Page 196 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

“Did he believe her?” Kitty asked.

“No. He spoke of the apparition, laughed about the prediction, and continued much as before.”

Mr. Bennet looked around the circle.

“As the appointed night approached, however, his friends became less inclined to laugh. They remained with him while the hour drew near, watching the clock and waiting to see whether the prediction would be fulfilled.”

Georgiana said, “I would not have watched the clock.”

“A sensible decision, Miss Darcy, but then we should have very little story.”

She smiled.

“The expected hour arrived and passed. Lord Lyttelton was alive and well, and his friends congratulated him on having survived his ghost. The company relaxed, and eventually he retired.”

Mr. Bennet paused.

“Before the night was over, Lord Lyttelton was dead.”

For a moment no one spoke.

Kitty looked from her father to Darcy. “That truly happened?”

“Lord Lyttelton certainly lived, and he certainly died. Whether a woman in white informed him of the matter beforehand is something you must decide for yourself.”

“That is not an answer.”

“It is the only one I have.”

Georgiana laughed, and the others soon joined her.

The ghost stories continued to occupy them long after the last tale had ended. Kitty maintained that Darcy had won, while Bingley objected that no competition had been announced until after his defeat.

Chapter 51: The Snare

Darcy sat at the writing desk in Netherfield’s library attending to his morning correspondence when he discovered one written in Kendall’s hand.

Darcy set the other correspondence aside and broke the seal.

His solicitor reported that the remaining accounts from Meryton had been verified and assigned. Together with the obligations Darcy already held, there was now more than sufficient debt to proceed against Wickham. Kendall had begun the necessary action and expected to have the process in hand shortly.

Darcy read the letter again before looking up.

Caroline was sitting on the sofa opposite him with an embroidery frame upon her lap. He had been unaware that she had entered the library.

“Good morning, Mr. Darcy. I began to think I should have to introduce myself. You were so deeply occupied that you did not hear me come in or greet you.”

“I beg your pardon, Miss Bingley. I did not mean to be discourteous.”

“You were attending to your correspondence, sir. There is nothing to forgive.”

Darcy thanked her and returned to Kendall's letter. Caroline lowered her eyes to her embroidery without attempting to draw him into further conversation.

After considering Kendall's report, Darcy took out a fresh sheet of paper and began his reply.

* * *

Later that morning, Wickham entered a hatter's shop in Meryton and asked to see a pair of gloves.