“More or less. Miss Bennet established clear limits, so you were never alone.”
“How could I have done such a thing? There must have been so much gossip.”
“There was some gossip at first, but it eventually died down.”
Bingley groaned. “I intended to apologize to her last night after dinner, but she did not come to the Great Hall. Caroline thinks it is because Miss Bennet is feeling too awkward because of me. I am at my wit’s end trying to decide what I should do about it. I do not know how to approach her or how I should behave. I am profoundly embarrassed every time I imagine the situation. If I encountered her by accident, I do not believe I could look in her direction, let alone speak to her.” Bingley rumpled his hair vigorously. “I could not even meet her eye. I am so mortified.”
“I know it is difficult, but you must be civil, Bingley, and you must talk to her. You cannot avoid her. That is a poor return for everything she put up with, and it may create even more gossip if people think you are snubbing her.”
Bingley looked stunned.
“Snubbing her? That is the last thing I wish to do. You are right, you know. I ought to think of Miss Bennet, not myself. I have been trying to spare myself from humiliation, but I cannot do so at Miss Bennet’s expense.”
“Perhaps you can start by offering her an apology.”
The glum expression disappeared and was replaced by a wide smile.
“I do believe you have hit on the right answer, Darcy. I will do exactly that. I will apologize to her this very instant.”
“Bingley, stop and think for a moment. You cannot just bound up to Miss Bennet without an introduction. You will have to wait for an appropriate moment.”
Darcy shook his head and smiled as Bingley looked crestfallen.
“You have always been impatient, Bingley. I am so glad to see you are back to your old self. I will introduce you to Miss Bennet formally tonight at dinner time, so you may rest easy.”
“Excellent. Then I will come and find you before dinner.”
***
MR. DARCY INTRODUCEDMr. Bingley to Jane at dinner, and it was the most excruciating few minutes she had ever faced. She did not have the slightest idea how to behave around Mr. Bingley. She had previously decided it would be best to treat him as if they were complete strangers when she came across him. It was not far from the truth. The Mr. Bingley she had known since she arrived at Netherfield was a very different person from the gentleman who was introduced to her by Mr. Darcy. She was taken aback when she looked into his eyes and saw the intelligence and emotion in them. It flustered her. She did not know him, yet she did, and she found it difficult to keep her composure.
Fortunately, the two gentlemen did not linger. After a few awkward enquiries about Mr. Bingley’s health, Mr. Darcy moved elsewhere to eat with his friend. Jane was thankful Mr. Darcy did not decide to sit with her.
She decided the easiest solution was to avoid Mr. Bingley at all costs. When the afflicted Mr. Bingley had sat next to her at dinner, she could have done nothing to prevent it. They had been forced into an intimacy that Jane would never have accepted under normal circumstances, but she knew of coursethatMr. Bingley was not himself, and she would not have driven him away under any circumstances.
She had never discussed it with anyone, but his innocent pursuit of her had caused her considerable embarrassment. It had drawn far more attention to her than she would have liked at a time when she was already in a tenuous situation, having stumbled upon Netherfield by accident. The Council members were furious. The Healers who might have paved the way for her to be accepted turned her away. She had never been sent to the Maidens’ Hall because, she suspected, she was tainted by Mr. Bingley’s constant presence.
So when Mr. Bingley waylaid her two days later after a training session with the Healers, and requested permission to speak to her in Elizabeth’s presence, she refused.
“We cannot have anything to say to each other, sir. We are strangers. We have only just been introduced.”
“Nevertheless, I would like to speak to you. Mrs. Darcy’s presence will ensure there is no impropriety. Or better still, I can have my sister Caroline attend as well. Please say yes, Miss Bennet.”
Under the circumstances, she could not exactly refuse.
“Very well, Mr. Bingley.”
“I have already set a time with your sister for this afternoon, if that is agreeable to you. I will send word once I have confirmed that my sister can join us as well.”
He bowed and took his leave.
A moment later, she wished she could call him back and tell him she had changed her mind, that she did not want Miss Bingley to be present. Miss Bingley had apologized, but Jane still felt awkward in the elegant young lady’s presence. As she considered the matter further, she decided it would certainly be more proper to have Miss Bingley join them, especially considering that Jane and Elizabeth had frequently been alone with Mr. Bingley. She had to be very careful now that he was back to normal.
She was still hoping that they would invite her to join the Academy. They could not keep her here forever with nothing to do. Sooner or later, they would have to test her.
She received word later in the day that Miss Bingley could meet them at three o’clock in the Great Hall. It was the most public place possible, though there would be few people around.
“I will Ward you, Jane,” said Elizabeth, “so you can speak to Mr. Bingley without anyone eavesdropping, but in full view. It is a good solution.”
