“Yes… Why would I not since they assured me I was welcome? Today I invited Miss Bennet for a stroll in the park. There is a small but lovely one close to them.”
“I cannot fault your reasoning, Bingley.”
“Darcy, I was thinking…Miss Elizabeth will arrive in London in four days, and they will both return to Longbourn in about a week. I believe I shall escort them home…and I would like to reopen Netherfield.” Bingley spoke with some hesitation, watching Darcy as if waiting for his approval.
“I trust you will make the right decision, Bingley, for the present and for the future.”
“Are you not opposed to the idea?”
“I have no right and no reason to oppose it.”
“Excellent…I am glad to hear it. Now read your letter. There cannot be anything important or private in it. In fact, I wonder why Miss Elizabeth would write to you at all since she does not like you much.”
Annoyed by his friend’s innocent remarks, Darcy opened the letter. His eyes ran over it, curious and anxious at the same time.
Mr Darcy,
My sister Jane’s recent letters, filled with joy and happiness, give me reason to believe I owe you gratitude and apologies, and until I have the chance to express them in person, I have taken the liberty of writing them down. They are genuine and heartfelt, and I pray you will accept them.
Many things need to be discussed and clarified on my part, but I would not dare presume you wish to, nor abuse your time. I would be thankful for the opportunity for one more conversation, but I certainly understand if you find it inappropriate. The decision is entirely yours.
E. Bennet
Darcy folded the letter and placed it in his pocket. It was easy to understand its contents: Elizabeth had discovered that he had reunited Bingley with her sister and wished to make amends for her harsh accusations. However, he did not desire her gratitude, nor her good opinion altered by her sister’s happiness. His will and reason told him to avoid the danger of any private conversation with Elizabeth. The past should remain behind them and the dreadful failed proposal buried deep.
He glanced at the letter again, then said, “Please ask Miss Bennet to inform Miss Elizabeth that I shall be delighted to meet her again when she arrives in London. As we discussed, I shall call with my cousin Richard.”
“Good. And you should know that I plan to host a dinner party the day after Miss Elizabeth’s arrival. Her family will all attend, and hopefully you, Georgiana, Mrs Annesley, and the colonel.”
“I see. Well, I… That is five days from now… I am not certain of my plans yet, but I shall speak to Georgiana and Richard.”
“Come, Darcy, I am counting on your presence! I am sure Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth will be delighted to meet your sister. My sisters will probably not attend. I still have to decide whether I shall invite them or not, considering their outrageous betrayal.”
“If you insist, we cannot refuse you, Bingley,” Darcy finally agreed. He felt still anxious and troubled, but Bingley was so overjoyed that he hardly noticed anything unrelated to Miss Bennet.
After his friend left, Darcy pulled out the letter and read it again and again, each time discovering new meanings behind the words. In the end, he concluded that if Elizabeth wanted to speak to him, he would certainly not suspend any pleasure of hers.
