“I think so, Harold.”
The eye closed. “Please wake me if she actually does leave. I would not want to miss such a momentous occasion.”
***
Bingley was conferring with his valet. “We will be gone likely a week or more, Dunstan. Two weeks, to be safe.”
“Will you be attending any balls, sir?” Dunstan asked.
“Balls? No, I should think not. I will be going to my solicitor’s office and helping my sister look for lodgings. I will likely see Darcy at some point, as he will be in Town as well, but I imagine that will be the extent of my social obligations.”
“I understand, sir.” Dunstan had been Mr. Bingley’s valet for some years now and knew him to be a very sociable gentleman. He packed his employer’s best coat and boots, just in case, as well as his very favorite waistcoat. Fifteen minutes later, Dunstan rang for a footman to carry Mr. Bingley’s trunk down to the carriage.
Informed that the horses were hitched to the carriage and his own trunk was strapped onto the back, Mr. Bingley pounded on his younger sister’s door. “Time, Caroline!”
“I am not quite ready, Charles.”
Mr. Bingley threw open his sister’s door and nodded to the two footmen who stood ready. Miss Bingley’s trunk was still open. The footmen slammed it shut, latched it, and carried it downstairs, oblivious to Miss Bingley’s angry protests.
Her brother turned to her. “Shall I escort you downstairs, Caroline, or shall I call the footmen back and have one of them carry you out?”
Miss Bingley’s tears were – finally! – real. “Charles, Charles, I beg you, do not do this to me.”
Her brother looked at her sadly. “It is far too late, Caroline. I will not be moved.” He offered her his arm.
She took it, weeping in earnest, and he led her to the carriage, followed by Peggy and Dunstan. Mr. Bingley closed the carriage door.
“Charles, you are not joining us?”
“I will ride beside the carriage, Caroline.” He had no wish to watch her cry or abuse the servants for the next three hours. Perhaps he should have sent the servants in a separate carriage. Ah well, too late now.
Louisa and Harold watched from his bedroom window as the entourage departed. They both took a deep and simultaneous breath.
“Louisa…” Harold said.
“Yes, Harold?”
“I cannot remember the last time I felt this happy. Come here!”
She obeyed and the two of them, laughing, celebrated their newfound freedom in his bed.
Chapter Forty-One
The moment Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam left Longbourn, Elizabeth ran upstairs, with Jane on her heels. Elizabeth threw herself face down on their bed.
“Lizzy?”
There was no response.
“Lizzy, talk to me. I know you are upset.”
“He asked me for a courtship; I declined.”
Jane was astounded. “You declined? But why?”
“There is a family situation…I have his permission to tell you about it. Oh, Jane, it is everything dreadful.” Elizabeth told Jane everything she knew about Georgiana and her terrible decision to elope with a villain.
Jane listened with a hand to her mouth and tears in her eyes. “But she has been found? And that is why they both had to leave?”
