Page 25

“I am Mr. Bingley,” his friend said. “I have come to see my sister.”

“Yes, sir. You are expected.”

They were shown into a warm parlour. A man rose immediately from beside the fire, a lady remained seated next to him, and near the window sat Miss Bennet with a bit of sewing forgotten in her lap.

“Mr. Bingley?” the man asked.

“I am Mr. Bingley,” Bingley said, “and this is Mr. Darcy, who was so kind as to lend me his carriage so we might arrive sooner.”

“I am Mr. Gardiner.”

Miss Elizabeth’s uncle was a younger man than Darcy had expected, handsome, fashionably dressed, and without any appearance of vanity.

“This is my wife, Mrs. Gardiner.”

Mrs. Gardiner was not the person Darcy’s prejudices had prepared him to meet either, for she was only perhaps five years older than he was himself and elegant in both dress and manner, like her husband.

Bingley was fidgeting, which drew Darcy’s attention away from the introductions.

“I believe you gentlemen are already acquainted with my niece, Miss Bennet,” Mr. Gardiner said.

“Miss Bennet,” Bingley said.

“Mr. Bingley.”

He crossed the room towards her before he seemed to recall that they were not alone.

“My sister—” he began. “My brother Hurst sent me word that she has had a fall.”

“She has injured her lower back,” Mr. Gardiner said. “The surgeon believes she will make a full recovery, but the injury is quite painful and she must remain very still.”

Bingley released a breath. “Then the injury is not permanent?”

“No,” Mrs. Gardiner assured him. “Mr. Hinshaw was quite definite on that subject.”

“May I see her?”

“Of course,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “Jane will take you there.”

Bingley’s attention fixed upon Miss Bennet again. “It is a pleasure to see you, Miss Bennet. I did not know you were in London, or I should have called straight away.”

Her gaze flickered to Darcy. “We have not been in town long, Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth and I made a visit to your sisters yesterday, but they relayed to us that you were much engaged with Mr. and Miss Darcy.”

Of course they had. They had been attempting to put the Bennets off, but he could not approve their methods. Georgiana was not even in town.

Before he could say as much, Bingley continued speaking with Miss Bennet. “Caroline and I have not, I fear, been on the easiest of terms. I am not residing with the Hursts. In fact, I was making arrangements to return to Netherfield.”

Mr. Gardiner made an approving sound in the back of his throat.

The hope in Miss Bennet’s countenance, though restrained, was clear. Darcy had observed her for half an evening at Bingley’s ball, and he had convinced himself that it was enough to discern her feelings. Perhaps he had been in error there. But then why would she tell Miss Bingley that she did not wish to receive an offer from her brother?

“Your sister is just down the hall,” Miss Bennet said, but for a moment, neither of them moved.

The door to the parlour opened just then, and Miss Elizabeth stepped in. “Mr. Bingley,” she said in greeting, and offered her sister a little smile. “Mr. Darcy.”

His heart gave one hard, traitorous beat. He bowed. “Miss Elizabeth.”

A bell rang somewhere along the passage. “That will be Miss Bingley.”