Page 23 of The Mistress of All & Torn

As she suspected, Mr. Bingley stared at her in apparent disbelief.

“My sisters? Two months ago? Miss Bennet has been in town for two months?” he mumbled.

“For four months,” Elizabeth said. “She called at your house in January, I believe. Am I correct, Jane? And then, Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley returned the call, I was told.”

Bingley’s face turned red and astonishment twisted his handsome features. He glanced from one to another, then his eyes lingered upon Jane before he turned back to Elizabeth.

“Mr. Bingley, would you care for a drink,” Mr. Gardiner asked and the gentleman only nodded.

“I did not know that Miss Bennet was in town,” he eventually replied, addressing Elizabeth. “I left London in March and only returned a week ago. I did not know...”

“Well, it is a pleasure to have you here now,” Mrs. Gardiner said.

“Have you been out of town with Mr. Darcy?” Mrs. Bennet asked, willing to engage in the conversation once she understood that the gentleman's interest might not be entirely lost.

“No...Darcy has been visiting his aunt in Kent. And from there, he went to Pemberley. He will return to London next week, his sister informed me,” he answered hesitantly, trying to find his words.

The mention of Miss Darcy’s name affected Jane and all the other Bennets, but he seemed oblivious to their reaction. He was obviously preoccupied by the latest revelation and he struggled to regain his composure.

“Will you stay in London long?” he asked Mrs. Bennet.

“Until Mr. Bennet’s health improves enough to travel back home. And you, sir?”

“Yes. I will stay in London for the time being...I have no other plans.”

“Mr. Bingley, everybody in Meryton is wondering if you will open Netherfield again or abandon it entirely,” Lydia interjected.

“I am not sure, Miss Lydia. I am still undecided.”

“That is such a pity! You had such a lovely ball and then you left all of a sudden! Everybody was surprised!” Lydia continued.

“Yes, well...It was not...”

“Mr. Bingley, would you join us for some refreshments? Or are you in a hurry?” Mrs. Gardiner tried to help him out of his embarrassment.

“I am in no hurry...” Bingley replied, still distressed but slightly relieved.

“I am afraid I am,” Elizabeth said. “It was lovely seeing you again, Mr. Bingley, and I hope it will not be another half a year until we meet again.”

“No, not at all. I mean—not if it depends on me,” he said, blushing with shame and bowing to her.

Elizabeth left Gracechurch Street, leaving Mr. Bingley with her family. A last glance at Jane proved to her that her sister’s heart was just as filled with affection for him as before. As for the gentleman, his altered manners, the effort he had put into finding them, then his astonishment at his sisters’ deceit, showed that his happiness was still attached to Jane.

She was now curious about Mr. Darcy. He went to Pemberley and was expected to return to town. How would things progress between the two friends? Would he still oppose Bingley's preference? Would Bingley allow his friend to influence him?

Elizabeth reflected on what Darcy would say about her own marriage. She had rejected him less than a month prior. And then had married into a family with a better situation and likely more wealth than his. If they were ever to meet again, he would be the one below her. He might even imagine that she had a previous understanding with Lord Barrington since she had married on such short notice.

She felt she owed Darcy an apology for her misjudgement of Wickham. But she doubted she would have the chance to broach such an intimate subject with him, now that she was married. Even if Jane eventually married Mr. Bingley—an event that now did not seem so unlikely—she might see Darcy again, but not be able to spend any private moments with him.

Chapter 8

Elizabeth arrived at Barrington House but did not enter. She dismissed the carriage, then walked the short distance to Lady Sedgewick’s house. At the corner of the street, she met Cece, who was returning from a brief stroll in the park.

“I brought her ladyship some fresh flowers. She likes their scent very much,” Cece said.

“How is she today?”

“She was resting when I left the house. But I worry about her very much. She is weaker every day.”