Page 69 of Colour My World
He turned to the window. The countryside blurred past. With each passing field, his chest grew heavier.
“I must say, I pity you, Mr Darcy.” Miss Bingley folded her hands in her lap.
“Indeed?”
“Oh, yes.” Her lips curved into something that might havepassed for a smile. “To be burdened with guilt over a lady of no consequence must be a trial.”
The carriage slowed. Longbourn lay ahead.
Chapter 23
Bingley and his sisters had gone ahead—Miss Bennet’s name on his lips, joy on his face. Miss Bingley offered a smile of clipped precision, Mrs Hurst, a nod of quiet dignity. They had entered the house first, leaving Darcy at the door.
He had lingered too long. Long enough for Longbourn’s man to appear.
“Mr Bennet awaits you, sir.”
So be it.He followed, was shown in and found the study silent.
Mr Bennet, hands folded, sat behind his desk. His expression was unreadable. He did not rise. He did not speak. He did not gesture.
Darcy closed the door himself. He crossed the carpet and seated himself in a chair before the desk. The silence stretched. A knock broke it.
“Enter,” Mr Bennet said.
Bingley stepped inside, glanced between them, and took the empty chair beside Darcy. The silence resumed.
Bingley did not take well to silence. “Well!” he burst out, rocking forward in his chair. “Here we are!”
Darcy closed his eyes briefly.
Mr Bennet lifted an eyebrow. “Indeed, here we are.”
“Miss Elizabeth looked well,” Bingley continued, undeterred by the utter lack of response. “Quite well, I should say. And Jane—Miss Bennet—oh, sir, I cannot tell you how delighted I was to see her again. A vision, truly! And Miss Mary. She is quite, er, serious, is she not? And—”
“Mr Bingley.”
Bingley clamped his mouth shut.
“Much as I enjoy your company, I assume this visit is notmerely to deliver your assessments of my daughters.”
Bingley shifted uncomfortably. “Er—well—”
Mr Bennet turned to Darcy. “I assume you have something to say.”
Darcy’s chest tightened. He had rehearsed every approach, every word—and now that the moment had come, nothing sufficed.
Mr Bennet waited.
Darcy shifted his weight but offered no reply.
Bingley fidgeted.
Mr Bennet’s lips tightened. “I see.” He sighed, then leant forward. “If you are unprepared to make amends, you are welcome to leave.”
Bingley shot up from his chair. “No!”
Darcy stiffened as Bingley whirled on him, face red with fury.
