“And your family in Hertfordshire, are they well?”
“My family, sir, endures as best they can. We all suffered deeply from the injury inflicted when a certain separation occurred.”
Mr. Darcy flushed from his neck to the tips of his ears.
“You speak plainly, madam.”
“I do,” she returned, her eyes flashing. “Two days ago, I was informed in a letter from Miss Bingley that the two of you contrived together to remove Mr. Bingley from Hertfordshire. You judged my sister unworthy without knowing her, without caring for her feelings, and the result was grief such as I hope never again to witness.”
She was angry. “Jane is my nearest relation, the person I love most in the world. When you injured my sister, you also injuredme. Every time she cried, I cried along with her. You cannot imagine what it is to see a loved one’s heart break.”
Darcy was stricken.
Elizabeth brushed away her tears with the back of her hand. “You did it. You injured her, and you did not even take the time to know her before you passed judgment.”
He tried to speak. “Miss Bennet.” Words failed him. Then he said hoarsely, “I had not thought to injure you. It was never my design. I cannot express…” He broke off again. “You are rightly angered. I cannot deny my part. I believed then that I acted for my friend’s good. I see now that I was mistaken.”
Elizabeth’s anger held. “Mistaken? Sir, your mistake cost her the deepest throes of anguish. Do you imagine such a wound excused so lightly? At one point, I despaired that I was not a man, for I would have surely called you out in defense of my gentle sister.”
Darcy bowed his head. “Miss Bennet. I do not ask you for forgiveness. I acknowledge that I did wrong, and I regret it most sincerely.”
Elizabeth only looked at him. His apology and his candor silenced her.
Chapter 23: Mr. Bingley Proposes
Mr. Bingley presented himself at Gracechurch Street on a cool October morning. He was very unlike himself, for his face was serious, and he refused to sit down. He turned to Mrs. Gardiner. “May I have a few minutes alone with Miss Bennet?”
Mrs. Gardiner agreed without argument and stood up. “Lizzy, perhaps you will walk with me into the garden,” she suggested, and Elizabeth immediately said, “Of course, Aunt.” She gathered her book of verses and pencil and closed the door behind her. Jane and Mr. Bingley were left together in the parlor.
Bingley paced a moment, then returned and seated himself close beside Jane.
“Miss Bennet,” he began, “forgive me if I speak too boldly, but I cannot be silent any longer. Since the moment I first knew you, my happiness has been in your keeping. I have loved you most ardently, though I dared once to believe my regard was unwelcome and unrequited. I learned that I was mistaken, and I will never forgive myself for the pain I caused you. I pray that you have forgiven me for the injury I dealt you.”
Jane’s color rose, but she watched him earnestly. He pressed on.
“Tell me, my dearest Jane, may I hope? Will you make me the happiest of men, and take me as your husband?”
Her eyes were brimming with tears of happiness. “Yes, Mr. Bingley, yes, with all my heart.”
He smiled, then took her hand and kissed it fervently, unable to contain himself. “Jane! My angel! I shall never leave you again. You are mine, and I am yours.”
Mrs. Gardiner tapped on the door and then entered. Jane ran and embraced her. “Aunt, I am engaged to be married!”
That evening, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy dined with the Gardiners. The main discussion at the dining table was the upcoming wedding. Mr. Bingley hoped that they might be married within the following month. Jane was not sure her mother would allow such a hurried marriage. Elizabeth sat quietly at the table, savoring the joy.
Darcy, as grave as ever, watched Elizabeth. When their eyes met across the table, she felt that strange quickening of her heart. He looked away when she caught him staring, but her lovely face remained with him. As for Elizabeth, she saw that his eyes held a troubled expression, and, if she was not mistaken, she also saw tenderness.
Elizabeth picked up her fork and focused on her plate.No, she thought. She would not be deceived a second time. Men were difficult to fathom and too prone to change. Her sister’s happiness was secured; that must suffice.
After dinner, Mr. Gardiner asked Elizabeth to sing. After she had sung five songs at the request of the men, she sat on a chair a little removed from the others and picked up her needle. Throughout the evening, each time she glanced up from her embroidery, she caught Mr. Darcy’s eyes on her. When she moved to sit with Mrs. Gardiner, he shifted in his seat and continued to gaze at her. By the end of the evening, she was unnerved.What was he thinking, and why was he staring at her?
The following day, when Mrs. Gardiner was writing up a list of gowns and undergarments Jane would need to purchase for her trousseau, she suddenly asked, “Jane, tell me, how did Mr.Bingley discover that you were in town? He seemed to appear at Gracechurch Street as though guided by Providence.”
Jane looked to Elizabeth, her mouth twisted in embarrassment.
Elizabeth only laughed. “Aunt Maddie, you will not like what I am about to tell you.”
Mrs. Gardiner raised a brow. “Tell me at once, Elizabeth. I hope I will not have to involve your father. He already has his hands full with Lydia.”
