Page 44 of Miss Bingley’s Return

“I am pleased to hear it,” said Darcy. “Remember that I am in no position to comment on what Bingley prefers—you know more of Miss Whitcombe than I do. When I piece together what I know with what you have revealed, I do not think you are incorrect.”

“Then Jane was not rejected—but neither was she ever fully chosen.”

Darcy did not soften her comment; it was the truth and nothing less. For several moments, Miss Elizabeth toyed with the hem of the spenser she wore.

“It seems I must apologize, Mr. Darcy,” said she at length. “I misjudged your role in Hertfordshire and what came after.”

Several moments passed before Darcy felt himself equal to a response.

“Though I thank you for that, I do not excuse myself.”

Miss Elizabeth looked up, but Darcy smiled and explained.

“I acted decisively, and while I think resolve is a virtue, if I am wrong it can cause harm. I observed your sister at the ball, and concluded that her heart was not engaged. There is no escaping the conclusion that I assumed too much.

“Yet I stand by my reasoning, even if the application and the outcome were both imperfect.”

“We are imperfect beings, Mr. Darcy,” said Miss Elizabeth. “It is no surprise that the results of our actions are also flawed.”

Silence settled between them. Of what Miss Elizabeth thought Darcy could not guess, but for his part, Darcy was considering the absolution she had offered. Though Darcy had not thought to question his actions, he now understood where he had erred. That he had not acted in malice sustained him, as did her understanding, but that did not change the truth.

The question of whether he wished to pursue Miss Elizabeth was now answered—Darcy would be lying to himself if he declared he did not. That she understood and did not blame him meant everything. To start a life with her under such a matter between them was ripe for disaster, and Darcy was relieved they would not need to work through this to find understanding. Now that this issue was behind them, he could proceed with a clear conscience.

“Tell me, Miss Elizabeth,” said he, halting and uncertain, “is Miss Bennet much affected by these events?”

The soft smile that appeared on her features spoke volumes about her affection for her sister. “Jane has been most sensible about everything. She understood that all was not as it seemed and declared that she would remove herself from Miss Bingley’s machinations. She will not allow the actions of another to place her into a competition she does not choose.”

“That is most sensible,” said Darcy.

Miss Elizabeth’s expression told him everything he needed to know. “Jane is nothing if not sensible. She is also forgiving to a fault—Jane still considers Miss Bingley a friend.”

Darcy shook his head in wonder. In some, excessive forgiveness without requiring accountability could be a flaw, but in Miss Bennet it was, somehow, what he had expected.

“Miss Bingley has not accepted Bingley’s affection for Miss Whitcombe, and she will not desist.”

“No, I cannot suppose that she will,” agreed Miss Elizabeth. “Jane is not forceful, Mr. Darcy, but she is not lacking fortitude. It is not her way to openly resist or make a scene. Instead, she will stop cooperating. Miss Bingley may not even see it for what it is.”

It was an accurate picture to be certain—Darcy did not doubt it in the slightest. “Then she should prepare for discomfort.”

“Jane will do what she must.”

For several more moments they sat there, conversation exhausted, considering what the future might hold. Darcy had never seen Miss Bennet’s mettle, and now that he had a clear picture through the eyes of her sister, he esteemed her more. In a struggle between the proverbial immovable object and the irresistible force, he now knew that Miss Bennet’s immovable object would prevail. Darcy wondered if he should take a hand, to warn Miss Bingley from her course.

Then he thought of Miss Elizabeth’s confidence in her sister, and he knew it was not his place to interfere. From a certain point of view he had already interfered more than he should. Now it was time to allow Miss Bennet to show that firmness of purpose and refusal to fall in with Miss Bingley’s designs. It was Bingley’s turn to decide on his future and not allow his sister to dictate to him. And it was Miss Whitcombe’s turn to show her esteem for Bingley, if she had not already, and offer him a future Darcy now suspected had been within her reach long before he had called Bingley a friend.

“Perhaps we should rejoin our sisters,” said Miss Elizabeth at length.

Darcy, roused from his thoughts, agreed, and guided her back to the sitting-room where Georgiana and Miss Bennet were engaged in conversation. The moment they stepped into the room, he saw Miss Bennet’s eyes find her sister’s, and saw Miss Elizabeth’s slight nod in response. The sisters understood each other.

Later, as they prepared to depart, Darcy used a moment when his sister distracted Miss Elizabeth to speak to the elder sister.

“Please accept my apologies for interfering, Miss Bennet,” said he, appreciating the ability to perform this last necessary act. “As your sister will no doubt tell you, I had some part in Bingley not returning to Hertfordshire—though I believe it was for the best, and know my motives were pure, it was presumptuous of me to interfere.”

Miss Bennet regarded him with compassion for a few moments, then she offered absolution. “Not at all, Mr. Darcy. Given what I now know, I believe it was for the best that Mr. Bingley did not return. In the end, it has allowed him to follow his heart—that is the best outcome I can imagine.”

A slight smile formed on his lips, though he had no intention of it. “I have often heard your sister extol your goodness, Miss Bennet. She has not done you justice.”

“Not at all, Mr. Darcy,” replied she. “Lizzy is my fiercest protector, but love will lead one to claim virtues that do not exist. I am a woman, and nothing more.”