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That was what his note suggested. Do you want to change your address to Longbourn in Hertfordshire?”

Elizabeth shook her head.

“I was asked to leave, Longbourn is no longer home. Using uncle’s new address is a nice compromise.”

She sighed.

“I wish to announce our engagement, at times I want to shout it from the rooftops, yet it feels like an irrevocable step. I am fine with the wording but can we come back to when it will be announced?”

“I understand. Where would you like the wedding breakfast to be held?”

“Here. Lady Maria already offered and there was no polite ‘are you sure?’. I nearly cracked a rib I hugged her so hard. I have no concerns about the breakfast, it will be like every other event or occasion hosted here, dignified and appropriate. I know that she will listen.”

It was Darcy’s turn to sigh.

“Working backwards has not changed any of the issues. Will you allow me to make some suggestions and see which feel the best?”

“Please do.”

“Go to Gracechurch Street on Saturday afternoon when Miss Jane arrives. Spend the night with her and then. Blast, that will not work. I was going to suggest that you do not talk of our engagement, but I presume your uncle has told his wife and children. They already know you do not live at Gracechurch Street any more. It does not seem right to ask young children to lie, even assuming the littlest one is capable of performing such a subterfuge. I do not think you cannot see your oldest sister, especially as you have reconnected. If you see her, then you have to tell the truth. I do not see any other way around it.”

“Lady Maria yesterday evening said talking something out can help you reach an answer to your problems. This morning has just proved that. I do not want to lie to Jane, and the idea that I could ask Michael to lie for me is laughable. He would be proud to do something for his cousin Lizzie but then spill the secret within the first two minutes. I will tell her the truth. To take something from legal circles, I will tell her the truth, but I doubt I will tell her the whole truth. I will try to keep Lady Maria’s family name out of the conversation. I will tell her I would prefer that she not talk of the visit with my parents but I will understand if she does not wish to lie. I do not think there is any other way to handle it.”

“You will have the support, if not the presence, of Miss Jane and Miss Mary. What will be the reaction of the other four members of the family?”

“The announcement in The Times will be the first spark, lit before Jane is even back at Longbourn. There will be a degree of confusion as she met you in Kent, with no knowledge of our courtship. Mind you we had no knowledge of our courtship.”

Darcy could tell they were going to chuckle about this for the rest of their lives.

“Then she meets me in London, at the home of the new Baronet. She finds out of our engagement but does not meet you. My mother’s head will explode she will have so many questions. Most of which Jane will have no answer to.”

“I no longer know Kitty and Lydia well enough to gauge their reactions other than to gossip about the matter throughout the neighbourhood. Most likely in tandem with our mother. As to Papa? I had him on the highest pedestal and he has fallen the furthest. Nothing his family does appears capable of dragging him out of his study. He has signed over guardianship to my uncle and we are marrying after I reach my majority.”

“Would your mother come to London uninvited?”

Elizabeth pondered the mercenary mind of Mrs. Bennet.

“I do not know for sure. Even before I returned to Longbourn, Uncle Gardiner had me prepared for this eventuality. Not our engagement but my permanent residence in London. He did not trust my parents to do the right thing by me. It was he that strongly suggested that I keep quiet of my share in his business. Like I said yesterday, the unthinking support of family has been questioned, he has seen my father’s sloth and my mother’s spendthrift ways. He has four children of his own to support. He does not share any details of his letters with his sisters, and of course I do not pry. If I had to guess he has not shared that the family is moving and in three weeks they will be living in Bryanston Square. Not that will stop Mrs. Bennet but maybe he will allow her to stay at Gracechurch Street, bare and without servants.”

Elizabeth giggled briefly but it was nothing but an idle fantasy. What was real was her uncle’s disquiet at the behaviour of the Bennets. She just did not know how he would react if Mrs. Bennet arrived on the doorstep, several daughters in attendance. But there was one thing she could do.

“I will ask Lady Maria to instruct the staff not to admit any Bennet here without an express invite.”

“Can I summarise? The announcement will be placed today and will be in The Times on Friday. You will meet with your sister this weekend and tell her the truth, skirting over some issues if possible. There will be a letter or letters from your mother but addressed to Gracechurch Street, and you are going to ignore all of them. Your mother is for your uncle to deal with. The letters to Miss Jane and Miss Mary will continue through the good offices of your aunt in Meryton. Sadly, these two sisters will not be at your wedding so as to ensure that none of the other four make an appearance. The wedding arrangements are set and I presume Lady Maria, with the happy assistance of Aunt Susan and Georgiana, will help you with the selection of your wedding dress. Have I missed anything?”

“No William, that has been a complete summary. There is one additional thing that I thought of when talking to Lady Maria yesterday evening. When you draft the settlement can you keep the investment in Trust but under your control, rather than my uncle.”

“I can, but will he not be offended?”

“I will talk to him in advance, at some point this weekend. What happened to Aunt Madeline and to him shows the uncertainties of life. I hope he lives another 50 years but we cannot know that. Young Edward has the attitude of the rest of society, women have no worth within the business sphere and should be banned from it. I do not even know if he is aware that I own a share of the business. If something unexpected should happen to Uncle Edward I do not want a fight within the family to recover the investment.”

Darcy treated Elizabeth to a full dimple smile.

“I do not wish to embarrass you, but you need to be aware when you demonstrate such brilliance after we are married you are going to be soundly kissed.”

It was the boldest that Darcy had ever been with Elizabeth but the truth was she had nearly been soundly kissed that very morning. Elizabeth blushed beyond scarlet in the colour spectrum and Darcy was not without a tinge of pink in his own cheeks.

“Mr. Darcy!”