“I do not find it easy, unburdening myself to people.”
“Has it ever occurred to you that it might lessen your burdens if you asked for help now and again?”
“Why, have you some prodigious counsel to impart?”
Bingley grinned. “None whatsoever. I am only trying to impress upon you that you do not need to go through the world shouldering every problem on your own.”
Notwithstanding that Darcy’s discomfiture was increasing exponentially, he was not unmoved by the sentiment. “You are a good friend, Bingley.”
Bingley had finished his drink and had nothing to occupy his hands—and his hands were never still. Darcy was accustomed to his friend’s fidgeting and was diverted to see him reach for the nearest candle stick and begin rotating it between his fingers, scrunching the tablecloth into whirls as it turned.
“’Tis rotten that you have had to put up with the cur all these years—and are set to be saddled with him forever, now. Will not Miss Darcy object to having such a brother?”
Darcy reached to refill his friend’s glass before the candlestick fell over and started a fire. “I asked her, of course, before setting out from Pemberley. She is not enamoured of the idea, it is true, but then neither am I. But she is of the same mind as I—we would rather have WickhamandMiss Elizabeth than neither.”
Bingley looked almost proud, though if Darcy had done something to please him, he knew not what it was. “So,” he said cheerfully, “you would like me to reopen Netherfield.”
“I have not told you all this merely so that I can use your house, but so you can decide whether or not to join me.”
“But of course I shall reopen the house!”
He did not add anything else, and after a short pause, Darcy pressed, “And will you come? For Miss Bennet? Or have you decided against her?”
“I still admire her, but I have used her ill, and Miss Elizabeth did not mention that she still admired me, did she?”
Darcy grimaced, chastened to have yet more admissions to make. “Not while she was in Derbyshire, no. But she did when I saw her in Kent in April.”
Bingley tapped his finger against the side of his glass and frowned pensively for a few moments before nodding slowly. “Yes, very well, I shall join you, though I do not know what will come of it. And Caroline will spit when I tell her, but that will only add to the fun. It will take a few days to get the wheels in motion at Netherfield. Can you wait?”
Darcy assured him he could, though every part of him chafed at the delay. “I would ensure Gardiner has everything resolved with Wickham before I go, in any case.”
“Yes, why are you dealing through Mr Gardiner? Would it not have been quicker to speak directly to Wickham?”
“I did not know where he was, but there are plenty of other reasons. I could not approach Mr Bennet, for he is unwell, apparently. Which provided a convenient excuse for not dealing with him at all. Much as I respect him as Miss Elizabeth’s father, I do not judge him to be a man with whom I could so readily consult as his brother.”
“You are probably correct in your estimation. He is amiable enough, but not serious.”
“Indeed. He is insincere—and Wickham is mercenary. Were he to know I was the source of the money he would only argue for more. As long as he thinks it is coming from Gardiner, he will take what is offered. More importantly, I did not wish him to guess my interest in the matter until it is settled. I would not trust him not to make trouble.”
“So, Mr Gardiner is allowed to take all the credit?”
Darcy smiled faintly. “That was a stumbling block over which we debated for some time. I expect he will ask Wickham to keep his identity secret from Mrs Wickham—which ought not to present a problem. Wickham would lie on the Bible if it meant someone would give him money.”
“But you persuaded Gardiner to keep your part in it secret?”
“Yes, and I beg you would as well. I do not want Miss Elizabeth to find out. I should hate her to feel obliged to accept me.” When Bingley looked as though he would say something teasing, Darcy said, emphatically, “I must get it right, Bingley. I cannot—” He stopped short of saying he could not live without her, for it sounded ridiculous, even if it was true. “I cannot be easy with the alternative.”
Though he looked somewhat taken aback, Bingley reached over to gently clink Darcy’s glass with his own. “I wish you luck. She would be fortunate to have you.”
Darcy thanked him sincerely and sent up a silent prayer that Elizabeth would feel the same way.
CHAPTERTHIRTY
BLISSFUL WHILE IT LASTED
Mr Bennet was at the breakfast table when Elizabeth came downstairs. It was a heartening sight, though she was unsure as to the wisdom of it. “Ought you to be up? You look very pale still.”
“If I do, ’tis only because I have not seen the light of day for a week. But rest assured, I am much better.”
