Page 15 of A Cleverly (Un)contrived Compromise (Love’s Little Helpers #3)

CHAPTER 15

B ingley’s newfound decisiveness bore remarkable fruit. Not only was his ball a smashing success, but he had also managed to dance once again with Miss Bennet. She was so lovely, so gentle and kind—a sharp contrast to his own sisters who treated him like an incapable little boy. Well, who was capable now?

He sipped from his champagne flute and reveled in his achievements as he took a turn about the room. Was this how Darcy felt all the time? Bingley could get used to it. He felt powerful, in charge, like a captain in command of his ship.

Speaking of Darcy, he had been gone for some time. Long enough for Bingley to dance with Miss Catherine, Miss King, Miss Lucas, and Mrs. Philips. He had not thought Darcy would endure Mr. Collins’ for over a quarter of an hour, much less a whole one.

Guilt threatened to dampen Bingley’s triumph, but then he remembered himself. Darcy would not need anyone’s assistance to escape unwanted company. Most likely, he had tired of the crush and was presently reading a book in the library, writing a letter in his room, or smacking the ivories in the billiard room.

As Bingley neared the refreshment table loaded with buckets of iced champagne, he realized he had not seen Mrs. Bennet for some time either. She was a lady whose absence could not but be felt, especially after a few flutes of the bubbly liquid.

Come to think of it, he had not seen Mr. Bennet either. Perhaps the gentleman had found a comfortable chair in the quieter library. He seemed more suited to books than to conversation and dancing.

Then Bingley saw his angel conversing with Sir William, Lady Lucas, and Miss Lucas. All further observations of the other Bennets present—or not—fled his mind. Like a moth to the flame, he drew nearer.

“I hope you are enjoying yourselves?” He took in Miss Bennet’s pink cheeks, her soft eyes regarding him as though he were a gallant prince.

“I have never attended a ball its equal,” she replied with a pretty smile.

Bingley sensed his chest inflate and determined to host many more balls.

He saw the tips of Caro and Louisa’s feathered turbans across the room. His heart filled with gratitude for all their exertions planning and orchestrating the event—so much so that he forgave them the extra expenses of having so much of it brought in from London. He waved, eager for them to join their party so he might share the credit where it was due.

The crowd parted and he saw Caro’s face. Her eyes narrowed when she spotted him. She shot him a venomous look, and he regretted having made himself an open target.

Behind her, Mrs. Bennet waved a handkerchief. “Lady Lucas, I have such news for you!” She darted around Caro, looking as though she might burst with joy if she did not share her news quickly. She blurted loudly for half the room to hear, “Mr. Darcy and my Lizzy are to marry!”

Bingley felt his eyes widen and his jaw go slack. Opposite him, he saw Miss Bennet and Miss Lucas exchange a confused look. Caro looked like a tea kettle about to scream and blow steam. She glared at him as though he were to blame. What had he done? Darcy would never attach himself to a young lady unless he wanted to.

Granted, it was strange that he would propose so suddenly. Perhaps he had enjoyed Miss Elizabeth’s debates more than Bingley had supposed? He pondered the matter for a considerable time, long enough for a crowd to press around their group and prevent Caroline and Louisa from leaving.

Bingley was about to go in search of his friend when Mr. Bennet joined them. Mutterings of, “Is it true? How can it be?” echoed in the gentleman’s wake. Placing a hand on Mrs. Bennet’s shoulder, a twinkle in his eye, he addressed Caro. “Evidently, the way to Mr. Darcy’s heart is through a pair of fine eyes, is that not so, Miss Bingley?”

Caro huffed.

Mrs. Bennet pounced at the compliment. “Did Mr. Darcy call my Lizzy’s eyes fine?” She clasped onto Caroline’s arm, making what would have been a difficult escape impossible without dragging the matron along.

Caro attempted to ignore her, but Mrs. Bennet was persistent. “I daresay there are no finer eyes to be seen in all of Hertfordshire, London even! My girls are always praised for—”

Caro interjected, “It is not uncommon for a gentleman to compliment a lady.”

Mrs. Bennet clapped. “But to be complimented by a gentleman such as Mr. Darcy, who must be acquainted with a great deal of handsome women! For him to praise my Lizzy above them all is a compliment indeed! Such superior taste!”

Caroline twisted her face as she always had when the nurse forced them to take their cod liver oil.

Mr. Bennet nodded at her. “Your insight is to be praised, Miss Bingley. I have it on excellent authority that you were the first to suspect an attachment was forming in that quarter and had the sagacity to wish the couple well.”

The high color in Caro’s face drained to white. She mumbled, “I cannot seem to recall.”

“It was at Sir William’s dinner party the better part of a month ago,” Mr. Bennet said with a smile.

Sir William, upon learning his role in his neighbor’s daughter’s successful match, added with an enthusiastic nod, “I suspected as much.”

“As did I!” Mrs. Bennet added, not to be outdone.

Lady Lucas, not to be bested by her rival, said, “I overheard the conversation myself. Do you not remember me telling you about it, my love?”

“Well, that is old news, Lady Lucas,” Mrs. Bennet interrupted. “You ought to have seen how my Lizzy despaired over leaving Netherfield Park once Jane recovered from her illness. I knew then that she must be in love, and with whom else but Mr. Darcy!?”

Bingley did not remember that, but he had been wrong many times before.

Once again, Mrs. Bennet clasped onto Caro’s arm. “Miss Bingley, I surely have you to thank for bringing their engagement to light! Who knows how long they might have kept their engagement a secret had you not convinced Mr. Darcy to talk to Mr. Bennet!”

“But I—” Caroline’s mouth closed and opened several times, but she seemed at a loss for words.

Bingley helped her. “She has been teasing Darcy about a lady’s fine eyes incessantly. I did not know she referred to Miss Elizabeth, but it all makes sense now.”

And indeed, it did. How had Bingley not noticed before? Caroline’s jealous comments, Darcy’s somberness every time the Bennets were mentioned… He had been quiet to conceal his secret!

It was then that Darcy walked into the ballroom with Miss Elizabeth on his arm. Hm, was that a different coat? They looked happy. To be sure, they made a handsome couple. They were similar in intellect. While he had witnessed their temperaments in frequent opposition, they did complement each other. Miss Elizabeth would lighten Darcy’s sterner moods. Darcy would give her the security any young lady craved. Really, Bingley concluded, they were indeed an excellent match.

Furthermore, there could be no objections about Bingley courting Miss Bennet openly if Darcy considered her sister worthy of an offer of marriage. Yes, that suited Bingley rather well!

The crowd parted to welcome the happy couple.

Caro and Louisa decided that they required some punch and hastened away. Caroline’s feathers seemed a little droopier but, given the warmth of the room and the lateness of the hour, saggy feathers and wilted blooms were to be expected.

Sir William elbowed Darcy in the arm, and he muttered something that made Darcy’s cheeks turn crimson. He turned to Miss Elizabeth and smiled. She laughed, and soon Darcy did too, his smile wider than Bingley had seen since… since he could remember!

Good Lord, the man must be smitten! How had Bingley not noticed the depth of his friend’s attraction before? All the conversations, debates, exchanges of opinions…

Of course! It was just like Cambridge. Darcy had always delighted in an intellectual conversation. Bingley had never understood his need to seek out such complicated discussions, but Darcy must have found his counterpart in Miss Elizabeth.

Bingley grinned at Darcy. Knowing his best friend would be happy increased his own happiness tenfold.

Smile wide, Darcy caught Bingley’s eye and signaled for him to join him off to the side. As it always did, the crowd parted to allow Darcy passage. Once they reached the edge of curious onlookers offering their congratulations, Bingley clapped Darcy on the back. “Well done, old man! I wish you and Miss Elizabeth every happiness.”

Darcy met his felicitations with a dangerous glint that made Bingley squirm. Why was he looking at him like that?

“Wickham was not in the study.”

Oh, that man. Just the mention of Wickham was enough to put Darcy in a dudgeon. “I beg your pardon, but I never directly said he was. However, I must apologize for seizing an opportunity presented to me. You charged off so quickly, and I was desirous of dancing again with Miss Bennet, so I did not correct you. I considered the consequences as you had advised me and thought that the worst that would come of it was you being forced into conversation with Mr. Collins. You did not see him, did you?”

Come to think of it, the clergyman had been missing for some time. He was not still in the study, was he?

Darcy clenched his jaw shut, his muscles twitching.

Bingley understood that as a no . Still, this was a night to celebrate, and he could not allow his friend’s happiness to be marred by an unpleasant man who was not even present. “Pray, think no more of Wickham. I assure you, he is not here, at least, not that I am aware of. Tonight is an evening for rejoicing. You are to marry a remarkably clever young woman, and I have never seen you smile with so much feeling. So much for finding her intolerable, eh?” He laughed and elbowed Darcy in the side.

Another jaw twitch and a tense, “I am determined to be happy.”

That was an improvement. “Then happy you will be. Anything you determine to do is as good as done.”

If only Bingley could be so resolved. Seeing Darcy merry made Bingley wish for the same. He had made progress that night, but he still had a way to go.

If Darcy gave his blessing to pursue Miss Bennet, then Bingley could be completely certain. Taking advantage of their tête-à-tête, Bingley continued, “I say, there is a matter I should like your opinion on, now that you are engaged to Miss Elizabeth.”

Darcy shot him a look. “You are the man of the house. Take charge. Think through the consequences of each action, decide on the path of most benefit to those dearest to you, and act without hesitation. It is not difficult. Now, if you will excuse me, I must return to my betrothed.”

Bingley sighed in frustration, but he would not insist. Clearly, Darcy wished to be at Miss Elizabeth’s side, and Bingley would not deprive him of that. He turned to the orchestra to ensure they played a lively tune.

That was when he saw Mrs. Nichols approach, wringing her apron. “Mr. Bingley, there is a matter—I believe I have succeeded in keeping it quiet—but you would do well to come with me and see for yourself.”

Intrigued, Bingley followed her up the stairs to the resident’s wing, doing his best to assuage her distress and placate her apologies.

When they reached Caro’s door, Mrs. Nichols took a deep breath, pushed it open, and stepped aside.

Bingley poked his head through the opening, half suspecting to find a tiger or some other fearsome creature prowling in the shadows. He held his breath and stepped inside. It was too dark to see anything.

And then he heard it. It was not a tiger. “Dear Lord!” he mumbled.

The next few minutes was a hushed blur Bingley would rather not recall, but he muddled his way through creditably, or so he hoped. He simply followed Darcy’s steps: take charge, think through the consequences, decide, and act.

Except thinking through things was not Bingley’s strength, and he worried for a solid five minutes whether he had been as thorough as he needed to be.