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“Don’t be! Darce needed to hear the plain, unvarnished truth from someone he respects.

I’ve been covering for his social gaffes for years because I know his reserve makes it difficult for him to act otherwise.

.. just as I rely on his decisiveness to cover my aversion to conflict.

But that is another matter… What’s important is that you finally made him understand how he is seen by those who don’t know him so well.

Until now, he only thought of his own discomfort, never that his manners might give pain to others.

Darcy is a good man—I honestly can’t say that I know a better one—but he has very few close to him who will tell him the truth— that and his position in Society quite cuts him off from anyone who will take him to task for his faults. ”

Unaccustomed to such long, heartfelt speeches, Bingley took a deep breath. Observing that Miss Bennet had flushed a deep crimson, he chuckled. “Truly, Darcy has been making an effort to… how did he put it? To practice, I believe.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes at hearing her admonishment from Rosings repeated but her emotions were still in turmoil.

“I believe that he has. The gentleman that has befriended my aunt and uncle here in London is very different from the one I perceived in Hertfordshire and Kent.” She looked up at the man sitting across from her.

“I was shocked by how wrong I was about him.”

Charles was beginning to comprehend the odd courtship that had progressed between his friend and the lady before him. There was one last riddle to solve, however. “Darcy seems to have seen your meeting in London as a second chance; an opportunity to redeem himself.”

Elizabeth nodded. “I was surprised he would even acknowledge me after the things I said to him in Kent, but he spoke to me and even allowed an introduction to my relations. His manners were so altered.”

“You were agreeable to continuing the acquaintance?” Charles asked carefully.

The lady smiled. “I feel as if I’m just beginning the acquaintance.

I had formed such a false impression of Mr. Darcy upon meeting him in Meryton that I never bothered to get to know his real character.

After Kent, I understood how wrong I’d been but had no hope that I would ever have another chance. ”

“He is not an easy man to know but when he does open up to you there is no truer friend.”

“I’m beginning to see that.” Suddenly, Elizabeth’s smile vanished. “And that’s why I don’t understand his current unrest; we have met four times in London and I had thought we parted amicably after each.”

Bingley kept himself from chortling aloud but his eyes were warm. The lady might not be ready to admit to loving his friend but her concern for his well-being was very real. Charles sensed that all the couple needed to cement their mutual affection was more time in each other’s company.

But first, an obstacle must be removed. He wrinkled his brows in thought. “As best as I can understand, Darcy was equally pleased with your renewed association. And he has enjoyed getting to know the Gardiners— he said repeatedly that they were excellent people.”

“Then what… Why...”

“From what Darcy said earlier, he returned to Gracechurch Street the morning after you all attended the theatre; he hoped to invite you all for a walking tour and picnic at Kew Gardens. When he arrived, you and your family were out so rather than wait in the parlor he walked to a park nearby. As I understand it, he overheard part of a conversation between your aunt and uncle… and what they said left him under the impression that his proposal and your refusal was known to a much broader audience than he had previously supposed.”

Obviously horrified, Elizabeth exclaimed, “No! I’ve only spoken of it with Jane and my father and neither would ever betray my confidence.”

Although Bingley had suspected some sort of misunderstanding, he was relieved to hear her confirm it.

Darcy had made it sound as if half of London and all of Hertfordshire were snickering at him from behind their hands.

“Well, Darce seems to think that your mother is upset that you turned down an eligible offer.”

After staring blankly at him for some minutes, Elizabeth slapped her forehead and slumped back in a most unladylike manner.

“Oh for heaven’s sake! Mama knows nothing of my acquaintance with Mr. Darcy beyond Hertfordshire…

but she does speak often of her disappointment that I did not oblige her by becoming…

Mrs. Collins .” She shut her eyes tightly and only opened them again at the sound of Mr. Bingley’s snort.

“Forgive me, Miss Elizabeth, but I can’t resist imagining Darcy’s reaction when he learns that his position is shared with your cousin.”

The lady rolled her eyes in a most unladylike manner.

Charles attempted a more serious tone. “Regardless, that explains a great deal. Perhaps the Gardiners said something about how uncomfortable you were in Kent after Collins’ proposal. Am I correct in understanding that you were visiting your cousin and his new wife while Darcy was at Rosings?”

Despite her embarrassment, Elizabeth was beginning to appreciate the humor in the situation.

“Yes; Mr. Collins married my good friend, Charlotte Lucas, in December. I’m not certain that accepting him was the wisest decision she’s ever made but she assures me that she is pleased with her new situation. ”

The pair sat quietly for some minutes, considering their conversation. Both were startled when Holmes entered the room. “Miss Bennet, your carriage has arrived. Should I tell them to return at a later time?”

Checking her watch, Elizabeth was surprised to see she had been in Derwent House for nearly three hours. “Good heavens! Thank you, Holmes. Please tell the driver that I shall be out in a few minutes.”

After the butler’s departure, Elizabeth turned to Mr. Bingley and both smiled. “I must return to my uncle’s house or they will worry.”

“Of course. Thank you for remaining, Miss Elizabeth; I believe I know enough now to clear up the most dreadful of Darcy’s misapprehensions. For the rest, he will need to speak with you directly.”

The pair made their way companionably to the entry hall where Elizabeth donned her coat and gloves. When she was ready, she turned to her sister’s admirer with a great deal of affection. “Well, Mr. Bingley, it has been a most interesting afternoon. I hope to see you again very soon.”

They shook hands and Elizabeth departed in the Gardiner carriage, leaving Mr. Bingley standing at the front door of Derwent House with the Darcys’ venerable butler.

Charles was struck with a very pleasant vision of a future when visits between two couples, sisters and the best of friends, would be a regular occurrence.

Squaring his shoulders, Bingley turned to the butler. “Holmes, this is a bit irregular, but I should like to make use of one of the guest chambers tonight. I have a great deal to speak about with Mr. Darcy but I believe it would be better to let him sleep as long as he can, for now.”

The servant agreed immediately. Mr. Bingley was an intimate friend of the master and regularly stayed at Derwent House when both were in town. “Of course, sir. I shall have your usual rooms readied immediately.”

Bingley grinned. “Thank you, Holmes! I’ll send a note along to my valet and have him pack a few things.

” With a sense of mutual understanding, the two men parted, Bingley to the library to pen his note and Holmes to set the necessary wheels in motion for an overnight guest. The master might be asleep, but Derwent House was reviving after days of worry.