Uncle motioned for them to sit, then took his place in the center of the grouping of chairs and sofas. “Then that is settled.” The tea trays were brought in. “We are expecting Mr. Bingley for dinner, so I apologize that this repast is perhaps a bit lighter than you might have hoped. You are, of course, invited to dine with us.” Looking at Papa, he added, “We knew to expect you after receiving your message from Bath.”
Papa raised his eyebrows. “Mr. Bingley?”
Uncle chuckled. “He has been hanging around like a lost puppy. The only place he would rather be is at Longbourn near Jane, but knowing you were soon to return, I could not rightly give my consent for him to marry Jane when you could meet with him yourself.” He leaned back, lacing his fingers over his stomach. “After hearing his story, I felt a little penitence would serve the young man well. Strengthen his determinationnot to make the same mistake of doubting Jane or allow himself to be so easily influenced again.”
Elizabeth approved fully. She wanted only the best for her dearest sister, and while she was inclined to like Mr. Bingley very much, he lacked the strength of character she wished her sister’s husband to possess.
Papa said, “That suits me well. Perhaps I shall suggest he accompany me to Longbourn on the morrow.”
“So soon? It took me several days to recover from our jaunt through the country. I admire your stamina, Bennet,” Uncle remarked.
Shaking his head, Papa declared, “I fear that if I stop to rest now, I shall not be able to get going again. You know your sister, Edward. Fanny will be beside herself without news, and I cannot permit dear Jane and Mary to bear the burden of her excessive nerves. Kitty is too senseless to be of any comfort.”
He shrugged, but his furrowed brow told Elizabeth he had not completely dismissed the matter from his mind. She was glad of it. She loved her father dearly, but his ability to ignore the consequences of his indolence had contributed more to their current predicament than he would ever have previously owned.
They described the events of the past few days to Aunt and Uncle between sips of tea and nibbles of sandwiches.
Papa stirred his drink absently until a break in the conversation revealed his turn ofthought. “You did well, Gardiner, and I thank you. Mr. Bingley and I have a great deal to discuss, for I shall not allow Jane to marry a young man any less steady and reliable than Mr. Darcy”—he looked from Elizabeth to Alexandra—“or his brother.”
Alexandra grinned. “Yer unlikely to find any gent their equal. But I hope for yer daughter’s sake that this Bingley fellah comes close.”
Elizabeth was proud her father thought so highly of Fitzwilliam. Theirs had not been an easy courtship. However, for Jane’s sake, she could not allow Mr. Bingley to seem as fickle as he must sound to her companions. “Mr. Bingley is everything affable, much like Jane.”
As she spoke, it occurred to her that the colonel was the perfect combination of affability and dependability. She looked at Emily, but she said nothing. The struggle to contain her unbidden opinion helped her appreciate how natural it must have been for Fitzwilliam to offer his own opinion at Mr. Bingley’s request.
Papa reached for a sandwich. “I intend to depart on the morrow, but I know Lizzy shall wish to stay.”
Uncle did not hesitate. “Of course, she must stay until this business is resolved. We already have the guest room ready, and she and Miss Alexandra shall be as comfortable as we can make them. I daresay His Lordship will continue tirelessly in his endeavors on behalf of his nephews and shall soon have news to impart.”
“Have you received word from Matlock House in our absence?” Elizabeth asked. Miss Darcy must have been beside herself with worry over her brothers.
Aunt replied, “No, but I did not expect any while Edward was gone, as I have not yet met His Lordship or the countess, nor did I feel it appropriate for me to call before we have been introduced. One simply does not show up on the doorstep of an earl’s residence and expect to be admitted.”
Elizabeth could have described how wrong her aunt was, but she would find out for herself soon enough. Lord Matlock used his position to his advantage, but he was not haughty or above humbler company.
Emily set her teacup and saucer on the table. “If I am to call with the gentlemen on Mrs. Finchley on the morrow, I had better get some rest.”
“Do you think they will allow you to join them?” Elizabeth asked, knowing the answer as well as Emily must.
“No, but they cannot prevent it. They know very well that if they do not allow me to accompany them, I am determined enough to go alone … and they will never allow that.”
“What if she does not receive you?”
“The colonel has already called on her, and surely she cannot refuse His Lordship. I will take those odds.”
“Then I wish you success in the use of your persuasive arts.” Elizabeth was onlyhalf teasing.
They said their farewells and made plans to meet again on the morrow after their call on Mrs. Finchley.
While Elizabeth had no reason to be present for the meeting, she could not deny how much she wished she could be there. The colonel’s descriptions of the sweet elderly lady conflicted so much with the evidence they had heard against her, Elizabeth was curious to meet her … from a distance, surrounded by several gentlemen capable of protecting her.
Elizabeth turned to the stairs, eager to wash, change out of her travel-worn gown, and rest before dinner.
The knocker on the door stopped her before she reached the second step.Rap-rap-rap!The rapid staccato communicated an urgency which set all her nerves on point and made her think, What now?
It was a message from Matlock House addressed to Uncle. He read it, saying aloud as his gaze reread the page, “Mrs. Annesley is missing. She has been gone for a full week.”
Aunt asked, “She is Miss Darcy’s companion, is she not?”
