This was a surprise to Darcy. “Oh? I have noticed nothing.”
“That is because so much of your attention is on Elizabeth.” Georgiana’s grin exceeded pleased and landed on smugness. “Trust me, Brother. I do not suppose I have enough influence to reform them, but I suspected they would take my likeness if I offered it to them. If you mean to make Elizabeth your wife, her sisters will need to move in society too.”
“Their father is taking a hand,” said Darcy, wondering when his sister had become so devious.
“So he is. But I cannot suppose my help is inconsequential.”
“Certainly not. I wish you luck, Georgiana. I suspect you will need it.”
Before they could speak further on the subject, the door opened, admitting Bingley and Hurst into the room. One look at his friend told Darcy that storm clouds had followed him inside, though a look at Hurst showed nothing but diversion. What Bingley’s morose expression portended, Darcy was uncertain, but he did not like the implications.
“Mr. Bingley,” said Georgiana in a teasing tone Darcy could not have imagined her using a week earlier, “you appear nothing like the man who spent half an hour in the sole company of his lady.”
The smile Bingley summoned became him ill, for Darcy was accustomed to beaming grins and jovial comments from his friend. Darcy’s suspicions deepened; Bingley spoke at once to confirm them.
“I have just received an express from London,” said Bingley. “Louisa informed me that Caroline has departed and will join us this afternoon.”
“Bingley,” said Hurst, a hint of chiding in his tone, “you must have known the inevitability of Caroline discovering our location.”
“How did she manage it?” asked Darcy.
“Mrs. Nichols,” said Bingley, shaking his head. “It never occurred to me to request that she say nothing of our presence should Caroline write to her.”
“Nor should you have expected her to lie to conceal your presence,” said Hurst. “This was destined to happen, Bingley. You should look on it as an opportunity to make your position clear to your sister and assert your authority.”
“It is not that, Hurst,” replied Bingley, his cross expression speaking volumes. “Caroline will not move me from my purpose, nor shall I allow any interference in my affairs. Yet I worry about how she will behave—I cannot imagine she will adopt even theveneer of civility for anyone in the neighborhood, even Miss Bennet, for whom she professed friendship only a month ago.”
“I do not think she will frighten Miss Bennet away, Mr. Bingley,” interrupted Georgiana.
“No, I cannot suppose she will. That does not mean I shall allow her to disrespect Miss Bennet if I can prevent it.”
“Nor should you, Bingley,” replied Hurst. “I fancy that I know your sister as well as you do. Your assessment is not in error—what matters is how you handle her disrespect.
“The greater issue,” said Hurst, turning to Darcy, “is how she will behave toward you, Darcy. Had Mrs. Nichols not mentioned your presence, I doubt Caroline would have been so quick to return, even considering her disapproval of Miss Bennet.”
“Aye, Louisa said as much in her letter,” added Bingley.
This was a conversation Darcy had never had with his friend, though they had circled the edges several times. It was also something he needed to say at once—even if they knew of his sentiments, to fail to speak now would be cowardly. Darcy was anything but a coward.
“Bingley, I offer my apologies, but I have no interest in your sister.”
Bingley offered a sly look, but Hurst responded with a hearty guffaw.
“That, my dear Darcy, is perhaps the worst-kept secret in London. Of course, you do not favor Caroline—the only one who cannot see it is the lady in question.”
Darcy nodded. “Then please understand that not only will I pay her no attention out of the common way, but should she take matters into her own hands to . . . force my hand, I shall not fulfill an obligation that does not exist.”
The way Bingley’s eyes bulged suggested Darcy had caught him by surprise. “Darcy! Are you suggesting—?”
“Of course, he is, Bingley,” said Hurst, interrupting with a sharp look for his brother. “If you considered the matter for a moment, you would understand that your sister is capable of it.”
Bingley fixed his brother with a doubtful look. “She is determined, but she has never resorted to such designs.”
“That is because she is confident,” rejoined Hurst. “When she comes to Hertfordshire and sees what is happening here, that confidence will turn to desperation.”
“Bingley,” said Darcy, wishing to cut this conversation short, “I make no claims about your sister and do not speak to insult her. It is best that we understand each other, and that includes accounting for every contingency.”
Though he continued to appear dubious, Bingley nodded. “I know you have fended off other such attempts in the past.”
