“Yes, sir. He has known Mr. Goulding for many years. He will not act for him, as Mr. Goulding is not an ethical man, though my husband has assisted tenants in freeing themselves from his control.”
Mr. Bingley colored. “I begin to understand.”
Mr. Darcy turned to Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet, how do you come by such knowledge of Netherfield Park?”
She laughed softly. “Perhaps you are unfamiliar with how small towns operate, sir. Before a thing is done, it is known within ten miles.”
A smile touched his lips. “Of course. It is so everywhere; people love to talk.”
Mr. Bingley turned again to Mrs. Gardiner. “May we expect you at dinner tomorrow evening, ma’am?”
“Yes, sir. Elizabeth, her sister Jane, and I shall attend.”
Mrs. Gardiner then made her excuses. “Mr. Bingley, the day has slipped away from us, and we must return home.”
Mr. Bingley looked about and, seeing no carriage, spoke again. “May I convey you home in my carriage, ma’am? It stands close by.” He gestured toward a handsome equipage.
“Sir, our home lies quite out of your way. It is near Cheapside, and we shall do well enough with a hackney.”
“I will not hear of it. It is no inconvenience.”
He raised his arm, and the carriage drew nearer. Taking Mrs. Gardiner’s arm, he escorted her to it and handed her inside. Elizabeth followed, Edward’s hand clasped tightly in hers, and Lydia was handed up after her. Mr. Bingley entered, and Mr. Darcy took the seat opposite Elizabeth.
She pressed herself back as far as she could manage, mindful of his long legs. Mr. Bingley and Mrs. Gardiner conversed throughout the drive to Gracechurch Street, while Mr. Darcy sat in silence, his gaze fixed upon Elizabeth. She kept her own eyes upon Edward, who sat wedged between herself and Lydia.
When they were at last handed down, Elizabeth turned to take her leave. Mr. Bingley took her hand and bowed over it before reentering the carriage. Through the open door, she glimpsed Mr. Darcy watching her, though he offered no acknowledgment.
She felt certain that her aunt’s address had caused his evident disapproval. It mattered little. He had been civil, if silent, andshe knew better than to expect more from a man of his rank and position.
She turned to her aunt. “Mr. Bingley was very affable.”
“Yes, he was. His eyes were often upon you, my dear.”
Lydia giggled. “But Mr. Darcy’s were fixed upon Lizzy the entire time. I could not determine whether he approved of her or regarded her as an insect.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Never mind, Lydia. He is clearly very wealthy and moves in the highest circles, and it was likely an offense to him to travel into a part of town he has neither known nor visited in his life before today.” She turned to her aunt. “I believe Mr. Bingley is precisely the sort of gentleman who would make a fine husband for our dear Jane.”
Mrs. Gardiner raised a brow. “Mr. Bingley appears the sort of gentleman who would make a good husband for either of my beautiful nieces.”
Elizabeth conceded that Mr. Bingley was an amiable man, yet beyond his ginger hair and blue eyes, there was little that distinguished him from other gentlemen of her acquaintance. His friend, Mr. Darcy, however, occupied her mind’s eye with disconcerting persistence. If ever she were to imagine one of the Greek gods brought into mortal form, Mr. Darcy would be the figure she would summon.
Her heart quickened at the thought of him, and she sighed.
“Is all well, Elizabeth?”
“Yes, Aunt. Why do you ask?”
“I heard you sigh. Are you so troubled that Jane may not escape your mother’s designs?”
Elizabeth released a quiet breath and resolved to guard her feelings more carefully, for she had been discovered sighing over the nonpareil.
“No, Aunt. Jane will escape. She understands that if she does not, she will end her days bound to a monster.”
Chapter 7: Escape to London
Mrs. Gardiner glanced at the small watch suspended from the chatelaine at her waist. “Goodness me, look at the time. It is half past two. Your sister may already have arrived, and here we linger in the garden.”
The three women entered the house, and Mrs. Gardiner addressed her footman. “Has Samuel returned with my niece?”
