“I am not unsympathetic, Miss Bingley, but I cannot change the rules of society. If Bingley has the chance to find someone who will enrich his life, then I wish him well.”
***
DARCY WENT AFTER BINGLEYas quickly as he could, considering he had to wait for his horse to be saddled. Such was Bingley’s haste in riding to Longbourn, Darcy had a hard time catching up with him. By the time he did, they were almost there.
“If you have come to talk me out of it, Darcy, you may as well save your breath. Caroline has already made my head hurt with her long list of reasons I cannot marry Miss Bennet. But those reasons mean nothing to me. I love her, Darcy, and that is all that matters. You cannot stop me.”
“I have not come to stop you, Bingley. I have come to give my support.”
Bingley reined in and stared at him in astonishment.
“Good heavens, Darcy. I never thought I would hear you say such a thing. I almost broke my neck trying to get away from you.”
“I am not your keeper, you know,” said Darcy. “Tell me, if I had forbidden you from doing it, would that have prevented you?”
Bingley grinned. “Honestly? No. I would have stood my ground. But I would far rather have your blessing.”
“I do not think you need it, but for what it is worth, you have it.”
Bingley looked delighted and gave him a vigorous slap on the back, almost knocking Darcy sideways.
“I always knew you were a good friend.”
Darcy really hoped hewasbeing a good friend by encouraging Bingley to marry into the Bennet family. It would certainly not improve his social status. It was up to Miss Bingley now to elevate their family position.
“Since you are absolutely determined to ruin yourself, I have little choice in the matter,” said Darcy ruefully. “Have you given a thought to what you are planning to say? Perhaps I can help you rehearse your speech.”
“Rehearse my speech?” said Bingley, looking appalled. “Surely not! I cannot ask Jane – Miss Bennet – to marry me by rote! I will simply go on my knee, declare my love, and humbly beg her to marry me.”
Darcy could not imagine that he would ever be able to propose to any young lady without preparing a speech.
***
BINGLEY’S FATE WASsealed within less than half an hour. A quick visit to Mr. Bennet in the library brought Bingley out beaming. He and Jane Bennet then went out to the garden, leaving everyone waiting with bated breath.
Meanwhile, Darcy was left feeling like a spare thumb. No one paid him much attention, and his polite attempts to converse with Elizabeth were met with quick replies that made it clear she had not reconsidered her opinion of him.
He fought against dejection, but it was for the best. There would be no way of repairing the damage now. Perhaps he should go to London on horseback. It would be a long, cold ride, but he would survive it.
He was standing near one of the corner windows. It gave him a view over the garden just as Bingley and Miss Bennet emerged from behind a wall.
He saw Miss Bennet lifting her face to Bingley’s in a kind of wonder, her expression that of a woman transfixed by a powerful emotion. The serene prettiness was gone, replaced by a feeling so profound he felt something shift inside him. He could not see Bingley’s face, but there was reverence in every inch of his friend’s body. They were murmuring to each other. Bingley bent towards Miss Bennet, and for a moment Darcy was convinced he would kiss her, but she shook her head, and with a gentle smile, stepped back out of his reach. There was no mistaking the love that shone in her eyes, even at this distance.
He had been wrong all along. There was no plot here, no nefarious plan to entrap Bingley. There was no longer any question in his mind that Miss Bennet was as much in love with Darcy’s friend as Bingley was in love with her.
Darcy withdrew as quietly as he could, ashamed of witnessing such an intimate moment, shaken to the core.
In that moment he knew he would give away all his fortune to see love like that shining in Elizabeth’s eyes.
***
NEWS OF THE ENGAGEMENTwas received as loudly and jubilantly as Darcy would have anticipated. Everyone expressed their delight in the prospect. Mrs. Bennet talked to Mr. Bingley of nothing else but the engagement and the wedding. Miss Bennet glowed, and Bingley beamed, and everyone made merry.
As darkness fell, it was to be expected that the gentlemen would be invited to dine with them.
“You must stay for dinner, Mr. Bingley. Now that you are part of the family, we need not stand on any ceremony.”
Mrs. Bennet darted a look in his direction. It was not difficult to read. This was to be a celebration of sorts, and he was not invited. He could stay, of course. They would not turn him away if he decided to join them. He looked towards Elizabeth, trying to determine whether he would be welcome. One glance from her, he thought. That was all he needed. A glance, or a sign, and he would stay.
