Bingley looked at his sister and she softly nodded in agreement. “We will be honoured to join you, my friend. Thank you!”
William proffered his arm to Miss Bingley and they began to walk to his carriage which was awaiting him outside the club. Bingley signalled his driver to follow them to Darcy House and the three climbed into the Darcy carriage to dine together.
~*~
“Look who I found, father!” William declared as he walked into the sitting room. “I ran into Bingley and Miss Bingley near the club and invited them to dinner.”
William smiled at Jane Bennet to see her blush profusely. “You remember my friend Charles Bingley and his sister Miss Bingley?”
Bingley bowed to everyone but it was obvious to all that he could not take his eyes off of Jane. Mrs. Bennet nudged Lady Anne who was smiling while Mr. Darcy lifted his brow to his son due to Miss Bingley’s presence.
William discreetly shook his head at his father and sat down on a seat.
Bingley immediately sat next to Jane and Miss Bingley slowly took a place next to Jane Bennet as well.
The others spoke louder than wont to give the young people some private conversation.
“Miss Bennet, you have grown even more beautiful since we last met. I am very pleased to see you again.” Miss Bingley graciously commented. “Are you here for your season? I hope to see you at some of the events.”
“Thank you, Miss Bingley,” Jane answered softly. “I hope we will see each other often.”
Bingley swiftly added, “I shall be here for the next three weeks and will be joining my sister at several balls, Miss Bennet. If I may request, will you promise me two sets at each event? I shall like to call on you here and see you as often as possible.”
Jane beamed, “I would be very happy to accept, Mr. Bingley. Thank you.”
William turned to his father quietly while the others were conversing, “Lizzy has not arrived yet?” He had been out all day and wondered how soon he would see her again.
“She will arrive shortly. Edward Gardiner sent word that Lizzy was fatigued from her travels today and needed to rest before joining us here. She arrived here first then went to Gracechurch Street to stay with her cousins.” Mr. Darcy replied. “All is well with you two?”
“As well as it could be at this point in time, father.” William rubbed his eyes. “I told you how I left her at our tree after... I am still anxious for her reaction. I gave her Snowflake and I immediately left. I was afraid she would become angry and I just took off...” He looked towards Miss Bingley’s direction. “That lady has become quite genteel since the last time I saw her. Her manners are drastically improved.”
Mr. Darcy frowned, “Do you feel ready to move on? Perhaps Miss Bingley is the one who might be a better fit for your future. I know you found her attractive before and she is very beautiful...”
“I do no...” William was interrupted when the butler announced the Gardiners’ and Lizzy’s arrival.
Lizzy walked into the room to expect her family and friends in attendance and was surprised to see Mr. Bingley and Miss Bingley’s presence. Jane immediately smiled and she knew her sister was immensely happy to have the gentleman be there but she could not help but scowl to see Miss Bingley. For Jane’s sake, Lizzy was determined to be civil but wondered if William had finally decided on another and was interested in the beautiful woman once again.
She greeted everyone and embraced Lady Anne. “Where is Georgie? I thought she would be here.”
Lady Anne softly whispered, “She began her inconveniences. Will you see her for a few minutes?”
Lizzy smiled, “Of course. I will see her now. Please begin dinner without me.” She excused herself to check on her young friend.
Once Georgiana complained of her sufferings and Lizzy ordered plenty of warmed blankets and rubbed her abdomen for her, she returned downstairs where everyone was already seated at the table. Her younger sisters, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia, had all decided to stay in the nursery due to the Bingleys’ presence and their governess stayed with them.
Lizzy took a seat across from her friend and watched his interaction with Miss Bingley, who had taken her usual seat at the dining table next to William. She had hoped for a joyful reunion with the man she had desired to marry, but instead, he was sitting next to a beautiful woman with whom he had once professed to be in love.
She also observed Jane and saw that she was absolutely in love with Mr. Bingley and was happy for her. Although he was the son of a former merchant, he was wealthy and a kind gentleman who had only one more year of schooling and would be a good match for her shy sister. She knew that with Jane’s possible marriage to Mr. Bingley and that gentleman’s close friendship with William, it would not take much for Miss Bingley’s prior offences to be forgiven and for William to quickly find himself in love with her again. She saw that Miss Bingley’s manners seemed vastly improved and that she was as soft spoken and genteel as Jane.
During the separation of the sexes, Lizzy spoke cautiously to Miss Bingley. “It has been a while since we met last. I believe at the modiste’s on Bond Street. How is your father, Miss Bingley?”
“He is doing better now, Miss Elizabeth,” the lady answered demurely. “He has been ill but has not told Charles yet. He wishes for my brother to finish his school without worrying and the doctors here have been treating him with draughts and his pain seems to be lessened. Unfortunately, the doctors told him that he has only a few months to live.”
Lizzy gasped, “I
