Page 23 of An Accidental Meeting
“There is no knowing what her expectations may be, but it is not through any action of mine.” He had faults enough, but he had not shown Miss Bingley the least bit of interest. Not once Elizabeth had caught his eye nearly a year ago.
His heart sank when he contemplated how his help separating Bingley from Elizabeth’s sister might have given Miss Bingley the idea that he was interested in her. At the least, it would have reassured her that he had no interest in Elizabeth.
Perhaps it was not fair to say she was without any encouragement at all, then, but that had been last December. It was now August, and in all that time he had not once sought out her company. Was that not clear enough?
Mrs. Annesley emerged from the coach, and Bingley helped her down as well. Good man.
Aunt Nora leaned in to ask, “You invited the Gardiners and Miss Bennet knowing that Miss Bingley would be in residence also?”
Darcy sighed. “I had little choice. The Gardiners are only visiting the area briefly. I mean to extend their stay.”
“And you believethisis the way to do it?”
He shrugged. “Needs must.”
After the briefest of moments, she smiled.
Darcy wished to know what that smile meant. He wished to know very much indeed. But they were out of time, for Bingley’s sisters were before them.
“You left us so suddenly yesterday, Mr. Darcy,” Miss Bingley said, almost chastising him. “Could you not have spared a moment to explain your departure?”
He tipped his head to one side and schooled his features so that his annoyance would not show. Was Miss Bingley suggesting he owed her a personal explanation? “I informed my sister and your brother that I was riding ahead and why. Did you not inquire of them?”
Mrs. Hurst touched Miss Bingley’s arm. “Charles never listens properly. We are pleased to be here, Mr. Darcy.”
The woman made no mention of asking Georgiana, though his sister was standing at her aunt’s side.
“Aunt, may I introduce Mr. Bingley’s sisters?” he asked stiffly. She nodded, and Darcy performed the courtesies.
Aunt Nora had the pair sized up in an instant. He could see the gleam in her eyes and almost groaned—except that whatever mischief she was concocting would probably work in Elizabeth’s favour.
He took a deep breath.
“Welcome to Pemberley,” Aunt Nora said grandly.
“Thank you, Mrs. Darcy,” Mrs. Hurst said. “It is wonderful to be back.”
“You have been to Pemberley before?” Aunt Nora asked conversationally, as she gestured for them all to head inside.
“Of course,” Miss Bingley said.
“Yes, they visited for a fortnight in the autumn of the year ten,” Georgiana interjected. “I remember that, as I was preparing to leave for school.”
Bless the girl for kindly pointing out that their guests had only been here once before and that their visit had not been neither especially recent nor of long duration.
“I believe you were all on your way back to town from Scarborough at that time, and I had not seen Bingley in an age,” Darcy added, and Georgiana rewarded him with a little grin.
“Well, I do hope you will take advantage of your time here to see a bit more of the property on this visit,” Aunt Nora continued. “The weather is so lovely this time of year.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Darcy,” Mrs. Hurst said quickly when it appeared Miss Bingley was about to speak again.
“One of the maids will show you to your rooms,” Aunt Nora said, beckoning to a young woman. “Take your time, refresh yourselves, and then feel free to rest or to join the ladies in the northern saloon.”
“Thank you, Aunt Nora,” Darcy said.
“Indeed,” said Georgiana. “I am grateful to have you here as hostess.”
“I thought you could join me in my duties and ask any questions you might have,” Aunt Nora said.
