Free The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy by Sara Angelini

as he wanted to keep the good ones to himself.
    But even had these women not been complete wackos, Darcy would not have been satisfied. The truth was, he could only think about Elizabeth Bennet . He was going to have to make a move or suffer for the next year until his term was up. He began to think of a plan.
     

Chapter 6
    Darcy had the pleasure of dining with Bingley and Jane several times over the last few months. Despite his growing acquaintance with Jane, the topic of Elizabeth never came up. Jane had no idea that he worked with her, Elizabeth had no idea he knew Jane, and Bingley, as always, was interested only in what his companions were discussing.
    As his best friend, Darcy felt it his duty to watch over Bingley and ensure that he wasn’t being swindled or deceived. He had always felt himself to be a good judge of character and he liked Jane but he wasn’t quite sure about her motivations. While he could discern no tangible evidence of any ulterior motives, he nevertheless urged Bingley to be careful.
    They sat in Bingley’s library waiting for Caroline before picking Jane up for dinner. Bingley was talking animatedly as he always did.
    “She’s perfect,” Bingley said. Darcy cocked an eyebrow and turned the page of his newspaper. “Do you know, I haven’t made a single impulse buy since I’ve been dating her!” Bingley grinned proudly. Darcy laughed.
    “I’m thinking of asking her to move in with me,” he confided to Darcy. Darcy stopped laughing and looked up in concern.
    “Really? Don’t you think it a bit early?”
    “Early! We’ve been dating for six months!” Bingley exclaimed. “She thinks I should sell the house.”
    “No doubt to buy a bigger monstrosity,” Darcy said absently but with a hint of derision. Bingley’s face reddened with anger.
    “Darcy, you are a dick! She, in fact, suggested I buy something smaller and with more land and a couple of horses. I think it’s a great idea. But maybe that’s too nouvo riche for you!”
    Darcy looked at Bingley in surprise. He could count on one hand the number of times Bingley had been angry with him and this was one of them.
    “Nouvo riche? What are you talking about?” he asked.
    “Old money doesn’t buy and sell estates. It’s not aristocratic enough. Only new money spends money.” Bingley was pacing the room now.
    “Don’t be absurd, Bingley. You can do whatever you want with your money, I don’t give a damn. What’s this all about?”
    “You think you’re too good for her!” Bingley exclaimed.
    “Even if that were true, why the hell would it matter? She’s your girlfriend!” Darcy retorted.
    “You think she only wants my money!” Bingley cried.
    “I said no such thing!” Darcy answered defensively.
    “You said she wanted me to sell my house to buy something bigger!”
    Darcy quelled his angry retort and bit his tongue.
    “Why don’t you like her?” Bingley said, sitting down across from Darcy, his anger giving way to agitation.
    “I do like her. I just think you should be careful; I always think that, no matter who you are dating. It’s a consideration for any wealthy man.” Darcy paused. “But obviously you know her better than I do. I apologize; I didn’t mean to insult her or you.”
    Bingley seemed somewhat placated but was not completely satisfied.
    “She’s very important to me, Will. I’d like you to get to know her better.” Bingley looked at Darcy with an almost pleading expression; he was so eager to have the approval of his closest friend and ally. Darcy felt ashamed.
    “Look, Charley, I’m going to England in June for two weeks to attend a legal conference and take a little vacation time. Why don’t you come along and bring Jane. It will give you a chance to spend a period of time with her and see if you really want to live with her and it will give me a chance to get to know her a little better.”
    “Really? You’d do that for me?” Bingley said, surprised.
    “Bingley, you’re