Page 66 of Through the Eyes of Love

After more small talk, Bingley stood to leave, and Darcy stepped forward. “I hope you will return tomorrow. I can show you the progress we are making in the house and then perhaps you can stay for dinner. Jane, will you join us?”

“I would be honoured,” her sister said.

“I am thrilled to accept your invitation.” Bingley turned to Jane as Darcy walked him to the door. “I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow, Mrs. Darcy, Miss Horton.”

As soon as the sound of the door closing indicated Bingley was gone, the two sisters began to giggle as they did as girls. “What do you ladies find so amusing?” Darcy asked when he returned to the drawing room.

Between laughs, Elizabeth said, “You should have seen your face, Jane! You and Mr. Bingley looked like you were struck by a thunderbolt. You could not stop staring at each other andyes, he is unmarried.”

“Jane, I now think of you as my own sister and, as such, will protect you with my life. I have known Bingley since our days at Cambridge, and he is the best of men. I have never before seen him behave this way when he met a young woman. I believe his heart beat faster when you walked into the room.”

“What does that mean, Darcy?”

“Lizzy, answer your sister’s question while I see to some matters with Bethel.” Darcy allowed the sisters to speak in private.

* * *

“Willyou stay for dinner and sleep here tonight? There is a spare bedroom—Fitzwilliam and I sleep together, and the mistress’s chambers are empty.” Elizabeth blushed at her own statement but since Jane had been married before, she knew of such things.

“Thank you for the offer, but I would rather be at home and have the appropriate clothes for tomorrow. Now, tell me why your husband said that about Mr. Bingley’s beating heart.”

“Of course; I know you will pester me until I tell you. When Fitzwilliam asked Mr. Bingley why he was not yet married, he said he was waiting to meet a lady who made his heart beat faster when she walked into the room. It looks as if that was precisely the reaction he had as soon as he saw you. Your face and his turned bright pink the moment you met!”

“Nonsense! Being happily married has made you much more romantic. We only met briefly today. I hardly think there was enough time to affect our hearts.” However, it was obvious she was trying hard to keep a smile from her face.

“What was your first impression of him?”

“I hardly know what to think. We were together for less than an hour. He is handsome and amiable and appears to be everything a gentleman ought to be, and heisyour husband’s close friend. That said, do not have the wedding invitations delivered quite yet.”

“May we be serious for a moment? You have never spoken about your life with Henry. I know you were distraught when he died but were you happy with him?”

“Never over the moon ecstatic as you and Darcy are—the best word to explain my feelings was contented. He was always kind to me, and he was overjoyed when I told him about the baby. When he died, I was in low spirits but, to be honest, in a way, I was relieved.”

“Relieved? How so?”

“Henry was a fine man who did not deserve to be struck down by a runaway cart, but after he died, I no longer had to pretend I was a cheerful bride. In my heart, I was not disappointed it would just be me and my baby and then. . .then everything was taken from me.”

Elizabeth embraced her sister. “Jane, you will be able to smile again, I promise you. Now, get home safely, and I shall see you tomorrow. Come as early as you wish—Fitzwilliam is proud of the progress the builders are making and will be busy showing Mr. Bingley the construction for hours.”

* * *

Bingley arrived midday,and he and Darcy walked towards the manor house. They carefully made their way inside where the sound of sawing and hammering made conversation difficult. Darcy took pride in showing his guest the progress.

“If we walk towards the southern wing, it will be quieter. We are rebuilding the north side of the house first: kitchen and servants’ quarters, a small dining room, and a drawing room on this floor, as well as the family quarters upstairs. Georgiana’s suite is well under way. The southern wing can wait until this first phase is finished. I am anxious to have Elizabeth and the baby living here as quickly as possible.”

“From the sound of things, the rooms should be finished before too long. The damage is much more extensive than I imagined, yet it is remarkable to see how much you have alreadydone. Do you have any idea how the fire started and why it caused such widespread damage? When I learnt what happened, my first thoughts were that a lit candle left near the draperies or a spark from a fireplace caused a carpet to catch fire.”

“The blaze was started in the middle of the night in rooms where there were no lit candles. Shortly after the fire, I met with the local constable, and he said there was evidence that the fire was intentionally started.”

“What?” Bingley’s mouth and eyes were wide. “Who would do such a thing?”

“There is no need to say more than the culprit has been found and brought to justice.”

“I understand. If there is anything I can do for you when I return to London, you need only ask.”

“Thank you, Bingley. You have always been a good friend to me.”

“I wonder if you can explain how Mrs. Darcy got that burn on her face.”