Caroline swallowed. She had not counted on this difficulty. Charles would no doubt be unwilling to welcome her back.Well!She would demand entry anyway. After all, it was only by some cruel trick of fate that he, the younger brother, was master over their father’s holdings, while she, but a woman, could claim only a handsome dowry. What business ought he truly to have in denying her the benefits of their inheritance?
“Absolutely, my lady,” she answered smoothly. “As to location, I believe it is approximately three miles to Longbourn, the little farm the Bennets call their estate.”
“And you say Georgiana Darcy is staying at Netherfield?”
“Yes, my lady,” she smiled, trying to cover how much she despised having to answer so.
“With your brother?”
“Well… yes, I suppose so, my lady. Mr Darcy stays there as well, of course.”
“Of course.” Lady Catherine sat back, a smug expression on her lined face. Caroline began to wonder just what she had let herself in for.
***
“I still do not see why we had to leave so bleeding early in the morning,” grumbled the Earl of Matlock. He watched his breath fog in the carriage and tugged his long gloves for emphasis.
“I told you, Father, I received a message from Darcy in the middle of the night.”
“We were coming anyway. What can the rush all be about?” he groused in irritation.
“He did not say, Father, but Darcy does not send such messages on a whim. I suspect something truly awful must be afoot. I hope it is not bad news to do with Mr Bennet.”
“So what if it is? I daresay your cousin is overreacting. What can he expect you to do?”
Richard shook his head. “I’ve no idea. The thought has occurred to me… well, let us hope that is not the case.”
“What? You speak in riddles, my boy.”
“Do you remember George Wickham, the son of old Darcy’s steward?”
The earl snorted. “A worthless rascal if there ever was one. Has he been imprisoned or shot yet?”
“No, but it was a very near thing once or twice. He has joined the militia stationed in Meryton and still has no generous feelings for Darcy.”
“Still chasing skirts as well, I imagine? Ah, I see. Here I thought to anticipate a rather dull stay in Hertfordshire. This could prove a very entertaining visit.”
“Lizzy,wherehaveyoubeen? Oh, we are all in an uproar!” Mrs Bennet, waving a laced kerchief, chased her daughter into the entryway of the house.
Elizabeth sighed. She had expected she might be missed and braced herself for the explanation which would surely be required. “I went for a walk Mama, as I often do,” she replied patiently. She flipped the scarf off her neck and began to put away her outerwear.
“Oh, hang your walks! Your father is awake!”
“What! Oh, Mama, is it true?” Elizabeth eagerly clasped her mother’s hand. “Papa!” she began calling before he could be reasonably expected to answer and raced up the stairs. “Papa!” She burst into the room. Jane and her aunt sat with Mrs Cooper, but her father’s eyes were quite firmly closed.
She looked to each of the faces in dismay. “I thought… Mama said….” she trailed off miserably.
“He opened his eyes for a moment, Lizzy,” Jane answered her. “It was only a moment. He seemed to look at us, but he did not speak.”
Elizabeth sank down on the corner of her father’s bed, deflated. “Oh,” she responded sadly.
“Do not fret, Dearie,” came Mrs Cooper’s kind voice. “‘Tis as promising as anything, I declare! I’d a letter from the doctor yesterday, and he intended to journey from London this morning. He will be stopping to check on your dear Papa, Miss Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth forced a cheerful reply. “That is good news,” she returned softly. “Excuse me, please, I… I should go change.”
Jane began to rise to follow her, but Mrs Gardiner put out a staying hand. Jane glanced from her aunt to Elizabeth’s drooping shoulders and acquiesced.
Chapter 26
