Page 75 of The Engagement at Longbourn

The date was set for early March. Darcy would leave Longbourn before then. That fact settled over Elizabeth unexpectedly. He had been there so long that his books occupied shelves in the library. His cane leaned habitually near the parlour fire. Mrs. Bennet had ceased treating his presence as a visit and begun instructing him to carry messages upstairs if he was “going that way.” Even Hill asked his preference for breakfast eggs without thinking.

One morning he announced that Dr. Morrison had cleared him to return to Netherfield permanently.

Mrs. Bennet said, “Oh.”

Everyone looked at her.

She recovered. “Well, naturally. A gentleman ought not live with his intended before marriage. People will talk.”

Lydia whispered to Kitty, “They have been talking for months.”

Mrs. Bennet ignored her.

Darcy’s gaze found Elizabeth.

She smiled. “That is good news.”

“Yes.”

Neither sounded pleased.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Darcy Leaves Longbourn

Darcy’s departure should have been simple.

He moved less than three miles to Netherfield. His valet packed his clothes. Bingley sent a carriage. Richard threatened to carry him over his shoulder if he attempted to delay. Dr. Morrison gave instructions for exercise and rest.

Yet the morning felt like a true leaving.

Mrs. Bennet fussed over a basket of food he did not need.

“You cannot trust bachelors to feed an invalid properly.”

“Bingley employs a cook.”

“That is not the same.”

Darcy accepted the basket. “Thank you, Mrs. Bennet.”

She patted his sleeve. “You are too thin.”

He was not. Darcy remained taller and broader than every man in the house except Richard. “Yes, madam.”

Kitty presented him with a bookmark she had embroidered.

Mary lent him a volume of sermons. Darcy accepted both with equal gravity.

Lydia hovered. At last she thrust a small parcel at him.

“What is this?”

“Open it later.”

He looked suspicious. “Do not be horrid. It is not a frog.”

“That reassurance concerns me.”