Page 218 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

“Yes. I have seen who he really is, a man of flesh and blood. A man of restrained passion.”

“Sister, I too have seen the way he looks at her. He scarcely leaves her side, and he touches her often.”

Caroline blew her nose. “He cannot seem to keep away from her. He is always finding some reason to touch her or speak with her. When she is present, there is no one else for him.”

Louisa rose and settled beside her, taking her hand.

“I do not understand what she has that I do not, Louisa. I like Elizabeth, which almost makes it worse. She has never pursued him, and she is kindness itself to everyone around her. If she had been disagreeable, I might at least have had the satisfaction of disliking her.”

Louisa took Caroline’s hand in her own. “And she is beautiful, makes herself useful to her family and neighbors, and seems to be loved by everyone who knows her. I do not see how you can find fault with her.”

“I cannot. I envy her, which is beastly of me.”

Louisa squeezed her hand. “Shall I ask Edwin for the carriage? You may return to London with our cousin Almira, or go back to Scarborough if you cannot bear to watch their growing intimacy.”

Caroline raised tearful eyes to her sister. “My opportunity to attach him is gone, and I do not know how I shall bear it, Louisa. I cannot seem to look away from him. I want to remain near him as long as I can, for I know he will marry her soon.”

Louisa slipped an arm through hers. “Come, my dear. You are weeping. Let us return to your bedchamber before the gentlemen return from their morning ride and find you openly distressed.”

Caroline stood at once. “That would be the ultimate humiliation, Louisa. Let us go.”

* * *

Later that morning, Bingley found Darcy in the library.

“I mean to marry Jane.”

Darcy looked up from his letter. “Yes, I had supposed as much.”

“I would have asked her weeks ago if she had not lost her mother so recently. Four months is not very long, Darcy. I will wait until spring if I must, but it pains me to do so. And then, of course, I worry that if I propose now, I may place her in the position of having to defend her happiness while she is still mourning her mother.”

Darcy set down his pen. “Speak to Mr. Bennet before you speak to Jane. Tell him that, if Miss Bennet accepts you, you would like to marry her quietly in September. If he believes that is too soon, you will have your answer without placing her in any difficulty.”

Bingley considered this. “I believe I will, Darcy. That is very sensible.”

Darcy raised a brow. “Thank you, Charles. I do occasionally manage it.”

Bingley rose and crossed to the door. “I shall go to Longbourn this very morning.”

Darcy picked up his pen again. “An excellent decision, Charles.”

Bingley left to order his horse.

* * *

Mr. Bingley arrived at Longbourn before noon and asked to speak privately with Mr. Bennet.

Mr. Bennet received him in the study and indicated the chair before his desk. Bingley sat, but the speech he had prepared suddenly seemed unnecessarily complicated.

“Sir, I would like your permission to ask Jane to marry me in September. I know four months after her mother's death is not long enough, and I do not want Jane the subject of criticism because I am impatient. If you believe we ought to wait, I shall wait as long as necessary.”

Mr. Bennet regarded him across the desk. “I believe my eldest daughter will be pleased to hear your wishes. As for September, I see no reason why two people who wish to marry should spend several additional months apart merely to satisfy the denizens of Meryton. I assume you are not proposing a large celebration.”

“No, sir. Jane would dislike that. It would appear disrespectful to her mother’s memory. I want her to have a pleasant wedding with the people she loves around her. Nothing more.”

“Then you have my consent.”

Bingley stood and reached out his hand to Mr. Bennet. “Thank you, sir.”