“That was my mother’s idea. She knew Mr Bingley was dining with the officers and thought the rain would force Jane to stay at Netherfield until he returned so he could send her home in his carriage. She did not intend for her to get caught in the storm, and she only did it because she knew Jane was forming an attachment to Mr Bingley and had found so few opportunities of seeing him. It was well-intentioned, but poor Jane was mortified. I am almost afraid to ask what you must all have thought of us.”
“It was a fairly transparent ruse, but I came to appreciate it more the longer you were there.”
“I thought you despised me.”
“I was trying exceedingly hard not to fall in love with you—and failing. It was prodigiously distracting. It is little wonder I was such poor company.”
“Poor, beleaguered man.”
He smiled and gently squeezed her hand with his arm.
“Can I ask, did Mr Bingley enjoy Jane’s society as well as you enjoyed mine?”
“He saw less of her than I saw of you, but he was certainly concerned for her well-being—and pleased when she was recovered enough to come downstairs.”
“Does he like spending time with her now, do you think?”
“So I understand,” he replied cautiously, and Elizabeth did not miss his wary glance.
“Then why—” She stopped herself and tried to frame a less impetuous question. “Forgive me if this is an imposition, but as you yourself are aware, my sister has been ill-used in all of this. Pray tell me—if you can—is Mr Bingley seriously pursuing her? Because if he is not, it would be better that he ceased calling.”
“I am uncomfortable speaking for him, but I do know that he is unsure of your sister’s regard. She is not giving him much encouragement.”
“He is giving her none.”
“He is not unaware of how your sister has been hurt. It is only an abundance of respect that induces him to be so cautious. He is here, though, and came without any guarantee of being welcome. You gave him no hint of what your sister’s feelings were when we were in Derbyshire.”
Elizabeth grimaced in acknowledgement of that. “I dared not, after seeing him with all your friends. He was…more at ease than I have seen him before. I feared he might be attached to someone else. Miss Templeton, perhaps.”
“Miss Templeton is engaged to Pettigrew.”
“Really? I did not know that.”
“That is, they were not engaged at Pemberley, but it did happen not long afterwards. What made you think Bingley had intentions towards her?”
“Well, to be frank, he was more of a flirt than Lydia.”
Darcy smirked at that. “He has an exuberant, happy manner, but he is entirely honourable. If it helps, I will vouch for his good conduct.”
“It would helpmoreif you could let him know that Jane is pleased—very pleased—that he is come back.”
He began to shake his head. “I have had my fill of interference, from both sides of the coin—” He stopped speaking and gave a resigned chuckle when Elizabeth fixed him with the same pleading expression she used on her sisters whenever she wished to borrow one of their prized possessions. “Very well,” he said in a low voice and with a small but exceedingly affecting smile. “I shall talk to him. For you.”
They arrived at Longbourn, and Elizabeth waited while Darcy tethered his horse himself, for the groom was nowhere to be found. When he emerged from the stables, he was grown altogether more serious. “Elizabeth, before we go in…”
Her stomach contracted. “What is it?”
“I had some letters of my own today. From my sister, her companion, my steward, my butler—all saying the same thing. Things are not going well at Pemberley. I am needed at home.”
Elizabeth felt more than a little foolish that this news should give her such distress. She did not doubt Darcy’s affections in any way. Nor did she expect that his return to Pemberley would prevent, or even significantly delay their marriage. Nevertheless, it was only with a determined effort that she was able to conceal the full extent of her dismay. She forced herself to smile sympathetically. “I understand. When must you leave?”
“As soon as I can—but I shall return as soon as possible. And then we shall make all the arrangements for the wedding, so this does not happen again.”
“I should like that. Is there anything I can help with? Oh, pray, forget I asked that—stupid question. If it requires you to be there,Ishall hardly be able to solve it from here.”
He took both her hands in his and shook his head. “It was not a stupid question, and I appreciate you asking, but I cannot explain what problem Ferguson is having with the architect because I can make neither head nor tail of his attempts to explain it. With regards to the household, the head housemaid has been standing in for Mrs Reynolds, but she is, in the words of my esteemed butler, less than useless. Ferguson’s wife has been attempting to assist her, but it sounds as though the two have had some manner of dispute. More than one of our regular suppliers has not been paid. And my sister lacks the confidence required to impose her will on any of them.”
“Oh, Fitzwilliam, you must not wait for me to appoint a new housekeeper. I beg you would choose someone while you are at Pemberley. It makes no sense to let everything fall apart simply so that I might have the prestige of choosing her when I arrive.”
