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The Westcotts stayed only a little while longer. Their carriage was brought round, wraps found, and Miss Westcott assured that she must bring the new piece when she knew it better. Darcy saw them to the door with Charles. Upon their return Jane announced that she would go upstairs, and Elizabeth offered to accompany her.

Caroline remained at the pianoforte, gathering the music.

“I shall come, too,” Charles told his wife. “I promised you an account of the road to Alderbrook, and Darcy has had quite enough of it.”

Jane smiled and waited for him. They went upstairs together, with Elizabeth following, and Darcy was left with Caroline.

She was putting a loose sheet into its cover. He took up the book she had played from and laid it upon the table beside her.

“Thank you for the evening,” he said.

“I was glad to arrange it.”

“You took a great deal of trouble.”

“Very little. It is pleasant to have the house used as it ought to be.”

She looked about the room, satisfied with the flowers, the chairs drawn into groups, and the candles which had not yet burned low. Darcy could not object to the pleasure she took in it. He had enjoyed the result himself.

“We might do something more before Christmas,” she continued. “Charles wishes for a larger gathering. Once he and Jane are settled at Alderbrook, they may return the hospitality. You ought not to be left alone merely because their house is ready.”

“I shall have company when I wish for it.”

“Yes. But it requires somebody to remember whom to ask, and what may make the visit agreeable. You have sufficient claims upon your attention without considering every dinner yourself.”

Caroline smoothed the edge of the cover. Her tone was easy, almost playful. It would have been very easy to answer in the same manner, thank her again, and leave the implication undisturbed.

He had done that before.

“Miss Bingley,” he said, “there is something I ought to make plain.”

Her hand stopped.

“Must it be tonight? I hope you have found nothing to dislike in the arrangements.”

“Nothing. You have been an excellent hostess.”

“I am glad.”

“And I have accepted your care of my house too readily, without considering what my doing so might encourage you to expect.”

Caroline’s colour rose. “I was not aware that I had required anything in return.”

“You have not required it.”

“Then I do not understand why you speak as though we had made a bargain.”

“I do not mean a bargain. I mean that I cannot offer you marriage, and I ought not to leave you in doubt of it.”

Caroline turned her face away.

He wished to take back the bluntness, but any gentler words he could think of merely obscured what he had needed to say. She deserved an answer she would not be obliged to interpret afterward.

“I have never asked you for an offer,” she said.

“I know.”

“Then perhaps you might have waited until I did.”