Page 40 of The Crown’s Gift

"I should not have trusted Miss Bingley's judgment where her wishes were engaged."

"And Georgiana?" Bingley asked. "Did you ever imagine us together?"

Georgiana looked stricken.

Darcy answered at once. "No. I mentioned that you regarded her with brotherly affection. Miss Bingley constructed the rest."

Bingley breathed out. Anger and relief moved through him together.

"I am going to Gracechurch Street."

"Not without notice," Elizabeth said. "Jane is not an appointment you may reclaim because your information improved."

He turned to her. "What should I do?"

"Write to Sir Thomas," Elizabeth said. "Tell him the truth, accept his rebuke, and ask whether Jane wishes to receive you. You forfeited the privilege of approaching her without first accounting to her father."

Bingley nodded, chastened but resolute. "I shall write before I sleep."

He left as abruptly as he had entered.

Silence remained. Mary rose from the pianoforte and went to Elizabeth. Georgiana looked at her brother with sorrow rather than condemnation.

"William," she said, "you thought you were protecting him."

"I thought my judgment superior to his hope."

Elizabeth had never heard a man condemn himself so plainly.

Mrs Annesley suggested that Mary and Georgiana take tea in the adjoining room. Mary hesitated, unwilling to leave Elizabeth, but she understood the request in her sister's eyes. Georgiana took her hand. They went together, while Mrs Annesley settled with her workbasket beside the open connecting doors.

Elizabeth and Darcy remained near the fire. Mrs Annesley's needle moved steadily in the doorway.

"I am sorry," he said.

"Jane is the person owed that apology."

"I shall give it if she permits me."

"Why did you do it? Truly. Her family is respectable. My father has wealth and consequence. Even Mama's loudness cannot outweigh every good quality."

Darcy looked toward the open doorway through which Georgiana had gone. "Bingley trusted me. Georgiana needed me. I grew too certain that being useful made me right."

"And Jane's composure made your conclusion convenient."

"Yes."

"You hurt her."

"I know."

Elizabeth picked up her gloves. "Knowing is not repair."

"No."

He did not ask her forgiveness. He did not say he had acted for Bingley's good. He stood and allowed her anger to remain hers.

At the door, Elizabeth paused.