A low, warm chuckle followed. “Merely honest. We are plain-speaking folk here—by necessity if not by nature. And you seem a clever sort, with an open heart; there’s no point in being evasive with a man of wit and good feeling.”
A polite cough from Caroline signalled her wish to return to safer conversational ground. “May I offer you some refreshment, Mr. Bennet? We have just taken tea.”
“One never refuses tea if offered by a gracious hostess,” he said, settling back in clear comfort.
The maid was summoned with quiet efficiency, and they exchanged a few more remarks about house improvements, the quality of local tradesmen, and the number of bedrooms Netherfield actually boasted once the attics were included.
Bingley, visibly relaxing, leaned forward eagerly, clearly delighted with the easy conversation.
Mr. Bennet’s eyes twinkled. “Well, Mr. Bingley, I hope you will do us the honour of calling at Longbourn very soon. My family will be most happy to receive you.”
A wide smile broke across Mr. Bingley’s face. “You are very kind, sir. I shall be delighted to visit you.”
An eyebrow lifted in quiet amusement. “My dear sir, I assure you Longbourn will receive you with open arms—and even wider expectations. You would be thought negligent if you delayed too long.”
“Then I shall be prompt,” Bingley declared, almost glowing with relief.
“I shall deliver that warning to my wife, who will be inclined to thank me for sparing her the worry.”
A gentle laugh met this observation.
The door behind them opened quietly, and the butler announced, “Mr. Darcy has arrived, sir.”
Boots sounded on the polished floorboards. A gentleman entered with composed deliberation, removing his gloves slowly, his eyes taking in the occupants of the room with that thoughtful gravity he never seemed to abandon.
He paused just inside the threshold, posture all polite reserve. “Good afternoon, Bingley. Miss Bingley.”
A pleased exclamation answered him. “Darcy! Come in, come in. You are just in time to greet a neighbour.”
Darcy’s gaze flicked to the new face. Recognition dawned only in the sense that this was someone he ought to greet respectfully, and he offered a short but careful bow. “Good afternoon, sir.”
Bingley performed the introduction with delighted eagerness. “May I present Mr. Bennet of Longbourn? Mr. Bennet, my friend Mr. Darcy of Pemberley, Derbyshire.”
A slight tilt of the head acknowledged the courtesy. “Mr. Darcy. Welcome to Hertfordshire.”
“Mr. Bennet.” Darcy’s reply was measured but not cold. “I am obliged to you.”
The older man regarded him with mild curiosity, taking in the carefully measured expression. “You are probably fond of thenorthern country, sir. I fear Hertfordshire may seem a bit too gentle in its charms.”
A thoughtful pause preceded the answer. “It is...different, certainly. But there is a certain quiet beauty here—less dramatic, perhaps, but no less worthy of regard.”
Darcy struck him as a thoughtful, intelligent man, one who handled words with an easy, precise command. Mr. Bennet’s eyes twinkled. “We shall see if we can manage to entertain you at least once before you go. We do our best, though our amusements run to gossip and card tables more than grand scenery.”
That brought a flicker of something like amusement to Darcy’s otherwise composed features. “I look forward to discovering the local entertainments, Mr. Bennet.”
Miss Bingley observed this exchange with narrowly concealed surprise. “We were just speaking of paying calls,” she offered smoothly. “My brother is most eager to make himself known properly.”
“Oh, there will be no stopping him now,” Bennet replied dryly. “He has had my blessing, and he will not rest until my wife has fed him tea, cheese pie and roasted beef, and declared him the best of men.”
Mr. Bingley’s laugh rang out, unchecked. “I should be delighted to earn such praise!”
Rising, Mr. Bennet brushed a hand lightly over his coat sleeve as if to check for dust. “Then I shall not keep you any longer. I came to make myself known, and I believe I have succeeded in proving we are not entirely unsociable in these parts. Quite on the contrary, in fact.”
Bingley smiled warmly. “More than succeeded, sir. I cannot thank you enough.”
Darcy gave a short nod, his voice quieter but polite. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Bennet.”
“Entirely mutual, Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Bennet assured him. “I hope we shall see you both at Longbourn very soon. My wife will be unbearable with anticipation when she hears I have extended the invitation to a good friend of our new neighbour.”
