“Or perhaps my path and Miss Elizabeth’s might cross as she makes her way here, and I shall caution her that she has been deceived in your identity.”
William went rigid. “Bingley, you would not be so cruel.”
“Ah, butyouwould.”
“I am in love with Elizabeth; you have known my ward for three days.”
“You cannot possibly expect me to believe that you were not frothing at the mouth over Miss Elizabeth Bennet by your third day in her company. You were already besotted, and so am I. You have an excessively charming ward. One does not raise a whole litter of kittens with a young lady and not feelsomething.”
William stood and glowered at his friend. “This is absurd, Bingley. If you are still so determined to court Kitty afterElizabeth and I are wed – God willing, she will still agree to marry me – I shall bring Kitty to London, and you may call upon her there. Lady Catherine has commanded me to purchase a house in town, anyhow.”
“Yes, I am sure that will make up for your elopement, in her estimation.”
“Bingley. Leave. Now.”
“Ah, but what if she is cross with you? Surely Kitty might bring her round – if Kitty is not furious with you for sending me away.”
William paused to consider this, and Bingley seized at his moment of doubt. “Come, it will feel like our jolly times in London, with me here.”
“And when I leave with Elizabeth, you must leave, too.” William began to pace. “No, no, I still think it ill-advised, Bingley.”
“Do you, though? You must see my reasoning.” Bingley stood and set aside his now empty glass, and gestured to the billiard table. “Play me. If I win, I stay – until you depart for your infamous elopement – and if you win, I shall leave at once, and wait to hear from you in London.”
William eyed him warily, then nodded his head. “You are terrible at billiards – if that is what it takes to be rid of you.”
But apparently, Bingley was only terrible when he was absolutely foxed.
***
Elizabeth stood in the front drive and admired the fine manor. “Wildewood,” she said to herself, savoring the sound of her future home. The housekeeper opened the doors and welcomed her, having been made aware that she was to be expected. She took Elizabeth’s two small traveling cases fromher at once. “We have made a room ready for you, Miss Bennet. I am Mrs. Lane, the housekeeper. Shall I show you upstairs so that you can refresh yourself after your travels?”
“I have already done so in Guildford; I confess I should rather like to speak to Mr. Darcy.”
“Oh. Well, yes, I suppose that can be managed.” Mrs. Lane handed the valises off to a footman to bring upstairs for Elizabeth, and then she showed her into a very elegant, sunlit parlor. Elizabeth smiled at the sight of the pretty space; she would be very happy here, indeed.
“You may wait here. Miss Bennet. Just a few minutes ago, Mr. Darcy informed me that he had to speak to Mr. Worthing on urgent business, and they were not to be disturbed.”
“Oh, well, if he has some pressing matter – but you need not trouble yourself with interrupting just yet.” Elizabeth gave Mrs. Lane a gracious smile as the housekeeper left the room; she was perfectly content to take in her new environs while she waited for Mr. Darcy.
She examined the paintings on the walls, the various curio on the shelves, the many well-tended plants, and the stacks of books that gave the room a lived-in feel, which she found most endearing. She considered where they might sit together, once they were wed; they might read together by the large marble hearth, or sit by the window in a passionate embrace….
As Elizabeth glanced out the window, she was first struck by the picturesque landscape of the garden and the parkland beyond. And then she noticed a young woman sitting at a table near the back of the garden, reading a book and eating a muffin. The girl looked remarkably like Jane.
Curious, and unaccountably anxious, Elizabeth found the garden door and made her way outside. She approached the young woman, marveling at the resemblance to her sister. Thegirl looked up from writing in a large journal and smiled at her. “Good afternoon – evening? I did not know we were expecting company; my guardian neglected to mention it, but I have been hiding from him.”
“Your guardian?”
“Yes, I am Mr. Worthing’s ward. You may call me Kitty.” She closed the journal and beckoned for Elizabeth to sit with her.
“Good evening, Kitty,” Elizabeth said as she took a seat and accepted an offered muffin. “I suppose you may call me Lizzy, if we are to begin as intimates.”
Kitty giggled. “That is just what I like. But what brings you to Wildewood? We do not often have interesting visitors.”
“I am here to see Mr. Darcy about... an urgent matter. Pray, do you reside here?” Elizabeth felt a surge of panic in her chest. Did Mr. Darcy have a sister he had never mentioned? She shuddered to think what else this may portend.
“Yes – for now. I expect I shall soon reside in London, when Mr. Darcy and I are wed.”
Elizabeth nearly choked on a bite of muffin. “I beg your pardon?”
