Page 31 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
Seeing Mr. Bingley and her sister blush, Elizabeth was gladdened. She would sacrifice all to know that her dearest sister’s happiness would soon be realized.
“Please stop staring at me, Sister dearest. There should first be an application to me, and only that if he is inclined,” Jane whispered.
“Ask her,” Miss Darcy pleaded with Mr. Bingley. “You will find none so suited to you as Miss Bennet. I have no doubt that you will do very well together. Your tempers are so alike.”
“I have come to that same conclusion and am glad to know I have your approbation for the match. I had thought we might wait until she had tea. It would be most embarrassing should she later claim unclear thinking if she accepted me at this early hour of the day,” Bingley said, glancing at Jane.
“You will accept him, will you not? We must have a betrothal so my aunt can plan a ball, the first I will be able to attend,” Miss Darcy pleaded to Jane.
“On two conditions.” Jane’s cheeks were violently red.
Mr. Darcy looked concerned and intended to reel in his sister’s persistence. Elizabeth held up a hand in a silent request that he not intervene and was relieved when he acquiesced. Jane’s teasing of his sister could only lead to even more celebrating.
“What are they? I am certain he will agree,” Miss Darcy said, all but swaying side to side in her seat when she looked to Mr. Bingley.
“There must be no pink, not even the punch at the ball,” Jane said with gravitas. Her lips twitched, but she managed to bite back her own when Georgiana and Lady Matlock erupted in laughter.
“But pink quite becomes me,” quipped Mr. Bingley.
“The other?”
“Mr. Bingley must inform my mother he is sensitive to lace, so she will not demand it be applied to every piece in my trousseau.”
When Jane arched her brow at Mr. Bingley, he swallowed noisily, feigning fear of taking on such a daunting task.
“You will be with me when I speak with your mother, Miss Bennet that I might borrow your strength?” Mr. Bingley said with a wink-wink to Miss Darcy and her aunt.
“Now they only require private conversation. Let us shut them in the study on some pretext to allow them the opportunity to agree to being betrothed,” Lady Matlock whispered to her niece in a conspiratorial manner so only all in the room might hear.
“When I marry, I shall require a house full of children to keep my meddling younger sisters occupied,” Jane said playfully.
The earl clapped his hands, rubbing them together. “Now that things are managed to the satisfaction of the countess, we are for Longbourn. I intend to tell Lady Catherine’s toady parson that there is nothing he might say that I will not take exception to.” He ignored his wife’s rolling eyes.
Elizabeth required two hands to be assured no one heard her sudden giggle. When Mr. Darcy caught sight of her, their fight to contain their mirth was lost. She did not miss that others were surprised at the sight of his levity.
“My carriage, Bingley, if you please,” the earl said.
Elizabeth sobered, and she found that catching her breath was done with some difficulty. She did not dare think on how her family would react when a carriage with a crest on the side of the conveyance came down the drive—a crest declaring the owner apeer. One thing was certain: the earl would make a grandiose impression. And, if the rumors of Mr. Collins were true, it was just the sort of thing to excite his attention.
Bingley Asks the Question
“Miss Bennet,” Bingley said once they were alone in the entrance hall. “Might we speak in private?” He guided her into his study before she had a chance to respond.
“Do not feel you must discuss an alliance between us, Mr. Bingley. I am quite accustomed to appeasing younger sisters.”
“For my part, I know you were teasing, but Ana is correct. In more than five Seasons, I have met none more suited to me than you. Why would I not wish to have a wife who can stand with serenity when staring down a duchess?”
“Oh?”
“Make no mistake, Miss Bennet, I have a fortune many inthe toncovet. I will spoil you. I will shower you in jewels, and yes, my angel, I will make certain your pin money and standing accounts are the envy of all,” Bingley said, closing the distance until less than an inch separated them.
“But will you love me?” Miss Bennet asked hopefully.
“I will love you and you alone.”
“Then my greatest of fortunes will be being loved by the man I find myself falling in love with.” Jane rested her hands on his chest.
Bingley steeled himself with the certainty that Darcy, the very example of restraint, would breathe slowly and endure this sweetest of tortures. And that is just what he did for the length of his thoughtful exhale.
