Darcy was in no mood for his cousin’s humor. "If I am not interested in a lady, I find it best to avoid her entirely. Too much is often read into a polite smile to indulge in social niceties at the risk of unwittingly encouraging a young lady's affections."
Richard scratched his chin. "Not a bad philosophy. Not very sociable, but nobody would dare accuse you of flirting with anyone other than your intended."
Bingley gawked at them. "I do not know how to act. If I keep from smiling or conversing with every lady I meet, I would soon gain a reputation as a taciturn brute." His eyes widened, and he covered his hand with his mouth. "My apologies, Darcy. I do not, nor have I ever, considered you a brute."
"I have at times," quipped Richard. "However, you both make good points. There must be a polite, socially acceptable balance between a flirt and—as Bingley so well coined it—a taciturn brute."
Darcy was in no mood for a philosophical discussion. He focused on Bingley. "Are you certain of your regard for Miss Bennet? Would you make her an offer?"
"Yes!" he began enthusiastically. "I think so... Well... I am almost certain."
Richard shook his head. "Miss Bennet is a diamond of the first water."
"She is an angel." Bingley sighed.
"Will you still think her an angel when the years gray her golden hair, dim her rosy complexion, and wrinkle her alabaster skin? Consider it, man!" Richard spoke quickly, without stopping for breath. "Marriage is forever; ‘til death do you part. Do you loveonlyMiss Bennet? Can you foresee ever loving another woman? Or is she little more than this season's distraction?" Richard's chest heaved.
"I think so. I mean, I think I love her." Bingley spoke weakly.
Hot anger stirred in Darcy's chest. "Do you not know? I suggest you refrain from giving hope where it is not warranted until you are certain beyond all doubt. Consider the lady’s heart and reputation! You cannot dole out your attentions indiscriminately without consequences. It is not fair to either Georgiana or Miss Bennet."
“But surely, you would never encourage your sister t-to,” Bingley circled his hand as if the air would produce the words for him. Finally, he uttered an agitated, “To… you know what I mean!”
“I was not against the match,” Darcy stated plainly.
Bingley looked like he might be ill. “She is like a sister to me—a nice sister. I do not think of her…” his face twisted and a shiver shook him through. “What should I do?”
“That is not for me to decide. My hope is that you will strive to be a man your future wife, whomever she may be, will look up to. You have it in you to be a great man, Bingley, but you must begin making your own decisions.”
Looking a little less ill, Bingley spouted, “Like I did with Mr. Collins!”
Richard looked at Darcy. “We have not heard about that, have we?”
“I would have remembered.”
Bingley laughed. “I shall never forget it! I think I handled it rather well, but”—Bingley looked about and lowered his voice—“it is not something we should discuss openly. Join me in my study, and I shall tell you the whole tale over drinks.” They approached the stables.
“I shall join you after I have a word with Georgiana.” Darcy dismounted and handed his reins over to the stable boy.
They climbed the steps to the house, and Bingley stopped, one hand tapping Darcy’s arm. “I am not ignorant of the honor you were willing to grant me. There is no other man on earth I would rather have for a brother, but I could never use Miss Darcy so poorly. I hope I have not offended you—or your sister. I apologize with all my being if I have.”
As heartwarming as his apology was, Darcy was more impressed with what it stated about Bingley. “I am honored you still consider me your friend when I have given you every reason to take offense. It did not occur to you to use my friendship and Georgiana’s favor to elevate yourself. That is proof of your honest character.”
Richard dabbed at his eyes and slapped his hand over his heart dramatically. “I am honored to witness this tender moment.”
Darcy rolled his eyes. “You are only jealous that Bingley would rather have me for a brother than you.”
Richard crossed his arms over his chest. “Now, we both know I would make a better brother than you. Bingley is only too polite to say it.”
Bingley shook his head. “Actually, I have always been a little terrified of you, Colonel. One misstep, and quicker than a snap of the fingers, you could dismember me in any one of a dozen ways.”
“Tut tut,” Richard waved his hand dismissively. “Two dozen, at least.”
Bingley’s curiosity overcame his fear. “Really? Two dozen?”
Richard clapped his hand on Bingley’s back. “Come, let us inform the ladies of the house that we are in, and then we shall hear all about Mr. Collins. Darcy will need a good laugh after he has conversed with Georgiana. I do hope your tale has a strong element of comedy?”
“For a certainty. Except, of course, for Mr. Collins—and another individual who shall remain nameless until we are safe in my study.”
