With a moan, Miss Darcy murmured, “I deserve to be ruined.”
“No. You are sixteen, and you erred. You deserve to have a future.”
“Miss Darcy?” Mrs. Annesley’s voice called again, nearer.
Miss Darcy swallowed. “I can see why my brother likes you.”
Elizabeth blinked in confusion. She’d always been under the impression that Mr. Darcy held her in amused disdain. She released Miss Darcy’s hand with a wry smile. “I am not certain he does, but thank you.”
“Miss Da— Oh.” The woman broke off as she rounded a shrubbery to the sight of them. “Ah, Miss Darcy, we are to depart soon.”
“Mrs. Annesley, meet Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” Miss Darcy came to her feet as she spoke, applying the bedraggled handkerchief to her cheeks. “Miss Elizabeth, this is my companion, Mrs. Annesley.”
Elizabeth stood as well, offering a smile. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Annesley.”
“You have been crying,” Mrs. Annesley stated, eyeing Elizabeth.
“Yes. Miss Elizabeth found me here sobbing, I am afraid.” Miss Darcy drew in a deep breath, drawing back her shoulders. “But I am feeling much better now.” Obscured in Elizabeth’s handkerchief, Miss Darcy slipped the necklace into a pocket of her gown.
“You are?” Mrs. Annesley’s voice held hope.
“I am.” The smile Miss Darcy mustered was wan, but a smile nonetheless.
“Well, then, are you ready to depart for London?”
Miss Darcy shook her head. “I would like to call on the Bennets first. Miss Elizabeth has four sisters and they have been my particular friends here. I wish to bid them farewell.”
Mrs. Annesley pursed her lips, looking Elizabeth up and down. She must not have found anything lacking, for she nodded. “Miss Elizabeth, would you care to return to…” She broke off, looking the question.
“My father’s estate is called Longbourn,” Elizabeth replied, realizing Miss Darcy’s companion was not yet familiar with who the Bennets were and hoping her phrasing reassured the woman.
Relief indeed touching her smile, Mrs. Annesley nodded acknowledgment and continued, “Would you care to ride with us to Longbourn? Miss Darcy, I am certain, wishes to refresh herself, and we will be but a short time readying the carriages for the remainder of our journey. Perhaps tea while you wait?”
Deciding her arrival in the company of Miss Darcy, a favorite guest, and her companion, would mitigate any worry about how long she’d been out walking, finally alone, Elizabeth nodded. “That is very kind of you.”
Falling in step, they made their way through the garden and into the house. Miss Darcy and Mrs. Annesley excused themselves, and Elizabeth was shown into the same parlor she’d taken tea in on previous calls, to find Miss Bingley there alone.
Closing the book she held, the title of which appeared both historical and martial, Miss Bingley stood. “Miss Elizabeth. Are you here alone?”
“I chanced upon Miss Darcy and Mrs. Annesley while out walking,” Elizabeth replied, not wanting to mention the locket as her reason for seeking out Miss Darcy.
“You seem rather adept at chancing upon people.”
As there was an odd lack of accusation in Miss Bingley’s voice, Elizabeth merely smiled. “I spend a great deal of time walking.” Did Miss Bingley refer to Elizabeth’s meetings with Fitzwilliam, or to her discovery of Mr. Wickham? Likely the latter, as Mr. Darcy seemed more apt to tell Miss Bingley things than Fitzwilliam did. Miss Bingley and Mr. Darcy seemed deep in each other’s confidence whenever Elizabeth saw them together. “Miss Darcy has gone to ready for her journey to London, with a call on Longbourn on the way, and tea was suggested while I wait, but I do not mean to intrude.”
Miss Bingley gestured to the square of sofas. “I will order some. Charles is out making calls, so I am afraid you must make due with me until Miss Darcy returns.”
No snide edge touched Miss Bingley’s voice, and Elizabeth wondered why she was not making calls with her brother. As much as she maligned their society, she was always out and about in the community. Today, however, Miss Bingleyappeared somehow deflated. Diminished. Like a spring day with no sunshine.
But after requesting tea, she rallied some of her usual condescension, to say, “You were out walking? On Netherfield Park’s lands again, I imagine? You are quite the notorious walker, Miss Eliza.”
“I am known as such, I imagine,” Elizabeth allowed.
Miss Bingley opened her mouth, but before she could say more, a commotion reached them from the hallway.
“…simply barge in unannounced sir, madam.”
“I believe you will find you mean ‘lord’ and ‘lady,’” an unfamiliar, masculine voice stated with clear authority. “And that we may do as we please.”
