Page 75 of Twice Chosen

Caroline gave a short laugh. "Charles cannot simply ask a lady whether she loves him."

"No," Darcy said. "He might propose."

Bingley nearly dropped his wine.

Caroline went pale.

Darcy continued calmly, "If he wants to marry her."

Bingley stood and went to the window.

Darcy waited.

No pressure. No persuasion. No speech about prudence. No list of the Bennets' defects.

After a long time Bingley turned. "I do."

Darcy smiled. "Then go home."

Caroline said sharply, "Charles."

He looked at her. His expression was kind, but not yielding. "I love you, Caroline. You know I do."

Her face softened slightly.

"But I will not let you decide this for me."

"You will regret--"

"Perhaps."

That stopped her.

Bingley continued, "Then it will be my regret."

Darcy felt something settle inside him.

There.

The sentence Bingley should always have been allowed to say.

Bingley returned to Netherfield the next morning.

Three days later he went to Longbourn.

He did not propose immediately. Instead he walked with Jane in the garden for nearly an hour and, with a clumsiness she later found endearing, asked whether his attentions had ever made her uncomfortable.

Jane looked so surprised that Bingley almost apologized and fled.

Then she smiled.

"No."

He exhaled. "Good. Because I hoped--that is, I thought perhaps--"

Jane rescued him gently. "I have been very happy in your company."

Bingley stared. "Very?"