B00CO8L910 EBOK by KaraLynne Mackrory Page A

nor anticipate the need for Lizzy to come so quickly.”
    Darcy was about to respond when he heard Bingley distinctly clear his throat. He speculated that Bingley must have just learned that Jane was in town not many days before. He groaned to himself as he returned his attention back to Mrs. Gardiner to address her once again.
    “I would hope that your niece would know she could ask such a trifling thing of a friend.” Darcy glanced at Elizabeth and detected her polite smile.
    * * *
    When the time came for the gentlemen to take their leave, Mr. Darcy was apprehensive about Bingley’s mood, even musing that, if he were not such a great, tall fellow in comparison to Bingley, he might worry for his person. He was even a little perturbed by Bingley’s abrupt presence in Hertfordshire. When they exited the house, Darcy saw that Bingley had sent his carriage on to Netherfield, leaving his mount. Although irritated, Darcy invited Bingley to ride with him in his carriage as he wished to speak to him.
    “That suits me just fine, Darcy, as I have a few matters to discuss with you as well.” Bingley threw the reins back to the groom, instructing him to attach his mount to the back of Darcy’s carriage. Then he climbed in after Darcy and sat opposite him. He sat glaring at his friend for a few minutes, neither man wishing to speak within view of Longbourn.
    “Well?” they both said at once.
    Darcy clenched his jaw before speaking again. “What are you doing here, Bingley?”
    Bingley allowed one irritated huff before replying. “What am I doing here? Offering my sympathies to a family of my acquaintance, of course.”
    “I thought we had agreed that I would convey your sentiments for you.” He pulled out the note he had not delivered after seeing Bingley enter the home and tossed it back to his friend.
    “Do you really think I could leave the Bennets with a few polite words of comfort when I could have attended them myself? You may think them below you; however, I respect them and wish to be of whatever service I can. ”
    Darcy ignored the cutting remark. “I do not think this is a good idea, Bingley.”
    “In what way, my friend? Do you mean it is not a good idea that I venture to show my concern for a friend’s loss in person, or is it the identity of that friend that you find distasteful?”
    Darcy rubbed his eyes. “Bingley, I was wrong about the Bennets. And although I am beginning to believe that I might have been wrong about Miss Bennet’s affection for you as well, I had not wished to better inform you until I was certain. That is why I am not sure this is such a good idea. I do not want you to get hurt.”
    “A fine speech, Darcy. Do you not think that I am old enough to make that decision for myself?” Bingley huffed again as he quoted him in a frightfully good impression. “‘I might have been wrong about Miss Bennet’s affection for you . . . ’” In disbelief, he continued, “Do you really think you might have been wrong in that respect?”
    Bingley was struggling against the hope building in his chest. Although still wishing to protect his friend, Darcy realized that Bingley was right; it was not his decision to make. “I now believe that Miss Bennet may have returned your feelings, Bingley.”
    Bingley sat against the back of the carriage in wide-eyed astonishment before a slow smile began to curl his lips.
    “Do you know what this means, Darcy? My angel did love me!”
    “Yes, and for your sake, I hope she still does.”
    Bingley’s brow furrowed. “Do you suspect her feelings to have changed?”
    Darcy expelled a deep breath before deciding to reveal all. “Bingley, I have something to say to you, and I hope after I confess it that you will still count me your friend, though I understand completely if you should not.”
    Darcy then began to relate to his astounded friend his actions last autumn in separating Miss Bennet from him. Darcy admitted that, although he thought he was doing his