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“Before her wedding,” said Elizabeth, thinking back to her sister’s declaration, “Jane informed me that she had not been in love with Mr. Bingley. She even spoke of her relief that it turned out as it did, as she did not believe she would have found the same happiness with Mr. Bingley.”

Elizabeth smiled and shrugged. “To own the truth, I consider her comments affected by the rush of requited love and her imminent wedding. It is my opinion that had Mr. Bingley returned, she would have found herself in love sufficient to be happy with him.”

“Then it was a matter of the length of her acquaintance,” said Mr. Darcy, trying to understand.

“In part, perhaps. Yet I will point out that Jane knew Mr. Harrington for only a little longer than she knew Mr. Bingley.”

“Yes, that is a consideration.”

“This is only my conjecture,” said Elizabeth, “but I suspect Mr. Harrington’s conduct did much to alter her perception. If you will forgive me, I have always supposed that Mr. Bingley, though a good and amiable man, lacks a little... forthrightness or perhaps firmness of purpose.”

“In that you are correct, though I suspect events are bringing Bingley to maturity even as we speak.”

It was nothing less than a reference to the previous evening and what Elizabeth suspected Mr. Bingley would say to his sister that very morning. If he took her to task over what Elizabeth had told him, she could only suppose that Miss Bingley deserved every bit of his censure.

“It seems,” said Mr. Darcy, a hint of humor in his voice, “that I am unqualified to offer such advice to my friends. Though I was perhaps correct in my estimation of your sister, your suspicions suggest I may have mistaken the truth in the end. For that I am regretful, though for your sister, all has turned out well.”

“Then you will eschew such advice in the future?” was Elizabeth’s light tease.

“Without a doubt, Miss Bennet. I know my strengths and shall focus on them—I do not suppose this is a weakness that I must improve, for I doubt I would be in such a position with any degree of frequency.”

“That is for the best, Mr. Darcy.”

DARCY SUPPOSED THAT Mrs. Harrington’s fortunate situation played a large part in Miss Bennet’s current complacency. Had her sister remained at home pining for Bingley’s return, he did not suppose she would be so charitable with him.

There were still other questions, however, and while he would bring her no pleasure by raising them, they were matters of some importance to him.

As Darcy was no less than interested in Miss Bennet himself, he thought it reason enough to question her, though he could not suppose she would act with anything other than the most scrupulous honor.

Thus, Darcy ventured to speak, trusting her better nature to understand and respond, leaving their amity intact.

“You mentioned your sister married a Mr. Harrington. Might I assume her new husband is Richard Harrington? His estate is in Warwickshire?”

Miss Bennet’s curiosity was unmistakable. “I was not aware you were acquainted with him. Your name came up in reference to your stay at Netherfield last year, but to the best of my knowledge, Richard said nothing.”

“Nor would I have expected it of him,” said Darcy. “As I am higher in society and our acquaintance is not significant, he would not speak of it.” A thought occurred to Darcy, and he offered Miss Bennet a wry look. “Unless, of course, one wished to emphasize a connection like Miss Bingley might.”

Miss Bennet’s glance heavenward was not unexpected. “Richard might have told Jane, but she did not mention it to me. If, as you suggest, it is not a close connection, she did not think it was worth it to comment on the subject.”

“That is likely,” agreed Darcy. “While I do not know Harrington well, I have a good impression of him. Should the occasion present itself, I would not oppose a closer friendship.”

To Darcy’s eyes, it appeared Miss Bennet was interested in his meaning, but Darcy did not wish to discuss Harrington. He had a greater matter of interest he wished to canvass.

“Tell me more of your sister’s connection with Harrington,” said Darcy, trying to present his concern in the most inoffensive manner he could. “You said it was a love match?”

“It was,” said Elizabeth. “Not even the initial stages of Jane’s acquaintance with Mr. Bingley were as promising as her reaction to Richard.”

Darcy nodded. “I beg your pardon, Miss Bennet, for I know not how to say what I wish in a manner that will not offend you, so I suppose I must come out and say it.”

“By all means, Mr. Darcy,” said she, appearing nonplused. “What do you wish to know?”

“You mentioned your mother’s improved disposition, though you did not say why. Part of the concerns I shared with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst was your mother’s... influence over her daughters. Can I assume she had no part to play in your sister’s romance with Harrington?”

Darcy saw the exact moment when Miss Bennet understood the thrust of his meaning and could therefore see at once her dissatisfaction with the inference. It was to her credit that she swallowed her offense and undertook to answer him without rancor.

“I understand what you are saying, Mr. Darcy, though you show a clear misunderstanding of the inner workings of my family.”

“Yes, I cannot but suppose you are correct,” replied Darcy with haste, wishing to show that he was not questioning her integrity. “I hope you will answer my question in the spirit of hoped understanding.”

Though Miss Bennet eyed him, she did not in the end hesitate to respond.

“My mother did nothing more than observe Jane’s courtship with Mr. Harrington and hope for her happiness.

In the matter of Mr. Bingley, as I must assume your question pertains, I can only refute any notion of my mother influencing Jane, sufficient to induce her to accept a man against her wishes. ”

“Your mother made her interest in the matter clear,” said Darcy, knowing he was treading a dangerous path. “There was some suggestion that she might insist on Mrs. Harrington accepting Bingley regardless of her inclination.”

“My mother’s insistence did not result in my acceptance of Mr. Collins’s suit.”

It was an answer to another question Darcy harbored but had not yet thought to ask.

The memory of entering Hunsford parsonage, half expecting to see this woman as Mrs. Collins returned him, complete with the relief that she had not debased herself.

The new Mrs. Collins was an estimable woman, much more sensible than her husband, though Darcy had not found her interesting, but Darcy would always remain grateful for what he found in the parsonage that day.

“If I might, I commend you for your perspicacity, Miss Bennet. Had you accepted Mr. Collins, that would have been unfortunate, indeed.”

Amusement replaced aggravation, and Miss Bennet said: “That opinion mirrors my own, Mr. Darcy, though I suppose for a different reason. In the present conversation, the salient point is that Mr. Collins did not hesitate to offer for me, and I did not hesitate to dismiss his proposal out of hand. Though my mother was vociferous in her denunciation, she had no power to move me from my purpose, and my father supported me. Papa would support any of his daughters in such circumstances, as he cares for our happiness.”

“That is commendable,” agreed Darcy. “If you will forgive me, I have never supposed that Mrs. Harrington possesses your indomitable resolve.”

Miss Bennet’s diversion grew ever more pronounced.

“Then you do not know Jane so well as you believe, Mr. Darcy. When she believes she is in the right, Jane can be as inexorable as the rising of the sun, though she would never lose her temper. If Mr. Bingley had proposed and Jane had not favored him, Mama would have protested, but my father would have supported Jane.”

Relief settled on Darcy, and he nodded, eager to leave this subject behind. “Thank you for the explanation, Miss Bennet. I understand your position and commend you for your principles. Are you aware that Mr. Collins has married?”

“Papa had a communication from him to that effect.” Miss Bennet shrugged. “I have thought little of it, for I consider Mr. Collins less than tolerable and not interesting enough to hold my attention.”

Darcy nodded, though her turn of phrase struck him as curious. “When I visited my aunt at Easter, I went to the parsonage fearing I would find you were its mistress.”

“‘Fearing?’” echoed she, appearing amused. “For what reason would you fear?”

“The knowledge that a fine woman of my acquaintance had settled for a marriage far beneath her. To me, it would have been a tragedy.”

Miss Bennet regarded him, and for several moments she did not speak.

“Is your interest in me that pronounced?”

“It is,” said Darcy with no trace of hesitation. “Our reacquaintance is only a few days old, but I must suppose you have seen something of my preference for your company.”

“Yes, I must confess I have,” was her soft reply. “It is most curious, Mr. Darcy, for I did not suppose you favored me when you were in Hertfordshire.”

Darcy turned and gazed out over the park near the church where they had stopped to converse.

This was as intelligent a woman as he had ever met; not only would he never wish to attempt deception, but he did not believe he would mislead her, for she was far too sharp.

Thus, he resorted to as much honesty as he could muster.

“Miss Bennet, you know something of my position in society.”

“Given what I saw of Pemberley,” said she, a note of wryness in her voice, “I have some inkling of it.”