Elizabeth’s cheeks warmed. She sensed that an important decision was before her. If she said she wanted to see his home, it was as a possible future mistress, not just as a friend. Was she prepared for such an admission, even though she was not being asked to commit herself to any course of action other than a sojourn under his roof? She wanted to believe that she was, although deep in her heart, she was afraid she may never feel enough to marry Mr Grey or any man other than Mr Darcy.
“I should like that, should Bingley say it does not interfere with his arrangements to view possible estates.” She felt a little lightheaded and held on to the balustrade. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him grin and was glad her response had pleased him.
But what has it done to me?she wondered as he described the delightful villages and towns she would encounter as they made their way through his county.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Darcy was at the breakfast table, sitting opposite Georgiana. He was lost in thought, sullenly recalling observing Elizabeth the night before. He had watched her chatting with her friends and felt dispirited seeing various gentlemen claim her for a set. Jealousy ate at his insides because it was increasingly obvious that Mr Grey intended to win her regard. She and Bramwell had laughed while dancing together. Darcy had asked his cousin what they spoke of, but the infernal jackanapes had refused to say. She and the Bingleys were departing town shortly, and it depressed his already low spirits even further. While it was dreadful to see her and know a gap as wide as an ocean stood between them, it would be worsenotto see her.
He was beginning to hate being in town and was no longer content to wait until the end of the month to travel north with Lord and Lady Romsley, as they wished. The earl, countess, and Fitzwilliam frequently spoke of it being good for Georgiana to be close to family, and Darcy did not disagree withthem. He had noticed it himself when they spent a day recently with the Reeds, and Georgiana had been in a reasonably lively mood. She had even admitted to finding it agreeable.
“Brother,” she said, pulling him from his reflections. She only continued once he met her eyes and nodded for her to go on. “I was thinking of our cousin Rebecca. You know that she called on me yesterday?”
“I do.” He took a sip of his coffee and hoped nothing she said would interfere with the plans he was silently forming to travel north as soon as possible.
“I like spending time with her. Her company is…easy. Have you…have you ever considered that you and she might—?” She shrugged. “She would make a very good wife and sister.”
Darcy laughed, only just managing to keep it light enough not to embarrass Georgiana. “I am pleased you and she are becoming closer, but it is quite impossible for there to be more between her and me. We do not have those sorts of feelings for each other. But I believe she and another cousin of ours do. I would not be surprised were we to receive news of an engagement before the summer is over.”
Her face fell; he was sorry to disappoint her and even more regretful that he intended to separate her from Rebecca’s company just when she was open to establishing a friendship with her. He might invite the Reeds to Pemberley that summer, but if Bramwell and Rebecca did soon become betrothed, they might be occupied preparing for a wedding. Yet surely the earl and countess would want them to visit Romsley Hall, and Pemberley was an easy distance away; they could go to Derbyshire before or after staying in Warwickshire.
“Bramwell will be a fortunate man, should she accept his proposal, as I expect she will. You know how often we are at Romsley Hall and how much our cousins like to come toPemberley. You will see a great deal of her—more than you currently do.” He took another sip of coffee to give her a moment to reflect on his words. “What do you say to returning home as soon as it can be arranged? I long to be in the country again, and as you are aware, I always seem to have an abundance of work to do during the summer. We shall see the earl, countess, and Fitzwilliam before too long.”
But please not too soon! I could use a month or two apart from them—especially from Fitzwilliam!
Georgiana agreed. Darcy pretended not to notice her reluctance, even though it made him feel like the selfish creature he knew Elizabeth had once believed him to be.
“What does Papa write?” Jane asked Elizabeth.
They were sitting together one rainy afternoon, drinking tea and attending to their needlework, when the post arrived. Elizabeth had received a reply to her letter announcing her intention to travel with the Bingleys that summer rather than return to Longbourn. She folded the sheet of paper and tucked it beside her dish on the mahogany side table.
“He wishes me to return home, there has not been a word of sense in the house since I left, and so on. In other words, exactly what he always writes when I am away. He proposed a compromise, which is that I go to Gracechurch Street for a week or so first, thus giving me additional time in town to amuse myself. The Gardiners would be pleased to have me, et cetera.”
“ButIam not content to leave you there.” Jane regarded her for a long moment, her head tilted and brow furrowed. “Ithink a change of scenery and the delights of travel would do you good. I know how agreeable you found your journey with our aunt and uncle last summer, even before you reached Lambton.”
Where I met Mr Darcy again and fell in love…
“It has not escaped my notice or Bingley’s that you have not yet agreed to make your home with us. I would always want your opinion of the estates we shall tour, but since youwilllive there too, I must have it.”
“Jane…” Elizabeth was not certain what she meant to say.
“I insist, Lizzy,” her sister said, sounding remarkably stern. “I want you to be happy again, and you will not be if you return to Longbourn. I do not care how much Papa says he needs you. If he will not forbid Lydia and Wickham from visiting or insist Mama is kind to you, then-then I will not allow you to live there!” Her cheeks were red, and her gaze darted guiltily from side to side.
Elizabeth laughed affectionately and gave her hand a squeeze. “Have I ever told you that you are the best sister a headstrong girl could ever hope to have?”
Jane waved this off. “You know Mr Grey has invited us to stay for a week. He told Bingley we might even extend it, if our arrangements allow. You would have a chance to know him better, especially in a setting where we shall not always be surrounded by other people. Perhaps you will discover you can learn to care for him enough to?—”
“Perhaps,” Elizabeth interjected. Then she quickly changed the subject and engaged Jane in a discussion of what she most hoped to find in a new home.
The following day, which was a Sunday, Miss Bingley joined them to attend church and take breakfast. Mr and Mrs Hurst were with his family, and Miss Bingley claimed they were rudeto her; thus, she avoided them. Instead, she would spend the morning being uncivil to Jane and Elizabeth.
Bingley announced their plans for the summer months, having avoided doing so until their departure was imminent. Otherwise, his sisters might attempt to interfere with their arrangements, perhaps insert themselves by insisting their views must be taken into consideration. Elizabeth imagined them desperately attempting to follow behind in Hurst’s carriage, and Bingley, Jane, and she taking drastic measures to evade them. It sounded like a silly fear for her brother to have, but Elizabeth accepted it as a sign of his ongoing unhappiness with his sisters.
“Sheis going with you?” Miss Bingley said, pointing at Elizabeth.
“She is,” Bingley confirmed.
Pouting, his sister said, “Ishould be the one accompanying you, not her! It will bemyhome, theBingleyfamily estate.” She glanced at Jane out of the corner of her eye while pronouncing the name, and Elizabeth’s hands curled into fists.
