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Mr. Darcy looked sadly at a letter he had just finished reading.

An excellent man and good friend was gone before his time.

The vicar of Kympton should have had another twenty years or more guiding his flock, offering generosity, comfort, and good advice to those in need.

He would be very much missed in the parish.

And by the friend who felt privileged to have known him.

At any other time, it would have been difficult to find a worthy replacement. But Mr. Darcy knew the very man to fill those shoes.

Putting down his letter, he reached for a sheet of paper, intending to write to Mr. Charlton at once.

But then he paused, his hand hovering above the stack.

Hertfordshire could not be avoided forever.

He could not bring himself to shun any of the new friends whose company had given him so much pleasure that autumn.

Although she could not be his wife, Elizabeth would go on being a valued friend. And Mr. Madison as well.

Instead of writing, he would make the offer in person.

Returning to Netherfield would not be easy, but a difficult task was better tackled rather than postponed.

Instead of a letter to Mr. Charlton, Mr. Darcy started writing a note to Mr. Bingley instead.

He had yet to even mention that he was in London, but now he would make arrangements for them to travel back together on Monday.

He did not get past the first few words. A visitor was announced, and to his surprise it was Mr. Bingley.

“I was just writing to you,” Mr. Darcy said.

“I have just learned that you packed up and left Netherfield for good,” Mr. Bingley said.

“Yes, about that—”

“And then my sisters did the same. They ordered the servants to close up the house.”

“Oh. It never occurred to me that they would leave too.”

“It never occurred to me either. But I don’t blame you. I’m only wondering what to do now. Caroline has informed me that right after I left, they learned that Miss Bennet has become engaged to Mr. Madison.”

“That is impossible. He is engaged to Miss Elizabeth.”

“I know it’s impossible.” Mr. Bingley frowned. “And he can’t be engaged to Miss Elizabeth either. Who told you that? My sisters?”

“No, Mr. Collins. And if you know that Miss Bennet isn’t engaged, why are you wondering what to do?”

“Because of the house being closed. How much trouble will I be putting the servants to by just turning up? Or should I write with instructions for them to reopen it? And why would you take Mr. Collins’s word for anything. The man is a fool.”

“I didn’t just take his word. Mr. Madison was talking to Mr. Bennet about the settlements. And if you send instructions by express, you should be able to return on Monday as you planned.”

“I’d rather go today. Even if I have to sleep among the dust covers. I don’t know what unkind things my sisters might have said to Miss Bennet, who might now be thinking the worst of me. The sooner I see her the better.”

“You have a point. I haven’t liked to say so, but I think your sisters, well mostly Miss Bingley, would not stop being unkind to Miss Bennet. And you could always stay at the inn.”

“I think the officers have taken all the rooms. But to return to the matter of Mr. Madison, are you certain that he was talking about settlements? He and Mr. Bennet are both involved in parish business and various other concerns. And even though I have no doubt that Miss Elizabeth has a great value for his friendship, I would confidently say that she is not in love with him even if I weren’t equally confident that she is in love with you.

I find it hard to believe you could not see that. ”

“I thought I had, but love is complicated.” Mr. Darcy frowned as he contemplated his friend’s question. “I believe Mr. Madison said that he would get the documents signed. I suppose they could have been any kind of documents.”

Mr. Bingley nodded.

“He is much involved in parish business. And there is no reason to think Mr. Collins ever knows what he is talking about.”

Mr. Bingley nodded again.

“I have been an idiot, haven’t I?”

Mr. Bingley nodded for a third time. “So will you be going back to Netherfield soon?”

“No, I will be going with you today. Within the hour. Even if we have to sleep in a hedgerow.”

“Or I could send the express first, and hopefully we can at least sleep at Netherfield even if we have to beg for our supper elsewhere.”

Mr. Darcy got up from his desk. Gesturing toward the pen and paper, he said, “You write. I shall summon a servant.”

But before he could do so, the door opened, and the butler queried, “Are you at home for a Mrs. Bennet?”