Page 117 of Colour My World
“All that you planned,” he replied.
Her nostrils flared. Mr Collins twitched. Mrs Jenkinson adjusted Anne’s shawl. Bingley made a low sound, as though resisting the urge to speak.
Lady Catherine inhaled through her nose. “You are blinded, Darcy.”
“Am I?”
“You have been seen in Hertfordshire. I have heard the rumours.”
Lady Catherine paused. “You would disgrace yourself for a woman of no consequence?”
“She is of consequence.”
Lady Catherine slammed her cane against the floor. “This is not finished. I shall retire to my rooms.” She turned towards Anne, who sat unmoving. Lady Catherine’s eyes narrowed. “Anne, let us retire.”
“You should listen to him, Mother,” Anne replied.
Lady Catherine’s jaw tightened; Anne adjusted her own shawl.
Lady Catherine’s cane thumped against the floor. “Come. I shall not repeat myself.”
Mrs Jenkinson fluttered, but Anne stood on her own. She passed him without a word, but her fingers brushed his sleeve.
She did not look at him, but he understood.Chin up, Darcy.She left the room.
The wind howled against the windows.
Bingley slumped back in his chair, running a hand over his face. “This is worse than Drury Lane. When I go with Caroline, I sit through two hours of nonsense—but at least it ends.” Bingley slumped back in his chair and rubbed his face.
“Will this?”
* * *
The following morning, Bingley stood in the vestibule, coat buttoned, gloves pulled snug. He worked his shoulders, his usual cheer dulled to something pensive. A footman carried the last of his trunks through the open door.
Darcy had watched him in silence. “You are certain?”
Bingley looked at him, pain etched upon his face. “I have never been less certain of anything in my life.”
“Then why go?”
“Because, for once, I must think.”
The butler handed him his hat.
“Darcy.”
“Yes?”
“I never knew your life was such a tempest.” He disappeared through the front door to his waiting carriage.
“Good luck,” he murmured, though Bingley would not have heard him.
Behind him, a footman held out a small stack of folded notes. “Shall I delivery these, sir?”
He looked down at the notes. The first bore the Bennet name.At least Bingley had the courtesy to inform his neighbours. He reached for that letter and set it aside.
“No. I shall take this one myself.”
