Page 60 of An Accidental Meeting
“Leave it with me, then.”
Bingley nodded. After a short while, he tipped his face up to the sky. “I do not understand why, having managed to get away with all these previous thefts, Hurst chose to break into your study, of all places. He had to know you would notice anything missing, as fastidious as you are.”
“Greed,” Darcy said simply. “He heard some rumours the servants were whispering among themselves and thought there was hidden treasure in the house.”
“Hidden treasure?” Bingley snorted and stood. “There is treasure everywhere one looks at Pemberley. It is not hidden at all.”
Darcy shrugged and stood. “Have you had a moment to speak with Miss Bingley?”
“I have. Caroline was shocked and humiliated. She is deeply relieved that you did not simply throw us out with the Hursts. She wishes to preserve the connection but have no fear—she will not presume further on your particular notice.”
An unexpected boon to a terrible series of events, then. “Not to kick you when you are down, Bingley, but why did your sister ever set her cap at me? She is a creature of society, and I am the opposite—we would not suit. Surely she knows this.”
“It was Louisa’s doing. Caroline is an intelligent girl, Darcy, you know that.”
“When she is not simpering and fawning.”
“Yes, well, apparently Louisa told her that overt flattery was the only way a man would ever offer her marriage. She was the older sister, and she had caught herself a gentleman, so Caroline thought Louisa must be correct. Therefore, she hid her more academic interests in company.”
“She thought hiding her intelligence would make me want to marry her?”
Bingley ran a hand through his hair. “Did I say it made sense? I did not even know she still pursued botany as an interest, though she once sent me the most astonishing set of sketches—flowers and herbs and the like.”
“I never knew that.”
“She thought, being a rather clever chap yourself, you would not mind if you eventually discovered your wife was clever too.” He tipped his head and smirked. “But she wanted to be safely married before she revealed it. I pointed out that you have been paying Elizabeth Bennet a great deal of attention of late, and she has not hidden her intelligence at all.”
Darcy sighed. He had been very obvious if even Bingley had noted his attentions. “And what did she say to that?”
“She was irritated with Louisa.”
“I imagine so.” Darcy shifted from one foot to the other. “I must correct you, however. Although I admire Miss Bennet, she has not evinced any similar admiration.”
“So you plan to let her go?” His friend’s question was a challenge rather than an inquiry.
“I cannot,” Darcy said firmly. “Not until she sends me away.”
Bingley nodded. “Good man.” He tugged at the hem of his waistcoat. “For I plan to return to Netherfield, Darcy, and ask whether my Miss Bennet can forgive me.”
They wandered back in the direction of the house, only to spy a young man on a horse.
Darcy studied the figure carefully. “That is the gatekeeper’s son.” He held a hand up in the air. “Ho, there!”
The boy, only a little older than Georgiana, wheeled his mount in Darcy’s direction. “Sir!” he cried. “There be a hired coach at the gate.”
“Is it one of the Alfredsons?” Darcy asked. He could not imagine that Mrs. Gardiner would invite anyone to Pemberley without asking him, but he could think of no one else it would be.
“No, sir!” The boy nearly threw himself off the horse, landing a few feet in front of Darcy. “It be George Wickham. And he has a girl wif ‘im.”
Chapter Sixteen
This could not be happening. Elizabeth hurried through the halls and down the stairs towards the library, where she saw Mr. Darcy stepping inside.
Elizabeth’s world had shrunk this past week, until it encompassed only Pemberley and those who were here with her. But the world outside had clearly moved on without her.
“Lydia,” Elizabeth hissed as she entered the library behind Mr. Darcy, “what are you doing here?”
Her sister rolled her eyes from where she was sitting in a comfortable armchair. “La, Lizzy, I should think that rather obvious. I am going to Gretna Green.” She leaned forward with a smirk. “And can you not guess with whom?”
