His friend poured another glass and held it out to Darcy. “I begin to think you do notwishto leave.”
“Bingley, your sister is here. Of course I wish to leave.” Darcy snapped. He grunted, annoyed with himself for giving into his vexation. “That was rude. Forgive me.”
Bingley sipped his brandy, looking troubled. “I had no idea you felt so strongly.”
Darcy did not know what to say. How could Bingley not be aware? Finally, he sighed. “I cannot look upon my behaviour here in Hertfordshire last year without abhorrence, Bingley. Your sister was a part of that.”
“Your behaviour is not her fault, no more than my behaviour in deciding to remain in London last autumn is yours.”
Bingley was correct. “No, you are quite right. It is the reminder of my ungentlemanlike conduct that I cannot tolerate.”
“Tolerate,” Bingley said, and nodded as though he had unravelled some great mystery. “Hmm. Jane and I will be downstairs for dinner. Will you join us?”
He was surprised that Bingley had latched onto the word “tolerate,” rather than asking about his ungentlemanly behaviour, but then, Bingley had witnessed it all, so there was no need. “No thank you. I am not in the proper frame of mind to be polite, and I will soon be gone. Best to avoid her. Does she even know I am in the house?”
Bingley appraised him before saying, “I do not believe so, and if you do not wish her to know, I shall not be the one to tell her.”
Darcy stood, set his glass down, and clapped Bingley on the arm. “Thank you, Bingley. You are a good friend to me.” A better friend than he deserved.
Bingley laughed quietly and shook his head. “No thanks necessary, for you are providing me a great deal of entertainment. The great Fitzwilliam Darcy, hiding from a woman.”
Darcy turned away and tossed himself back in the chair by the fire. “You are entirely too smug now that you are wed.”
“I have every right to be smug,” Bingley said cheerfully. “I am married to the most wonderful woman I have ever met, and she loves me. There is no felicity in the world equal to it.”
That hurt. “You should write for the stage.”
Bingley was unperturbed. “Perhaps I shall.” He finished his drink and set the glass down on the tray. His expression crinkled in merriment. “We will be dining at five. That might be a good time for you to sneak back to your chambers.”
Darcy nodded, and Bingley left him to his own company.
“We were unaware that Caroline would be visiting, Lizzy,” Jane said quietly. “I must apologise, but I do not see how we can turn her away. She has only a companion with her, and Mr. Hurst’s home in London will not be open until the end of January.”
“Is there no way to decline delivery?” Elizabeth jested.
Jane shook her head fondly. “I do hope Caroline’s presence will not chase you back to Longbourn.”
Elizabeth scoffed, as Jane must have known she would. “Miss Bingley, frightenmeaway? I think not. Though I will wish to visit Aunt and Uncle Gardiner at Longbourn when they come.”
“I shall visit too, but I will confess that I do wish to have you here with me.”
“Then I shall be,” Elizabeth replied. “And not only because Miss Bingley wants these rooms.”
Jane offered her an affectionate but exasperated look.
Kerr bustled into the room with Elizabeth’s gown draped over her arm but skidded to a stop when she saw Jane. Her cheeks reddened. “Mrs. Bingley, I did not know you were here. I will just step back outside.”
“That is all right, Kerr,” Jane said. She turned to Elizabeth. “I will see you downstairs. I must dress for dinner, for the mistress cannot be outdone by her sisters.”
“It would not matter in the least,” Elizabeth responded. “Your husband has eyes for no one but you, dearest.”
“Then I shall offer him something pleasant to look upon,” Jane said in farewell.
Elizabeth smiled into the glass. It was good, very good, to see Jane so confident and assured. Miss Bingley had no hope of unsettling the mistress ofthishouse.
“Let us get you dressed,” Kerr said, hanging the dress up and examining Elizabeth’s hair. “So many lovely curls.”
In relatively short order, Kerr had completed Elizabeth’s toilette and was helping her into the rose gown.
