Darcy was silent for a moment.
The request was a simple one, yet it carried an implication he could not entirely overlook. Longbourn… Longbourn contained Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
He folded Georgiana’s letter once more and set it aside.
“If an opportunity presents itself,” he said at last, “I shall certainly pay my respects.”
Whether he ought to be so very ready to do so was, perhaps, another question entirely.
Bingley’s face brightened at once. “Capital! I knew I might depend upon you.”
Darcy allowed himself the faintest of smiles.
***
The morning at Longbourn advanced so leisurely that breakfast was entirely abandoned in favour of an early luncheon.
Mrs. Bennet, having at last descended from her chamber somewhat refreshed by sleep, soon began to enquire after the rest of the household. Lydia and Kitty were still upstairs, Mary had not been seen since early morning, and Elizabeth and Jane were walking in the garden.
Mary, in fact, had established herself in the small parlour with her embroidery frame placed beside the window, where the light fell most advantageously upon her work. Before her lay a neatly folded piece of muslin which she embroidered with careful attention.
Opposite her sat Mr. Collins.
He held open a volume of sermons and read aloud in a tone of grave satisfaction, pausing occasionally to remark upon the excellence of a particular passage. Mary listened with the attentive seriousness which she believed such material deserved, and from time to time offered a modest observation of her own, usually drawn from some religious or moral work with which she had lately been occupied.
Mr. Collins found her remarks exceedingly encouraging. He even took occasion to note down one or two reflections suggested by her remarks.
The conversation possessed a tone of improvement that he considered highly suitable to a well-regulated morning, and he was more than once struck by the thought that Miss MaryBennet’s disposition was admirably formed for the quiet duties of a parsonage.
Their discussion was interrupted only when Mrs. Hill announced that luncheon was ready.
By that time, the whole family had assembled in the dining room.
Lydia and Kitty arrived last, animated by recollections of the ball and eager to repeat every small detail of the evening’s triumphs. Jane listened with gentle patience, Elizabeth with amused tolerance, while Mary resumed her seat with the air of onewho had spent the morning far more profitably than the rest.
Mr. Bennet entered last and took his place with visible composure.
Mrs. Bennet, whose spirits had returned in full force, could not allow the conversation to proceed long without directing it toward the subject that occupied her thoughts most entirely.
“I declare,” she said, arranging her napkin with great satisfaction, “that it was a most extraordinary evening in several respects. Mr. Bingley and his household have done an honour to the neighbourhood, even if they had guests from town. Several of our acquaintances mentioned how Jane was the subject of Mr. Bingley’s almost undivided attentions. Mark my word, that man is besotted with our dear Jane.”
Jane reddened as could be expected.
Elizabeth went to her rescue, voicing what her sister could and would not. “Oh, Mama, I wish you did not speak of such things. It is bad luck to speak of things before they occur. He has yet to call on her, despite his attentiveness. And he did pay attention to others too, I saw him dance with not one of his London guests.”
“Oh, hodge podge! Everyone could see how he was with Jane. He even filled her plate for her at supper. Did you see that, Mr. Bennet? And the dinner on Saturday? He was everything attentive. He clapped the longest when Jane sang.” Mrs. Bennet paused only long enough to refresh herself before continuing with renewed animation. “And that was not all. Mr. Darcy behaved quite differently from what anyone might have expected after the Meryton assembly.”
Elizabeth glanced up.
“Did he indeed, Mama?” Kitty asked.
“Certainly he did. Why, he danced with Lizzy first of all! And afterwards with Miss Lucas, and even with Jane. I observed it very particularly.” Mrs. Bennet continued with wonder in her voice.
“And what is more, he did not dance with his hostess at all. I overheard Miss Bingley quite put out because of it. Nor with those fine ladies from London who were so much admired. I noticed it immediately. Such a thing cannot happen by accident.”
Kitty leaned forward. “Perhaps he did not admire them.”
“My dear Kitty, that is exactly what I mean!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed triumphantly. “His opinion has changed entirely. I have long suspected as much.”
