Darcy noticed that Bingley did not mention Elizabeth calling on Georgiana. He had not expected it; after all, his sister had made it plain she did not appreciate Elizabeth’s company, and apparently, nothing in her letter suggested she had changed her mind.
“I shall ask her, but I hope she agrees. I would be glad to see Mrs Bingley and her become friends. Please give her my thanks for her consideration, regardless of what Georgiana decides.”
Bingley made a noise of agreement, and there was a brief silence before he continued. “Lizzy is looking forward to returning to town too. She will live with Jane and me. But you already know that.” He scratched the back of his neck and averted his eyes.
“Say what youwill.”
With a single curt nod, Bingley said, “Lizzy is really why I came this morning, though I did want to see you. You must remember me speaking of us going to see my friend Grey and—I am sorry if this pains you, Darcy—hinting about him and my sister-in-law.”
An anvil settled in his stomach. He could not respond.
“Soon after everything that happened in Derbyshire, Lizzy asked me to tell Grey that she did not anticipate marrying for the next year, if not longer. She might be reconsidering, especially after Miss Darcy’s letter. It is something she said to Jane. Grey has not given up hope. He has become attached to her—they have always had a great deal to say to each other, lots of interests in common and what have you—and he says she is exactly the sort of woman he wants as his wife. He would be good to her. Jane believes that once they become reacquainted, and if Grey treats her with patience and holds off proposing for even a few months, Lizzy will accept him.”
Darcy felt as cold as if he had just taken a long walk through the Derbyshire winter weather. “I see.”
“Doyou?” Bingley asked.
There was a certain emphasis in his voice that made Darcy pay attention. He opened his mouth to ask what his friend meant, but just at that moment, a knock interrupted their solitude. It was Georgiana, who opened the door enough to peek around it.
“May I come in, or do I disturb you?” she said.
Bingley was already on his feet and approaching her. “Miss Darcy, how good it is to see you! Please do join us.”
Darcy stood and watched as they exchanged pleasantries. Georgiana coming downstairs to greet Bingley was a sign of how much progress she had made, and it gladdened his heart,although it still remained heavy. In a few minutes, the mantel clock chimed the hour.
“Is that really the time?” Bingley exclaimed and pulled out his fob watch to consult it. “I am afraid I must go. I have an appointment at the bank. I shall see you both before long.”
Darcy thanked him for coming, Georgiana offered him a shy smile, and Bingley departed.
“Brother?”
Darcy shook himself out of his stupor and looked into his sister’s face. She was beside him, which she had not been when Bingley left. From the tone of her voice, she had not only moved across the room, she had also previously spoken to him.
“I am sorry, dearest. What did you say?”
Her brow furrowed, and she sat on the sofa, watching him carefully as he took a place next to her.
“I said I did not know Mr Bingley was in town. Do you mind that I intruded?”
“Not at all.” He lifted her hand to his lips for a kiss. “I also did not know he was here. He came alone, but all three of them will return within the next fortnight, I imagine. He mentioned that Mrs Bingley would like to call on you, if you will allow it.”
“Oh.” She sat a little straighter, and her eyes met his. “That is very kind of her. I-I would like it. Did…did he mention Miss Bennet?”
He certainly did, Darcy thought, but it was not in the way he suspected Georgiana meant.
“I understand she might not like to see me,” Georgiana said when he failed to speak.
“I do not think it is that. She would consideryourfeelings, not her own wishes.” He squeezed her hand.
Georgiana nodded, and they were silent for a long moment. Darcy’s thoughts remained heavy, and it was difficult to form words. It was odd that his sister was the more willing or able of them to talk when it had been the other way round for so long.
“Did Mr Bingley have news of her that upset you?”
He ran both hands over his face and through his hair. “In a manner of speaking, though it is no more than I expected. You recall he hinted about a growing attachment between her and Mr Grey?”
Georgiana’s features seemed to crumple, as though she had been told something distressing. She nodded and kept her eyes on his, silently asking him to continue.
“Nothing has been settled between them, and it might not be for several months, but Bingley clearly feels it is inevitable.”
