“If you are certain, then I believe I will join you,” said Masters. “It would be nice to get away from the city. I haven’t spent any time in the country in years. But I will need to bring my assistant and a couple of riders with me. Will there be room for them as well?”
Since much of Masters’ business was in Manchester, he employed two men whose sole task was to take messages back and forth. Darcy had once asked him why he didn’t just move back to Manchester, but Masters had replied that London was more interesting and that it was worth the cost.
“Of course,” said Darcy. “Can you be ready to go by three tomorrow?”
“So soon?” asked Masters. Darcy nodded. “Well, I suppose there is nothing keeping me here. Very well, my staff, mycarriage, and I shall be ready at noon. If you will stop by my house on your way out of the city, I will follow you to our destination.”
“Excellent,” said Darcy, and he clasped his friend’s hand in a firm handshake.
The following morning, Darcy and Bingley signed the paperwork to transfer the lease of Netherfield over to Darcy. The unexpected expense of four hundred pounds was no small change, but it was entirely manageable and would be absolutely worth it if he could secure the most perfect woman in England as his wife.
Chapter 7
Three days after the ball at Netherfield, Elizabeth was sitting in the window seat at Longbourn. She was supposed to be working on a reticule that she wanted to give to Jane for Christmas, but her attention kept being diverted by the outside world as well as her own thoughts.
For one thing, her mind kept being drawn back to the very surprising fact that Mr. Collins was engaged to Charlotte Lucas. Though the idea was incomprehensible to Elizabeth, the truth of it could not be doubted. Charlotte had told Elizabeth herself just this morning.
Mr. Collins had been unbearably smug ever since, but at least Elizabeth was free of him. He planned to spend the rest of the day at Lucas Lodge, and he would be leaving tomorrow morning. Elizabeth only hoped that her friend would not regret her choice.
Charlotte had said that all she wanted from a husband was a comfortable home, and Mr. Collins could certainly give her that, but the price of that home was that she must submit, both physically and mentally, to the whims of that silly, ridiculous man.
If anyone could manage under such circumstances, it would be Charlotte. She had a way about her which combined apparent patience with subtle manipulation. It was how her mothermanaged to deal with Sir William’s many whims and how Charlotte managed to deal with everyone in her family.
Elizabeth simply hoped that Charlotte’s skills would help her create comfort in an innately uncomfortable situation.
As she stared out the window with thoughts of Charlotte and Mr. Collins floating through her head, she saw and heard a carriage coming up the drive. It was definitely one she had never seen before. The extravagant decorations and large size made it clear that it was more expensive than anyone in the neighborhood owned.
It came to a stop at the front of the house, just out of sight of Elizabeth. She tensed up with curiosity and anticipation, wondering who would be arriving in such a vehicle. She could only hope that they would not be shown directly to her father. If that happened, she might never know who it was.
“Mama,” she said, “are you expecting someone today?” Mama and Jane were sitting on the far side of the parlor, each working on their own project. Mary was practicing piano in the drawing room, and Kitty and Lydia had walked into Meryton out of boredom.
“No, not unless one of our neighbors drops by,” said Mama.
“A strange carriage just arrived. It most definitely does not belong to any of our neighbors,” said Elizabeth.
Mama got up and came over to the window to peer out. By leaning at just the right angle, she could make out the back of the carriage, but she would not be able to see who emerged.
“My goodness, that is an elegant carriage,” said Mama. “I cannot imagine who that might be.”
Even Jane’s curiosity was piqued. She got up to look as well, though she didn’t have any more insight into the mystery than Elizabeth or Mama.
Fortunately, they didn’t have to wait much longer. Moments after Jane had sat back down in her chair, Mrs. Hill entered and announced, “Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy, and Mr. Masters have come to call.” She then moved aside to allow the guests to enter the room.
Elizabeth was shocked enough that she didn’t even remember to stand and greet the new arrivals. Fortunately, when she saw Mama and Jane stand, she remembered her manners.
“Mr. Darcy,” said Mama. Her voice carried a great deal of surprise, but there was an undercurrent of displeasure as well.
The surprise was because Miss Bingley had written to Jane saying they would all be in London for the winter. The dislike was simply because she had never liked the man ever since he insulted Elizabeth at the assembly where they first met him.
“Good day, Ma’am,” he said with a bow. “I hope I find you all well.”
Elizabeth was certain that his eyes wandered toward her when he said that. She supposed it must be because her gown was slightly wrinkled from the way she had been curled up in the window seat. He was always staring at her to find some kind of fault.
“May I introduce my sister and friend?” Mr. Darcy asked.
“Of course,” said Mama.
Introductions were accomplished. Then Miss Darcy, her companion, and Mr. Masters all sat near Jane and Mama to chat. Surprisingly, Mr. Darcy made his way over to Elizabeth’s side of the room. He sat in the chair nearest the window seat, as Elizabeth sat back down in the window.
