Memory: Volume 3, How Far We Have Come, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) by Linda Wells Read Free Book Online Page A

couple and taking Bingley’s arm, led him to stand in a far corner.  Bingley stood blushing to his boots and Elizabeth noted the looks that Georgiana sent his way.  “Mr. Bingley, please tell me what is wrong.  Must I threaten you?”
    “The way that you berate me almost feels like I am a member of this family.”  He said wistfully.
    “You are part of this family.  How many times do we need to tell you that?”  Elizabeth said forcefully.  “Now, what is this about Miss Martin?”  When he hesitated, Elizabeth looked back at the others.  “Would you prefer to talk privately?”
    “Yes, no!”  His eyes grew wide.  “Not unless Darcy is there!”
    “Oh, now I have to know what is in your mind.  Come with me.”  She ordered, and walking back across the ballroom, she stopped and smiled at the couple.  “You are looking much better, Captain.”
    “You are not leaving us?”  Mary asked worriedly.
    “Just for a moment.  You dance beautifully, Mary, you are a wonderful teacher.”  Elizabeth turned to see Bingley several paces behind her and smiled at de Bourgh. “Keep at it.”
    She led the way down the hallway, towards Darcy’s study, then stopping to speak to a footman for a moment, turned and entered the library.  “Please close the door.”
    “I dare not be alone . . .”
    “Why?”  Elizabeth demanded and walked past him, shutting the door soundly.  She turned and faced him, her arms crossed over her chest.  “What on earth has happened?”
    Bingley sighed and sank down to lean on a heavy oak table across the room, and mirrored Elizabeth’s stance.  “I have made an utter fool of myself.”  He glanced up to see her focussed attention.  “Over you.”
    “ Me ?”
    “I am afraid that my behaviour towards you has been misinterpreted as so forward that . . . It was presumed that we once were . . . That I had deeper feelings for you.”  Elizabeth’s mouth opened and she sank down to a chair.  He closed his eyes.  “I am forever sorry if I ever brought discomfort to you or Darcy for . . . I realize now that in my ease with you both, I stepped over the lines of propriety to move beyond the brotherly affection and teasing that you and Darcy so kindly allow, and beyond the extraordinary friendship that I treasure, to . . . suggesting to others that . . . more is desired on my part.”
    “Perhaps in our affection for you, we tolerated your behaviour too easily.  And I have been far too encouraging.  I have never thought of you as anything but a friend.”  Elizabeth tried to process all he had said.
    “Stewart pointed it out to me once, but I thought of it as his jealousy that Darcy had won you.”  Bingley said soberly.  “I have explained my feelings before; you offered me unconditional friendship when I was so new to this world, when we were so much the same.  The difference now being that you have progressed and I have stagnated, remaining the foolish youth as you and Darcy matured.  I remember when you were as shy as Mary is now.”  He smiled and she blushed.  “I remember when Darcy was arrogant and unsmiling.”
    “I remember when you never thought of anything deeper than the next dance partner.”  Elizabeth said softly.  “We are not the only ones who have changed and grown.  You have been an enormous friend to us both, and have worked very hard.  Fitzwilliam and I have advanced quickly due to circumstances far beyond our control.”
    “Yes, you have faced a few difficulties.”  His lips lifted in a little smile.
    “One or two.”  She smiled back at him then lowered her hands to her lap.  “Please tell me why you have begun this introspection.” 
    A knock came to the door and Darcy’s head appeared.  “Foster told me that I might be needed here.”  He saw the serious expressions and closing the door, stood next to Elizabeth and placed his hand on her shoulder.  “What is wrong?”  Bingley hesitated and Elizabeth reached up to take