Bingley stared at her in astonishment. “That is far too generous.”
“Not at all. It is merely equitable. Your hospitality last night spared us a great deal of distress.”
Bingley looked toward Darcy. “You do not seem nearly so surprised.”
Darcy inclined his head slightly. “I have suspected it for some time.”
Bingley blinked. “Why would you suspect such a thing?”
Darcy gave a small shrug. “It was many little observations. The stud farm lies on Netherfield land. The staff occasionally defer to you. Mr. Wilmot serves as steward for both estates.”
Elizabeth smiled faintly. “You are very observant.”
Darcy met her gaze. “I gather it is not widely known.”
Elizabeth sighed softly. “It was not. Though I imagine it will be all over Meryton within a day or two.”
Darcy spoke more gently. “Why was it important to keep it secret?”
Elizabeth glanced briefly at Jane. “Jane knows all of this, but I must ask you not to relate it to anyone.”
Both men nodded.
She turned back to Darcy. “As you suspected, I have been managing Longbourn for my father for many years. My mother feared that if it became widely known, it might make her daughters less desirable matches.”
Darcy gave a short laugh. “Any man so weak-minded would not deserve any of you.”
Elizabeth smiled slightly. “In any case, I discovered that I am rather good at managing the estate and our other interests. That success allowed us to purchase Netherfield.”
Darcy looked at her. “You have accomplished a great deal, Miss Elizabeth.”
Bingley suddenly began to laugh. The others looked at him in surprise.
“Caroline,” he said between chuckles, “will be quite astonished indeed.”
***
Miss Bingley looked up the moment they returned to the drawing room.
“Well, Charles,” she said with polite curiosity, “I hope Miss Elizabeth has not discovered some new inconvenience in the house.”
“On the contrary,” Bingley replied cheerfully, “Miss Elizabeth has just relieved me of one.”
Miss Bingley frowned slightly, clearly uncertain of his meaning.
Elizabeth turned toward Darcy. “If you are still willing, I thought we might ride to Longbourn this morning. I would like to see the damage for myself.”
Darcy rose immediately. “Of course. I should be glad to accompany you.”
Bingley looked between them. “You are going today?”
Elizabeth nodded. “The sooner I see the situation, the sooner we may determine what must be done.”
Darcy inclined his head slightly. “Prudence suggests the same.”
Miss Bingley’s brows rose. “You intend to inspect the damage yourself, Miss Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth met her gaze calmly. “Yes.”
