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“I accept your point on my past behaviour, although you make me sound like or appear a rake.”

“No Bingley, you have exhibited interest but you have never raised expectations. And your conduct has definitely not been that of a rake.”

“Why your concern about Miss Bennet?”

There was no point in dancing round the issue.

“Her family. And I do not mean the two uncles that your sister is always harping on about. Given your own family situation that would be hypocritical in the extreme. Rather it is the behaviour of the mother, the two youngest sisters, and to a lesser degree, the father.”

“You have no concerns about Miss Bennet herself?”

“I do not know the young lady. You rather monopolised her society. She is quiet, well spoken, appears moderately accomplished, and seems happy in your company. Other than that I know little of the lady.”

“Explain to me your concerns about the family.”

“Did you hear Mrs. Bennet during supper at your ball?”

“Everyone is always aware of Mrs. Bennet but I was not listening to her words. Why?”

“She was proclaiming that your marriage to Miss Bennet was a settled affair, and she was pleased that Miss Bennet was settling only three miles away. She waxed lyrical about the opportunities this marriage would present to her other daughters. And finally she looked forward to the time when her younger daughters were living with their sister, allowing her more free time. This was being said to Lady Lucas sitting next to her, but at a volume that the whole room could hear her. I am mystified how you managed to miss it.”

“I was talking with Miss Bennet and having lived with Caroline for so long was able to tune her out. So your concern, based on Mrs. Bennet’s own words, is that I will get the whole Bennet family if I made an offer to Miss Bennet?”

“An interfering mother-in-law living only three miles away and two ill-disciplined young women that should be back in the nursery. Oh, and they would be under the same roof as your own sister.”

The possibility of Bingley drafting settlement papers was nothing more than a ruse by Caroline Bingley. But he had been considering asking for a courtship with Miss Bennet. Darcy’s concerns now gave him pause.

“I had thought Miss Bennet had feelings for me. When I think of her I see a future together. Do you think she is playing me false?”

“I can give you no answer to that. You know her far better than I do. All I will say is if you make an offer to her I do not see Mrs. Bennet allowing her to decline. With the entail and five daughters none of them will be allowed to decline an eligible match. And you are very eligible.”

Bingley was silent for several minutes.

“Will you accompany me to Hyde Park? I feel the need for fresh air yet also peace. With you there I can get your opinion or answers to any further questions I have.”

“Of course Bingley, an excellent idea.”

They rode in silence for an hour, neither feeling the need to chat. As their horses walked towards the gate at the end of the ride Bingley announced his intentions.

“I am going to stay in town until at least Twelfth Night. I will reassess my feelings for Miss Bennet then. There is also the matter of dealing with the steward at Netherfield Park. Your own plans? Will you return to Pemberley or will you and Miss Darcy stay in town?”

“Pemberley. My early return to town will allow us to depart in plenty of time. If the weather is inclement then we can make the journey in four days rather than three. I will let you know when we plan to depart.”

The pair went their separate ways. They met by chance in their club ten days later allowing them each to wish the other the best of the season. With that Darcy left town until the start of February.

Chapter 14

Elizabeth looked at the scene in front of her with astonishment. The Rev William Collins demonstrated his profound religious knowledge in the most unbelievable way. On the third day since his first proposal he resurrected it, and this time he was granted a positive answer. Charlotte Lucas, a friend of Jane and Elizabeth Bennet all her life, accepted being tied to that most ridiculous of men. When a happy Sir William and a gloating Lady Lucas finally departed with their oldest daughter, Mrs. Bennet’s fury at her second daughter knew no bounds. If Claire did not know what excoriate meant three days earlier, she got to see and hear it as Mrs. Bennet tore into Elizabeth.

She was eventually able to escape and, still unable to walk any distance, went to the stables with Claire. Mary joined them shortly thereafter and Robert stood tidying halfway down the stable block, giving them some privacy.

“Charlotte Lucas will be the Mistress of Longbourn. Charlotte Collins, I mean.”

Neither Mary nor Claire spoke, letting Elizabeth gather her thoughts.

“Did you hear him, does she have so little self-respect?”

“Lizzie, you know that Charlotte had a very different outlook on marriage. She wanted security, to stop being a burden on her family and to have her own establishment. This engagement lets her achieve all three. If she can deal with Mr. Collins then why should she not?”