Page 26

N etherfield was quite a pleasant place without Miss Bingley around to make him feel uncomfortable, Darcy thought.

He sat in the library before lunch, to avoid the bustling around of Bingley’s aunt and her increasingly busy preparations for the ball. He frowned; thinking about the ball made him aware he was looking forward entirely too much to his dance with Miss Elizabeth.

But there was nothing to be done, of course. He could not renege on his request, and he did not wish to. But it would draw Mrs. Bennet’s attention to him. He grimaced. Perhaps Bennet would have told her that Darcy had no intentions toward her daughter.

He rose to his feet and rang for coffee. He’d had a disturbed night, thinking of Bennet’s words the previous afternoon.

Take my advice, Mr. Darcy, and read nothing into that. Elizabeth treats those she likes and dislikes with the same light-hearted tendency. You ought to read nothing into it. Nothing at all.

… those she likes and dislikes…

Did the man mean Miss Elizabeth disliked him? No, he could not possibly mean that. But he hadn’t seemed to think she had any designs on him; in fact, looking back, Darcy thought he could detect signs of amusement in Bennet’s expression.

Darcy felt the heat of a flush around the back of his neck, and was glad he was alone. But she’d agreed to the supper dance with him, so surely she was in pursuit of him? He cradled the coffee cup in his hand, and thought back to the day he’d requested it.

She’d acquiesced to Collins’ request, granting him one one dance.

… I would not like to sit out the whole evening, so I cannot refuse.

Then he had asked her for the supper dance, and she’d looked astonished.

You wish to dance the supper dance with me?

Darcy had thought her astonishment was at the honour of his early request, but as he looked back, he realised she hadn’t shown any sign of pleasure, or joy at being asked. Her smile hadn’t reached her eyes.

Of course, Mr. Darcy .

She hadn’t even thanked him. And then she’d hurriedly left the room.

He carefully placed his cup on the table, and leaned back in the chair, his eyes closed. No, her reactions to him had not been showing she liked him. And her father must know that her teasing manner was not a flirtation, as he’d not seemed discomposed when he warned him.

Did Miss Elizabeth dislike him? He could not conceive of an unrelated young lady not coveting the position of Mrs. Darcy. But from what Bennet had said, it seemed Miss Elizabeth harboured no designs on him. He smiled slightly; it was a refreshing experience.

She could not dislike him, though. Bennet must be in error on that score.

Darcy was looking forward to his dance with her. He could find out her feelings with more certainty.

Perhaps she was not too far below him. His mind, that part of it which was not under good regulation, started feeling hopeful.

After all, she was a gentleman’s daughter.

He thought she could be good friends with Georgiana.

And the way her gown swirled round her ankles when she walked stirred him more than any other lady of his acquaintance.

His thoughts had quite occupied his morning, so he started with surprise when Bingley arrived back from Longbourn.

“Is Miss Bennet well, Bingley?” He must realise that his friend would always have Miss Bennet in company when he visited him at Pemberley after they were married, and it behooved him to be friendly. At least she was more soothing company than Miss Bingley. He smiled to himself.

Bingley poured two drinks and handed one to him before taking the chair opposite him. Darcy noted he looked quite discomposed.

“I wish you had been there, Darcy. It has been an eventful morning at Longbourn, and my dear Jane is quite bemused by all that has happened.”

Darcy raised his eyebrows. If Collins had made a nuisance of himself with Miss Elizabeth, he’d — well, he could do nothing. He’d already warned Bennet.

“What happened?”

“Well, the good thing is that their cousin has gone. It seems Mr. Bennet told him to leave forthwith after he had made a pest of himself — and a botched proposal to Miss Elizabeth.” Bingley ran his hand through his hair.

“My Jane is convinced that Miss Elizabeth found it more distressing than she allowed herself to show, but in the middle of all that, their uncle’s carriage arrived, with a demand that she go at once to town.”

“What?” Darcy was on his feet. “What could have transpired that she was needed so suddenly?”

Bingley looked puzzled. “I don’t know. Perhaps Mr. Bennet asked them to send for her to get her away from Mr. Collins. His leering over her would have discomposed any father.”

“But, as we have now seen, he could have sent Collins away at any time.” Darcy puzzled over what had happened. “So, is Miss Elizabeth leaving after luncheon, and is she coming back for the ball?”

Bingley glanced at him curiously, but Darcy found he didn’t mind about that. He waited anxiously for the answer.

“It’s only a week or so to go, so she might not be back for the ball. I sat and talked to Mrs. Bennet for a while, so that Jane could talk to her sister. But she was obviously distressed by it. And no, Miss Elizabeth left almost at once, as soon as her trunk had been packed.”

Darcy sat back to think about what he had been told. Was it so she could escape the supper dance with him? But she knew how much it would distress her sister.

No, it was more likely that she was trying to escape Collins. But he was gone now, so she would have been able to stay.

He turned from the window he had seen nothing through. “Did anyone say why her uncle sent for her? Perhaps Bennet hadn’t asked for her to be sent for, and there is a need for her in London.”

Bingley shook his head. “Nothing was spoken of. But Miss Elizabeth looked quite distraught at the curtailed farewell with her sisters and her mother. Her father walked out to the coach with her, and I thought he looked very sad.”

Darcy wished he had accompanied Bingley this morning; wished it with a fierce longing. But it could not be changed now.

There was a sudden stabbing pain in his heart. He wondered if he’d ever see Miss Elizabeth again.