Unequal Affections, ch 6

My thanks to all of you who continue to read this story, and to Sandy once more, for her corrections. This chapter is perhaps a bit of a transitional chapter, but contains some important moments. Next week is the dinner party, and the week after that we go to Hertfordshire.

---

Chapter 6



It was Thursday already when the ladies called on Miss Darcy. The remainder of their days in London passed by quickly. Darcy refused to haunt the house like a smitten school boy and, in any case, he had a great deal of work to do. He met with his solicitor a few times to discuss the details of the marriage settlements he intended to make on Elizabeth. Other matters, dealing with investments, charities and properties he owned around the country, also had to be dealt with extensively. His summer plans did not include any business trips to London, so he was endeavoring to leave instructions that could be followed for some time to come. Despite this, he called on both Friday and Saturday with his sister and an offer to take the young ladies to Hyde Park for a better walk than the city streets afforded. Of course such an offer could not be declined.

So there they were, promenading in the park just like a proper fashionable couple. It was not precisely the fashionable hour, but a good number of people were out, some of whom smiled and exchanged nods with Mr. Darcy. Behind them Jane and Georgiana followed at a short but discreet distance.

Mr. Darcy was not saying much; glancing at his face, Elizabeth saw an expression similar to the one he’d always had during their walks through the grove at Rosings. She wondered at its meaning. Once she thought he was silent because he disliked her, but that obviously was in error. Well, if she was to marry such a laconic man, she must learn to draw him out. “You are very silent, sir,” she observed.

He gave her a flickering smile. “I see no need to always disrupt a pleasant silence with pointless chatter.”

She felt inclined to laugh; how entirely they had misread each other! And how insultingly she would have taken such a remark in the past. Her hackles still raised reflexively, but she could recognize now that he did not intend it so. For all that Mr. Darcy might consider carefully the meaning of his words, she reflected, he did not much consider the effect of them. Seeing an inquiring look, she said, “Are you so very certain that the silence is always pleasant to your companion, or the chatter so meaningless?”

His brows rose. “Surely you are not offended?”

“By no means. I only wish to suggest that polite conversation is for the benefit of others, not only oneself. We talk, we ask questions, we exchange ‘chatter’ that may appear to be meaningless, but which in truth communicates our concern, our desire to set the other at ease.”

“But don’t you think true concern is far better than only polite concern? Or that those who care the most may not find shallow civilities sufficient to express their feelings, while those who appear equally interested in everyone may, in fact, not be truly interested in anyone?”

“You speak as if the two were mutually exclusive—that universal politeness and particular affection cannot reside in the same person.”

“I did not say so. I know of very few individuals who do possess both qualities, but it is possible. What I wish to argue is that the readiness with which a person makes small talk is no indicator of his depth of feeling.” He looked at her significantly.

“Neither do I speak of depth of feeling,” she replied with a light blush. “What I speak of is Christian charity in its most basic form: a concern for the feelings of others.”

He frowned. “I have never connected the idea of charity—which I believe I practice as much as any man—with the exchange of empty civilities between two mutually indifferent acquaintances.”

“And I fail to see how you can expect indifferent acquaintances to ever become anything else if you will not take the trouble of talking to them. How is one to know who is worth knowing and who is not, if not through conversation?”

“By observation.”

She blinked. So that was what he had been doing to her? Determining if she were worth knowing? She smiled archly to cover her irritation. “By observing their conversations with others you mean. It is fortunate for you, Mr. Darcy, that not everyone is so reluctant to talk, or else you would find yourself with a sad lack of information about your fellow man.”

“You are severe.” He was smiling; she could tell that he was not nearly so ruffled by this exchange as she was. Neither was he understanding her point.

“Don’t you agree, sir, that the exchange of empty civilities between indifferent acquaintances is necessary to keep our society functioning? Where would we be if we all ignored and slighted each other at will?”

Again her arrow failed to pierce its intended target. “Where indeed? But between people who are not indifferent acquaintances, is the situation not changed? Where there is understanding between two superior minds, such contrivances are not necessary.” He caressed her gloved hand and raised it toward his lips. “Come, you wish me to admit that you are one of those few who combine an ability to converse with anyone with real sincerity. It is true; I have long observed it.”

Annoyed, she almost jerked away from him but managed to control herself. “You are mistaken if you think I was contriving for a compliment. Nor is that true of me. My sister Jane is a much more fit recipient for such praise.” She looked straight ahead. “I’m polite to people I dislike all the time.”

A puzzled look appeared in his eyes; the silence that followed truly was an awkward one. Darcy was wondering if he had somehow offended her and how. Something about the line I’m polite to people I dislike all the time. disquieted him; he felt there was something in her meaning he was missing.

When it became clear that, once again, she would be responsible for forwarding the conversation, and when her own discomfort in the silence grew more than she could bear, Elizabeth searched her mind for some topic that would be less fraught with danger. “Tell me about Pemberley.”

It worked immediately; his face lightened and he began to talk about his home. As she listened, Elizabeth felt her own tension lessen too. What impressed her was that he described it not in terms of its size or wealth, but its beauty. “The house was built by my grandfather,” he said, “and the current furnishings mostly chosen by my mother, excepting older pieces that have a historical value. My opinion is a partial one, but I have never seen another house I like better.”

“It is very proper that you should love your home.”

“I hope you will come to love it as well, Elizabeth,” he replied. “Pemberley has been without a mistress for many years now. I did not feel the lack until recently, but I believe my staff there will be very pleased to hear that I have decided to marry.”

“I hope I may prove to be a good mistress.”

“I am sure you shall,” he said with a smile. “Although you were not raised to it, you have too much intelligence and energy to fail in your objective. My housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds, will be happy to teach you whatever you need to know.”

Elizabeth was not bought up on a grand estate, it was true, but her mother had made sure all her daughters knew what it took to run a household and Darcy’s tone offended her. “Are you sure that I shall not be overwhelmed by the enormity of such a task?”

He looked surprised. “I should not think so. In any case, I want a wife, not a housekeeper; I already have two very good ones. Although I hope you will take an active interest in our tenants, you need not take over any household duties you do not want; I shall certainly not compel you.”

She rather wanted to laugh with frustration that he continued to misunderstand her, but it was clear that this line of conversation too was not going to accomplish anything. “I have every desire to act as I ought,” she assured him, albeit with somewhat clinched teeth.

Despite such frustrations, she was surprised over those few days (a long Sunday afternoon at the Gardiners’ included) to discover just how pleasant a companion he could be. He truly was a man of information; if she had thought his cousin well-informed, she found he was much more so. Elizabeth had always enjoyed learning, and she set out to pick his mind. Darcy was surprised at her persistence in questioning him on various topics, but he was always happy to answer her. He found he enjoyed discoursing to her bright eyes, and was quietly flattered, in a way no woman had ever flattered him before. Their satisfaction in each other’s company grew. Elizabeth liked this more light-hearted Mr. Darcy. He was never boisterous, never even truly gregarious, but he talked with earnest intelligence on any subject she raised and often smiled his quiet, amused smile at her curiosity.

They disagreed in their opinions at times, and even debated quite hotly, but Elizabeth was learning that her refusal to agree with him pleased Darcy rather than otherwise, and that by arguing with her he was not insulting her but paying her intelligence a compliment. There were times when his attitudes irritated her, but on the whole he was remarkably liberal minded. She would not have expected the great and proud Mr. Darcy to hold such advanced opinions on politics and education as he did. Her prospects for future felicity seemed to be increasing.

For Darcy, these doses of Elizabeth’s conversation and smiles and musical laugh were heady stuff. He felt a little light-headed when leaving her presence at times, amazed to be so profoundly affected by a woman’s company. He was elated, infatuated, deeply satisfied in the decision he had made. It had obviously been folly on his part to ever contemplate foregoing her.

~%~

On Friday evening the party from Gracechurch street dined at the Darcys’ town house. It was undoubtedly the first time anyone of such lowly status as her aunt and uncle had been given such an honor, thought Elizabeth, but the fact that it had been given did mean something to her. Then at last Darcy was able to give her the desired tour. Walking from one room to the next on his arm, she felt a little overwhelmed by so much fineness. It was not that it was in any way ostentatious—Darcy clearly had not his aunt’s taste for display—but the quality of it all—the furniture, the fabrics, the paintings on the walls—was so far superior to what they had been used to at Longbourn that she could hardly believe that this was to be her home. And not even her primary home!

She felt Darcy’s eyes on her at one point. “Does it please you?” he asked softly.

She nodded almost imperceptibly. “Of course.”

“You will be free to make changes.”

“That hardly seems necessary. You redid the furnishings only last winter, did you not?”

He looked at her in surprise. “In some rooms, yes. However did you know that?”

“Miss Bingley mentioned it in one of her letters to Jane.”

“Ah.”

A brief pause followed.

“Perhaps it is further proof of my lack of accomplishments,” said Elizabeth, “but I must confess that I have never spent any time imagining how I might decorate a house if I had one. I think I may need to live here for a time before I can form any opinions.”

“Whatever you wish. You must not think that I expect you to do more than you desire to do, but it will be within your province.”

“I understand.”

“Speaking of changes…” he slowed his step and lowered his voice slightly. The others, who were walking in a group just ahead of them, moved into the next room. “If you would like to visit the mistress’s chambers, Georgiana will take you. If you see anything there you want changed, write the instructions and I will send them to my housekeeper once our engagement is formalized.”

She nodded slightly.

“Truly, Elizabeth, you must not feel shy about it,” he urged with uncharacteristic insight. “I would take pleasure in the knowledge that you had your rooms redone to suit you. I wish you to be happy here.”

“And do you think my happiness depends on the wall hangings, sir?”

“No,” he replied seriously, “your happiness, I hope, will depend on me. I am glad that you are not the kind of woman who sets great stock in possessions and appearances, but the fact remains that my wife has the right to command every luxury.”

How could she tell him how uncomfortable the thought of such luxury made her? She sought for some reply to make, but could find none. Darcy, seeing her silence, proceeded on to another question. “May I ask if you have written to your family about our engagement?”

Elizabeth blushed self-consciously. “No. Since it is so short a time until I go home, I thought it best to wait and speak to them in person.”

“And you return to Longbourn on Tuesday?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

He frowned slightly. “Can you delay until Wednesday? I have discovered that my business will keep me until then.”

“I… the arrangements are all made. And I cannot help but think…”

“Yes?”

“I cannot help but think that it might be better if you did not accompany us on the journey.”

At that his frowned darkened; he seemed offended. “Why on earth not?”

“It is just that… they would be so very surprised to see you with us. It would require an immediate explanation.”

“But of course. My whole purpose in accompanying you would be to explain myself to your father and obtain his permission.”

Elizabeth bit her lip, wondering how she could justify her reasoning without offending him further. “You must understand, sir, that I and my father are very close; I am his favorite daughter. It is bad enough that I have been gone from home for so many weeks, without his being confronted, at the very moment of my return, with a request for my hand from a man who he had no idea was even a suitor.”

“You don’t imagine he will object?” His faint, incredulous smile told her how unlikely he thought that scenario.

“Not if he knows it is what I want,” she replied with what patience she could muster. “Which is why I would wish for the chance to speak to him about it first, if you would allow it.” She did not add that she wished to hide from him her mother’s initial reaction to the news as well.

He had his old Mr. Darcy look back; she knew it was inspired by displeasure. She had contested his plans and implied that his suit might not be welcome. Her old annoyance at him was rising again, but she knew very well that her speaking frankly to him now could result in disaster. So she placed a hand on his arm instead. “Please understand,” she pleaded softly.

Her touch had such a powerful effect on him; she had observed it often already, and now again as she saw him relaxing visibly. His hand covered hers immediately; more, he intertwined his fingers with hers. “If it is what you wish, I cannot deny you,” he said.

“Thank you.”

His eyes dropped to her lips; she thought he was debating with himself whether to act on his obvious impulse. His other hand came up, and he touched her mouth softly. Elizabeth felt a sudden unexpected impulse to kiss his fingers, but was far too modest to do something so forward, even though she knew it would please him. In fact, she had to admit to a certain amount of curiosity about what he would do if she did, but a lifetime’s habit is not so easily overcome. So she dropped her eyes instead, and waited for him to act.

At that moment Mrs. Gardiner reappeared in the doorway, and with obvious reluctance he let her go.

~%~

It seemed to Elizabeth that he was intent on taking small liberties, forbearing to kiss her again, whether in deference to her feelings or propriety she didn’t know. But he nearly always touched her in some way when he could, especially if they were ever alone. It was like he couldn’t quite help himself; of its own accord his hand went out and grasped hers, or touched her face, slid lightly along her arm, even occasionally touched her hair. After only the first time or two she found herself surprisingly comfortable with these gestures and never drew back, although she had yet to initiate anything more daring than taking his arm. She had also had to learn, again, to be used to his gaze on her. He had always looked at her a great deal, but she had never thought much of it before. Now she could feel his eyes as an almost tangible presence, as she spoke, played, or moved around a room. It was rare for her to look up and not find him watching her, and she wondered what went on beneath his carefully composed exterior. She seemed to catch glimpses, at times: when his eyes closed as he kissed her hands, when his voice thickened and became changed by emotion. Such moments always had the effect of discomposing her slightly; it seemed almost wrong that she could not love him back.

~%~

The meal that followed was a pleasant one. In the Darcys’ handsome dining room, with immaculate footmen waiting on them and only such company as each person there truly desired, it was easy, for an hour, to forget about Bingleys and Wickhams, earls and matchmaking mothers. Darcy, although far from ebullient, was a very civil host and seemed unusually animated. Georgiana was a very bashful hostess, and it was clear that she would surrender her place to Elizabeth with delight rather than resentment, but she was ladylike and graceful. Sitting to Darcy’s right, Elizabeth for the first time could see a clear and pleasant future before her. If she could spend many evenings this way, marriage to Darcy might prove to be very agreeable indeed.

Afterwards, the ladies went up together to the mistress’s chambers. Although not decorated in the latest fashion, they were really lovely and very elegant. Elizabeth could not feel comfortable inspecting them too closely, and assiduously avoided looking at the door that she could only assume led to the master’s chambers. She turned her attention instead on Georgiana, who was looking about rather wistfully. “Does it remind you of your mother?” she asked.

“Yes,” she admitted.

“If you don’t mind my asking, how old were you when you lost her?”

“Seven.”

“That’s very young to lose your mother,” said Mrs. Gardiner gently.

Georgiana blushed furiously under their sympathetic gaze but managed to say, “Fitzwilliam helped me.”

Elizabeth, smiling rather tenderly, linked her arm with the younger girl’s. “Perhaps after he and I are married, you can help me pick out some new wallpaper,” she suggested. “You must know much better than I what is available and in good taste.”

“Oh no, I am sure I do not,” she protested.

“Is that your kind way of telling me that you’d really rather not be dragged along?” Elizabeth led the group back out of the room.

Georgiana’s denials were so incoherent that her soon-to-be sister had to laughingly beg her to stop. “I was only teasing, but I fear you aren’t accustomed to that yet. I’m surprised your brother hasn’t told you not to mind the things I say—he certainly never does!”

This comment astonished Miss Darcy so much that she didn’t know what to reply. They came down the stairs just as the gentlemen were emerging from the library, Mr. Gardiner having expressed a wish to admire the collection there, and Mr. Darcy smiled to see his sister and future bride come down together so. He met them at the bottom and took them into the drawing room, one on each arm. Mr. Gardiner rendered the same service to his wife and niece, leaving Mrs. Annesley to follow. That good woman could see that her time of employment with the Darcys would be coming to an end perhaps sooner than she had expected, but she also felt certain that Mr. Darcy would not wish his young wife to take on the full duties of chaperoning his sister immediately—or, perhaps, for some time. He clearly was marrying her to suit no one but himself. Mrs. Annesley smiled. She had the highest opinion of her serious and principled young employer, but both the Darcys had struck her as rather lonely at times. Mr. Darcy, of course, would not have considered himself so, but it had occurred to her over the winter that he ought to marry, that he had that certain restlessness which characterizes young men who begin to be dissatisfied with their bachelorhood. Although a prominent figure in society, he never seemed happy as such, and she thought that, with the right inducement, he might settle quite contentedly into the life of a country gentleman.

That inducement, in her opinion, was currently on his arm, flashing her large eyes at him and laughing softly. Mr. Darcy watched her with ill-disguised fascination; even as he fell back into conversation with her aunt and uncle, his eyes returned to her again and again. Turning over music at the piano with his sister, she saw his gaze and raised her eyebrow playfully. Observing him closely, Mrs. Annesley saw him shift his stance just slightly before ducking his head and focusing on the Gardiners. She smiled to herself again; yes, he was very much in love.

~%~

On Saturday Darcy received two callers of his own, one who had come at his express request.

“Fitzwilliam.” He stood up and offered his hand. “Thank you for coming. How are you?”

“Well, enough, Darcy, well enough. I can’t complain. To what do I owe the honor of this summons?”

Darcy motioned him to a chair and poured him a drink. “I have an announcement to make, and a favor to ask.”

The colonel’s brows rose. “A favor from me? This is a departure.”

“You know very well that you do me favors often,” retorted Darcy. “I hope this one will not tax your cousinly affection too much, though.”

“My magnanimity knows no bounds,” he smiled back. “But what about this announcement?”

Darcy sat back behind his desk and looked at his cousin carefully. He was fairly sure that Fitzwilliam had had no more than a very light-hearted interest in Elizabeth, but what if it had been more? Nor could he guess if he would approve of the match. “Cousin, you may guessed,” he began slowly, “that is to say you may have perhaps noticed while we were in Kent that I was not… quite myself.”

Now a very curious expression appeared on the other’s face. “No, I can’t say that you were entirely.”

“Did you have any suspicion as to the reason why?”

“No, though I wondered about it often. I did think once or twice… but that was just my imagination, I am sure.”

“Or perhaps not,” returned Darcy evenly. “Fitzwilliam, to declare myself frankly, I am engaged to Elizabeth Bennet.”

The colonel sat up like a shot. “Well, by all that’s—! Since when?”

“Since Monday of this week.”

“Monday of this week, you say?

“Yes, although I spoke to her before we left Kent.”

“And she accepted you?”

“Certainly. On Monday, as I said.” There was a trace of irritation in his voice now. “Does that astonish you?”

“No, of course not, only I never thought she liked you above half.” He saw Darcy’s color rise and added hastily, “I beg your pardon! That was a stupid remark. Obviously I was mistaken.”

“Obviously.”

There was a short, strained silence. “Well, she’s an extremely engaging woman, Darcy. You’re right, I had noticed you watching her at times, but I never dreamed you had any serious intentions. You certainly didn’t appear to be trying to fix your interest with her.”

Darcy sighed. “A mistake I am currently correcting. The favor I wished to ask of you is to speak well of her to your family. Assure them of her virtue and gentility—that she is… personable and pleasing, and will not embarrass the family.”

“Of course, it shall be my pleasure,” his cousin assured him earnestly.

“She is not…” he sighed again. “She is not the kind of match your father expects me to make, I am well aware. But he will treat her with courtesy, I am sure.”

“My father knows you too well to believe that it would serve him to do otherwise. He won’t be pleased, I can’t lie, but he has too much family pride to make a scandal.” Darcy grunted. “And I am certain no one will be able to find any fault with Miss Bennet herself,” he added.

Darcy glowered at the thought, and the colonel could not forebear a grin. He didn’t need to ask his cousin if he was in love with the lady; he knew very well that Darcy would never have asked a woman of her station to marry him if he weren’t quite desperately in love. Then he chuckled.

“I’ll wager she was surprised at your proposal.”

“Yes,” admitted Darcy.

“I recall something she said just a day or two before we left—what was it? That she wondered that you did not marry so that you could have someone at your disposal—something of that sort. I do not think she was imagining herself in that role.”

Darcy stood abruptly. “I am not taking a wife so that I can have her at my disposal, Fitzwilliam.”

“No, of course not. Come on, don’t take offense! It amused me, that’s all.”

“You should learn not to say the first thing that comes into your mind all the time,” he said acidly.

“Well, good heavens, man, she accepted you! Surely that’s more than enough to compensate for any trifling comment she may have made before she knew you wanted to marry her.”

He was silent for a moment, then replied in a calm voice. “I am not offended. I would be obliged if you didn’t say anything about this at present; I am travelling to Hertfordshire on Wednesday to gain her father’s approval, after which the engagement will be announced. I will write to my uncle myself. I do not wish you to relay the news for me, simply to support my decision to your family.”

“It’s not my place to question your decisions, you know that. As for Miss Bennet, it will certainly not be any hardship to speak well of her. Does Aunt Catherine know?”

He frowned. “Not as yet.”

“She will not be pleased.”

“A fact of which I am well aware.” He fiddled with some items on his desk. “Richard, it was not… an easy decision to come to. I…” he trailed off, suddenly thinking better of confiding his reservations.

“Say no more.” Richard threw up his hand. “I comprehend your state perfectly. In fact, I consider you a fortunate devil that you are in a position to offer for whom you please. I would I had that power!” Darcy directed a quick, narrowed glance at him. “If I am permitted to ask, were you in this state when you knew her before in, what was it?—Hertfordshire?”

“More or less.” He sat down again. The colonel did not reply, but just looked thoughtful. “I am prepared for the family’s censure, and do not resent it, but you must let them know that I will not tolerate any disrespect or unkindness to Elizabeth. It was my decision to offer for her; she had every right to accept me.” He smiled wryly. “Perhaps they will think better of her if they know that it took her more than a week to give me her answer.”

The colonel’s eyebrows went up. “I do not suppose that you have any qualms about society at large?”

He shrugged. “She will be Mrs. Darcy,” he said arrogantly. “Who will dare slight her?”

Fitzwilliam smirked. “It is well for her that she is a spirited lady.”

“Yes.” Darcy smiled then, thinking of her, and the colonel could see clearly on his face the evidence of his attachment.

“I must say that I am at a loss to know when it is that you spoke to her. It was not more than two days before we left that she and I had that conversation. I met her while taking my tour of the park. Not, of course, that it’s any of my business, but you cannot blame me for being curious.”

Darcy had confided in his cousin many times in the past, but he found himself shying away from it. He could not bear, just now, to hear of any more remarks Elizabeth might have made before she knew he loved her. “As you say, it is none of your business, but it was certainly after that. As my offer was a surprise, she requested time to consider it, which I naturally gave her. That, I believe, is all you have need to know.”

“Of course, of course! Has Georgiana met her?”

“She has, and admires her exceedingly already. I think she will be good for her, Fitzwilliam. Mrs. Annesley is a fine woman, but she cannot replace the influence of a beloved older sister.”

“Georgiana could do with a little of Miss Bennet’s liveliness,” conceded the colonel. “As could you, my friend.”

Darcy smiled a private smile. “I have reached that conclusion myself. But you understand that as Georgiana’s co-guardian, your opinion of Elizabeth’s fitness to live with and guide her must have influence?”

“Well, I can only hope it will. I will do my best by you, as I always do.”

“I was counting on that.”

They sat awkwardly for a minute before Darcy inquired after the Colonel’s current recruiting efforts. Accepting that the subject had been officially changed, he replied in kind. The visit lasted another quarter of an hour, and Colonel Fitzwilliam left with the promise to dine that evening. Darcy remained in his chair and stared at the wall for a long time, until the butler came to announce another caller.

“Mr. Bingley, sir.”

“Darcy,” said Bingley, when they’d exchanged greetings, “I’ve come to tell you that I’ve written Mrs. Nicholls at Netherfield to expect you next week.”

“That’s very generous of you.”

“No, no, not at all! You can’t think I’d let my best friend stay at an inn when I have a house in the area, do you?” He fiddled with his watch nervously. “I may come myself too, in a while.”

Darcy looked at him closely. “I would be glad of your company.”

“Yes, well, I’m supposed to go up to Scarborough for business for a week or two, but when I get back…” he trailed off.

“Does this mean that you’ve decided to stand up with me at my wedding?”

“What? Oh yes, of course! I can’t think why I hesitated.” He jumped to his feet. “Well I can, actually. I need… I need more time to think about it all, Darcy. I mean, it’s all I can do not to rush back there this very day, but I keep reminding myself that nothing has really changed, where she is concerned. I have no proof she ever cared about the acquaintance, just as you said. I wouldn’t for the world have her placed under any pressure on the matter, and I really don’t think I could be content just to have her accept me because I’m a good catch and she feels she must.” He came out of his self-absorption just enough to see his friend’s passing grimace, and colored. “Not that I mean any disparagement to you—or to say that Miss Elizabeth—”

Darcy help up a hand. “Say no more. I understand.”

“Well, if I do go back, really go back to the neighborhood, and especially if I call, I will risk raising expectations again, and I could not possibly—I mean, I already behaved that way once and I could not, unless I knew, unless, that is, I was certain of what I intended—for myself, you understand, as well as her—” He stopped and looked at his friend, as if appealing to him to understand the feelings he could not coherently express.

Darcy sighed. This development was not unanticipated. It was only natural that his decision would cause Bingley to question his own, but he had no intention of encouraging his friend towards Jane Bennet simply because he was marrying her sister. He had, however, a new need to disengage from the matter, to avoid giving advice which could potentially hurt someone he loved. When he had advised Bingley in November, his loyalty had all lain on one side; it no longer did so, and, knowing Elizabeth’s closeness to her elder sister, he found himself extremely reluctant to push him one way or the other. “You must do as you think best, my friend,” he answered quietly. “As must every man.”

“Well, I shall. I’ll go to Scarborough immediately, and perhaps by the time I’ve finished my business there, I’ll have made my decision.”

“I wish I could help you, but I am afraid that I am not the man to advise you right now.”

“I don’t wish for your advice,” said Bingley unexpectedly. “I just wanted you to know where I stand on the matter.”

“I appreciate your confidence,” replied Darcy after a moment. “And I appreciate the use of Netherfield.”

“I hope you will be happy, Darcy, no matter what.”

“I intend to be. If,” he added drily, “I can get through the engagement period. Once we are at Pemberley, I have no doubt whatsoever of our happiness.”

“Are you prepared to brave the Bennets?”

“I am prepared to do whatever I must,” he said coolly. “Though I will not disguise from you the fact that I am not looking forward to enjoying any degree of intimacy with the rest of her family.”

“Come now, man, give them a chance! I’m sure you won’t find them as bad as you fear.”

“Perhaps you are right, Charles,” he replied as he stood to usher his friend out. “One can only hope so.”