Chapter Text
“Are you sure about this, Darcy?”
Darcy paused, his fingers just touching the rim of a very ugly hat. Instead of picking it up, he turned and treated his friend to a long stare. “You have already made your objections, Bingley.”
“Yes, to a stone wall! I cannot believe you think this a good idea.”
The taller man sighed and picked up the hat. There was a worn section on the crown, which he instinctively brushed with his fingers to neaten it. “You know my reasons. I have told you a hundred times. They are logical, and…”
“Logical!” Bingley laughed aloud.
It was so peculiar to see his mild-mannered friend arguing that Darcy had to hide his amusement. Of course, Bingley was not going to convince him. They had both spat words at each other a hundred times, and neither of them was prepared to shift. But it was always worth one last go, while they waited for the rest of the party to get ready. The carriage was waiting to carry them into Meryton, and the men had been ready for half an hour. Miss Bingley’s preening was not to be rushed.
“I told you, Bingley: I am tired of being treated like a gold mine. I am a man, and if I am ever to be treated as one I cannot let my fortune get in the way.”
“You are treated as a man, you oaf. Why, my sister…”
“Let us not discuss Miss Bingley in this context. Not if you wish to remain my friend.” Darcy replied flatly. Bingley rolled his eyes and glanced up at the stairs, where his sisters were still getting ready.
“I do understand, Darcy. Sometimes, when a pretty lady dances with me, I wonder whether she is just pretending. Some of them do want to get their hands on my money, and care for me not at all. But - forgive the shocking suggestion - that is why you talk to them! Usually it is the mothers who are pushing them forwards, and you find out soon enough if their interest in you is real.”
“I would need your charisma to play that game.” Darcy replied, putting the hat onto his head with finality. “You know I do not. I would cause offence as soon as I opened my mouth, and then I would be just as badly off as if I never made the attempt.”
Bingley smiled gently, “I will not agree to that. You are pleasant company.”
“You make it easy.” The man said, pulling on a coat which was a little too big for him. Seeing the expression on his friend’s anxious face, he sighed. “Look, humour me for tonight, at least. If it does not work then I shall apologise to everyone for the deception and return to Pemberley within the day. But if it does work, Bingley, then neither you nor your sisters can interfere. Do you agree?”
Bingley grunted and then held out his hand to shake. “I agree. I wish you luck. You will need it! I suspect that the mothers of Meryton will refuse to let their daughters within ten feet of that awful hat.”
Darcy smiled and straightened the offending object over his eyes. “We shall see.”