Page 26 of Bitterness of Spirit

“How very suddenly you quitted Netherfield, Mr. Darcy! It was quite unexpected, for if I recollect right, Mr. Bingley intended to return after a day.”

He cleared his voice. “Well, yes…it was a sudden decision.”

“He and his sisters were well I hope when you left London?”

“I have not seen Bingley lately. He is visiting friends outside London. But his sisters were fine, from my knowledge.”

“I see…I was asking only because I had the impression you would be knowledgeable about them. Miss Bingley told Jane that Mr. Bingley was frequently engaged with you and Miss Darcy. But you also informed me Miss Darcy is not in London either.”

“I cannot imagine why Miss Bingley would say something so completely inaccurate.” He had uttered another lie. He knew why—and her glare showed him she did too.

“I wonder whether Mr. Bingley has any idea of ever returning to Netherfield.”

“I have not discussed the matter with him, but it is probable that he may spend very little of his time there in future. He has many friends, and he is at a time of life when friends and engagements are important.”

“Perhaps. But I trust a gentleman to decide which friends and engagements are more important than others,” she said sharply.

“I hope he does,” he answered briefly.

“If he means to be but little at Netherfield, it would be better for the neighbourhood that he should give up the place entirely. This way, we might get a settled family there.”

“It depends on him.”

“Of course it does,” Elizabeth continued. “For surely, Mr. Bingley did not take the house so much for the convenience of the neighbourhood as for his own, and we must expect him to keep or quit it on the same principle.”

“True. I would not be surprised if he were to give it up as soon as any eligible purchase offers.”

Another short pause followed; then Elizabeth continued. “Sir, you should not feel obliged to accompany me. The Parsonage is in sight; I shall be home in no time.”

“I do not feel obliged, I assure you, Miss Bennet.”

Silence again—then he felt the need to carry the conversation. “Mr. and Mrs. Collins have a lovely house. Lady Catherine, I believe, did a great deal to it when Mr. Collins first came to Hunsford.”

“I believe she did. Her ladyship’s kindness is greatly appreciated.”

“Mr. Collins appears very fortunate in his choice of a wife.”

“Indeed; he met with one of the few sensible women who would have accepted him. My friend has an excellent understanding—though I do not consider her marrying Mr. Collins as the wisest thing she ever did. But in a prudential light, it is a good match for her.”

“Mrs. Collins looks like a wise and sensible lady. It must be very agreeable to her to be settled within so easy a distance of her family and friends.”

She glanced at him and laughed. “Surely you are joking. An easy distance, do you call it? It is nearly fifty miles.”

“Yes, little more than half a day’s journey.” He smiled back.

“I should never have considered the distance as one of the advantages of the match,” cried Elizabeth.

“It is a proof of your own attachment to Hertfordshire. Anything beyond the very neighbourhood of Longbourn, I suppose, would appear far.”

“Not quite, sir. I am not that attached to Hertfordshire, and I have occasionally travelled far from my home. In truth, I believe that at times a woman can be settled too close to her family. But we were speaking of Mr. and Mrs. Collins. I do not think they consider it a comfortable distance, but I agree they have a comfortable living.”

Darcy sensed a change in Elizabeth’s voice. She was not content with the conversation, and he was not sure of the reason. So he spoke only to keep her engaged and to have her smile and glance at him from time to time.

“Are you pleased with Kent?” he inquired and safely turned the discussion to the subject of the country and the weather.

The remainder of the distance was covered in complete silence as they were out of subjects. His mind slowly emptied at the thought that they would separate soon and might not see one another again privately.

They arrived at the gate, and she hurried inside after a brief farewell. He remained there, gazing after her. He did not even think to tell her he enjoyed the stroll. He had been a ridiculous fool and struggled so to conceal his pleasure that he could not truly relish it.