Bingley grinned. “An excellent idea.”
Darcy smirked and shook his head at his friend. Bingley only grinned wider. No doubt he was hoping to spend time in Miss Bennet’s company. If Darcy could manage to have some conversation with Miss Elizabeth, as well as gauge her reaction to him, this visit might indeed prove to be an excellent idea.
Chapter 7
When they arrived at Longbourn, Mrs. Bennet welcomed them eagerly. Darcy introduced her and the youngest girls to his sister and her companion. Miss Elizabeth invited Georgiana to sit with her and Miss Mary on the couch while Darcy ended up seated far from her. Not once did Miss Elizabeth look in his direction as they all visited.
Ten minutes later, Mr. Bennet appeared. "Good afternoon! Forgive me for not being here to receive you."
Darcy and Bingley stood to greet him.
"A pleasure to see you, sir!" Bingley said.
"A pleasure, Mr. Bennet," Darcy said, then introduced Mrs. Annesley to the older gentleman.
When the tea tray was brought out, Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth helped their mother serve everyone. Miss Elizabeth brought Bingley tea while Miss Bennet brought Darcy his tea. This frustrated Darcy, because he was hoping to observe how Miss Elizabeth would react to his attempts to engage her. Itlooked as if he would not get the opportunity, since their visit would come to an end shortly.
Then Mrs. Bennet offered an unexpected boon. “Mr. Bingley, we would love for you and your guests to stay for dinner if you have no other engagements,” Mrs. Bennet said, smiling.
Darcy was grateful for her sudden invitation. Extending their visit at Longbourn certainly suited his purposes. He looked at Georgiana, who appeared happy at the prospect as well. Darcy turned to Bingley and nodded his agreement.
“Mrs. Bennet, we thank you for your kind invitation and are happy to accept,” Bingley said.
“Very good! Now, please excuse me while I go speak with Cook,” Mrs. Bennet said as she stood.
The gentlemen stood as well.
“Oh, Mr. Bingley, would you like to send a note to Netherfield informing them of your plans to dine here?”
“Yes, I would. Thank you.”
“Not at all,” she said. “Jane will show you to the escritoire in the back parlor.”
Miss Bennet blushed, but smiled pleasantly.
“We shall join you,” Miss Elizabeth said suddenly. “Mary and Miss Darcy have been planning to work on Mary’s new sheet music.”
“Oh yes, good thinking, Lizzy,” Miss Mary said. “Would you like to do that, Miss Darcy?”
“Yes, I would!” Georgiana replied with enthusiasm.
“Gentlemen, make yourselves at home. You may join me in my bookroom at your leisure. If the conversation turns to lace and ribbon, I suspect I shall see you sooner rather than later,” Mr. Bennet said with a smile full of humor. He then left the room.
Darcy looked at Miss Elizabeth. “I will join you if I may?”
She smiled politely. “Of course.”
When they reached the parlor, Miss Bennet led Bingley to the escritoire and supplied him with pen and paper. Through a doorway that led to an adjacent room, Darcy could see Miss Mary and Georgiana were already sitting at the pianoforte, discussing some sheet music. Miss Catherine and Miss Lydia entered the parlor and walked to a small table not far from the escritoire. The table was bright with light from a nearby window. They laid sketches, bonnets, and other supplies on the table, then sat down and began to arrange the items.
Darcy stood behind a couch that sat in the middle of the parlor, his hands behind his back. He glanced back again to the adjacent room at the sound of the pianoforte, then his gaze moved around the parlor once more until it landed on Miss Elizabeth—who was watching him. She was standing a few feet to his right and looking at him with one brow arched either in challenge or in question. He was not sure which.
“Is anything amiss, Mr. Darcy?” she asked.
In question then.Though her tone would suggest she does mean to challenge me by asking the question.
Darcy smiled and shook his head. “Not at all.”
She gave him a smile that did not seem to reach her eyes, then turned to Miss Bennet and Bingley.
