“Naturally,” Jane sighed. “Lizzy, I am so relieved that Father is improving! Mrs Cooper said he roused long enough to drink on his own this morning. Did he really speak to you last night? Uncle said he awoke for a moment while Mr Darcy was calling. What did he say?”
Elizabeth coloured and made no answer. Jane’s brow dropped suspiciously, and she stepped closer, peering into the mirror over Elizabeth’s shoulder. “Lizzy?”
“Hmm?” Elizabeth inquired around the hairpins she had just stuffed into her mouth.
“Was Mr Darcy in the room with you?”
“Hummm.”
“Alone?”
“Hmmmmhmmm.”
Jane tilted her head. “What were the two of you talking about?”
“Nfffnnggg.” Elizabeth focused her gaze steadily on her reflection, her hands busily engaged with a stubborn coil.
“Apparently.” Jane narrowed her eyes playfully. “And what was it that Father said?”
Elizabeth removed the last pin from her mouth and blew an errant curl off her forehead. She turned to her sister, her lips twitching. “I believe he made some reference to pigs flying.”
Jane sputtered, her hand flying to her mouth to avoid a noisy shriek of laughter. Elizabeth waved her hands, trying to hush her sister’s amusement. “You will have our aunt in here, and I cannot avoid explaining toherifyouare laughing so!”
Jane’s eyes clenched, squeezing out a stray tear as her body shook with laughter. She gasped for breath, at length wiping her face. Elizabeth rolled her eyes, trying not to show the smile that threatened to overturn her very proper embarrassment.
“What did Mr Darcy do?” Jane finally managed.
“Dumped me on the floor.”
Jane choked and doubled over, now thoroughly breathless. She clamped both her hands tightly over her own mouth, but little yelping sounds squeaked through her fingers. Helpless to remain on her feet, she sought the bed and curled up on it, burying her face into the covers to smother her squeals. “Oh, Lizzy!” she gasped finally. “I cannot condone this! It is too shocking!”
“Yes, you look very grave and disapproving,” Elizabeth smirked.
“Oh, but I am! Lizzy, you must marry that man right away before you do something truly scandalous!”
“I will take that under advisement.”
“What did our uncle do about it?”
“What, do you think Itoldhim?” Elizabeth was incredulous. “Poor Mr Darcy almost melted through the floorboards as it was!”
“So, he left right away? I cannot imagine he would have remained longer.”
“Sort of.”
“Lizzy….”
“You do not think me the kind of woman who would not offer some comfort to a man in distress, do you?”
Jane shook her head. “You had better be planning on a short engagement.”
Chapter 32
Itwasamerryparty that set out for Longbourn later that morning. Two persons, however, were less than delighted with the event. One was Caroline Bingley, whose reception back into her home depended upon her carrying out Charles’ wishes to the letter. At the moment, that entailed helping Mrs Nicholls in the kitchen. Mrs Nicholls’ sentiments in the matter would be too long and unflattering an account to include in this work.
The other person whose spirits flagged was Mr Darcy himself. With the very heaviest reluctance, he had set out for Colonel Forster’s residence to obtain more information about George Wickham. Duty must overcome his desires. Besides, thought he smugly, it had not been so very many hours since he had last seen Elizabeth.
Shortly after his ardour had received such a dousing the prior evening, he had unwillingly taken his leave. The rest of the family had been abed, except for Mr Gardiner, who had been waiting with an open door, sharp ears, and a book in the library. He had already apprised the older man of his findings in London and his concerns regarding both his aunt and his childhood friend. Neither would be tolerated to interfere with the Darcy or Bennet families ever again. His aunt, they had dispatched quite satisfactorily, but George Wickham remained at large. A long circuitous ride through the night had verified that none of the local lodging houses could boast his presence.
