After around fifteen minutes, Hill appeared.
“Mr. Bennet would like to see you in his study, Miss Lizzy.”
Her heart sank.An express from Town?What was amiss? “Thank you, Hill.” She stood and walked sedately out of the parlor and to her uncle’s study, her steps measured despite the growing unease that prickled along her spine.
“Close the door, my dear.” She obliged and took a seat across from Mr. Bennet.
“I am sure you are curious, and so I shall not waste time. This letter is from our Prince Regent’s undersecretary, sent on his behalf.” He shook the letter once, as if its weight offended him, and opened it. “Allow me to read the contents.”
He did so with deliberate clarity, his voice steady even as the words themselves pressed heavily upon the room.
Sir,
I am directed by His Royal Highness the Prince Regent to inform you that it is His Royal Highness’s pleasure and command that Miss Elizabeth de Bourgh do immediately return to Town.
A carriage appointed by the Household will attend at Longbourn on the morning of the twenty-eighth instant, at which time Miss de Bourgh is expected to be in readiness to depart without delay. She is to be conveyed directly to Carlton House, where her apartments have been prepared for her arrival.
Upon her arrival, Miss de Bourgh will be placed under the supervision of the appropriate officers of the Household and will undergo such preparations as are deemed necessary for her proper presentation and participation in the forthcoming Season. These arrangements are to be considereda matter of royal convenience, and no deviation from them is anticipated or permitted.
His Royal Highness relies upon your immediate compliance in this matter and expects that all necessary preparations will be made forthwith to ensure Miss de Bourgh’s punctual attendance.
I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient and most humble servant,
Edmund Hawthorne,Under-Secretary to His Royal Highness The Prince Regent
“Aunt Caroline was successful, then.” She frowned. “But not in the way she imagined.”
“Yes, it sounds as though the prince will oversee your coming out.” Mr. Bennet looked dismal. He folded the letter with care, though his hands betrayed a faint tension. “I have no doubt that he has a political match in mind for you. I am sorry, my dear.”
Elizabeth drew a slow breath, forcing her thoughts into order. “I knew after our conversation that such was a possibility. I am nearly one-and-twenty. If I can resist until then, I can marry where I choose.”
“That is the letter of the law, yes,” Mr. Bennet replied in frustration, “but I believe you underestimate the power my co-guardian wields. He has his ways of achieving your compliance.” He shook his head. “I do not know what can be done. You had best instruct Baker, Jones, and Weston to prepare. Prepare yourself—it will likely be a battle.”
The word seemed insufficient. Elizabeth knew enough about thetonto suspect she was being cast into a den of wild beasts—one in which beauty was currency, obedience was expected, and refusal rarely accepted.
“I had best inform my aunt and cousins.” She stood, clasping her shaking hands in front of her before departing.
Elizabeth paused just beyond the study door, steadying herself before reentering the warmth of the family circle. The sound of laughter from the parlor struck her as oddly distant, as though she were already half removed from it. When she returned, all eyes turned to her at once.
Jane rose immediately. “Lizzy?”
Elizabeth forced a small smile. “We must speak.”
They withdrew together, joined by Mrs. Gardiner, whose expression sharpened the moment Elizabeth explained. No exclamation escaped her aunt—only a slow, thoughtful silence.
“So,” Mrs. Gardiner said at last, “the summons has come.”
“Yes.”
Jane’s face had gone pale. “You must leave so soon? Are you not usually allowed to stay until Twelfth Night?”
“On the twenty-eighth.”
“That is scarcely two days hence,” Jane whispered.
Elizabeth reached for her cousin’s hand. “I will write. Often. And I will not be so easily cowed as they expect.”
Mrs. Gardiner studied her closely. “You will be watched.”
