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“I should not have worked to separate you from Miss Bennet.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Bingley asked.

“Elizabeth told me today that her sister’s heart was broken when you left.”

“Broken?”

“Yes.”

“I have been miserable for months for no reason. When you told me that she did not care for me, was that your true opinion?”

“Yes. I was wrong. I am sorry I stated my opinion as fact.”

“We could have already been married,” Bingley muttered. Then after a slight pause he added joyfully, “But, she does care for me. That is wonderful news!”

“I am also sorry about today. I should not have pressured you to allow me to buy Netherfield Park.”

“It is a fine estate, I can understand why you might want it.”

“But I should not have tried to persuade you to let me have it. After talking to Elizabeth, we have decided to purchase the Great House at Stoke, instead.”

“It does not have as large of an estate.”

“Yes, but Elizabeth has reminded me that there are very few males in either of our families. She suggested we wait to provide for a second son until after we know we will have one.”

“That is not a bad idea. Still, you do not need to apologize to me because you have decided to purchase a different estate.”

“No, I’m not apologizing for changing my mind,” Darcy explained. “I’m apologizing for attempting to pressure you into making a decision that would allow me to purchase Netherfield. I should not have put undue pressure on you. Both today and when you last left Hertfordshire.”

“Of course you are forgiven.” After a pause, Bingley added, “What made you decide to apologize? You have never done so before.”

“Elizabeth,” Darcy said, after a slight pause.

“Elizabeth?”

“Yes, Elizabeth suggested I apologize.”

As Bingley digested this information, he started to chuckle. Soon, he was outright laughing.

“I fail to see what is so funny.”

“You just admitted that the only reason you offered an apology was because Elizabeth ‘suggested’ that you do so,” Bingley replied as he caught his breath.

“I still fail to see what is so funny.”

“You apologized because your lady told you to. I never imagined you would end up in a hen house.” With this comment, Bingley began laughing again. Darcy was incredibly relieved when the carriage came to a stop outside of Netherfield Park, allowing him to retreat to his room.

Caroline Bingley was incredibly frustrated. She had travelled to Hertfordshire with the hope that she could finally convince Mr. Darcy to ask for her hand. After failing to speak with him for more than a few moments at a time, she learned he was engaged to Elizabeth Bennet. Elizabeth Bennet! How she hated that woman.

After the disastrous visit to Longbourn, Caroline was determined to leave immediately for London. Unfortunately for her, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst were not of the same mind. When they left town they instructed their staff to close down the townhouse, anticipating an extended stay in the country. If they were not in residence, they did not see the need to keep on more than a few members of their staff. It would be terribly inconvenient to reopen their home within a few days of closing it.

Caroline spent the better part of the afternoon perusing her letters, certain there must be an invitation hidden inside one of them that would allow her to stay with a friend. No such invitation materialized. She had just finished her third scrutiny of her letters when she heard the carriage pull into the drive. Setting the letters down with a huff, she rose, expecting her brother and Mr. Darcy to join her and the Hursts in the drawing room. Instead, Mr. Darcy passed right by the door on his way to his chambers, while her brother followed behind, laughing.

“Anywhere would be better than here,” Caroline seethed.

As Elizabeth prepared for bed, she drew Darcy’s handkerchief out of her pocket. Rubbing her fingers over the initials, she opened the drawer to her nightstand where the other two were hidden. Each one represented a time that Darcy had shown her his care and compassion.

The first handkerchief he had given her in the parsonage after she received the express. The second handkerchief he had given her in the carriage as they approached Longbourn. The third handkerchief he had given her while she sat crying next to her deceased father. All three times Darcy had found her overcome with grief and had quietly offered her comfort and strength.