She was in earnest, that was clear to him, and he listened carefully to her words, wondering what had sparked these thoughts and if he should be reading between the lines.

“If I understand you correctly, you are asking if you can confide in me or if I would rather not be bothered?”

“Somewhat, yes.”

“Bother me. Every day, every hour, whenever the desire strikes you. I shall always listen attentively and seek to help in any way I can. You know that I love you, dearest, of course we shall be friends, and confidantes, and any other word you can think of. I desire a true partnership with you, not just a decoration on my arm. And it should go without saying that my loyalty is first to you, always.”

She sighed in relief, her shoulders slumping down from where they had been raised nearly to her ears.

“Thank you, Fitzwilliam. You’ve eased my mind.”

“Dearest, you seem distressed. Is there something you wished to speak about?” he asked, wishing they were already wed so that he could hold her and comfort her as she so clearly needed.

“It is Jane. I cannot betray her confidence, but I would like to ask you about something.”

He nodded.

“It is about Mr. Bingley.”

He leaned toward her.

“What sort of man is he? You know him well, do you not?” she asked.

“He is a good sort of man, kind, generous. But that is not what you mean, is it?”

“Not exactly. Last autumn, Mr. Bingley left the neighborhood without saying goodbye to anyone. He said he would be back shortly but never came back. It does not inspire trust. It is not the most… mature… behavior,” she said.

Darcy leaned back. “Ah. I think I see what you mean. Miss Bennet met Bingley in town again, did she not?”

Elizabeth nodded.

“And I imagine his attentions were just as pointed to her as they had been in Hertfordshire?”

Elizabeth looked at him but did not respond.

“Without betraying his confidence, I can tell you that Bingley is a young man, and with a sister who excels at management and no estate to be responsible to, he has been allowed to remain a young man. I have no doubt that with time and perhaps a steadying influence, he will grow into a very admirable man, one who would make an excellent husband and father, but if you are wondering if he is there yet, I’m afraid I will have to say no, he is not.”

He spoke quietly and Elizabeth understood what he was doing. He was proving his loyalty to her by sharing his private thoughts about his closest friend. He was not breaking a confidence per se, but he was dancing precariously close to the line and she knew he would not have done it for anyone but her.

She squeezed his hand. “Thank you. If I may, one more question about our mutual friend?”