B00CO8L910 EBOK by KaraLynne Mackrory Page B

friend a service in his appraisal of Miss Bennet’s feelings, he had purposely concealed her being in town all winter. He confessed that Miss Elizabeth had hinted that Miss Bennet had suffered another loss this year, leading him to believe that that loss was Bingley. He ended with his growing suspicion that Miss Bennet did not seem to show her feelings openly in company as his only excuse for his gross misjudgment of her character.
    He watched Bingley during the entirety of his admission, as he changed from astonishment to renewed ire. Darcy ended his speech and looked out the window to avoid Bingley’s last reaction, that of displeasure and despair.
    He barely heard his friend whisper, “What must she think of me?” before leaning forward and allowing his head to fall into his hands.
    “I am sincerely sorry for my interference, Bingley. Would that I could undo my actions . . . ” For more reasons than his friend knew, he wished he had not acted in such an insolent manner. If he had not, perhaps Elizabeth would not have taken such an affront to him.
    Bingley looked up at his friend when he detected the sincere tone of his apology. He could not be angry with him anymore, accepting that Darcy, in his own way, had tried to protect him. Likewise, he could not hold himself blameless. He had allowed himself to be persuaded. He had allowed himself to trust the words of his sisters and friend over the truth and love he saw in Jane’s eyes last autumn. If he was to be completely honest, he knew that he allowed himself to be persuaded because he had been afraid. He had often ‘been in love,’ as his friend might say, but never had he been so completely bowled over by a woman.
    After having experienced the torment of the past couple of months without her, not to mention the regret, he knew what must be done. He could not live without her; the only thing that made it possible to leave her before was the thought that she did not return his feelings. Now with renewed hope building in his breast, perhaps he could convince her to love again; he was determined to stay in Hertfordshire as long as necessary.
    “I forgive you, Darcy.” Seeing that they were arriving at the inn, he continued, “You must stay with me at Netherfield.”
    Solicitous of his friend’s charitable forgiveness, Darcy said, “I thank you for your kind offer, but I think I will be less in the way as you open up Netherfield if I stay at the inn.”
    Sheepishly Bingley owned, “I may have sent an express to Mrs. Nicholls at Netherfield immediately after leaving you yesterday afternoon, instructing her to open up the house and to prepare for my arrival today.”
    Darcy could not help but laugh at his friend’s impulsiveness. “You wasted little time at all, sir. Tell me, when did you decide to return? Were you even out of my house?”
    Bingley beamed. “I confess I had no intentions of letting you go to Hertfordshire without me, though I knew it unlikely I could convince you to allow me. Hence I left town not long after you this morning, ensuring you would not hear of my plans.”
    “I see.” Darcy was amused and a little proud of his friend’s decision. He had acted in the determined manner of a gentleman.
    “So will you not stay with me? You do plan to stay through the funeral services in a few days, do you not?”
    “I had planned on attending the funeral. I also have a few things I want to look into here in Meryton.” Darcy’s jaw flexed as he thought about Wickham and wondered at his duplicity once again.
    “Splendid! Inform your man to pack your trunks again and return with them to Netherfield. Then we shall be off.”
    Darcy’s lips twitched at his friend’s enthusiastic command and did as he was told. Before long, they were on the familiar road to Netherfield Park.

Chapter 7
    Elizabeth slid a hand down over the ebony fabric of her mourning dress. Until they had time to order mourning clothes, each lady in the house had dyed one of her day