“I should have known you would be harping on that same issue. It is growing tiresome. I have already had more than an earful from Caroline and Louisa. You are becoming a bore, you know.”
“Because everyone is looking out for your interest.” If he could convince Bingley to leave without revealing what had happened, he would much prefer it. “What harm can it do to leave for London with me today? You can always come back if you feel strongly about it.”
“But why today, in heaven’s name? I have known you for years and I have never seen you give in to impulse. I am usually the one who does things in a ripping hurry. It is not like you to act on a whim.”
“I beg your pardon, but I am far from acting on a whim. I seem to recall having a similar conversation a few days ago.”
“Yes, but you didnotdepart then, which is yet another instance of your helter-skelter behavior. You usually stick to your decisions.”
“As you know very well, Bingley, circumstances intervened. The Miss Bennets were in a tenuous situation.”
Or so he had believed.
“Yes, I understand that, but then you stayed beyond that first day. Why did you do that?Youdo not care about the Bennets.”
Bingley mulled over this, then suddenly brightened and slapped Darcy on the back.
“Unless you do! Of course! You are aslyone, Darcy, but I have ferreted out your secret. You really care for Miss Elizabeth. Caroline has been teasing you about it for some time, and I knew you were attracted to her, but I did not think itthatserious. But what if it is?” He observed Darcy keenly. “Well, is it?”
Darcy frowned. Any confession of his interest in Elizabeth would be the kiss of death to his plans of departure. Bingley would hound him mercilessly, eager to exploit his weakness to keep him in Meryton.
It was time to strip Bingley of his illusions.
“If I did, I would not be fool enough to tell you, Bingley. Besides, that is not why I wanted to talk to you.”
“Aha! I knew something was up.” The delighted expression on Bingley’s face told Darcy he was still harping on the matter of Elizabeth Bennet.
“I have somethingunpleasantto discuss. I hope we will not be interrupted. I am sorry to say—”
There was a scratch at the door and Bingley responded without thinking. “Come in.”
“Mr. Bennet is here, sir,” intoned Mr. Stead.
“Mr. Bennet?” Bingley slid from the desk with an eager expression. “Bring him here immediately.”
Darcy groaned. “Ihadhoped we would not be interrupted.”
But Bingley had other concerns now.
“I hope he is not here to ask me about my intentions towards Miss Bennet."
Darcy stood up and walked to the window.
“More likely, he is here to issue an invitation, now that he is here.”
“I dearly hope so,” said Bingley, eagerly. “Although it could be something else. I hope Mrs. Bennet has not suffered a relapse.”
Darcy knew only too well how impossible that was. He kept silent. He would come to that matter soon enough.
The door opened and the footman announced Mr. Bennet.
“Mr. Bennet! How delightful to see you,” said Bingley, bowing and smiling effusively at the older gentleman.
“Thank you. I hope you are well, Mr. Bingley.”
“Perfectly well, sir. And you?”
“Very well indeed.”
