Page 62 of To Win Her Affections

“But Lizzy, are you in love with him?” asked Jane.

Elizabeth sighed and shook her head, looking down at her feet, while she decided how to respond. When she looked up, she could see tears shining in the corners of Jane’s eyes, a clear sign her sister thought she had bartered away her future for the family’s salvation. Elizabeth stepped into Jane’s arms and embraced her.

“It is not what you think, Jane,” said she, struggling to keep her emotions in check.

“Then explain it to me, Lizzy, for I do not know what to think.”

Elizabeth pulled away and smiled, though her trembling lips betrayed her. “You are correct, Jane—I am not in love with Mr. Darcy. Not now. But I shall tell you what I told him—I accepted Mr. Darcy for the promise of it rather than the actuality.”

“Then your opinion has improved?” asked Jane, trying to understand.

“It has. I know not how I could have avoided it if I had tried. Mr. Darcy has shown a side of himself that I never saw before—a gentle, kind man who adores and would do anything for me.”

“That much appears to be true,” laughed Jane through her tears. “Given Mr. Wickham’s offenses, to intervene for you shows a love that cannot be false.”

“Though I agree,” said Elizabeth, “that is not his only reason. Mr. Darcy feels he has not done as he ought—this is his way of making right his decision to allow Mr. Wickham to go unchecked.”

Jane nodded, her attention returning to practical matters. “Then he is to go to London with Uncle and search for Lydia?”

“Yes, but I am also to go.” Elizabeth smiled at Jane’s frown. “Though I shall not take part in the search, someone must go to handle Lydia when they find her. Aunt will stay here for a few days to help manage the situation with Mama.”

“That is prudent,” said Jane with no small measure of relief. “Mama has been . . . trying. We have attempted to make her comfortable, but she will not listen.”

“Jane,” said Elizabeth, “how far from this house have rumors traveled?”

Though she winced, Jane did not hesitate to respond. “That Lydia left Brighton with an officer is well known throughout the community, though the finer points are not.”

“Have our neighbors begun ignoring us?”

Jane shook her head. “Lady Lucas has continued to visit, and so have Mrs. Long and several other ladies. Sir William conferred with Papa before he left, and several other gentlemen have offered support. The knowledge of Mr. Wickham’s debts in Meryton has helped, as have stories of his exploits with certain girls in Meryton.”

“Do you know if any of them are true?”

“I do not,” said Jane. “We have had little time for anything other than managing Mama. Mrs. Hill has kept the servants in check, but whispers must inevitably leak from even the most secure house.”

“Which Longbourn is not,” agreed Elizabeth, shaking her head.

“Will you . . .” Jane paused and reconsidered. “Do you mean to keep your engagement from Mama?”

Elizabeth smiled. “No. At Mr. Darcy’s insistence, we mean to tell her.”

“Mr. Darcy?”

With a nod, Elizabeth said: “On the way, Mr. Darcy suggested giving Mama something to think about other than Lydia’s situation. That will settle her and calm the house and the servants until we return with news.”

“You said that Mr. Darcy had changed,” replied Jane, appearing shocked, “but this is beyond anything I might have expected of him.”

“To own the truth,” said Elizabeth, thinking about the good man to whom she had promised herself, “it surprised me too.”

Footsteps on the stairs alerted them to their mother descending, supported by Mrs. Gardiner. The latter caught sight of them first and rolled her eyes, almost making Elizabeth laugh. They had no time for greetings, as Mrs. Bennet noticed them there at once.

“Lizzy!” exclaimed she.

“Mama,” said Elizabeth before her mother could say anything more. “Let us go into the sitting-room, for there is little time.”

“Come, Maggie, it is for the best,” said Aunt Gardiner.

And before she could protest, Mrs. Hill opened the door and guided Mrs. Bennet through. Elizabeth shared a glance with Jane before they followed.