Page 61 of To Win Her Affections

“Let us go inside,” said Mr. Gardiner. “There is a tale to tell and little time to relate it, but I am certain Lizzy will do her best before we must depart again.”

Mrs. Gardiner, Elizabeth noted, had already spoken to Mrs. Hill, who was even now guiding her into the house and, presumably, to Mrs. Bennet’s bedchambers. Though still uncertain, Jane remembered her manners.

“Of course, Uncle. Welcome to Longbourn, Mr. Darcy. Will you not come inside?”

Jane led the way, with Elizabeth, Uncle Gardiner, and Mr. Darcy following, while Mary and Kitty brought up the rear. Mary was speaking in low tones to Kitty, no doubt reminding her to keep her emotions in check. Kitty had been quieter since Lydia departed, though Elizabeth was certain that was the simple lack of her usual partner in mayhem. Perhaps they could make her changes permanent with a little guidance.

“Lizzy,” said Jane when they entered the sitting-room. “Will you not come with me for a moment?”

“Of course, Jane,” said Elizabeth, knowing her sister wanted a private explanation.

“You did not inform us that you were to come with Mr. Darcy,” said Jane when they left the room.

“There was no time,” replied Elizabeth. “We departed soon after your letters arrived and at such speed as the carriage could attain.”

Jane regarded her, curiosity nigh overwhelming. As Mrs. Hill had gone above stairs with Mrs. Gardiner, Jane instructed the maid to request a tea service and refreshments to be delivered at once. When this was done, she turned back to Elizabeth.

“Kitty’s question was not proper, but I am no less astonished at your arrival with Mr. Darcy. Will you not explain how you came across him, and why he has accompanied you to Longbourn?”

Time was pressing, but Elizabeth thought she had some few moments to assuage her sister’s curiosity. The majority would come out when their mother descended, but she would not learn all—Jane already knew much of it, including the proposal at Hunsford and Elizabeth’s changing impression of the gentleman.

“I have not the time to go into detailed explanations,” said Elizabeth. “When we were in Derbyshire, we toured Pemberley, Mr. Darcy’s estate. There, I came across him by chance.”

Jane appeared dubious. “By chance, Lizzy? Were you not in his home?”

Elizabeth laughed and touched Jane’s hand. “Yes, I was, but Mr. Darcy was not in his home until that moment. Had we left fifteen minutes earlier, I might never have come across him.”

“That is interesting, Lizzy, but it does not apply to the subject.”

“It does, when you consider that Mr. Darcy was eager to reestablish the acquaintance. We dined at Pemberley, and were in their company several more times.

“Miss Darcy is a dear, by the way,” added Elizabeth. “While I question Miss Bingley’s motivations for speaking of her in such warm terms, what she said was not incorrect.”

“Lizzy,” said Jane, her tone suggesting waning patience, “you have not yet explained why Mr. Darcy is here. A reestablished acquaintance aside, you only had a few days there. How did he even know about our troubles?”

“Mr. Darcy came upon me a moment after I read your letter,” said Elizabeth, sobering at the memory. “He is, as you know, acquainted with Mr. Wickham. When he learned the truth of her current situation, he would not rest until all was made right.”

Jane’s eyes widened in astonishment. “Mr. Darcy has come south with you to find Mr. Wickham and make him marry Lydia?”

“Not exactly,” said Elizabeth, grimacing. “Mr. Darcy contends—and Uncle agrees—that Mr. Wickham would make an exceedingly poor husband for Lydia. When we find them, he has pledged to discover a man who will overlook her indiscretion in favor of a gentleman’s daughter for a wife and a handsome payment.”

This did not please Jane’s gentle nature. “Lydia will be most unhappy to be bartered away like that.”

“If you will pardon me, Jane,” replied Elizabeth, keeping her temper even, “Lydia threw away much of the choice she possessed when she ran off with Mr. Wickham. To restore our respectability, she must marry Mr. Wickham or some other man—there is no other way. Mr. Wickham is the greater evil—you must see this.”

Though Jane still hesitated, Elizabeth knew her sister was not deficient. Jane understood how the world worked, the loss of virtue in a sister, and the consequences of being shunned in polite society. In true Jane fashion, she let the disagreement rest and returned to the original discussion.

“Can Mr. Darcy act? Will that not create other problems?”

“It would if he had no connection to us,” replied Elizabeth, her voice going soft.

Jane regarded her, not quite comprehending.

“Mr. Darcy has a connection to us, Jane. He proposed to me, and I have accepted him.”

The way Jane stared at her, Elizabeth was uncertain whether her sister thought she had taken leave of her senses or was simply too surprised to muster a response.

“It is well, Jane,” said Elizabeth, grasping her sister’s shoulder to soothe her.