Elizabeth pulled a face. “Whyever not?”
Mr. Darcy glanced around the room, smirked, and said, “Bingley does not wish it.”
Her surprise was evidently easy to read, for Mr. Darcy nodded. He glanced away before saying, “Miss Bingley did not merely put your note aside, Miss Elizabeth. She tossed it in the fire without ever breaking the seal.”
This didnotsurprise her. It did, however, irritate. As though she would ever write Miss Bingley for anything other than an emergency. “Wretched woman!” she exclaimed.
“Indeed. However, Bingley shall have the last laugh.”
She arched one eyebrow. “You realise that now you must tell me all.”
He gave her a sidelong glance, and Elizabeth almost laughed at the sight. It made Mr. Darcy appear years younger. “I would not have said such a teasing thing did I not mean to satisfy your curiosity, Miss Elizabeth.” He paused. “It so happens that Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were merely waiting for Bingley to ride off yesterday so they could give orders to close the place up. If all has gone to plan, they are, even now, readying the carriages to depart for London.”
“Without Mr. Bingley’s consent?” Elizabeth inquired, quite shocked at the boldness of such an action.
“Without even his knowledge. I am sorry to say that they feared a connection between their family and yours and hope to keep their brother in town.”
Elizabeth frowned and nodded. “They have never been real friends to Jane. I did try to warn her, but she is exceedingly modest and cannot admit even to herself that Mr. Bingley feels for her what she does for him. Oh.” She closed her eyes. Why could she not simply remain silent around this man? “I should not have said that.”
Mr. Darcy leaned forward in his chair, his forearms resting atop his legs. “So, your sister does hold some affection for my friend?”
Elizabeth regarded him warily.
“Please, Miss Elizabeth. I had been of the belief that she did not feel any particular regard for him, but if she does . . .”
“I have broken my sister’s confidence enough for one day, Mr. Darcy,” she said at last. “All I will say is that Jane is very proper. She would not speak of her feelings with any man until he has made his own clear.”
Mr. Darcy nodded slowly. “I thank you, Miss Elizabeth. Now that he will not be leaving for London with any haste, perhaps they will have time to discuss such matters.”
“Without interference from his family or his friend?” Elizabeth asked pointedly.
Mr. Darcy held up his hands, palms out.
Elizabeth stared at them. My goodness, his hands were large.
“Bingley has already made that very clear,” the gentleman said. “He respects my advice on most matters, but in this he will be his own man.”
“That speaks well of him,” Elizabeth mused.
Mr. Darcy nodded. “You will not find a better fellow in all of England. He is amiable to a fault at times, but when he knows what he wants, he is determined, disciplined, and patient.”
Mr. Bingley had spoken well of Mr. Darcy. It was pleasant to hear that the admiration was mutual. Still. “You make my sister sound like an investment, Mr. Darcy.”
He nodded. “Marriage is an investment of a very significant sort, Miss Elizabeth.” His eyes bored into hers. “Do not you agree?”
She pursed her lips. “If I were to use your terms, I would rather say it was a committed partnership where neither member of the company can sell out. I would have love, Mr. Darcy, but I think the sort of love I require must also include respect for one another.” She smiled. “And now you will find me quite ridiculous.”
“Not at all, Miss Elizabeth,” he said, but Elizabeth believed that she had offended him, for he sat back in his chair with a strange expression writ across his countenance. Perhaps it would be a good time to ask his pardon.
“I should like to apologise to you, Mr. Darcy, and I do not think we shall find a more convenient time.”
“Apologise for what, Miss Elizabeth?”
She grimaced. “I am a vain creature, Mr. Darcy. I had not thought it of myself, but so it is. At the assembly you had the sense to agree that Jane is something rather special. However, you then declared me ‘tolerable, but not handsome enough’ to tempt you to dance. That did not put you in my good graces.”
Mr. Darcy’s complexion had paled, and that was not what she had intended.
“Please, sir, do not distress yourself.”