy spoke about his sister, told her about his estate in Derbyshire, and said something of his relations, while Elizabeth responded with anecdotes about her family, her literary preferences, and a few comments about Jane and Mr. Bingley. Though she had not intended to test him, she watched him when she spoke of them to see his reaction, but Mr. Darcy appeared complaisant about it all. If he still objected to the match, he hid it beyond her ability to comprehend.
“I understand Hurst spent Christmas at Longbourn in your family’s company.”
“Yes, though it was a surprise to us,” agreed Elizabeth. “I cannot suppose he wished to spend it at Netherfield alone.” Elizabeth paused, considering the gentleman, who was now seated by her father in conversation. “I have not heard a reason for his presence at Netherfield at what should be a time for family. If it is not an impertinence, do you know why he left London?”
“Hurst has not vouchsafed his reasons to me,” replied Mr. Darcy. “All I can determine is that he did not find the company in London agreeable and absented himself. From what I understand, he did not even inform his wife of where he was bound.”
Elizabeth laughed. “That incivility is what we must attribute to Miss Bingley’s absence. I cannot suppose she would wish her brothers to be in Hertfordshire now.”
“You are not mistaken. When Bingley left, all he told them was that he was joining Hurst. Even now, his sisters know nothing of his location.”
“Do you suppose it will remain a secret?”
Mr. Darcy’s shrug spoke to his disinterest. “At some time or another, I suspect Miss Bingley will discover it. Until then, Bingley means to use the time available to the best advantage.”
Elizabeth nodded but did not reply, reflecting as she was on Mr. Darcy’s utter lack of concern about Mr. Bingley’s intentions. Whether she had been incorrect about her conjecture, she could not say, but at present, at least, he did not oppose Mr. Bingley’s interest in Jane. When Mr. Darcy spoke again, the subject he chose drove any thoughts of Mr. Bingley and Jane from her mind.
