“Well, that just means more dance partners to go around for the rest of us!” Lydia said merrily.
“Are Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy handsome?” Kitty asked.
“Yes, they are both very handsome,” Mary replied with a smile.
Kitty and Lydia squealed in delight.
“Lizzy, did you purchase the ribbon and lace?” Mama asked.
“She did, Mama," Kitty said. "They are both very pretty!”
"Very good! Girls, you must all look your best!"
“I believe our outing today was indeed good for your sister, Darcy. She seemed to enjoy the company of the Bennet ladies and Miss Lucas,” Bingley said.
“Yes, she did. She is looking forward to spending time with them again,” Darcy replied.
Bingley grinned. “I am as well, especially with Miss Jane Bennet! She is beautiful! I enjoyed speaking with her today.”
“I am sure you did, but be careful, Bingley. In a small village such as this, merely the presence of a single man can put the mamas and young ladies into a frenzy. If you show any young lady more attention than the rest, get ready for your head to spin at how quickly expectations will be raised.”
“Surely it cannot be as bad as all that!” Bingley said with an incredulous chuckle.
Darcy looked at Bingley with a fixed, unblinking gaze. “Mark my words.”
“Very well, I shall exercise caution,” Bingley conceded. “I suppose the Bennet sisters we met today are the ones the steward mentioned who help look after Netherfield’s tenants.”
“I believe you are right. It appears they are lovely as well as generous.”
“Oh, ho! Lovely, eh?”
“I am not blind, Bingley,” Darcy said drily.
Bingley laughed and got up to pour them both another brandy.
“Loveliness, generosity—and it is easy to see they are intelligent as well—all desirable qualities in a woman.” Bingley looked out the window for a moment, then said, “I cannot say I have often encountered such young ladies in town, have you?”
Darcy looked down into the amber liquid for a moment before he replied, “No, not often.”
“Of course, my sisters would not care a jot if I married an intelligent, generous woman. As long as she brought connections and a fortune, they would be satisfied. However, I need more than that.”
Darcy nodded in understanding.
“On another note, Darcy," Bingley began evasively, "I think . . . I may have . . . accidentally . . . forgotten to tell you about the assembly this Saturday."
Darcy looked at Bingley. “What?”
“There is an assembly. Dancing, mingling with the—”
“I know what happens at a public assembly, Bingley,” Darcy interrupted.
Bingley cleared his throat. “Yes, of course.” He looked at Darcy and sighed. “I must attend, Darcy, and I would really appreciate your presence there.”
Darcy sighed as well. “Of course I will support you, Bingley,”
“Perhaps you might even enjoy yourself.”
Not likely. Darcy stood and tossed back the rest of the brandy.
