"You told him what?"

Mr. Darcy was trying to explain to Elizabeth why Mr. Bingley was not going to be coming to Longbourn to speak to Jane. He felt as if the hole he was standing in was getting deeper.

"You told him she just wanted to be an indifferent acquaintance?"

"You said she said …"

"Did you not see me shake my head?"

"But you said …"

"Did you not hear me laugh?"

Mr. Darcy felt as if his head was in a vice and Elizabeth was slowly tightening the screw. When he had left Netherfield last November, he had been convinced that Miss Bennet's indifference to Bingley was certain. At Hunsford Elizabeth had convinced him he was wrong. Now, at Longbourn Elizabeth had told Miss Bennet wanted to be indifferent. He had gone to Netherfield and told Bingley that. Now, at Longbourn Elizabeth had told him he was wrong. He was rescued by Miss Bennet who walked over to where he was being corrected by Elizabeth.

"I understand that you are just back from Netherfield," Miss Bennet said.

Mr. Darcy could see that she was looking for more than just confirmation of his arrival back at Longbourn. "Yes, Bingley said Georgiana and I could stay there until the wedding…"

Elizabeth interrupted him "It'll just be you; Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley will be staying here. Georgiana wants to experience life with sisters."

"Will Mr. Bingley be accompanying you on your visits here?" asked Miss Bennet.

Mr. Darcy could hear the yearning in her voice. He did not want to hurt her but he must be honest "I do not think so; he said …" Mr. Darcy paused; Elizabeth was shaking her head at him.

"He said what?" asked Miss Bennet.

Mr. Darcy tried to ignore the way Elizabeth was frowning at him. "I told Bingley that you wanted to apologize and he said there was no need; that you were entirely in the right."

"But why are you doubtful that he will not be coming here with you?"

Mr. Darcy sighed to himself. Elizabeth's glare was having a shriveling effect on him. "He said that seeing you would tear open the wound in his heart that was taking too long to heal."

"Oh, I see," Miss Bennet paled and swayed on her feet. Before Mr. Darcy could reach out to steady her, she said "Excuse me" and turned away. Mr. Darcy thought he had seen a tear on her face as she was turning.

Miss Bennet started walking towards the house.

Elizabeth put her hands on her hips and spit out "Must you always be the means of ruining, perhaps for ever, the happiness of a most beloved sister?" She then spun around and hurried after her sister.

Mr. Darcy stood there abashed.