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“My main concern is your happiness. You have never before displayed such certitude, so it seems Miss Bennet’s influence upon you has already been beneficial. Godspeed to you.”

“Thank you, Darcy.” Bingley took my hand with both of his and gave it a vigorous shake.

Wednesday, 27 November

Longbourn

Elizabeth

A giddy energy pervaded the household ever since Jane shared the news of her engagement. After dinner, Mama broached the topic of a wedding date; Jane and Mr. Bingley decided upon Monday, 30 December. My dearest sister would be married before the year’s end!

Yet one trifling matter niggled at my felicity: Mr. Darcy had not called today. His gallant efforts to revive my spirits last night led me to anticipate he would extend me this courtesy.

On the other hand, maybe he did me a greater service by staying away. My tender regard for him could no longer be denied. He haunted my thoughts day and night. Nevertheless, nothing could come of it—I doubted that even the strongest of love potions could overcome a lifetime of influence by his family and peers and induce him to offer for a lady with my humble connexions.

In any event, due to his friendship with Mr. Bingley, I should be thrust into his company in the future. I should be obliged to greet him and the lady he would eventually marry with grace and equanimity. Heavens above, how should I endure that? Why did he have to be so ideally suited to me in intellect, rationality, and disposition?

When Mr. Bingley prepared to take his leave, he came to me. “Goodnight, Miss Elizabeth.”

“Goodnight, Mr. Bingley.”

His head dipped near mine. “I meant to tell you this earlier, but Darcy had asked me to pass on his regrets for being unable to call today. He has gone to town and will return tomorrow with Miss Darcy.”

“Oh, thank you.” All at once, the dark cloud that had trailed me throughout the day dispersed. Mr. Darcy’s mindfulness of me could not fail to give me pleasure, even if I had to remind myself to expect nothing more than friendship from him.

Jane came to my room later that evening, and we sat together on my bed. A coral tint lent her complexion a becoming radiance. “Today has raced by like a wondrous fantasy. I am almost afraid I shall awaken tomorrow to find I had dreamt it all.”

“There is no chance of that, unless we are having the same dream.” I giggled. “You have done our sisters and me a great service, for we could not have chosen a better brother than Mr. Bingley. I could not be happier for you.”

“I am so glad to hear you say that. Charles admires you very much.” She leaned to the side and studied me. “Might there be a romance afoot between you and Mr. Darcy?”

“No, of course not.”

Jane responded to my hurried reply with an intent look. She cleared her throat. “Last night, Charles and I noticed that you both left the supper table within a minute of each other.”

“That did not mean anything. We are friends, and that is all.”

“Charles thinks Mr. Darcy may be smitten with you.”

My heart leaped at the suggestion…until the spectre of the love potion crushed my momentary merriment. “No matter what he might feel for me, he is certain to marry a lady of his standing. To my misfortune, I think I may be falling in love with him.”

“Oh, Lizzy.” She spoke softly. “I see no reason why he would not offer for you. My forthcoming marriage to his good friend makes the possibility seem quite plausible.” Her mouth compressed. “You cannot still be concerned about that mixture Mrs. Greenwood gave you.” The skin around her eyes crinkled. “Or are you?”

I buried my face in my hands. “Why did I ever give him the wretched potion? I have never before done anything so vindictive. What a fool I have been!” Tears pricked at my eyes. “When I met Mrs. Greenwood, I had an inkling she might be gifted like our grandmama Bennet. I ought to have heeded that instinct and taken the potion seriously rather than treating it as a toy.”

“Hush now.” She gathered me in her arms. “I hate to see you upset.”

I lowered my head to her shoulder and indulged in a long sigh before I straightened and sniffed. “Tomorrow I shall go to Mrs. Greenwood and beg her for an antidote.”

“Oh dear.” Jane froze in a tense position.

“What has happened?”

“Yesterday I came upon Papa in the garden, and he appeared to be agitated. When I asked what had upset him, he explained that Mr. Goulding had called and the two of them argued about the Greenwoods. Mr. Goulding had wanted Father to evict them, although he had no justification other than his distrust of the Romani people. When Papa refused, Mr. Goulding stamped away in an angry state. Papa revealed to me that the Greenwoods had already departed of their own accord several days earlier.”

“Oh no! Did he say where they went?”

“Yes, they have gone to Bath to live with a cousin and assist with his livery stable.”