“We could always set up a target,” Bingley offered.
“The entire point of it was to destroy that particular bottle,” Bennet said, frustration apparent in the set of his jaw. “If you men desire to head out, you may, but I shall have to investigate how someone was able to enter this room and steal from me.”
“The wager was not my idea,” Darcy replied archly. “I am just as happy to stay in this morning. I have letters to write. And perhaps Bingley might wish to have a little more coffee and await the ladies.”
Bingley’s disappointment vanished, and his eyes lit with pleasure. “I should indeed, Darcy. I thank you for the thought.”
Fitzwilliam was about to speak, no doubt to say something teasing about Darcy and Miss Elizabeth. Fortunately, Darcy’s glare made him close his mouth without saying a thing.
“Perhaps I will join you, Bennet,” Fitzwilliam said, “if you would not mind the company.”
“Not at all, Fitzwilliam. Darcy, do you mind keeping Bingley company whilst he awaits Jane?”
Darcy shook his head. “It would be my pleasure.”
Fitzwilliam rolled his eyes at Darcy when the other men were not looking. Darcy just waggled his eyebrows, making his cousin frown before Bennet led him away.
“So, Bingley,” Darcy said, “do you intend to remain at Netherfield once you are wed?”
Bingley shrugged. “I shall complete the lease, but I do not know that I shall buy the place. It was my father’s wish that I purchase in order to raise the family in the eyes of society.”
“What is your own wish?” Darcy asked as he filled his coffee cup again and reached for a honey cake.
“I have no desire to offend, Darcy,” Bingley replied as he did the same and took a chair at the table. “I know you have just taken over the running of your family’s estate.”
“Your honest opinion will not put me off, Bingley,” Darcy assured him.
“Jane and I will discuss it, of course,” Bingley said thoughtfully, “but she did not grow up on an estate and I am uncertain purchasing one now makes sense. Your Pemberley is well run, I am told, but most of the estates being sold to a fellow such as myself have long been neglected. They require a good deal of capital to make them ready for inhabitants and to create a suitable income. It would not be the best use of the fortune my father has left. Besides, the world will look quite different for our grandchildren, I suspect.”
“What makes you say so?” Darcy asked.
“Industry is coming, Darcy,” Bingley said. “Already there are men of business in London whose fortunes are more significant and less encumbered than some peers. Trust the grandson of a tradesman to know.” He sipped his coffee. “If Jane requires an estate for her comfort, I shall revisit the notion. We shall speak of it in any case, for my plans will rely heavily upon her wishes.”
“I shall be learning a great deal, Bingley,” Darcy said. “For whilst I have a head for numbers and am comfortable managing men, I have not been involved in any serious forms of investing. I do desire to maintain, even increase the principal of my family’s fortunes. Perhaps you would speak about your ideas with me?”
Bingley smiled over the rim of his cup. “Of course. I shall offer any family member my advice, for whatever good it might do him.”
Darcy flushed. “I do not mean to offend, Bingley, but I have no intentions towards Miss Bingley.”
Bingley desperately attempted not to spew his coffee over his clothing and the table. When he recovered, he blotted his mouth with a napkin and said, “Good God, man. You have barely been in company with Caroline. I meant Miss Elizabeth, Darcy. When I marry Jane, and you offer for Elizabeth as I surmise that you will, we would be brothers, would we not?”
“Oh,” Darcy said. It made him a little uncomfortable to realise that Bingley had been watching him as much as he had been watching Bingley, but he would say no more. Elizabeth should be the first to know his thoughts on that score, not her father, and certainly not Bingley.
“I would not wait forever,” Bingley said. “Elizabeth is unlikely to remain unmarried for long once her sister brings her with us to London.”
Darcy had not thought of that. “I have plans, Bingley.” He would not say more.
Bingley nodded. “I will leave you to it, then.”
“As well you should,” was Darcy’s dry reply. “Tend to your own betrothal.”
“I cannot believe I have been so fortunate,” Bingley said, taking Darcy’s hint and leaning back in his chair. “Miss Bennet is everything I want in a wife and more. Beautiful, of course—a man could hardly miss that. But she is also compassionate, wise, strong. Intelligent. Peaceful.” His gaze was far away, and Darcy shook his head. He would not spout lover’s nonsense as Bingley had. It was not in his nature. Still, he cared for Elizabeth a great deal. Loved her, in fact.
As he watched the servants set several platters down on the sideboard, Darcy mused that his initial impulse to hurry out of London and go straight to Pemberley might have kept him from ever meeting Miss Elizabeth. He could not help but be grateful for Fitzwilliam’s suggestion that they contact Bennet.
“Good morning,” Miss Bennet said as she entered the room with a bright smile for her intended. “Have you gentleman already been out and back?”
“No,” Bingley replied, standing up in such a hurry that his chair tipped precariously behind him before righting itself.