Page 212 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

He offered his arm, and Jane took it.

When they reached the carriage, Bingley handed her in with particular care before climbing in beside her.

Hurst leaned toward his wife.

“Your brother has driven three miles to collect Miss Bennet and must now drive those same three miles back before proceeding toward Goulding Park. Courtship appears to be very hard on the horses.”

Jane smiled at Mr. Bingley as the carriage moved down the drive.

A second carriage arrived several minutes later.

Elizabeth went to the window before an elegant barouche came fully into view. Darcy stepped down as soon as the horses stopped.

Elizabeth met him outside.

“An open carriage. I did not know you owned one, sir.”

“It has been in London, Elizabeth. I sent Peter to fetch it for the picnic.”

“All the way from London, sir?”

“Especially for you, darling.”

Mr. Darcy lowered his voice. “I know how much you enjoy being out of doors, Elizabeth. I wanted you to enjoy the journey there and back as much as the picnic itself.”

She placed her hand in his when he offered it.

“You are very thoughtful, sir.”

They turned when the other Bennet sisters approached. Mr. Darcy handed each of the sisters into the barouche, then turned when Thomas Bennet approached.

“Mr. Darcy.”

“Sir.”

Thomas Bennet looked at the open carriage, then at his three daughters and Georgiana.

“You appear to have anticipated every objection I might make.”

“I have learned the value of preparation, sir.”

Mr. Bennet said his farewells and returned to the house.

Darcy took his place, and the barouche moved away from Longbourn.

Late August had begun to soften the green of the hedgerows. Blackberries darkened among the leaves, and clusters of hawthorn berries showed red along the lanes. The day was warm without being oppressive, and the movement of the carriage brought a pleasant breeze.

Elizabeth looked across the fields.

“You were right about the barouche, sir. It has been a lovely drive. I have not yet decided whether it justified sending Peter all the way to London, but there is still the return journey.”

Darcy looked at her. “I am confident of my eventual vindication, ma’am.”

Elizabeth laughed.

Kitty gestured toward a distant house. “There is Goulding Park.”

The house stood beyond a broad sweep of lawn where servants were already moving among tables set beneath the trees. Carriages approached along the drive, and then the barouche turned through the gates and continued toward the house.