Bingley looked away. “They have threatened to cut ties with me.”
“That will not endure,” Darcy said calmly. “It is not in their interest.”
He rose and came to stand before Bingley. “Charles,” he said more seriously, “this is not a trifling matter. You have gone too far to retreat without consequence. If you are not ready to commit, you ought not to remain in the neighbourhood.”
“What? No, no.” Bingley protested.
Darcy held Bingley’s gaze. “Then you must act as a man of honour.”
There was a pause.
“At present, there is but one course open to you.”
Bingley exhaled. “Very well. I understand you. I will speak to Mr. Bennet.”
Darcy studied him a moment longer. “Do you truly wish it, Charles?”
“Yes,” he said more firmly. “I know my own heart. It is only… difficult when they are continually advising against it.”
“I understand. But you are master of your own conduct.”
Darcy returned to his chair. “I am glad you accept your duty. Otherwise, I would have had to cut ties withyou.”
“Pardon?”
“You heard me. If I have to choose, I will choose my wife’s family. That is only proper.”
“Well, there will be no occasion for that. Once this rain stops, I will speak to her father.”
Darcy nodded.
“One more thing,” he added. “Do not be in such haste as to secure everything at once. You may first request permission to court her.”
Bingley frowned slightly. “Why so cautious?”
Darcy allowed himself the faintest hint of amusement. “BecauseIintend to marry first.”
Bingley laughed. “Is that so?”
“Do not challenge me, Charles. I am perfectly serious.”
“You have formed your plans already. She has not yet accepted you.”
Darcy sighed. “Yes, that is true. But I am engaged in the attempt.”
***
By Wednesday morning, the rain had at last withdrawn, though the ground still bore every trace of it.
The sky, for the first time in days, admitted a pale and cautious light; and with it came a change not only in the weather, but in the spirits of the household.
Elizabeth stood before her wardrobe.
She had opened it some minutes before and, having selected nothing, had proceeded to examine each gown with a degree of attention wholly disproportionate to the occasion – or so she would have insisted, had anyone accused her of it.
Jane, who had entered unnoticed, watched her for a moment before speaking. “My dear Lizzy, I had not supposed the weather had so altered your taste.”
Elizabeth turned. “My taste?”
