“Palmer says there is a carriage in the drive,” she said evenly.
He waved his hand dismissively. “It is likely that tourists wish to view the house. Mrs. Reynolds keeps them to the public rooms—”
“He says it is theBingleys’carriage,” she bit out.
He froze, suddenly remembering the invitation he had extended to Bingley months ago, shortly after his marriage.And the former Miss Bennet is here. He will once again be within her grasp.Surely, Elizabeth had comprehended this and was now angry to be put in a situation where she was required to host guests she had not sanctioned as Pemberley’s mistress.
“Mrs. Reynolds!” Darcy cried, looking around for the housekeeper.
“Here, sir,” she said, appearing from a doorway on his left.
“Have rooms been prepared for the Bingleys?” Ever efficient, he had sent word to his housekeeper immediately upon issuing the invitation. Surely, she had prepared the necessary guest chambers.
“They have.” She nodded, glancing nervously between him and her mistress. The tension seemed obvious, and she doubtlessly knew something had gone amiss.
“Good. We shall greet them then.” He glanced at Elizabeth’s steely gaze and knew he owed his wife a rather large apology. Her expression smoothed, and she linked arms with Georgiana and Mrs. Collins, turning away from him as she headed toward the doors.
He trailed behind them and took his place next to his wife as the carriage came to a stop. A footman hopped down and opened the door, assisting Miss Bingley down, followed by Mrs. Hurst.Mr. Hurst and Mr. Bingley came last. His wife stepped forward and took his arm, taking her rightful place by his side.
“Mr. Darcy! How pleased we are to be here at last! It seems an age since we were last at Pemberley!” Miss Bingley climbed the steps hurriedly and beamed at him. Her smile faltered as she took in the others with him. “Mrs. Darcy,” she said coolly, “and Jane! It is not Bennet any longer, is it?” Her fake smile turned to a sneer as she spoke to the bereaved widow.
“Darcy!” Bingley cried, apparently not hearing his sister’s cold greeting. “I am so glad we have arrived. The journey was…” His friend trailed off as he took in Darcy’s armband. His gaze wandered to Elizabeth, and then his eyes widened when he saw Mrs. Collins standing with Georgiana. “Miss…Mrs. Collins!I did not expect to see you here. How do you do?” Bingley’s words were stilted, and he bowed to the entire party.
“Let us go inside. Bingley, if we could speak before you are shown to your chambers, that would be most agreeable.” Darcy led the way, Elizabeth on his arm. His forward momentum slowed when Miss Bingley latched onto his other arm.
“How pleased I am to be here again,” she repeated. He said nothing, but noted Elizabeth tense as they went.
“Mrs. Reynolds, show the Hursts and Miss Bingley to their rooms,” he commanded his housekeeper. “Mr. Bingley and I have business in my study.” He turned to his wife. “I shall speak with you after, Elizabeth.” He hoped she heard the apology in his voice.
Bingley followed him to his study. They did not speak until the heavy oak door had closed behind them.
“I had no notion the house was in mourning, Darcy. Why did you not say?” Bingley’s question surprised him. Darcy had expected him to ask about Mrs. Collins first.
“Everything happened so quickly. I confess, your visit completely slipped my mind. I neglected to tell Elizabeth; sheappears to be rather cross with me.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I am sorry.”
“We can depart if you like,” Bingley said. “We were only to stay for two weeks before continuing north.”
“I shall discuss it with my wife and see what she desires,” he replied. “I would not wish to upset your plans.”
Bingley cleared his throat. “Who died?” he asked.
Darcy frowned. “Mr. Bennet first, and then Mr. Collins,” he said finally. “You must be on your guard, Bingley, lest you fall under Mrs. Collins’s spell once more.”
“I still love her, Darcy,” Bingley admitted. “It pains me that she entertained my attention only for my fortune.” He looked away. “She carries his child.”
“Yes. The nature of the entail is uncertain until the babe is born. If she bears a son, then Longbourn’s future is secured.”And she will have no need of another husband.
Bingley sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. “It will be uncomfortable, no doubt. I left without telling her goodbye. Darcy, you may not approve, but I feel as if Fate has granted me another chance at happiness. I must know how she feels. I cannot let this opportunity pass without speaking candidly with her.”
“She is in mourning!”
“She will not always be,” he countered.
Darcy shook his head. “If she misrepresented her feelings then, she will surely do it now. There are still three months until the child comes. She may choose to secure you just in case it is a girl.”
Bingley regarded him steadily. “If,Darcy, being the operative word. Why do you stubbornly cling to your poor opinions? I have had many months to think about your arguments, Darcy. You claim you saw no real affection for me in Jane’s actions. What if I were to tell you the same about Mrs. Darcy? I saw noreal affection in her behavior towardyou.In fact, had I a guess, I would say she despised you. Up until you told me of your marriage, I believed you felt the same way about her.”
Darcy’s heart seized, and he thought again on Elizabeth’s words to her sister that morning.Did she love me?He did not know. She was warm and affectionate now, when she was not angry at him.Could she have married for mercenary means, just as her sister did?He shook himself.No, I will not believe it.
