“Those infernal rumours,” Darcy told him. “They have come to such a point that I felt I could no longer ignore them. It was necessary to speak to Miss Elizabeth and to warn her.”
Bingley nodded. “Yes, of course you would not want such rumours to get about. How foolish society can be! Anyone can see you would not wish to marry Elizabeth Bennet.”
“What?” Darcy exclaimed before he could stop himself.
“Nor she, you,” Bingley went on with a chuckle. “Why, she must think you disapprove of her heartily, and she certainly overheard you saying she was not handsome enough to dance with.”
“I suppose you are right,” Darcy said, feeling a nauseous sinking in his stomach. How foolish he had been! While being disgusted with himself for the careless words that had started the rumours, he had entirely forgotten his earlier misstep. No wonder Elizabeth Bennet would think little of him, and believe that he thought little of her.
Though such a presumption had been wrong almost from the beginning, and could now hardly be farther from the truth. He must have been wilfully blind that evening at the Meryton assembly. Elizabeth was everything lovely, everything charming, and with such depth in those dark, sparkling eyes…
But he must not allow himself to be distracted. However witty, however intelligent and beautiful, Elizabeth was not asuitable choice as a bride. Her lack of a dowry might have been overlooked. Even the lack of good connections was not insurmountable, had all her family been as pleasant and genteel as the Gardiners. But at the thought of hosting Mrs Bennet at Pemberley, of introducing Lydia Bennet to Georgiana, Darcy turned away in deep distaste.
There was an end to it, then. Whatever his personal inclinations, Elizabeth was an unsuitable choice. He must remember that and set the record straight, for both their sakes.
“You spoke to Miss Elizabeth about the rumours, then?” Bingley asked.
Darcy nodded. “I did.”
Bingley offered him a rueful smile. “That cannot have been easy.”
“It was not,” Darcy agreed, remembering the conversation. “There was a considerable degree of misunderstanding, but it was sorted out in the end. I wish to put an end to the rumours without injury to any of our reputations. I therefore suggested that we arrange to meet in public, as though by accident. Thanks to the prior arrangement, we will therefore be prepared to encounter each other with perfect indifference, demonstrating that there is not so much as a hint of interest between us.”
“I shall help you if I can,” Bingley offered. “I should very much like to see Miss Bennet again, and where Jane Bennet goes, her sister may naturally follow. Perhaps that may create an opportunity to show your indifference.”
“Thank you, I shall be glad to accept your help,” Darcy told him.
“Excellent,” Bingley said. “I shall invite Miss Bingley on a walk, and if she accepts, I shall inform you of our plans.”
Darcy nodded his agreement, but before he could say more, their lunches were brought in by the servant. In the intervals of roast beef and claret, the plan was worked out and perfected, until nothing but the Bennet sisters’ agreement seemed lacking.
Chapter 6
The morning surprised Elizabeth with its brightness.
February days in London were rarely inclined toward light or warmth, and yet sunlight poured through the tall windows of the Gardiners’ drawing room as though spring had already secured a foothold. It softened the outlines of the furniture and warmed the polished floor, lending the room an air of promise that made Elizabeth smile even as she knew that spring remained a long way off.
She stood near the window, her gaze drifting absently over the street below, where carriages passed in quick succession and pedestrians moved with firm, decisive tread, though not so hurriedly as to omit stopping to hail their friends and neighbours. Jane sat at the small writing table nearby, folding a letter she had just finished with careful precision, while Mrs Gardiner arranged her gloves beside her bonnet, her movements composed and methodical. The scene possessed such tranquillity that it felt almost staged.
Elizabeth knew precisely why; their plans for the morning were not merely a walk, but a stratagem.
She had agreed to it readily enough at the time, convinced by the clarity of its logic. When Mr Darcy had proposed their carefully accidental appearances in public, she had accepted without hesitation. The plan was simple enough. They would appear together, as though by chance, and behave with perfect indifference. Having nothing on which to feed, society’s curiosity would surely exhaust itself.
All of Elizabeth’s reason approved of the plan, for it was sensible, restrained, and had every chance of success. Then, too, it would give Jane a freedom she had been denied too often.
Standing there now, she was less certain that reason alone would suffice. But Elizabeth must prepare herself, ready or no, for the moment was even then almost at hand. Mr Bingley was already slightly late — not yet to the point of true rudeness, but notably in contrast with every previous engagement he had attended. Eager as he had seemed to see Jane, his tardiness surely would not stretch out much longer.
Jane rose and joined her at the window. “Are you nervous?” Jane asked gently.
With a slight effort, Elizabeth laughed. “Surely I should be asking you that. Or perhaps rather, if you are excited to have an appointment to go walking with Mr Bingley.”
“Iamexcited and nervous both,” Jane told her. “I had not dared to hope he could be so much interested as he seemed to be when he called on us. And now, to go out walking in Hyde Park, where we will be so closely observed…am I wrong, Lizzy, to think it a very promising sign of his intentions?”
“No, indeed,” Elizabeth reassured her. “Everything in his manner made me think him already half in love with you.”
Jane smiled. “Even if I would not go so far, I cannot help but be made happy by such kind attentions from Mr Bingley. But this meeting is not so simple for you as it is for me, Lizzy. You will have to meet Mr Darcy and be careful to act indifferent.”
“I will not have to act indifferent,” Elizabeth protested. “I will merely show everyone my indifference. It is not at all the same thing.”
