“Estates can be bought and sold or let for a short period of time, but marriage is forever. As such, it is not something I should advise you on. It isyourchoice to make.Youwill be the one to live with the consequences, good or bad.”
Bingley grimaced. What Darcy said was absolutely right, though Bingley did not like hearing it. He really was a dog. Even now, he wanted Darcy to tell him what to do, ever desirous of a pat on the head and a word of praise once he carried out his command.
Bingley had to do better than that if he wanted Jane to marry him. Or she would be better off with a puppy as a companion than with him as a husband.
“To rush into a union is the height of foolishness, and you, Bingley, are more intelligent than you give yourself credit for. You only lack the confidence to carry out your own decisions.”
“And how do I gain this confidence?”
“Through practice. Trial and error. Above all…time.”
Bingley frowned. He did not like that “error” bit. Or the “time.” He knew he was not stupid, but how could other men be so certain? “Do you never doubt yourself?”
The blank expression covering Darcy’s face was reply enough. He clearly had no idea what insecurity felt like.
After a long pause, he spoke. “Do you doubt your feelings for Miss Bennet?”
“No,” Bingley replied firmly. Then again, he had been in love many times, and every time he had been convinced of the sincerity and absoluteness of his affections. What made him believe this time was any different? He did not like the idea of loving a lady who did not return his affections. “But you have made me doubt the depth of hers. What should I do?”
Darcy shook his head. “That is not for me to decide.”
Bingley regretted asking the question, which had sprung off his tongue too quickly. Darcy was right. If he wanted to be the sort of man Miss Bennet could admire and respect, he must start making his own decisions.
“Only promise me you will not do anything in haste,” Darcy continued. “You would do better to quit Hertfordshire and return to London than to rush into an unequal match before you know your own mind or can discern hers.”
But Bingley’s attention had been diverted, and he absently nodded without fully hearing his trusted friend’s counsel. He suddenly recalled an adage his father had often uttered:
He who never undertook anything never achieved anything.
It had been many years since Bingley had thought of it, but it popped into his mind as clearly as if his father stood before him saying it now. Had this been what his father meant?
If Bingley was certain about Miss Bennet’s inclinations, then he would do his best to be the husband she deserved. He only needed to know the extent of her regard.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained. He could do this. Being more impulsive than deliberate, Bingley would find out that same night. He had decided, and he would do what he must to stick to his decision.
CHAPTER5
Neither the two-mile march to Longbourn nor Elizabeth’s appeals to reason were sufficient to stir her youngest sister’s conscience. Lydia refused to see how her actions might affect Jane or anyone else.
“Mr. Bingley will be glad to have a lively sister when his are so stodgy. Did you see their pinched faces? Lord, what a laugh!”
It was not so much the stodgy sisters whom Elizabeth worried about. It was Mr. Darcy. Mr. Bingley relied heavily on his guidance in estate matters, and who was to say whether he would not also trust his opinion in matters of the heart?
Elizabeth could practically see Mr. Darcy’s disapproving stare. Gentlemen of his circles were all propriety and appearances. She had to own, this was not without good reason, but it was maddeningly frustrating when her own family did their level best to make themselves scandalous.
Elizabeth glanced over her shoulder. Jane and Kitty followed shortly behind, their breath puffing clouds in the crisp air. At least Kitty appeared contrite with her downcast eyes and solemn silence.
Hill opened the door, and Elizabeth slipped him the sugar plum while Lydia dallied removing her bonnet.
“Did you get the shoe roses?” their mother called from the drawing room.
Elizabeth pinched the bridge of her nose. She had completely forgotten.
Jane whispered, “I will see to Mama.”
“I shall join you.” Kitty slipped away from Elizabeth before she could be dragged along with Lydia into Papa’s study.
Lydia tugged against Elizabeth. “Oy, you know Papa does not like me to go inside his book room. I’m too noisy.”
