“I hope you are enjoying yourselves?” He took in Miss Bennet’s pink cheeks, her soft eyes regarding him as though he were a gallant prince.
“I have never attended a ball its equal,” she replied with a pretty smile.
Bingley sensed his chest inflate and determined to host many more balls.
He saw the tips of Caro and Louisa’s feathered turbans across the room. His heart filled with gratitude for all their exertions planning and orchestrating the event—so much so that he forgave them the extra expenses of having so much of it brought in from London. He waved, eager for them to join their party so he might share the credit where it was due.
The crowd parted and he saw Caro’s face. Her eyes narrowed when she spotted him. She shot him a venomous look, and he regretted having made himself an open target.
Behind her, Mrs. Bennet waved a handkerchief. “Lady Lucas, I have such news for you!” She darted around Caro, looking as though she might burst with joy if she did not share her news quickly. She blurted loudly for half the room to hear, “Mr. Darcy and my Lizzy are to marry!”
Bingley felt his eyes widen and his jaw go slack. Opposite him, he saw Miss Bennet and Miss Lucas exchange a confused look. Caro looked like a tea kettle about to scream and blow steam. She glared athimas though he were to blame. What hadhedone? Darcy would never attach himself to a young lady unless he wanted to.
Granted, it was strange that he would propose so suddenly. Perhaps he had enjoyed Miss Elizabeth’s debates more than Bingley had supposed? He pondered the matter for a considerable time, long enough for a crowd to press around their group and prevent Caroline and Louisa from leaving.
Bingley was about to go in search of his friend when Mr. Bennet joined them. Mutterings of, “Is it true? How can it be?” echoed in the gentleman’s wake. Placing a hand on Mrs. Bennet’s shoulder, a twinkle in his eye, he addressed Caro. “Evidently, the way to Mr. Darcy’s heart is through a pair of fine eyes, is that not so, Miss Bingley?”
Caro huffed.
Mrs. Bennet pounced at the compliment. “Did Mr. Darcy call my Lizzy’s eyes fine?” She clasped onto Caroline’s arm, making what would have been a difficult escape impossible without dragging the matron along.
Caro attempted to ignore her, but Mrs. Bennet was persistent. “I daresay there are no finer eyes to be seen in all of Hertfordshire, London even! My girls are always praised for—”
Caro interjected, “It is not uncommon for a gentleman to compliment a lady.”
Mrs. Bennet clapped. “But to be complimented by a gentleman such as Mr. Darcy, who must be acquainted with a great deal of handsome women! For him to praise my Lizzy above them all is a compliment indeed! Such superior taste!”
Caroline twisted her face as she always had when the nurse forced them to take their cod liver oil.
Mr. Bennet nodded at her. “Your insight is to be praised, Miss Bingley. I have it on excellent authority that you were the first to suspect an attachment was forming in that quarter and had the sagacity to wish the couple well.”
The high color in Caro’s face drained to white. She mumbled, “I cannot seem to recall.”
“It was at Sir William’s dinner party the better part of a month ago,” Mr. Bennet said with a smile.
Sir William, upon learning his role in his neighbor’s daughter’s successful match, added with an enthusiastic nod, “I suspected as much.”
“As did I!” Mrs. Bennet added, not to be outdone.
Lady Lucas, not to be bested by her rival, said, “I overheard the conversation myself. Do you not remember me telling you about it, my love?”
“Well, that is old news, Lady Lucas,” Mrs. Bennet interrupted. “You ought to have seen how my Lizzy despaired over leaving Netherfield Park once Jane recovered from her illness. I knew then that she must be in love, and with whom else but Mr. Darcy!?”
Bingley did not remember that, but he had been wrong many times before.
Once again, Mrs. Bennet clasped onto Caro’s arm. “Miss Bingley, I surely have you to thank for bringing their engagement to light! Who knows how long they might have kept their engagement a secret had you not convinced Mr. Darcy to talk to Mr. Bennet!”
“But I—” Caroline’s mouth closed and opened several times, but she seemed at a loss for words.
Bingley helped her. “She has been teasing Darcy about a lady’s fine eyes incessantly. I did not know she referred to Miss Elizabeth, but it all makes sense now.”
And indeed, it did. How had Bingley not noticed before? Caroline’s jealous comments, Darcy’s somberness every time the Bennets were mentioned… He had been quiet to conceal his secret!
It was then that Darcy walked into the ballroom with Miss Elizabeth on his arm.Hm, was that a different coat?They looked happy. To be sure, they made a handsome couple. They were similar in intellect. While he had witnessed their temperaments in frequent opposition, they did complement each other. Miss Elizabeth would lighten Darcy’s sterner moods. Darcy would give her the security any young lady craved. Really, Bingley concluded, they were indeed an excellent match.
Furthermore, there could be no objections about Bingley courting Miss Bennet openly if Darcy considered her sister worthy of an offer of marriage. Yes, that suited Bingley rather well!
The crowd parted to welcome the happy couple.
