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“I am glad you are finally here,” Darcy exclaimed. “I expected you earlier.”
“We had a broken wheel not ten miles from Meryton,” Bingley said tersely as he gave Darcy a brisk handshake. “Is she at Longbourn, do you know?”
Darcy could only grin. No need to ask who “she” was. “As far as I know. If you are so consumed with eagerness, you may borrow my horse from the stable.”
“Very good!” Bingley set off for the stable with a ground-eating stride.
Darcy was free to focus his attention on the other occupants of the carriage. “Georgiana!” He embraced his sister and kissed her cheek. With soft blonde curls clustered around her face, Georgiana seemed fresh and relaxed, not at all travel-worn. She had been far happier since their conversation at Pemberley but had needed several reassurances that her plan to remain unmarried did not agitate her brother.
“Has Mr. Bingley already departed for Longbourn?” she asked him with a twinkle in her eye.
“Indeed. I predict they will be engaged before the week is out,” Darcy said.
“He spoke of nothing save Miss Bennet for the whole length of the journey,” remarked the woman by his sister’s side. “I never met the woman, but I know her favorite color, which poets she prefers, and that she does not care for mutton.” Georgiana giggled and nodded in agreement.
“Anne, welcome to Netherfield.” Darcy greeted his cousin with a kiss on the cheek. She had gained some weight since he had last seen her, but her skin still had an unhealthy tinge of gray. She requires fresh air and exercise; I must take her for walks. “I trust you are in good health?”
She gave a quiet chuckle. “I am certainly pleased to be away from London. But this is all a little mysterious. Your sister practically kidnapped me!”
Georgiana’s laugh echoed off the front of the house. “Do not tell falsehoods, Anne! My offer was a little precipitous, I admit—”
“A little!” Anne exclaimed. “I had but an hour to pack my trunk!”
“But you were quite free to decline,” Georgiana continued primly.
“As if I would miss an opportunity to escape the city—and Mother! I would have eagerly agreed to tour the northern coal mines.”
They all laughed, although Darcy was not sure his cousin was joking.
“Aunt Catherine did not object to such an impromptu trip?” he asked.
“She only cared that I would see you,” Anne said tartly. “She believes if we spend more time together, undying affection might spontaneously develop. No doubt she is purchasing my trousseau as we speak.” His cousin’s bitter tone saddened Darcy, but it was not unearned. “Naturally, she was most displeased not to be included in the invitation, but she has a ball, a dinner, and a card party this week. Otherwise I fear she might arrive uninvited.”
Darcy said a quick prayer of thanks. This week would be complicated enough without Aunt Catherine’s intrusive presence.
Anne raised an eyebrow at her cousin. “Now, will you tell me why you needed me in Hertfordshire so desperately? Georgiana was quite secretive about it.”
“Georgiana does not know the whole of it herself,” Darcy replied. “But I will let you fully into my confidence. I do believe you will be pleased by the outcome. Why do you not join me for some tea?” He extended both his arms so that each woman could take one as he escorted them into the house. “As you will recall, we spoke at great length during my last visit to Rosings Park…”
***
Elizabeth had managed to cajole Jane into wearing one of her best day gowns…without arousing too much suspicion. She had also arranged events so that the two sisters might have a rare afternoon of leisure in Longbourn’s garden.
Mr. Shaw had proposed to Jane—apparently in an unexceptionable, workmanlike way. However, Elizabeth had counseled her sister beforehand not to give an immediate response, so Jane had told the admiral she needed time to consider his offer. More than a day had passed since his proposal, and Jane constantly fretted that Mr. Shaw might withdraw his offer if she appeared too hesitant. Elizabeth was beginning to run short of reasons Jane should not send the man an acceptance letter.
Mr. Bingley was due; she had expected him an hour ago. Every moment that passed without his arrival provoked greater anxiety in Elizabeth. What if he had taken ill?
If he did not appear soon, Elizabeth would admit to Jane that Mr. Bingley was expected. She knew the information would throw her sister into great agitation. But she feared that knowledge of his arrival might not prevent her from accepting Mr. Shaw’s offer. The mere fact of Mr. Bingley’s arrival did not mean that he was prepared to make Jane an offer. For th
e twentieth time that hour, Elizabeth’s eyes drifted hopefully to the road, but there were no signs of movement.
Jane put down her embroidery. “Lizzy, I know you are opposed to the match, but I believe I ought to accept Mr. Shaw’s offer.”
Elizabeth could not quite stifle a groan. “You cannot convince me that you love the man.”
“No,” Jane said after a slight hesitation. “But I respect him. I think that will be sufficient.”
Elizabeth was not sure how much respect Mr. Shaw was entitled to, but Jane was always more forgiving.
