When the matter was finally settled, Fletcher stepped back with professional composure. “It will serve very well, sir.”
Darcy gave a short nod.
Fletcher permitted himself the smallest, most private smile when his master turned away. In his experience, gentlemen rarely examined their appearance with such seriousness unless a lady was somewhere in the day’s arrangements.
Darcy entered the breakfast room somewhat earlier than the rest of the household.
Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst arrived shortly afterwards.
Caroline greeted him with a mixture of civility and lingering resentment, which she had not yet entirely abandoned since their conversation of the previous day.
“Can we not persuade you to alter your mind, Mr. Darcy?”
Louisa added, “If you joined us, we might still prevail upon him. He listens to you.”
“You can make your point to him when he returns.” When no answer came, Caroline huffed. “Do you not care what becomes of Charles? He is in great danger of making the biggest mistake of his life. We have to do something.” Caroline exclaimed.
“Or it may prove the making of him.” He shrugged.
“Oh, this is too much.”
Mrs. Hurst looked at him almost pleadingly. “But her family and… she has no proper dowry. She is connected to trade.”
“She is a gentleman’s daughter. Money or not, she is above him. Marriage into the gentry would do nothing to injure his consequence. It may improve it.” Darcy replied.
Mr. Hurst joined them.
“Hurst, do you agree with your wife?”
“What is discussed?”
“Miss Bennet’s suitability if Bingley pursues her.”
“He has been doing the very thing, has he not? She is a quiet and graceful lady. Bingley thinks she is an angel. I would welcome her into the family.”
“Mr. Hurst!” Both sisters protested.
Darcy nodded. “Well, I am off to Longbourn.”
“Pardon?” Caroline let her utensils go. “What business do you have there?”
Darcy drank his coffee calmly. “Must I need a business to visit our neighbours?”
“Unless you are in search of a lady’s pretty eyes…”
“Hmm. Mr. Bingley’s sent a message. He is detained until Wednesday,” he said. “He asks that I deliver a message to Miss Bennet.”
Caroline’s hand stopped for the briefest instant.
Darcy continued without noticing it. “He regrets that circumstances detain him in London longer than he expected.”
“We could still go after him then. We could close the house.” Caroline said, but without much hope.
“Bingley does not wish to leave. It would be imprudent in any case.”
Caroline, on the other hand, was no longer listening. She felt a sudden and most unwelcome recollection stir in her mind.
The letter.She had written to Miss Bennet the previous day. That could be uncomfortable. For a moment, she considered speaking. Yet any attempt to intervene now would appear far too obvious.
