“Will you propose to Lizzy at last, Brother?”
“That is my plan, yes.”
***
That afternoon, Mr. Darcy spent two hours in the Netherfield library, working through the mail that had been forwarded to him from Pemberley to Darcy House, then Darcy House to Netherfield. In addition, he had a personal letter that had come directly from Matlock House.
Darcy,
I understand that my mother found your girl for you, with the help of Miss Kitty’s drawings. I thought I might pay you a visit at Netherfield. Expect me shortly.
Richard
Brow furrowed, Mr. Darcy showed the Colonel’s letter to Mr. Bingley.
“What does he mean by shortly?” Mr. Bingley enquired.
“It could mean tomorrow; it could mean within the hour. You are willing to host him?”
“Of course; I will alert Louisa at once.”
***
Mr. Bingley’s quick action in so doing saved Netherfield’s hostess from embarrassment, as the Colonel did, in fact, arrive just over an hour later. His room was ready for him, as was a substantial tea tray.
“I apologise for arriving without an invitation,” the Colonel said, bowing to Mrs. Hurst.
“You are very welcome,” Mrs. Hurst said. “You never need an invitation to visit Netherfield, Colonel.”
“You are most gracious, ma’am,” he replied.
Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley joined the Colonel and Mrs. Hurst in the drawing room. “I am surprised to see you, Cousin,” Mr. Darcy remarked.
“I hope the surprise is not an unwelcome one,” the Colonel returned.
“Of course not; but it is a surprise, nonetheless. Do you care to explain it?”
The Colonel glanced at Mrs. Hurst. Recalling that she was not aware of Miss Lydia’s situation, he simply said, “I thought I would give myself the pleasure of seeing you and Georgiana before rejoining my regiment.”
“Here I am!” said a voice from the doorway.
“Georgiana!” The Colonel stood as his young cousin came toward him, beaming. “I am delighted to see you!”
“And I you!” She went to him at once and was enveloped in his arms. “You look quite well, poppet; Meryton evidently agrees with you.”
“Oh, I have had a splendid time with the Bennets,” she said, cheerfully. She also glanced at Mrs. Hurst. “I see them quite frequently; we play the piano together and talk about – oh! – all sorts of things! It is almost as good as having sisters of my own.”
The Colonel stood. “I want to hear all about it, Georgiana, but I must first wash off the road dust. Mrs. Hurst, might I go to my room?”
Mr. Darcy said, at once, “Richard, it is the room next to mine. Mrs. Hurst, I will take my cousin up.”
Georgiana followed them, and once they were safely alone in the Colonel’s room, the Colonel said. “In addition to the pleasure of seeing you both, I thought I would have the privilege of seeing your most charming Miss Elizabeth.”
“She is not his yet,” Georgiana smirked. “He has not yet proposed to Lizzy.”
“Oh, Lizzy, is it?” the Colonel enquired, eyebrow raised.
“She is on a Christian-name basis with all the Bennet girls,” Mr. Darcy explained.
