Page 101 of What Change Entails

Bingley leaned back in the chair. “That your interest in Miss Elizabeth has become somewhat difficult to overlook.”

Darcy became abruptly aware of Bingley watching him far too closely. “I have not conducted myself improperly.”

“No,” Bingley agreed. “Nothing of the kind. But you look at her very differently than you once did.”

Darcy said nothing.

Bingley’s mouth curved slightly. “Much differently.”

“I deserve that.”

“You do.”

There was no real malice in it. That somehow made Darcy feel worse.

Bingley lowered his glass slowly. “You truly believe Jane cared for me?”

“Yes.” The admission scraped at his pride.

“How certain are you?”

“As certain as I have ever been wrong.”

Bingley let out a startled laugh at that, though emotion roughened the sound quickly afterward. He rubbed one hand across his mouth and peered at the floor.

“I wondered,” he admitted. “Afterward, I mean. In town.” He glanced up again. “There were moments when I thought perhaps, I did not give her a choice when we were in Meryton—that I foisted my attention upon her. Then Caroline insisted—”

“Your sisters raised every objection besides the one regarding Miss Bennet’s affections.”

Bingley fell silent.

Darcy continued before cowardice could reclaim him. “I will not pretend I approved of every connection within the Bennet family while we were in Hertfordshire. Nor shall I claim such considerations irrelevant to your standing. But my true objection—my decisive objection—was the conviction that Miss Bennet did not love you.”

Bingley absorbed this without interruption.

Outside the open window came faint sounds from the terrace below. Miss Lydia’s voice carried unmistakably even at a distance—apparently, they had gone back outdoors. Georgiana responded in more modulated tones shortly afterward.

The laughter outside made the study feel unusually close and solemn. He ought to have done this months ago.

Bingley exhaled slowly. “You are correct. The rest came from Caroline and Louisa.”

“Yes.”

“And I listened.”

Darcy inclined his head once.

Bingley studied him for several seconds. Then, unexpectedly, he smiled a little. “Does this mean I finally possess your approval?”

Darcy laughed despite himself. “Do you require it?”

“No,” Bingley replied after brief consideration. “I never should have thought I did. But I should like it all the same.”

Darcy’s chest ached painfully and then eased again almost immediately. “Then you have it.”

Bingley grinned outright. The expression lasted perhaps three seconds before he sprang abruptly from the chair. “Well! I must go.”

Darcy stared at him. “Go where?”