Page 125 of Near Pemberley

“Oh-ho, and can you make the voices?”

Darcy felt unexpectedly alive. The concerns lingering after Bingley’s departure slipped quietly from his mind. A man deserved a little oblivion himself.

Elizabeth laughed and crossed to embrace her sister. Lydia, meanwhile, was far too occupied by the prospect of seeing her father to contribute anything sensible.

“I do not know if I can face him.”

“Lydia, he is your father. No matter what you did, he loves you,” Elizabeth encouraged her.

Before Lydia could reply, Mr. Bennet entered. The room quieted immediately, and Lydia’s colour faded. Just then, she looked as though she might flee.

Mr. Bennet looked from one daughter to the other. Then he opened his arms. “Come here, child.”

Lydia crossed the room almost at once. The embrace lasted only a few moments, but when they separated, her eyes were already bright with tears. “I am sorry, Papa.”

Mr. Bennet closed his eyes briefly. “So am I.”

No one spoke.

Then, he offered her his arm. “Shall we take a turn in the library and discuss how thoroughly you have destroyed my peace of mind?”

A watery smile appeared. “Yes, Papa.”

They withdrew together.

The moment the door closed, everyone seemed to breathe again.

Darcy found himself looking towards Elizabeth. She was staring at the closed door. Relief, gratitude, and lingering anxiety all seemed to war upon her features.

Mrs. Gardiner discreetly dabbed at her eyes; she rose. “Miss Darcy, I believe four small people are becoming increasingly impatient to make your acquaintance properly.”

Georgiana looked pleasantly surprised. “The children?”

“Yes. They have spent the entire morning discussing Kew Gardens. I suspect they would be delighted to recruit another enthusiast.”

A smile immediately appeared. “I should like that very much.”

“Excellent. Come along then. Mrs. Annesley, perhaps you will join us?”

Mrs. Annesley turned to her employer. “Actually, it looks like I am not needed today. Mr. Darcy, if you do not mind, I would return to Darcy House. The ladies will be chaperoned.”

Her return was agreed to and arranged very quickly.

“Refreshments should be arriving shortly. Lizzy, please serve in my stead,” Mrs. Gardiner said, leaving with Georgiana.

Only Darcy, Elizabeth, and Mr. Gardiner remained. No one spoke for a few seconds.

Elizabeth glanced towards the closed door. “What will become of us?”

Elizabeth jumped at her own voice. Colour rushed to her cheeks. She looked first at her uncle, then at Darcy.

They had heard.

For a moment, nobody answered. Neither gentleman appeared entirely comfortable with her distress.

Elizabeth noticed and immediately regretted speaking.

Mr. Gardiner’s expression softened. “My dear, if there is one thing I have learnt in business, it is that the future rarely turns out precisely as one expects.”