Rising from his seat, Richard closed the window and poured me a glass, which he offered to me with stunning generosity—considering it wasmybrandy.
Reminding myself that I was grateful he had cleared the flowers from my room—not even the scent lingered!—I took the glass. “Thank you.”
Richard beamed. “I knew you would want us to join in celebrating your success and Bingley’s.”
I did not feel like celebrating?quite the opposite. While I might have made some progress with my lady, my gift of those pathetic pansies was not the grand statement I had planned to make. I did not wish to relive the experience.
But I would not diminish Bingley’s joy. At least one of us was advancing his suit without any difficulty. “You did well. Miss Bennet could not stop looking at your flowers, and the rest of the family praised you highly.”
Bingley chuckled. “Did you see the looks Mrs. Bennet cast her poor husband?”
I took a seat and set my glass down, not yet ready to imbibe more liquids. “Poor? A man who does not actively contribute to the happiness of his wife should suffer the consequences of his negligence.” Perhaps I should not be so harsh. When I managed to have a word in private with Mr. Bennet, he had approved of my next gift with weak nods and watery eyes.
Richard and Bingley exchanged a look that put me on my guard. They seemed to be congratulatory—even smug.
“The man could use a little nudge in the right direction,” Richard said self-assuredly.
“A nudge.” Bingley nodded. “Quite.”
They turned to me as though seeking my opinion. I had none to offer. My only desire was to avoid conversation about my call.
Bingley clasped his hands together and leaned back comfortably in his chair. “How did you fare with Miss Elizabeth?”
I grimaced. “Well enough.” It was not a lie. Elizabeth’s behavior had displayed nothing but contentment, and I was pleased she had defended my bedraggled pansies to her sisters, talking of them as though they were the most precious gift I could have given to her. At least she had recognized the lengths I had gone to on her behalf. Perhaps my call was not so bad, but these two dunderheads would never see it that way.
Bingley cleared his throat and shifted his weight. “You did not see… anything?” His eyes flickered over to Richard, who glared back and clamped his lips shut.
Once again, my suspicion was aroused. “What are you two about?”
No reply.
“What have you done?” I pressed more urgently.
“Nothing at all worth discussing,” said Richard too nonchalantly. He leaned forward. “We would much rather hear aboutyourcall, would we not, Bingley?”
Bingley nodded, his lips pressed together.
I did not believe either of them. However, considering the secret I was keeping from them, I was in no position to force their confidence. “Tell me you did not envelop me into your scheme, and I will drop the subject.”
They both twisted their lips pensively, guiltily.
I closed my eyes and rubbed my fingers over my throbbing forehead.
“I swear, Darcy, you stand to benefit,” Richard assured me.
Lowering my hand, I leveled my glare at him. “Instead, swear to me that, whatever it is you are doing, you will stop.”
“It is too late for that.”
Bingley added, “It is done.”
I doubted the result of their plot would be in my favor. Interference rarely works that way.
Gravely, Bingley added, “I assure you, I would never have agreed if it would undermine your suit. Especially after the consideration you have shown me.”
My heart slowed, and my ears buzzed. I glared at Richard. “He knows?”
“About the flowers?” Bingley answered for him, quickly adding, “How could I not? You were holding them in the hall! Come, Darcy, I would recognize a flower box! Besides, Caroline saw you receive the delivery and was sniffing outside your bedroom while you were away. Had we not disposed of the flowers so quickly, she would have smelled them in the hall! It took all this time with the windows open to clear the scent from your chambers.”
