Page 80 of A Most Unwelcome Acquaintance

“I know Jane.”

“You know her sweetness, which is not the same thing.”

Bingley’s expression changed. “What do you think she conceals?”

“She may conceal nothing at all, but gentleness can look like affection when it is no more than good manners. You have admired women before.”

“Not Jane.”

“You cannot know that distinction after a few weeks.”

“I know how I feel.”

“That is what concerns me.”

Hurst lowered the paper. “You will not persuade him by telling him he is in love.”

"That is not what I said," Caroline replied.

“You came close.” He raised the paper again. “Close will serve.”

Bingley looked amused, which made Caroline’s task harder. She had approached him as a sister and offered caution; he treated the warning as a joke because Jane made him too happy to imagine danger.

“Give yourself time,” she said. “There is no injury in postponing today’s visit.”

“There is also no injury in making it.”

“You have business in Meryton.”

“I can do both.”

“The steward expects you at the east lawn. You said you wanted to inspect the summerhouse before the work begins.”

Bingley glanced at the clock. “That can wait until tomorrow.”

Caroline had intended the summerhouse to provide an ordinary claim upon his attention. His readiness to postpone it confirmed what she feared.

“The men cannot begin until you approve the repairs.”

“They can begin on the roof. The report was clear.”

“You should see the building yourself.”

“You volunteered to oversee it.”

“The interior, not the structure.”

Bingley returned to his note. “Then ask Darcy. He understands such matters better than I do.”

The suggestion gave her a second opportunity. Caroline rose before her eagerness showed. “A sensible arrangement.”

“I am glad you approve.”

She left him to finish the note and found Darcy in the library with Stewart’s letter open beside him. He had made several notes in the margin of a separate sheet, and his attention did not leave the page when she entered.

“Charles has abandoned the summerhouse to us.”

Darcy looked up. “Us?”