“Told me he was inclined to think me foolish and capricious, but because Jane liked me, he would give me a chance to prove I could be worthy of her.”
Darcy’s brows were at his hairline now.Miss Bennet was a worthy woman, of course, but for Mr.Gardiner, a man in trade, to say such to a gentleman—it did not sit well.“What was your response?”
“I told him I had been mistaken to leave as I had and that my intentions were honorable.He hinted that Jane had been morose all winter over my leaving.Can you imagine?”
Darcy could not.
“I am usually the one with my heart blown about thither and yon.To think I did such a thing to my angel—I shall never forgive myself.”
Darcy knew Bingley was likely being his usual hyperbolic self, but he could not help but think that Bingley seemed to genuinely mean it.
“When will you make your proposals?”Darcy asked.
“When I know she no longer doubts me.”
Darcy nodded.He could certainly understand that.
After sitting together quietly for a few minutes, Bingley burst out with, “I did not know you were acquainted with the Gardiners, Darcy.”
“I was not until yesterday when I met Mrs.Gardiner.I have yet to meet Mr.Gardiner.”
Bingley’s face wrinkled in confusion.“Then what are you doing here?”
Suddenly, Darcy realized he had not told Bingley he was courting Miss Elizabeth.Their most recent letters had been about Miss Bennet, and he had not written since Darcy began courting Miss Elizabeth in earnest.He had planned to tell Bingley in person, but in the activity of the last days, he had completely forgotten.
Darcy’s mouth hung open for a second before the drawing room door opened and Mrs.Gardiner, Miss Bennet, and Miss Elizabeth walked in, smiling and dressed for dinner.
A Troublesome Tuesday
“Sohediscoveredyourcourtship by watching you moon over Miss Elizabeth?”Colonel Fitzwilliam guffawed and slapped his knee.“I wish I had been there.It sounds terribly entertaining.”
“You would not have thought so if you were in my position.”
“But I was not and that is what makes this so amusing.”
Darcy rolled his eyes.“He stared at us with an odd expression on his face all evening.As if we were mathematical equations he could not parse out.”
Fitzwilliam laughed again.“Did you explain when the ladies withdrew?”
“They did not withdraw!No one saw the need for it, so we all adjourned to the drawing room together.”Darcy gave his cousin a sly smile.“It was rather entertaining seeing Bingley look so befuddled when I turned Elizabeth’s pages as she played.”
Richard snorted.“I can imagine.”
“I am to call at Gracechurch Street shortly.Will you accompany me?”
“I believe I will.”
They had not been at Gracechurch Street ten minutes before Darcy knew something was wrong.Elizabeth had greeted them civilly and introduced Colonel Fitzwilliam to her family, but she had sent him no private smiles, no longing looks.She had not teased him or said a word to him beyond a greeting since he arrived.
He sat near her and waited for a gap in her conversation, then leaned toward her and whispered, “Are you well, dearest?”
“I am in perfect health, Mr.Darcy,” she answered crisply, not even sparing him a glance.
Darcy was befuddled.“Has something occurred to upset you?”
She turned a stony expression on him, then looked away again without speaking.
Well!This was not to be borne.Clearly she was angry about something, or she would not have refused to answer him.He must find a way to speak to her alone.
