“But Mr. Bingley,” said Georgiana, her expression of hurt too disingenuous to be believed, “what of your duty to me?”
Unlike Darcy, Bingley saw nothing of her underlying humor, and for a moment, he could not speak, his eyes wide, his jaw slack. Mrs. Annesley appeared amused and pleased that her charge’s confidence had grown sufficient to jest in such a way, and Darcy found he could not disagree with her. Darcy had no notion what Bingley might have said if he remained in this state, but Georgiana’s sudden giggles told him that she was sporting with him.
“Tell me, Miss Darcy,” said Bingley, his face shifting from confusion to disbelief and finally to measured anger, “does your jest spring from something my sister said to you?”
Stifling her giggles, Georgiana fixed him with a grin. “It was not difficult to understand your sister’s wishes, Mr. Bingley. The way she behaved when you returned from Hertfordshire in November would have told me if I had not already known. Shehas made more than a few injudicious comments in my hearing, not limited to how well we get on together and how agreeable it would be forherif we were sisters someday. Even knowing of her wish to marry William, I could not misunderstand her meaning.”
“It seems my need to instruct my sister is not at an end,” muttered Bingley.
“I have also heard comments from your sister, my friend,” said Darcy. “Miss Bingley considers herself the very soul of restraint, but I have always found her ways rather blatant.”
“That is because you pay attention.”
Then Bingley turned back to Georgiana, reached forward, and grasped her hand. “I apologize, Miss Darcy, if I am injuring delicate sensibilities.” Bingley’s grin and raised eyebrow told Darcy that his friend thought no such thing. “Your relative youth makes any connection between us unwise at present, and for the moment, I find that Miss Bennet has quite captured my fancy.”
“Oh, Mr. Bingley,” said Georgiana, squeezing his hand then releasing it as was proper, “do not concern yourself for me. To me, you have always been akin to an elder brother.”
Georgiana winked at Darcy and added: “Since William is so stern and you make me laugh, sometimes you occupy a similar place as Cousin Anthony in my affections.”
Bingley laughed. “I shall not take offense, Miss Darcy, for I know that being compared to Fitzwilliam is praise of the highest order.”
“It is,” agreed Georgiana.
“Then I shall meet Miss Bennet with no concern that I have injured your heart,” said Bingley. “The next time I see Caroline, I shall inform her that we have decided we do not suit.”
“I do not know about that, Mr. Bingley,” said Georgiana, her saucy grin more akin to the behavior of a certain bewitching young lady of Darcy’s acquaintance. “Should Miss Bennet sendyou away and I gain maturity, perhaps you may find me agreeable.”
“Agreeable, yes. But I doubt the earl would appreciate the son of a tradesman courting his dear niece.”
“Uncle would not protest.”
“And the earl does not control Georgiana’s life,” added Darcy.
Bingley shrugged the comment away. “I am aware of the quality of your relations, Darcy. Regardless, I hope it will not be necessary.”
“Please accept my best wishes for your success,” said Georgiana.
With a nod of thanks, Bingley turned back to Darcy. “I know we did not speak of it, but you are welcome to stay at Netherfield with me if you wish it.”
Darcy hesitated, not knowing if he would wish to stay in Hertfordshire. It would all depend on Miss Elizabeth’s reaction to seeing him there. As he had said nothing to anyone about his failed proposal, it was best to demur until he knew more.
“Georgiana and I have only brought a few days’ supply of clothing with us, but perhaps we might stay. We can always send for more clothing.”
“If you are amenable,” said Georgiana to Darcy, “I should enjoy a stay in the country, and I am interested to meet these people of whom you speak; especially Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth.”
Bingley frowned, looking between them. “We have spoken of Miss Bennet, but I do not recall Miss Elizabeth’s name arising between us.”
“If you recall,” said Darcy, “I encountered Miss Elizabeth in Kent. As she informed me the truth of her sister and was a source of intelligence about Wickham’s doings there, Georgiana and I spoke of her.”
“I already knew a little of her,” said Georgiana.
At Bingley’s surprise, Georgiana clarified. “As I understand, she stayed at Netherfield while you were there in the autumn. William wrote about some of the more amusing aspects of her stay.”
Had Darcy thought Bingley was surprised before, now he was positively befuddled. “You wrote of Miss Elizabeth?” Then Bingley’s eyes narrowed. “As I recall, one evening in company you told my sister that you were writing to Miss Darcy. Can I suppose that you were writing of Miss Elizabeth while fending off my sister’s offer to mend your pen?”
“Not at that exact moment,” said Darcy. “I had already written about Miss Elizabeth and the conversation about accomplishments before your sister spoke to me.”
“If you ever see them in company,” said Bingley to Georgiana, “you will see a spectacle, for Caroline does not like Miss Elizabeth at all.”
