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Darcy gave a slight bow in acknowledgement as Bingley began to list off the names of the various persons present for Mrs. Annesley and Miss Darcy. Carefully keeping his gaze turned from Elizabeth, he caught his sister’s reaction when that introduction was made. He could have wished her more composed, for her manner immediately told of the excitement and importance with which she viewed the introduction, although she said very little. He could hope only that the Bennets, who did not know her ways, would not take notice.

Mrs. Bennet, having awaited their arrival with palpable excitement, lost no time in coming forward to receive them. She greeted Mrs. Annesley and Miss Darcy with an abundance of civility, saying how glad they were to meet them and offering them every possible comfort.

Though Mrs. Bennet’s attentions were meant to put Miss Darcy at ease, they did very much the opposite. Georgiana grew more and more rigid as the noise of the room increased and the expectations of conversation grew. It was not an environment at all suited to one of the younger Darcy’s disposition, with a dozen persons crowding the space.

Elizabeth, observing the young lady’s hands begin to tremble as she answered the polite inquiries, quickly determined the cause. Wishing to relieve the young lady’s anxieties, she rose and went to the window. Aloud, she observed that no snow remained that she could see, and having foregone her walk that morning, wondered if any present might wish to accompany her.

“I should like that above all, after sitting in the carriage for most of yesterday,” Darcy replied. “Georgiana, would you like to walk as well?”

Georgiana accepted, as did the two betrothed couples, Maria, and Kitty. Mrs. Annesley, who was very much enjoying Mrs. Ellington’s company, remained indoors, wishing the young people a pleasant outing.

The transition from the warmth of the crowded sitting room to the cool air of the garden was a relief to them all. Kitty and Maria were instantly ahead of the others, bringing with them Miss Darcy. Elizabeth might have supposed the young girl would not like the high spirits of the two other young ladies, but instead of drawing into herself, Miss Darcy was put at ease by their ways. Perhaps it was that they did not expect her to make conversation with them, for Maria and Kitty much preferred to be the ones speaking in any given conversation.

A short distance behind them walked Elizabeth and Darcy. They kept a steady, moderate stride, exchanging a few simple remarks about the weather and the journey from town, unwilling to broach any topic of importance until the others were out of hearing. That did not take long, for the betrothed couples had no wish to keep step with them, preferring their conversations also not overheard.

Elizabeth knew she must speak, for she could not allow the awkwardness between them to fester. She drew a breath and fixed her eyes on the horizon. “I am glad you returned, Mr. Darcy,” she said, “though I confess, I had not expected it.”

Darcy considered how to reply, his mind reeling with what she could mean by her words. “I wonder at your words, for surely you would not believe I would miss the wedding of my dearest friend.”

“Perhaps I expressed myself wrongly. I expected, perhaps, that you would attend the wedding, but not for an extended visit.” She still did not look at him as she spoke. “I have learned, lately, that I may have you to thank for Jane’s happiness.”

“I cannot imagine what you mean,” Darcy answered honestly.

“When Bingley’s sisters would have had him remain in London, you assured him that he had not misread her behaviour. While I do not know what would have occurred had you disapproved as well, I must thank you for securing the happiness of my beloved sister.”

“I did almost nothing. I told him only what I observed. Your sister, although not of a disposition in which happiness overflows in mirth, seemed to enjoy his company. Furthermore, I do not believe her the sort to pretend feelings she does not have.”

“It was enough. Especially given the thoughtlessness with which I acted when we last spoke. I could not have blamed you if you had warned him away from my family entirely.”

“Of what did you say that I did not deserve? My behaviour at the time had merited the severest reproof. It was unpardonable to allow such a man to go about in your midst. I should have acted long before he ever reached this county, for it was within my power to do so. I can give no excuse, Miss Elizabeth.”

They walked on in silence, without knowing in what direction.

“You are too severe upon yourself, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth said after a short time. “I believed myself in the right—and in some respects, I still do—but my manner towards you was wholly unjust. You were acting as you thought best.”

“I wish that were true, Miss Elizabeth,” said Darcy. “I fear my responses to Wickham have been a result of lacking the courage to do what was right when it mattered.” Then, realising she could not understand without all the information, he began to relate all that had passed between himself and Mr. Wickham, leaving nothing out.

“I confess that I must applaud your restraint,” said Elizabeth when he had concluded. “I would have ended in Newgate had such a man attempted an elopement with my sister, for I would have done him an injury.”

“Mayhap I should have,” Darcy replied. “I ought to have, at least, ensured his imprisonment or exile to the Americas.”

A rueful smile crossed Elizabeth’s face. “I fear a man such as he would have wriggled free of consequences somehow. Even now, I do not trust that he will remain in the gaol, although I cannot imagine how he would free himself.” Then, pausing to consider the man beside her, she added, “Thank you for trusting me. I promise that you shall not regret it.”

“Thank you, Elizabeth, for your generosity and forgiveness,” he said.

Elizabeth felt a warmth fill her at his use of her given name but said nothing. He, she believed, had not even noticed his lapse.

Chapter 29

Over the days that followed, the ladies and gentlemen of Longbourn, Lucas Lodge, and Netherfield were nearly always in company with each other. It was only natural, for with such a short time until the nuptials, the wedding preparations became the focal point of life for all three households. Charlotte was far too occupied to be very much engaged in the planning, being courted as she was by Colonel Forster. This, her parents could excuse, for what parent—especially one with an unmarried daughter aged seven-and-twenty—would not be gratified by the particular attentions of so eligible a suitor? They were quite certain it was only a matter of time before the matter would be settled between the pair, for Colonel Forster’s attentions were nothing if not marked.

Her absence was little noticed by the rest, as the gatherings lacked for no animation as it was. Mrs. Annesley, too, was often otherwise occupied. At Darcy’s suggestion, Mr. Bingley had gladly turned over the domestic management of Netherfield to her, knowing well that without a hostess the house might soon fall into disarray through his own cheerful neglect. As these duties took up much of her time, and as Darcy was almost always in attendance on his sister, Mrs. Annesley enjoyed a pleasant degree of freedom, leaving the younger party to their own amusements.

Georgiana, shrinking from the din of crowded drawing-rooms, frequently slipped away with Kitty and Maria. The two were chattery enough, but as they expected no conversation from her in return, Georgiana found their company quite easy to bear. Darcy and Elizabeth followed close behind, ostensibly to provide some restraint to any follies youth might conspire to conjure.

“It is good to see my sister so engaged with companions of her own age,” Darcy observed to Elizabeth on one such occasion. “She has spent far too much time surrounded either by those much older than herself, or by people who seek her acquaintance merely for her name.”

“I assure you that Maria and Kitty care nothing for that. They care mostly for ribbons and dancing. Your sister’s talent for the pianoforte and willingness to listen to their opinions makes her a most amiable companion.”