As Jane continued to watch Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley became less animated than was his wont. This went unnoticed by Jane. With Jane's distraction and Mr. Bingley's silence, the conversation began to lag. Mrs. Bennet tapped Jane's foot with her own to encourage her to be mindful of her companions; it would not do for Jane to ignore Mr. Bingley.
"Jane, you and Lizzy and Mary should take the gentleman into the garden. It is such a nice day and I am sure a walk would be most refreshing." Mrs. Bennet encouraged the young people to gather their outerwear and head outside.
Reluctantly, Mary got up from her table to do as her mother said. "Mama, if our guests are occupied outside, I would wish to practice this new song on the pianoforte. Lizzy and Mr. Darcy can chaperone Jane and Mr. Bingley."
Mrs. Bennet insisted, much to Mary's displeasure. "Mary, never you mind about your concertos right now. I believe I require you join your sisters."
"Come, Mary. You can walk with me." Elizabeth ushered her sister out of the room.
Once they had assembled at the door which led to the garden, they set out. Mary strode forward, with Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth bracketing her on each side. After the briefest of hesitations, Mr. Bingley offered Jane his arm. She happily took it and they followed the trio in front of them.
It was, indeed, a nice day and Jane was finding it very refreshing, as her mother had suggested she would. The walk also gave her the opportunity to continue her scrutiny of two of the people in front of her. However, she could not just to watch. She needed information.
Once again returning her attention to the amiable man beside her, she spoke. "Mr. Bingley, I was hoping you could tell me more of Mr. Darcy."
Startled, Mr. Bingley struggled to mask his reaction to her request. He finally he gathered his wits and responded, his voice betraying only a hint of the dejection he felt. "You want to know about Darcy? Is there something specific you wish to know?"
Jane noticed he had dropped his arm slowly, her own falling from his. However, she was at a loss to explain his actions. Instead of trying to work it out, she plunged ahead. "Is Mr. Darcy a good man?"
"He is. One could take away all his wealth and connections and he would still have much to recommend him. He is a very good man, indeed." Mr. Bingley answered, his manner resigned. "A better man than I. And he can offer a young lady so much more."
Jane was watching Mr. Darcy as his friend said this. When she turned back to Mr. Bingley, she was surprised by the look of sadness and longing that was etched on his face. The smile left her own.
She tilted her head as she examined Mr. Bingley. She thought back through her time spent with Bingley since his arrival that day. Realization hit. Oh! Oh, no! He could not possible think that! Could he?
"I imagine you are wondering at my questions about Mr. Darcy." Jane walk forward until she stood in front of unhappy man. Looking around quickly, she led him to a bench nearby. "Will you sit with me?"
"Miss Bennet, you need not worry. If you favor Darcy, I shall importune you no further."
Without thinking Jane blurted out. "I do not favor Mr. Darcy." Even to herself that it sounded an inadequate denial, for it was too quick, too sharp.
Jane had already determined that she would have to be bold today. There was a conversation she needed to have with Mr. Bingley about Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth and Mr. Collins, but first she would need to clear up this misunderstanding. Again, she looked at Mr. Darcy and her sisters. This time it was to ensure that they were far enough away so she could speak freely.
"Mr. Bingley, I could never favor Mr. Darcy. Though, I must confess I do favor somebody. He is just what a young man ought to be. He is sensible, good-humored, lively; and I never saw such happy manners." Apparently, she was not bold enough for Mr. Bingley would not look at her. How could he not realize? By no stretch of the of the imagination could Mr. Darcy's manners be described as happy. There was nothing left for her to do but take a risk.
She angled her body towards Mr. Bingley. Unconsciously, he mirrored her movements. She lifted her hand to his face and gently turned it so she could look directly into his eyes. He remained silent; their gazes locked. Jane raised an eyebrow in fond exasperation. She dropped her hand from his face and grasped his, blocking it from view with their re-positioned bodies.
"Oh," Mr. Bingley uttered in realization."Oh."
"I find my attentions quite completely engaged. I have no cause to wish for more." Mr. Bingley's eye widened slightly and his grip on her hand tightened upon hearing her words.
"Truly?" Mr. Bingley whispered. "I had hoped you might return my affection but then today…"
All thoughts of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy were gone from Jane's mind. "Truly, Mr. Bingley. I do return your affections. Most fervently." The sincerity in her voice and displayed on her face encouraged Mr. Bingley to lift her hand to place upon it a reverent kiss.
"Miss Bennet, I would be, that is, if you would," he stopped speaking. Taking a deep, fortifying breath and squaring his shoulders, Mr. Bingley leaned close to Jane. "Miss Bennet, I could not have anticipated such a happy declaration only a few moments ago. In fact, I was feeling quite desolate, but your words have sent my spirit soaring. I would be honored if you would allow me to court you."
"The honor would be mine, sir." Jane had never expected to feel such elation. She looked about her, wishing to preserve every memory of this most wonderful moment.
"Shall I go to your father when he returns?" Before Jane could respond, Mr. Collins entered the garden from the house, moving quickly to find a place by Elizabeth's side. None seemed to welcome the presence of the newcomer. For Jane it was a reminder than while her own happiness seemed more assured, it by no means protected Elizabeth from a marriage to their cousin.
"Well, it seems he and Mr. Collins are back. Shall I go to him?" Mr. Bingley repeated.
"Not just yet. I must speak to you about something before we return to the house. Let us walk again." Jane rose from the bench and took Mr. Bingley's arm.
"Of course, you may speak to me about anything."
"I know I may have confused you today. I wished to know more of Mr. Darcy because I believe he has developed a warm regard for Elizabeth." They both looked to the group in the far corner of the garden. Stray words from Mr. Collins could be heard as his voice rose in praise of his noble patroness. A frown marked the countenances of his three companions.
"Are you sure? I have not noticed any preference on his part, but I confess my thoughts were directed elsewhere." He smiled brightly at her. "But now that I think on it he does look at her a great deal, more so than any other woman of his acquaintance. Well, well, how intriguing. That would also explain Caroline's spiteful behavior towards your sister. Caroline is very observant when it comes to Darcy. She must have seen something of which you speak."
"I can only claim to have noticed Mr. Darcy's regard just yesterday. So, I cannot be certain. And I fear I have not noticed Miss Bingley's spite at all. I, too, have been otherwise occupied. Oh, dear. I have been a very poor sister, thinking only of myself."
"Does it matter, though?" Mr. Bingley asked. "Miss Elizabeth does not share that regard. Her feelings are quite the opposite, are they not?"
"Lizzy has never been unaffected by Mr. Darcy. And what started as antagonism may be shifting to something very different."
"So, it is your wish to bring my friend and your sister together? Darcy assiduously avoids any hint of matchmaking. You understand, I mean no disrespect to Miss Elizabeth."
"I do not mean to force a match by means of compromise or any form of deceit. I would only want an attachment between them if that is what they desired for themselves. Lizzy, like me, has vowed only to marry for love." Mr. Bingley squeezed the hand resting on his arm. "However, you should know, for Lizzy's sake, there is some urgency that will not allow them to find their own way at their leisure."
At Mr. Bingley's quizzical look, Jane explained about her mother's plan for Elizabeth to wed Mr. Collins. "Please do not think me mercenary. I just wish to protect a most beloved sister. It may be that Mr. Darcy and Lizzy cannot overcome the obstacles that are before them. But I would wish that they at least have an opportunity to see if they suit. I think they would do very well together."
Mr. Bingley was thoughtful for a moment and then he started chuckling. "Caroline has long sought my aid in her pursuit of Darcy. She also entertains the idea of a match between myself and Miss Darcy." He shook his head as he considered his sister's aspirations. "Neither will ever come to pass, and I have never wished to have any part of her schemes. She has often lamented my lack of support, for why would I not do whatever I could so I might one day call my closest friend brother?"
Mr. Bingley once again looked to Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, a great smile brightening his face. "If Caroline wishes for Darcy to be my brother, who am I to deny her?"