“No. Though it is a curious sentiment, coming from a lady who is currently pursuing Darcy for precisely those reasons. You cannot set your cap at a man and then cry scandal when another woman owns a bonnet.”
“Charles!” Miss Bingley’s voice came lower, uglier. “What is intolerable is watching Miss Eliza Bennet feign modesty while taking care every gentleman observes her. The paltry wit, the admiration for the grounds, that business with the boy—really, there was not the least chance of his being injured. She has improved her tactics since Hertfordshire, and I would not wish Mr. Darcy to be taken in, that is all.”
Richard’s amusement vanished, and he began to rise. Darcy did not wait—he pushed the door open.
“That is enough.”
The three within turned. Bingley came a step towards him. “Darcy—I apologise. I was trying?—”
“You were defending my guests. You need not apologise. I am obliged to you.”
Richard sauntered into the room and assumed a place by the mantel.
Mrs. Hurst stared. “Colonel Fitzwilliam. Were you and Mr. Darcy?—”
“Passing,” said Richard. “Slowly.”
Darcy shared one brief look with Miss Bingley and turned to address Bingley. “Your sisters cut the acquaintance of Miss Jane Bennet in town this winter, while she stayed with the Gardiners. I knew of it. I did not tell you because I believed it when I said she did not care for you. Her sister has since told me I was wrong. If you still care for Miss Jane Bennet, reopen Netherfield and judge for yourself.”
Bingley let out a breath that was almost a laugh. “If I still care for her? I have been trying not to care since November, and I am no nearer it now than I was then.”
“A difficult battle,” Richard observed.
“A hopeless one.” Bingley stared at Darcy for a time before he turned back to his sister. “I mean to return to Netherfield, Caroline. Every argument against it has begun to sound remarkably like you.”
Mrs. Hurst clutched her handkerchief. “Charles.”
“You can take Caroline with you, Lou. I am certain Hurst will not mind.” He paused. “He may not even notice.”
Darcy faced Miss Bingley. “I will say this clearly—Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner and Miss Elizabeth Bennet did not forcethemselves upon this house. My sister and I invited them, received them, and were glad of them. Yet you have disputed my decisions since you arrived.”
“I am sure you mistake me. I only wished to point out their connection to trade?—”
“Which are known to me. Did you somehow think I was unaware? That I had forgotten your comments on the subject last autumn?” The coolness of his reply stopped her. “The Gardiners and Miss Bennet have shown nothing but good sense and kindness. The only want of breeding I have witnessed today was not theirs.”
Mrs. Hurst half rose. “Mr. Darcy!”
He turned to her. “Yes, Mrs. Hurst? Do you wish to tell me now that every guest with ties to trade ought to be run out of Pemberley?”
She met his eye, paused, and sat down again.
“You are severe,” said Miss Bingley.
“No. I have been negligent. That ends tonight.”
Miss Bingley’s mouth parted. She looked at her brother, expecting him to intervene.
Bingley did not shrink away. “Caroline. I think you should retire.”
For a moment she only stared at him. The words might as well have been spoken in some foreign tongue. Then she seemed to realise that her brother would not be coming to her rescue.
“Come, Louisa.” She rose, swept to the door, and paused. “I hope you will all be satisfied with the outcome of this evening.”
Richard was already at the door, opening it wider for her. “I, for one, am already satisfied.”
She shot him a look that would have felled a weaker man, but Richard simply smiled. Mrs. Hurst followed her sister out,and their footsteps retreated down the passage until distance swallowed them.
For a moment no one spoke.