The cold fact was that Darcy had often found himself unwilling to act against his childhood companion. Fitzwilliam had urged him many times to deal with Wickham, but Darcy had always resisted, content to hold Wickham at arm’s length and let him do as he would. Perhaps it was because of his reverence for his father, or maybe it was for some vestige of the camaraderie they had shared as boys. Darcy no longer knew. That Wickham was now to reap what he had sown was the important point.
A short time later, Bingley returned with Miss Bennet, and while she greeted her sisters, Bingley sidled closer to Darcy. “Something strange has happened, Darcy, and it seems to have something to do with your old adversary Wickham.”
“Yes, it does,” agreed Darcy, still bemused by Miss Elizabeth’s audacity.
Bingley studied him. “It seems you already know something of this matter.”
“It was Miss Elizabeth’s doing.”
This time, Bingley regarded him with surprise. “Miss Elizabeth?”
“Georgiana told her about Wickham yesterday, both Wickham’s bad behavior and her experience in Ramsgate. It seems she took exception and acted to ensure Wickham would no longer be a threat.”
Bingley laughed. “Darcy, I know what you think of Miss Elizabeth, but I declare that she is a fine woman, and anyone who cannot see it is blind or willfully obtuse.”
“That is a truth I shall not dispute, Bingley,” said Darcy. “I cannot agree more.”
Though Bingley directed a level look at him, he did not press, and Darcy did not speak again. He had nothing to spare for Bingley; all his attention was now on Miss Elizabeth, the attraction he had felt before the ball now returned tenfold. As Darcy watched, he saw the way she listened to his sister speak, the sparkle in her eyes as she replied, the unpretentious laughter at something her sister said. Darcy had thought he had put aside his attraction to her, but now that his suspicions were proven false, her courage revealed in the way she had managed Wickham’s downfall, the fascination had returned with a vengeance.
“Shall you not all return to Longbourn with us?” said Miss Bennet, interrupting his reverie. “Our mother would be pleased to welcome you.”
“What do you say, Darcy?” asked Bingley, his manner suggesting a test, as if he wondered if Darcy’s claimed alteration extended to a willingness to visit Longbourn without previous intention.
As it happened, Darcy was not at all averse to the notion. “I have no objection, Bingley. I shall have a word with the driver to precede us—I assume you mean to walk with the Bennet sisters.”
Bingley turned to Miss Bennet, who smiled, and for the first time, Darcy was able to confess that she was, indeed, very beautiful, not that she held a candle to Miss Elizabeth.
“We walked to Meryton, Mr. Bingley,” said Miss Bennet. “Then, with a mischievous air Darcy had never thought she possessed, she added: “Of course, if you wished to make your way to Longbourn in the comfort of your carriage, my mother would receive you. We will make our way back and join you there.”
The laugh that was Bingley’s response was genuine. “While I cannot speak for my friend, I am not inclined to wait for you at Longbourn. For my part, I shall walk with you.”
“As will I,” replied Darcy, already wondering if he could somehow claim Miss Elizabeth’s company for himself.
In short order, they had it all arranged, the carriage preceding them northward. The driver had looked at Darcy askance, but he had not protested Darcy’s orders. Then they organized themselves into what looked suspiciously like a marching order and made their way north toward the road to Longbourn. The youngest Bennets were in the lead, with Georgiana walking close beside them, Miss Mary following behind. Then came Bingley with Miss Bennet, and finally, Darcy next to Miss Elizabeth. It suited his purposes perfectly.
“I see your sister’s attentions to my friend continue,” said he in a casual tone.
Miss Elizabeth’s eyes found him, and Darcy knew that she was not amused. “If you will pardon me, I believe the situation is the opposite.”
Darcy affected a critical gaze at Miss Elizabeth’s sister. “You may be correct, Miss Elizabeth. But that only proves my point about Miss Bennet being indifferent to my friend.”
The way she looked at him, Darcy was certain she thought him deficient. “Have we not already had this conversation, Mr.Darcy? If you continue to labor under your misapprehensions, let me tell you here and now that Jane loves Mr. Bingley. No other inducement will suffice to allow my sister to welcome Mr. Bingley’s attentions.”
The smile he gave her was a little knowing by design—Darcy found himself enjoying the ability to tweak her nose. “I am sorry, Miss Elizabeth, but I do not see it. Your mother has made it clear thatsheapproves of Bingley’s attentions. Is that not the truly important point?”
By now, Miss Elizabeth was glaring at him, her eyes flashing in displeasure. “No, it is not the important point. It is Jane’s opinion that is important, not my mother’s.”
“You will forgive me if I am skeptical.”
“Then shall I inform you ofmyproposal of marriage? What would you say if I told you that I rejected it because I did not love the man who proposed to me? My mother did not carry her point, though sheapprovedof the man in question—my father supported my right to make my own choice.”
Hearing it from her own mouth confirmed Bingley’s information, and told Darcy what sort of woman he was dealing with. The last remnants of Darcy’s opinion of Miss Bennet, that she would accept Bingley because of her mother’s insistence, fell away. Darcy did not know how much Miss Bennet esteemed his friend—she was inscrutable, even more than he himself was. As Bingley had said, that was Bingley’s responsibility to discern. Darcy was more interested in the woman before him.
“That is most curious, Miss Elizabeth,” said Darcy aloud. “I had not known you had a suitor.”
“If suitor you can call him, I had one,” replied she. “Mr. Collins proposed to me only days after coming to Hertfordshire and making my acquaintance.”
“Ah, yes, my aunt’s parson.” Darcy nodded, making a show of sage understanding. “It is well that you refused him—youare far too forthright to live comfortably under my aunt’s patronage. She prefers that those under her authority accept anything she decrees—I cannot imagine you would appreciate such interference.”
