Page 27 of A Most Unwelcome Acquaintance

Bingley shrugged. “It depends on what a man wants. Some may care for influence, while I prefer good company and a little quiet.”

Caroline turned back to him. “If you attend the next gathering, you may find yourself at the center once more. Lady Lucas is relentless, and Mrs. Bennet is sure to present her daughters in their best colors. You cannot escape notice, Charles.”

“I have never wished to.” Bingley finished the toast and, instead of reaching for another slice, took from his coat pocket a slip of paper, folded tight. He turned it between his fingers, then set it beside his plate. A blue petal protruded from the fold, flattened against the paper, its stem cut short.

Caroline’s jaw closed.

Darcy’s attention went to the flower, though his expression did not change.

Caroline knew, without asking, that it belonged to Miss Bennet. It was in Bingley’s hand during their last meeting, a detail so slight and so well disguised as friendship that Caroline could not mark it as improper, only effective.

“Miss Bennet told me about the wildflowers near Longbourn,” Bingley said, still watching the slip of paper. “She knows every one by its proper name.”

Caroline regarded him. “I did not take her for a botanist.”

Bingley smiled. “She is not, she just likes what grows.”

Darcy’s mouth moved, though he did not smile.

Louisa smoothed the napkin in her lap. “Miss Bennet is an amiable girl.”

Caroline’s mouth curved. “Very.”

She considered how long her brother’s attachments tended to last, and whether Miss Bennet’s gentleness could hold his interest after the novelty faded. She suspected it could, and the thought tightened her throat, but she pushed it aside and pressed forward.

“If you prefer this society, Charles, that is your decision, but it is not a simple matter. The neighborhood may suit for now, but you must consider what will follow. Some choices are hard to undo.”

Bingley picked at the edge of the flower, careful not to bruise it. “I suppose that is true for some people.”

Louisa looked to Caroline. “You think it unwise?”

Caroline kept her tone level. “I think he can marry better. He has the means and every prospect of advancing himself. There is no reason he should choose from what happens to be nearest.”

“Better by whose measure?” Darcy asked.

The question was not sharp, but it stopped her.

Caroline looked at him. “By any reasonable measure.”

“That leaves considerable room for disagreement.”

“You cannot think fortune and family unimportant.”

“I do not.”

“Then we agree.”

“No. I said they were not unimportant.”

Bingley looked from Darcy to Caroline with open amusement.

Caroline said, “Charles has greater opportunities than he appears willing to consider.”

Bingley placed the folded paper beside his plate. “I am not looking above or below, only at what is before me.”

“That is sensible,” Darcy said, “provided you also look long enough.”

“I have no plans to propose before luncheon,” Bingley said, accepting the caution without offense.