Mr. Bingley nodded and took her hand. “Please accept my apologies, Miss Bennet. Caroline’s arguments did not sway me, for I care little about such things, but Darcy’s assertion about your indifference made me pause. I should have relied on my own convictions instead of trusting the perception of another.”
Jane sighed and smiled. “Then I understand, Mr. Bingley. The question is how we move forward.”
“That is simple,” replied the gentleman, his good humor restored. “It is my duty to reassure you of my constancy. From this moment, I will prove myself, not only by relying on myjudgment, but also by not listening to my sister’s opinions. Caroline will not be happy with my decision, but she will accept it, or she will not be a part of our lives.”
“That is well, Mr. Bingley,” said Jane. “I shall look forward to the coming weeks.”
The man grinned, then turned the subject, and they spoke agreeably until it was time for his departure.
THOUGH ELIZABETH NOTICEDMr. Bingley’s proximity to Jane, she had no time to consider it, for Mr. Darcy approached her the moment he offered his felicitations to Mrs. Bennet.
“Miss Elizabeth,” said the gentleman, with very little inflection in his tone. “I hope you are well.”
The gentleman might have been speaking of the weather. The comment suggested interest, but nothing else in the man’s posture confirmed it. For a moment, Elizabeth considered a caustic reply, but then the memory of her recent reconsideration of Mrs. Hurst returned, and she decided against it.
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I am.”
After that exchange, they engaged in a brief conversation about banal subjects punctuated by frequent silences. What the gentleman meant by approaching her was beyond Elizabeth’s ability to understand—he appeared almost absent, his eyes locked on other parts of the room rather than her. As she might have expected, he often looked at Mr. Bingley and Jane, but what he thought of his friend’s position remained unclear.
“I see my friend has settled by your sister again,” said Mr. Darcy in what sounded like an absent observation. “It is as if he never left Hertfordshire.”
Elizabeth glanced at the pair, seeing them in close conversation, which appeared more serious than was their custom. Again, she could not discern what Mr. Darcy thoughtabout it, but she was not about to allow the opportunity to discover it to pass by without comment.
“It took longer than I expected, but I always thought Mr. Bingley would return. His interest in Jane was far too marked to allow him to stay away for long.”
Mr. Darcy turned to regard her. “Yes, his interest was obvious. What I could never determine was hers.”
Not liking the implication, Elizabeth said: “Mr. Darcy, I know not what you think of my sister, but you should not suppose that Jane accepts Mr. Bingley with anything other than pleasure.”
“As her sister, I suppose you have some knowledge of her sentiments,” said Mr. Darcy.
“I do,” agreed Elizabeth. “I shall not betray Jane’s confidence, but there is no reason to suppose that Mr. Bingley’s interest is greater than hers.”
Again, Mr. Darcy paused. “Miss Bennet is not... influenced by outside factors?”
Elizabeth understood his meaning. “If you suggest that Jane is mercenary, you may put that thought aside. Jane will not accept Mr. Bingley for anything other than pure inclination.”
“No, that is not what I meant,” said Mr. Darcy. “I have never thought ill of Miss Bennet or mistrusted her motives. But others have also made their opinions known, and those sentiments differed greatly from hers.”
“If you refer to my mother’s comments at the ball, please do not suppose that Jane would ever act in such a way.”
“Does your mother hold no sway?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Mama’s opinions are her own, but she has no power to enforce her will. Jane is of age and may do what she pleases—my father will support her. Of this I have proof.”
Mr. Darcy appeared intrigued, but he did not pursue the subject. “Then that is well, Miss Elizabeth. I did not wish toconsider your sister in a poor light, but those concerns I related were real. That she greets my friend with equal intent is welcome news.”
Curious, Elizabeth asked: “If you will pardon me, Mr. Darcy, I might not have expected such care and attention for a friend, even one of many years. You almost treat Mr. Bingley like a brother.”
“That is true,” said Mr. Darcy, chuckling. “Our friendship is not so long-standing as you suggest, though we have been friends for five years. Bingley has often relied on me for advice, which I have given whenever asked. I do not intrude on his personal affairs lightly, but Idohave an interest in his welfare.”
“Yes, your intimacy was one of the first things I noticed, especially during my stay at Netherfield.”
Mr. Darcy nodded. “Thereisanother factor.”
Intrigued, Elizabeth gestured for the man to continue.
“Miss Bingley believes she holds great sway over her brother,” explained Mr. Darcy. “Though Bingley has a stubborn streak that manifests when he believes he is right, Miss Bingley uses his compliant temperament shamelessly. I have often provided another interpretation or opinion during disagreements.”
