When they all returned to Longbourn’s dower house, the Holder coach had just arrived.
Emily and Priscilla were very keen to meet their two soon-to-be-sisters-in-law they had not yet met. The Carrington sisters were very happy that Jamey was gifting them five new sisters when he married Jane in a little more than a fortnight.
With permission from both mothers, Kitty and Lydia, with Anna’s assistance and the three companion-governesses following, led Emily and Priscilla into the house and up to the suite the sisters would share. When the two Carringtons were informed that Lilly and May would arrive on the coming Friday, they were even more excited.
While the girls were becoming friends, Fanny led the way to the suite Edith and Paul would have.
An hour later, everyone met in the main drawing room, where Fanny called for tea. After tea, the three matriarchs began to speak of wedding arrangements and plans for the ball. Bennet took that as his signal to lead the men to the library, which had its bookshelves filled with all the tomes Bennet had kept in his study at Longbourn.
The groups going their own way left the two official couples and one unofficial couple in the drawing room. They decided to walk outside, as it was such a pleasant day, and they would be one another’s chaperones. They set off down the wide gravel path through the formal gardens.
Elizabeth and Darcy remembered the same thing at the same time.
“While you were here to nurse Jane and you and Mrs Hurst were walking here, I should not have stood for MissBingley’s calling her sister to join us, leaving you on your own. I was rather an arrogant horse’s arse then, was I not?” Darcy stated contritely.
“You were that; however, you are no longer anything like the man to whom you are referring. Do not forget that at the time she was your hostess, and you did the only thing you could under the circumstances. Besides, as I genuinely did not enjoy your company then, I was more than ready to return to Jane’s side.” Elizabeth looked at William archly. “Did we not agree to stop thinking of our past missteps?” She paused. “In the spirit of honesty, I too thought of that as we walked here.” Elizabeth smiled at her suitor.
It took all that Darcy had in him to not follow his desire to pull Elizabeth into his arms and kiss her senseless. How he loved this woman. He changed the subject to keep his mind away from what he wanted to do at that moment. “Have you noticed that Richard rides out alone much of the time?”
“I have. I thought he liked society more than most. Why do you think he disappears for hours at a time?” Elizabeth enquired.
“When I quizzed him, Richard simply said he enjoyed riding now that he is no longer in the army. He said it reminds him of the hours he would spend in the saddle when exercising his soldiers,” Darcy responded.
“I intend to call on Charlotte on the morrow; will you accompany me?” Elizabeth invited.
“It will be my pleasure to go anywhere with you,” Darcy assured her.
Jane and Hadlock walked some paces behind Elizabeth and Darcy. “Do we have to wait until the twentieth?” Hadlock asked somewhat jestingly, “The banns have been read in your parish and mine, so technically, we may marry whenever we chuse.”
“As much as I would like to be married to you already, we will have to have a little more patience,” Jane replied.
Hadlock looked at the couples ahead of them. “I have never seen Hilldale so comfortable in the presence of a lady before,” he noted. “Even though Mary is more than ten years his junior in age, they are well matched.”
“Mary knows her own mind. If Andrew declares himself, she will accept him only if she feels he is right for her,” Jane responded.
“You Bennet girls are very unique in society,” Hadlock said as he covered her hand on his arm with his free one. “Where others see only fortune, rank, and connections, you all seek respect, character, and compatibility. I feel very privileged to have won your heart.”
“As I feel knowing that I have yours,” Jane averred. She looked at her next younger sister’s body language as she walked with William. “It will not be long before Lizzy is ready to accept a proposal from William.”
“If Darcy can make it without insulting anyone,” Hadlock jested.
“He is not the same man who made that insulting proposal to Lizzy in March. And more importantly, this time he will know she wants him to offer for her,” Jane opined.
After a circuit around the formal gardens, the three couples returned to the house.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The next morning, the pony-pulled-phaeton which had been kept at Rosings Park and had been sent to Hertfordshire was made ready for Elizabeth and Darcy after the morning meal. Elizabeth’s maid, Jenny, would be with them as well as a footman on horseback.
As she did not want to arrive at Lucas Lodge too early, Elizabeth broke her fast first. It was a little after ten when they departed. As she was calling on her best friend, Elizabeth did not feel she needed to wait until eleven to call. Remembering the lessons she had in Kent, she guided the little carriage to Lucas Lodge. She requested the groom unhitch the ponies and allow them to rest.
The housekeeper knew that Miss Elizabeth was always welcome at the Lodge. Hence, she thought nothing of showing her and Mr Darcy into the drawing room.
Both stopped walking as soon as they saw who was within. They had just discovered where Richard’s early morning rides led him. He was seated next to Charlotte, their heads close together in conversation. The two had not noticed them, so Elizabeth cleared her throat.
Fitzwilliam sat back properly, as did Mrs Collins. As much as neither of them wanted to look guilty, they both did.
“Eliza, I did not expect you so very early,” Charlotte said while she attempted to recover her equanimity.
