“Indeed. I am very sorry for you, Darcy. It is a ghastly thing to have happened. We were all frightfully worried about you when we heard. Caroline has been beside herself.”
Darcy dipped his head to conceal a smile at the recollection of his many conversations with Elizabeth about that lady. His injury prevented him from dipping very far, however, and he was caught out.
“Now look here,” Bingley said, laughing, “my sister might be overly effusive in her praise, but she has a very genuine affection for you. And your house.”
His muttered addendum made Darcy laugh outright—which came out as more of a crackling wheeze that startled Bingley out of all humour.
“Good God, what is the matter? Shall I fetch somebody?”
Darcy held up a hand to allay his friend’s fears and could not help but think that if this slight rasp was cause for such alarm, it was an exceedingly good job he had not been in Bingley’s care earlier in the week, when he had sounded as though he was leaking air from every inch of his windpipe. He pointed with the pen at the paper. “Shall we begin?”
Bingley nodded, and so he began.
I have two things to tell you, and a favour to ask of you. I will keep this very simple. The first is that I am in love with Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
Reading this once apparently did not suffice, and after his first perusal, Bingley swooped down until his nose almost touched the page to read it a second time. Then he reared upagain and turned to stare at Darcy incredulously. “Inlove?With MissElizabeth?”
Darcy indicated the page with a glance.
“Oh yes,” Bingley said, leaning back out of the way of the paper and ink, though not without continuing to send astonished glances in Darcy’s direction.
I formed an attachment at Netherfield but was fool enough to think I should—and could—overcome it. My affections have grown beyond all wish to repress them during our time together this week.
“I see,” Bingley said stiffly.
Her feelings for me are far less certain, however.
“Are they, indeed? What a coincidence.”
Darcy could easily discern his friend was not happy, and rightly so, but he could only explain one thing at a time. He would get to the part Bingley would like better after this.
I have not behaved as well as I ought to have over the course of our acquaintance. More to the point, since returning to London, my family have treated her infamously. My wishes aside, I would at least have her know that I am sorry.
“Very noble, I am sure.”
The favour I would ask of you is this: will you call on her, today if possible, and deliver that apology for me? I cannot countenance a delay of another four-and-twenty hours or more.
Bingley pursed his lips and frowned at the question on the page. “You wish me to call on the Bennets’ relations?”
I should be very grateful for it, yes.
“Darcy, we have been friends for a long time, and I hope you know there is little I would not do for you. But you must know this is an unreasonable request. After you encouraged me toforsakeMiss Bennet, I—” He stopped, because Darcy had held up the pen to gain his attention. When Bingley met his eye, Darcy gave him a rueful grin, and when he lowered the pen back to the page, Bingley’s eyes followed it thither.
The second thing I wish to tell you—which I probably ought to have told you first—is this: Miss Elizabeth informs me that my assessment of her sister's feelings was incorrect. She assures me that Miss Jane Bennet was, and still is, very much in love with you.
Bingley shoved his chair backwards and sprang to his feet, startling Darcy to such an extent that he jarred his wound painfully.
“Are you certain? Did she—Gads, are you quite well?”
Darcy pried his eyes open and, after a few deep, steadying breaths, unwrapped his fingers from about his throbbing neck. “I have survived worse.”
Bingley sat back down, his face screwed up with incomprehension. “What was that?”
Darcy sighed resignedly and retrieved the pen.
I am well enough. And I am heartily sorry for having misadvised you. It was very wrong of me to presume toknow Miss Bennet's heart better than you. Since there is good reason to believe that she would be receptive to your renewed attentions, however, I am hopeful that whilst officious, my interference may prove not to be ruinous.
Bingley read the note, leant back in his chair with his hands in his pockets, and puffed out his cheeks. “I accept your apology. Other than your partiality for Miss Elizabeth, I comprehended all your other reasoning at the time, which makes me appreciate this present disclosure all the more, for you have evidently rethought more than one part of it.”
