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Miss Bingley, the lady who was now imploring him to intercede against her brother, had taken umbrage that he had spent time with Miss Elizabeth. That they had sat together, first during the second set, and again at supper, had infuriated her. Miss Bingley had come to detest Miss Elizabeth and she had come close to making a scene in the second half of the ball. And just to finish off the evening he had been approached by the Bennet’s cousin, the heir to their estate. Mr. Collins had brazenly accosted him without introduction and then proceeded to astonish Darcy with his mindless drivel. This was Lady Catherine’s new parson! Darcy knew she favoured toadies but he was an absurdity of the first order.

Miss Bingley’s words could not have been better phrased. The silence stretched past a minute as Darcy considered the situation.

“What would you have me do?”

The look of triumph on Miss Bingley’s face could not be disguised.

“Do not let Charles be blinded by the face of his ‘angel’. Make him consider and understand he is marrying into the Bennet family, not just Miss Bennet.”

Darcy realised that in all his musing he had not thought about the object of Bingley’s affection. He realised he knew little of the lady. She was quiet and smiled freely to everyone. He stopped and thought about the supper. Both she and Bingley appeared to affect deafness during the meal, ignoring the loud words of Mrs. Bennet. Bingley had referenced none of the appalling behaviour that morning before he left, it was all praise for his angel.

“I will talk to Bingley upon his return. I will not disparage Miss Bennet but I will talk to him about the rest of the family, make sure he realizes the full extent of such a connection.”

Darcy made to leave but it was Mrs. Hurst that stayed him.

“Such a solution would be perfect in normal circumstances, and we both thank you Mr. Darcy for agreeing to speak to Charles. Our additional concern is that he is preparing settlement papers in London and that if we wait until his return it will be too late to change his mind.”

Darcy had not thought things had advanced as far as settlement papers.

“You think this a real possibility?”

He was unsure of the sisters’ truthfulness as they proclaimed it such. He had a sudden idea.

“Very well, if you believe he is in such danger then I will have to follow him to London. However, since it is close to the end of my stay here at Netherfield Pack, I will pack and remain in London after meeting with Bingley.”

He watched to see if Miss Bingley would reconsider. Cutting short his stay by a week would be the ultimate test for her. If she acceded to this then it was a mark in her favour as to truth of her concerns.

“I am sorry that your stay will be curtailed but I thank you for the care you are showing our brother.”

As the meeting ended Darcy was convinced they saw the danger as real. He needed to get to London, and quickly, to ensure Bingley did not make a big mistake. He would leave immediately after breakfast the next day.

--

Despite being the first member of the family to return to Longbourn Elizabeth was not the first awake. Mary entered her chamber as Claire worked to protect Elizabeth’s foot.

“Good morning Mary. How was the rest of the ball?”

Mary flushed.

“It was very nice thank you Elizabeth. When everyone saw Mr. Darcy dance the first with me, I was suddenly a popular partner. For the first time I danced every set.”

She smiled at her sister.

“Who knew dancing all night was so tiring.”

Elizabeth smile in return was broad and genuine.

“Maybe he does have some consequence after all.”

“You know that he apologised to me for that. He did not dissemble, he was in a beastly mood but it was not the actions of a gentleman to speak about me in such a way. Especially loud enough for me to have heard.”

“That is a handsome apology, overdue but handsome nonetheless. Do you feel better?”

“I do Elizabeth. Being asked to dance every set was a new experience for me. But moving on from such pleasant reminisces, I have to warn you that both Mama and Mr. Collins were upset that you returned here after supper. There will be words at breakfast.”

Every time Elizabeth considered her mother, and Mr. Collins, she seemed to sigh. Rather than revel in Mary’s happiness, even tease her gently, she would have to endure another scolding. And for what? Being injured by an ill-educated social disaster.

“There is no point in delaying the inevitable. Thank you Claire, at least I can wear a slipper despite the bandages. Will you assist me down the stairs please Mary?”