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A fter speaking with Mr. Bennet, Mr. Darcy made his way to Netherfield. His arrival caused quite a stir.

“Darcy! I got your message, and have been waiting for you this entire day!”

Miss Bingley appeared at her brother’s side, eyes wide. “Mr. Darcy! I had no idea that we were expecting you! Charles, how very disagreeable of you to not prepare me. I must speak with the housekeeper at once to have the best guest room readied.” She bustled off.

“You did not tell your sister that I was visiting?” Mr. Darcy asked.

“I did not want to listen to her going on and on about it, Darcy, nor staring out the window at all hours looking for your carriage.”

Mr. Darcy managed not to snort.

Miss Bingley returned to inform her guest that his room was ready; would he not follow her up to his room? He replied rather severely that he knew the way, and did not require a guide. She frowned, but did not contradict him; instead, she stared at his back as he made his way upstairs.

***

At dinner, Mr. Darcy let it be known that he had already been to Longbourn.

“But why? Surely they have no claim on your attention,” Miss Bingley protested.

“I know not how you can say so, Miss Bingley, given that they have just lost Mrs. Bennet. One cannot delay paying a condolence call; it is the worst of bad manners.”

This silenced Miss Bingley at once, but it did not have the same effect on her brother. “My sisters have yet to pay such a call; what think you of that, Darcy?”

“I confess myself astonished!” he replied promptly, eyebrows raised high. “What can you mean by that, Miss Bingley, Mrs. Hurst? I do not mean to criticise your manners, of course; I am certain you have your reasons, though I cannot fathom them.”

The two ladies hardly knew where to look. Finally, Miss Bingley said, “We have been quite occupied, Mr. Darcy, in reopening Netherfield; but Louisa and I have every intention of paying that call immediately.”

“I hope they will forgive your long delay in doing so,” Mr. Darcy said, rather sternly. “But I am certain that Miss Bennet, at least, will forgive you; she is everything kind.”

“Yes, she certainly is,” Miss Bingley said through her teeth.

***

Mr. Darcy managed a private word with Mr. Bingley before the evening was out. “How does your courtship progress?” he asked.

Mr. Bingley shook his head. “Not well,” he confessed. “She was terribly hurt by my unexpected departure and does not seem able to trust me. Unfortunately, I completely comprehend her feelings. But tell me, Darcy, what of the search for Miss Lydia?”

Mr. Darcy explained – yet again – all that he had done to try to find the girl, concluding with his summoning of Colonel Fitzwilliam to help his cause.

“Miss Kitty is preparing a drawing of Miss Lydia to aid my efforts; it will be ready tomorrow. If it is a good likeness, I will ask her to make as many copies as possible and I will bring them to the Colonel.”

“I will accompany you to Longbourn tomorrow, Darcy. And if I am not mistaken, my sisters will join us.”