Chapter 6

6

D arcy allowed his horse to amble back to Netherfield in a way he would not normally do. But he wanted to be able to think back with pleasure at the morning so far, and the horse was able to do as he wished.

Elizabeth. How fortunate he was that she had been there so early. And that she had consented to his request that he call upon her. When she had agreed, he had been tempted to amend his request and ask for a courtship. But he had forced himself to consider her wishes above his.

He shuddered; he would never want to be refused by her again, never wish to see her face angry and her words filled with fury, as she had spat them at Hunsford. He had spent many months of sleepless nights; many months berating himself for his injudicious words — and his blindness in not seeing her dislike of him.

But today was for forgetting all that. His Elizabeth needed to be wooed. She needed to see a better man, and it would take longer than a few days to convince her of the change in him.

And she would need to be properly courted. Ladies liked to feel loved and cherished. Why would not his Elizabeth wish the same?

He set himself to think of little things he might do for her, actions which would prove to her that he had improved to gain her good opinion.

And perhaps she would agree to correspond with Georgiana. At Pemberley, his sister had begun to think of Elizabeth as a friend, a lady of about her own age who was kind and pleasant company. He huffed a quiet laugh. Elizabeth was totally opposite to Miss Bingley — Georgiana was afraid of her ; and yet, she already trusted Elizabeth, even though they had been little in company.

"Darcy!" Bingley's voice crossed the hall before his friend did. "I was wondering if you intended to miss breaking your fast this morning. You are not usually out so long as this."

Darcy clapped him on the shoulder. "Yes, I took a new route, watched the sunrise and forgot the time." They walked together back into the breakfast room, where the sun shone through the east-facing windows.

His mouth watered as he looked at the repast on the side table, and he moved to fill his plate. His appetite was restored this morning, now he knew Miss Elizabeth would allow him to call upon her.

"Will you forgive me the lesson on estate management this morning, Darcy? I wish to return to Longbourn as soon as it is a reasonable hour."

"Hmm?" Darcy looked up. It was enjoyable here without Bingley's relations. They could not, of course, entertain without a hostess, but Bingley seemed happy to call at Longbourn — and Darcy was too, now he had spoken to Miss Elizabeth. "Oh. Yes, of course."

Bingley had finished eating and leaned back, coffee cup in hand. His smile was knowing and Darcy prayed he would not flush.

"Did you meet anyone this morning — apart from seeing the sunrise, of course?"

Darcy shrugged. "If you feel free to ask me questions, then I will be able to of you." He raised his eyebrows, and Bingley beamed.

"Indeed, I will tell you freely. Miss Bennet is a veritable angel, Darcy, and so forgiving. I told her I had no knowledge of her being in town this last winter, and knowing that; it was why I had left my sisters behind when I came to Netherfield on this occasion." He sighed. "She has pardoned me and accepted my apology. We had a wonderful conversation and she told me of her work in the stillroom for the tenants of Longbourn."

Darcy was listening idly to the news of the lady he devoutly hoped would become his sister-in-law. "That is commendable, Bingley. I am happy she is an estimable woman." He raised an eyebrow. "And have you discovered whether she has affection for you?"

"I … Not exactly. I believe so, but she is cautious of exposing her heart to me, given that I abandoned her so cruelly last November. I asked her if I may court her, and she has consented, so I will speak to Mr. Bennet this morning."

Darcy smiled to himself. "A good course of action, Bingley." And I am on a similar path, if you but knew it.

His friend leaned forward. "Let us take more coffee in the library, Darcy. There is something I would speak to you about."

Once the door was closed, Bingley looked closely at his friend. "I am happy you have agreed to come to Longbourn. But I am puzzled as to why. I know as well as anyone that you are besieged by Lady Catherine on one side demanding that you marry her daughter, and that on the other side is your other aunt, lining up strings of debutantes to parade before you, because she wants you to wed within the first circles."

His gaze was sympathetic, but with some steel behind it which puzzled Darcy.

"So, why are you coming to Longbourn? If I have my way in courting Miss Bennet, then Miss Elizabeth will be my sister. I saw the way you looked at her at Pemberley. Would you be better to stay away from her, if you cannot meet expectations?"

Darcy rubbed his chin and looked across the room. But his eyes were unfocussed. How much dare he tell Bingley?

"You know very well, Bingley, that I am not promised to my cousin; nor to any of those simpering town-loving misses. I hope you trust that I am not the sort of man who will raise expectations nor will I be ungentlemanly."

His friend looked exceedingly discomposed. "No, no, not at all! It was just … just that you cannot, of course, align yourself with any family that now numbers Mr. Wickham amongst it. He will never cease to use your name when amassing debts!"

Darcy scowled; it was what Miss Elizabeth had said, that this was an insurmountable obstacle . And she was not wrong. Except that it was the only way. Miss Elizabeth must be his, he loved her far too much to just ride away.

He became aware that fresh coffee had arrived and a footman was holding out a cup to him. He nodded apologetically and took it. "Thank you."

He was soon deep in thought again. How could he mitigate the problem of Wickham? He had warned Bennet, who seemed to be determined that he would not allow his wife and daughters to be importuned for money. So that was one avenue open to Wickham which had been blocked.

Tempting as it was to get the man sent to the continent — to an unsurvivable front-line — he could not do it because of Mrs. Wickham. Miss Elizabeth might have slapped her and been goaded beyond endurance at that silly child's behaviour, but she still loved her sister. And he didn't want a widowed Mrs. Wickham returned to Longbourn. Even though he hoped to have Elizabeth at Pemberley, she would still wish to visit them regularly. No, it would not do.