Darcy was getting punch for Jane when he received a note from a servant, read it, and frowned.
“Trouble, Brother?”
He looked around, and Jane said, “Peace, Fitzwilliam. I ensured there are no listening busybodies nearby.”
Darcy smiled, but it lacked his usual zest.
“Funny you should ask. This may or may not be trouble; it is entirely up to you.”
“Oh, dear!”
Darcy drew a deep breath and waved the note. “Bingley is ensconced in a private dining room and begs for five minutes of your time. He specifically asked if you might join him and bring both me and your father.”
Jane frowned. “Why you?”
“To protect your reputation. You cannot have aparticulardiscussion with me in the room.”
“What should I do?”
“You are askingme?” he squeaked.
Jane laughed, though humourlessly. “As angry as I was with you, we must admit that, in the end, you were right. I probably owe you. I will take my chances with your advice.”
Darcy thought a few minutes, not enjoying the exercise in the least. “Put him out of his misery. I hope to keep his friendship, but that will not happen if you are at odds.”
“Why is that?”
“Be sensible. If I have to choose between a Bennet and a Bingley, the former will win every time.”
“You are a besotted fool!” she replied gaily.
“Stating the obvious. What do we do?”
“Let us get it over with.”
“Very well, I see Mr Bennet there with Sir William. I will take him into the room. You can join us in a minute.”
“All right.”
Jane entered the room five minutes later. The tableau she had feared met her eyes, but in the end, it was not nearly as intimidating as it might have been. Mr Bingley looked like he had some hope left, and it was time to, as Fitzwilliam said, ‘put him out of his misery.’
“Miss Bennet, thank you for agreeing to see me.”
Jane curtseyed. “Mr Bingley.”
Bingley seemed to gather his courage, and finally said, “I owe you a most profound apology. The way I treated you last autumn was infamous. I have come to regret it deeply, and I have come to offer my apologies, and ask if any reparations are in order.”
“I happily accept your apology. Rancour hurts the person holding it more than the target. I have let all that go, and I am the better for it.”
“I thank you, Miss Bennet.”
Jane regarded him, wondering what she had seen in the man in the first place. For certain, she had been more desperate at that time, and more pressured by her mother, but she had truly thought herself in love. He no longer seemed such a spineless worm, as harbouring that image in her mind cost her more than it was worth; but he was also not someone she could esteem. In truth, she saw only a boy who might one day be a man… but not today.
Bingley continued, “Miss Bennet—”
Jane detected a glimmer of hope in his eyes, since the forgiving part had gone so well, and decided to quash it.
“A moment, Mr Bingley. I am not finished.”
