Elizabeth followed his gaze. “He appears very much so.” As did her sister. In the past, Jane had masked her true feelings behind a serene mask. Her marriage and elevation to mistress of the house had given her more confidence. Now, it was plain to any who looked that her sister admired and esteemed Mr. Bingley.
“He has often formed strong preferences,” Darcy said, “but this is of a different nature.”
Elizabeth smiled faintly. “You speak as one accustomed to observing him.”
“I have been required to exercise that observation for years.”
“And does he recover quickly when his preferences fail to endure?” She dearly hoped he was not a capricious sort of man. That did not bode well for Jane’s future happiness.
“Usually,” Darcy said. “He is sincere in each attachment, but not always constant.”
Elizabeth considered this. “This one seems less likely to fade.” It was more of a question than an observation. She dearly hoped Mr. Darcy would agree. Otherwise, she would have to warn Jane to guard her heart.
“It does.”
There was something in his tone that drew her attention again. “My sister deserves happiness,” she said.Not a man who is fickle.
“And has she found it?”
Elizabeth looked toward Jane. “I hope so.”
Darcy studied her. “You are not surprised.”
“She has had little in life that was wholly her own.” Jane had sacrificed more than most during her short two-and-twenty years.
“How did she come to marry as she did?”
Elizabeth drew a breath. “There was an accident. My father and I were returning from Town. The horses bolted. The carriage overturned.” She paused. “He shielded me.” Her hand moved to touch her eye before dropping to her lap.
Darcy did not move.
“He died,” she said. “As did the coachman and the footman. I was the only survivor.” The thought still made her chest ache with guilt and regret. Why had she been spared?
“I must admit, I heard something of an accident, but I was not aware of the particulars.”
“There was no reason you should be.”
She continued, her voice steady. “Mr. Collins and his son arrived soon after. The elder proposed that Jane marry his son so we might remain at Longbourn. She agreed. I was insensible at the time. When I woke, my father was gone and Jane was married.” Oh, how it had distressed her to think of her most angelic sister married to save the family.
“At first, I could not see at all,” she added. “Sight eventually returned in one eye. The headaches were severe then. They are less so now.”
“I am sorry.”
“It is past,” she said.And still, it feels as though it was yesterday.
Darcy’s gaze remained steady. “You speak as though such things are settled.”
“I do not know that anything of consequence is ever light,” Elizabeth said. “One learns how to bear it.” Though some days the weight of the burden might be oppressive.
Before he could respond, the door opened and Thomas rushed in.
“Mama!”
Jane rose at once, gathering him into her arms, her expression transformed with affection.
Darcy observed quietly. “It appears the child seems to have increased Bingley’s regard.”
Elizabeth followed his gaze and laughed softly. Even with her unclear vision, she could see the absolute smitten expression on their neighbor’s face. “You believe him capable of loving another man’s child?”
