“We?” she repeated.
“Yes. Darcy is bringing Miss Darcy. You and Louisa will accompany me.”
Miss Bingley’s expression did not immediately change. “I was not aware that such a visit had been determined. Did you say Miss Darcy is to be introduced to the Bennets?”
“Yes, but that is none of our business. And your visit is due,” he replied, “it is very proper that it should be. The ladies have already called here. It is time you returned their civility.”
Caroline rose slowly. “You speak as though we were settled here for a permanence I do not recollect agreeing to.”
Bingley met her look. “If we mean to be part of this neighbourhood, we must act the part.”
There was something in his manner which made her attend more closely. “And if we do not mean it?” she asked.
“Then we should not have come at all,” he returned, with quiet firmness.
She was silent a moment.
“And is there any particular reason,” she said at last, “why this visit must be madetoday?”
Bingley hesitated only briefly. “There is.”
Caroline waited.
“I have been made aware,” he continued, “that a letter was written from this house to Miss Bennet during my absence.”
Miss Bingley’s colour altered slightly, though her composure held. “A letter, Charles?”
“Yes.” He spoke now without uncertainty. “You will accompany me… and you will set the matter right.”
Her eyes fixed on him. “I do not understand what you require of me.”
“I require very little,” he said. “Only that you do not leave her under an impression which is not true.”
“And if I believe itwastrue?” she returned, more sharply.
Bingley shook his head. “You had no right. I do not care what explanation you offer,” he said, more steadily than she had ever heard him speak on such a subject. “Only that it be one which does her no injustice.”
A brief silence followed.
“And if I decline?” she asked.
“You will not.”
There was no warmth in the words, but neither was there anger. Only decision.
Caroline looked at him, and for once found no easy answer. “Very well,” she said at last, with measured restraint. “If you insist upon this… visit, I shall not oppose you.”
Bingley inclined his head. “Thank you.” But the tone in which he spoke made it clear that gratitude had very little to do with it.
***
The Bennet family had not long been assembled when the carriage was heard.
Mrs. Bennet rose at once. “Good heavens! They are come already. Jane, my dear… Lizzy-where is Lizzy? Lydia, do not run so fast. You will overset something.”
But Lydia was already at the window.
“They are here! And there is another lady – oh! she must be Miss Darcy!”
