Page 204 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

“Thank you, Papa.”

Bingley returned to the arrangements. The Netherfield carriages would come for the ladies in the morning, and there would be ample room for everyone. Caroline had undertaken the luncheon, which Bingley assured them meant there was very little danger of anyone going hungry.

“You will not persuade Mr. Hurst of that until he has seen the hampers,” Darcy said.

“I intend to show them to him before we leave. Otherwise, he may order his own carriage and follow us with provisions.”

Jane laughed.

The conversation moved easily after that. Kitty wanted to know what remained of the castle, and Darcy told her what little he had learned. Mary supplied what she knew of the Black Prince, which led Bingley to confess that his own knowledge of medieval history would probably disgrace the entire party.

“You may walk beside Mary,” Jane said. “She will instruct you.”

Bingley looked toward Mary. “I should be grateful, provided you do not expect me to remember everything.”

Mr. Bennet looked over at Darcy. “And what service do you intend to provide upon this expedition, Mr. Darcy?”

“I had thought to enjoy myself, sir.”

“A bold ambition.”

“I am fairly certain of succeeding, sir.”

Elizabeth lowered her eyes, but not before Darcy saw her smile.

The gentlemen stayed another half hour. When Bingley finally rose to leave, the sisters accompanied him into the hall, and waited with them while their hats and gloves were retrieved.

Darcy lingered long enough to offer Elizabeth his hand as she descended the shallow step before the front door.

“I hope you will enjoy the excursion, Miss Elizabeth.”

“Sir, as long as you are present, there is no chance of my not enjoying it. If I were toiling in the fields beside you, I should be contented.”

She heard his low, resonant chuckle and laughed with him.

Her hand rested in his only long enough for her to step down, and he released it before following Bingley toward the carriage.

Elizabeth watched them depart with the first real anticipation she had felt in many days.

* * *

The castle came into view late in the morning.

Kitty leaned forward in the first carriage, trying to see past Bingley. “There it is.”

Georgiana looked in the same direction. “I have been longing to explore it and discover its secrets.”

The remains of the castle rose beyond the road, the great mound and broken walls standing above the surrounding ground. There were no towers or battlements such as Elizabeth had imagined, but the earthworks alone showed the size of what had once occupied the site.

The carriages drew up near the entrance, where a middle-aged man waited to receive them. Rogers, the Netherfield footman Caroline had sent ahead, stood with him.

Caroline descended and went to speak with Rogers about the luncheon.

Darcy offered Elizabeth his hand.

“Well?” he asked.

She looked toward the ruins. “I believe you may safely continue to enjoy yourself, sir.”