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“Oh! Mr. Darcy, it is lovely to see you again. I am certain you are quite pleased with Hertfordshire. You have the best company and the prettiest girls to dance with,” Mrs. Bennet said.

Darcy did not reply, and when he looked at Jane, he was startled to find her batting her eyelashes at him with a sweet smile.

The men left to play billiards, and the women sat down in the drawing room. Mr. Bingley ignored the game and somehow wanted to return to Mary to see if she was well.

“Is everything all right?” Darcy asked him, sensing his unease.

“Yes, yes,” Mr. Bingley replied, trying to concentrate on the game.

Darcy thought his friend looked troubled.

He did not prefer Mr. Bennet or Sir William’s company.

He found the latter exasperating for the monotonous speeches he gave about every topic.

Towards Mr. Bennet, he somehow felt an instant dislike.

He did not know why, but his demeanor reminded him of Wickham, and he sensed something was off with the man.

Jane waited in anticipation for the men to return, and Mrs. Bennet was eager to let her daughter charm Darcy.

Mary sat in silence. When they arrived, she was unable to look at Darcy, well aware of what transpired between him and her sister.

He is in love with Lizzy and has no idea that she feels the same way. How am I to even help in this matter?

The men returned, and they all sat down for supper.

Mary sat next to Darcy, and Jane was seated opposite to them, beside Mr. Bingley.

“I hope you have settled down comfortably here, Mr. Bingley. We hope you will be happy here, and I hope Mr. Darcy likes to stay here as well,” Mrs. Bennet stated, looking at Darcy.

“Yes, madam. We have settled here quite amiably, and Mr. Hurst is also to join us soon,” Mr. Bingley replied.

“That is wonderful indeed.”

Miss Bingley frowned as she sat beside Mariah. She did not like sharing Darcy’s company with anyone else, especially with a society she held in such low standards.

“Mr. Darcy, please tell us about life in Derbyshire. I have heard much about its beauty,” Sir William asked.

“Yes, sir, it is quite charming indeed,” Darcy replied, not interested in continuing the conversation.

“You must tell us about your estate, sir. I hope it is grand,” Jane asked in the sweetest tone.

“I have lived there most of my life, so whatever I say would be partial.”

“It is quite grand, Miss Bennet; I can speak for him as I have had the pleasure of visiting Pemberley many times,” Miss Bingley said, looking sharply at Jane.

Jane immediately saw a competitor in Miss Bingley.

She may be well acquainted with him, but she has no beauty. I can make him fall in love with me for sure.

Mr. Bingley was confused by Jane’s behavior. Though Jane was seated beside him, she hardly said more than a few words to him.

She always seemed to join the conversation when someone spoke to Darcy, and Mary understood what her sister was up to.

Silly Jane, he will never fall for you , she thought as they sat down for some music.

Miss Bingley played first, and Darcy had witnessed her performance before.

He instantly recollected the mesmerizing vision of Elizabeth sitting at the pianoforte in Pemberley.

His heart ached when he came to terms with reality.

He knew she would not be comfortable around him anymore or in Pemberley.

He was uncertain if he could ever be in the same room as her without fighting the thought of pursuing her again.

Mary played next, and Darcy liked her performance. Her choice of song reminded him of Georgiana, and he could say that they had similar tastes.

When she finished, he said the same to her.

“You play well, Miss Mary. I think you and my sister have similar tastes.”

“I thank you, sir. I do know I need to practice more.”

“My sister would say the same about herself,” he said with a smile.

Jane and Miss Bingley stared at them. To them, it almost seemed impossible that Darcy would choose to compliment her.

“I look forward to the Meryton assembly, Miss Bennet. Sir William informs me that it is the most popular evening of the year,” Mr. Bingley said to Jane, hoping to start a conversation with her.

“Yes, it is. We are so glad that this year, we will have Mr. Darcy there as well,” she said, noticing the frown on Mr. Bingley’s face. “And you as well,” she added.

Mr. Bingley did not know why she was so aloof that evening, which made no sense to him.

The assembly was the following week, and Darcy had no intention of staying for the same.

Sir William stressed upon the anticipation of seeing Darcy at the assembly, but he made no promises.

He joined Mr. Bingley in handing the women into their carriage. Darcy handed the Bennet family in, and he was beginning to understand Jane’s intentions.

“It was a pleasure to spend time in your company, Mr. Darcy. You could call on us tomorrow, and I am certain it gets boring in Netherfield,” Jane said and batted her eyelashes.

Darcy has seen enough women like her and said nothing in reply.

He handed Mary in, and she wished him good night. Mary could see the pain in his eyes—the pain of being rejected in love and the pain of separating from Elizabeth.

She sighed as she sat down in the carriage.

Fate is cruel.

She thought and wondered if she had the power to alter it.