With every word, he was more incredulous and more delighted. He did not doubt her honesty and was astonished to receive more than he had expected.
“I am glad to be here, regardless of the circumstances. I trust those rumours will fade forever and will be forgotten soon.”
“Do you expect Mr Wickham to confront you? Could you be in danger from him?” she asked, with genuine concern.
“He is not a man to face a problem. As for me being in danger, it is not unlikely that he would use some devious ways of seeking revenge. But I expect him to leave Hertfordshire very soon now he has been exposed. Even his best friends will question his claim, in the face of my offer to reveal proof.”
“Unless his best friends are as foolish as I have been.”
“I believe you have blamed yourself enough, Miss Bennet. Wickham has deceived the best of men, my father included. One with a kind and honest heart could never guess his ill-nature.”
“You are more generous with my faults than I am, Mr Darcy.”
“That might be because I hope for your forgiveness for my past rudeness at the assembly,” he replied.
Her eyes laughed at him again.
“That is long forgotten, Mr Darcy. As my mother said, after your timely intervention, you may call any of us anything you want,” she teased him.
“Thank you, Miss Bennet. And Mrs Bennet, of course,” he said with mock seriousness.
There was a moment of silence, then he addressed her in a grave tone.
“Miss Bennet, I will return to London in a few days, as I wish to be with my sister. There is a favour I would like to ask of you.”
“Of course,” she answered, surprised and saddened by the news.
“Until this entire situation is settled…would you promise me you will abandon your habit of walking alone far from home? It would be better to always have company when you are out of sight of Longbourn.”
Her surprise grew and his worry warmed her inside.
“I did not think of that before… but indeed, lonely walks in the winter might be dangerous. A stroll in the garden will suffice until spring.”
“My point exactly,” he concluded, pleased with her easy acceptance.
“I hope Miss Darcy’s health is not grave?”
“We are not certain. She has not been herself lately and I fear I have not been attentive enough to her. That is why I wish to stay with her for a while.”
“I am sure your presence will be beneficial to her.”
“I only hope Bingley will not feel too lonely here. His sisters do not seem inclined to join him.”
“Mr Bingley has many friends in the neighbourhood,” Elizabeth smiled. “If he decides to remain longer, he will certainly find a way to entertain himself.”
Both glanced toward the couch where Bingley was speaking animatedly with Jane and Mrs Bennet. His delighted expression revealed that he was far from feeling bored or lonely.
“Yes, I am sure he will,” Darcy said.
Observing their looks, Bingley waved to them.
“Darcy, I was telling Mrs Bennet that I would like to host a dinner at Netherfield in two days' time.”
Darcy and Elizabeth approached the group, joining the conversation.
“Mrs Bennet said their relatives from London will arrive tomorrow and stay for Christmas. Even better—the more, the merrier,” Bingley added. “I hope you will stay two more days too?”
All eyes turned towards him and he felt Elizabeth’s stare.
