“Not entirely reasonable, Bingley. You will certainly surprise Miss Bennet with your sudden appearance. You may do so only if you are certain of her reception.”
Bingley’s countenance changed from agitation to worry.
“You believe she might not be pleased to see me? You are right, of course. What a fool I am! She might not wish to see me either today or tomorrow. She will surely be embarrassed if I disturb her visit to Lady Matlock. And her ladyship would never forgive me for making a scene in front of her house!”
“Bingley, you are very troubled, and you need to calm down before deciding how to proceed. You do not know whether Miss Bennet will be pleased or embarrassed to see you. I doubt she would make a scene, regardless, and my aunt would probably be more amused than upset to see you waiting in the street.”
“Then I shall go! I can claim I was there by accident. A mere coincidence, just as happened with Lady Matlock. Yes, that should work! I shall wait a little distance away, and when I see someone leave the house, I shall step closer!”
Bingley was already grabbing his coat and hat and was ready to go. Darcy found no arguments to calm him.
“I shall come with you, Bingley. Lady Matlock invited me to join them before you arrived, but I declined.”
“You declined? Why? So you could see me? I am truly grateful to you, Darcy. I know you never approved of Miss Bennet and her family, but I appreciate that you are supporting me.”
“You are too generous with your praise, Bingley. I should have supported you more and expressed my disapproval less. Come, let us go. I feel I owe it to you to make a fool of myself along with you.”
As they walked the short distance, Bingley chatted, but Darcy heard nothing.
His heart was racing at the thought that he would see Elizabeth too. He had suspected that she was aware of his admiration and welcomed it. Furthermore, he had reasons to believe that her feelings for him were not indifferent. The way she used to smile at him, to tease him, to argue with him — it was quite revealing. How would she respond to seeing him?
He had to act with the utmost precaution in order not to arouse hopes that would never be fulfilled. As much as he denied that pleasure to himself, he felt happy to be able to see her again.
Bingley stopped at the house next door to the Matlocks’ before Darcy realised they had arrived. Once there, they looked quite laughable, two men waiting in the cold without even knowing whether the subject of their interest had really visited Lady Matlock and whether they were still there.
They waited for a little while, and suddenly, the Matlocks’ door opened, and a servant came out, descended the steps, and called, “Mr Darcy? I thought it was you, sir! Are you waiting for Miss Darcy? Will you not come in, sir? It is very cold.”
“No…I am just waiting…” he replied, feeling foolish in front of the servant’s puzzlement.
“Shall I inform the master or the mistress that you are here?”
“No…I mean…” He hesitated, looking at Bingley and then at the servant. They were already acting like fools; he could at least avoid being the subject of servants’ gossip and laughter.
“My sister is still here? I know Lady Matlock had guests. Are they still here?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then we shall enter,” Darcy decided, breathing deeply and moving towards the door, while his common sense and wisdom advised him against such an action.
Once inside, Bingley became hesitant and timid, following Darcy in silence. They should have left. When they entered the drawing room, the sound of voices suddenly ceased, and bewildered gazes turned towards them. Darcy dared to look at each lady in turn. Lady Matlock frowned, Georgiana smiled with delight, Elizabeth looked at him with apparent surprise, while Jane Bennet was pale, her eyes and lips wide in astonishment. On another chair was an unknown lady at whom Darcy barely glanced.
“Forgive me, Aunt, for disturbing you. I was talking to Bingley, and knowing Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth were here, we took the liberty of coming to greet them briefly. We shall only stay for a moment.”
“Darcy, this is quite a surprise,” Lady Matlock replied. “And Mr Bingley! I certainly did not expect either of you. We are only ladies here. Your cousin and your uncle are at the club.”
“And there we shall go too. As I said, we only called in for a moment. Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, I am delighted to see you.”
“We are pleased to see you too, sir,” Elizabeth answered, smiling. “And you, of course, Mr Bingley.”
“May I detain you a moment longer, to ask to be introduced to your aunt?”
“Of course,” Elizabeth responded.
The introduction was made and greetings and pleasantries exchanged. Bingley barely said a few words, and Jane Bennet none, so Darcy assumed the task of carrying on the conversation.
“Mrs Gardiner, before we leave, my friend Bingley would like to ask your permission to call on you tomorrow or on another day that is acceptable.”
“Yes, yes.” Bingley finally found his voice. “Darcy just told me you were here…I mean in London…and I would like to call on you if you do not mind…”
