“Oh?” she asked distractedly as she moved around the cage to get a closer look.

“Yes. I usually spend a large portion of the summer at Pemberley with Darcy, but obviously, this summer is not usual.”

Jane sent him a small smile of understanding before returning her attention to the primate.

“I was thinking of visiting the seaside,” he said uncertainly.

Jane straightened and looked at him seriously. “Whereabouts?”

“I had considered Margate. Your sisters said how beautiful it was and I would like to go where I have acquaintance in the area.” Jane nodded with what he thought was a disappointed expression and he stepped toward her. “Miss Bennet, I’m saying this all wrong. I would like to see you this summer, and since you are in Margate, thither I will go. Would you allow me to call on you there?”

She studied him for a moment before speaking. His jaw was slightly tense and his nostrils were flaring a bit with the strength of his breath. His shoulders were straight but rigid and the tips of his ears had gone red.

“Will your sister accompany you?” she asked, and moved to look at a lizard-like creature in another cage.

“I am undecided. I would be able to entertain if I had a hostess, but I do not know that the town would suit her.”

“Have you asked her opinion on the subject?” Jane asked.

“Not as yet. I had thought I would wait for my plans to be fixed before asking her what she wished to do,” replied Bingley.

“What if she wished for you to accompany the family to the house party?” she asked as she moved to yet another cage holding a red exotic bird. Her voice was light, but her shoulders were tense and her eyes strained.

“I have no desire to go to the house party. Caroline will go there, looking for a husband, but what I am looking for is soon to be in Margate,” he said warmly.

“Oh,” she said softly, her cheeks flushed and her eyes wide.

“Miss Bennet, I want to call on you. My intentions are entirely honorable. If you do not wish for my attentions, I beg you tell me now and save us both the mortification of me following you about unwanted,” Bingley said fervently.

Jane looked at him in shock, stuttering over her response. “I, I, Mr. Bingley, I do not, that is, I rather like, I mean,” she stopped and took a deep breath. “I would be pleased to receive your call in Margate, Mr. Bingley.” He beamed at her and she added, “Without your sister.”

~

Dearest Jane,