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“Tomorrow?” Elizabeth was unable to mask her disappointment. “You have only been in Hertfordshire for a handful of days.”
“My love, it cannot be avoided. The investigator believes Wickham may have returned to London. I must be present in person to ‘encourage’ his marriage to Lydia.”
“Then I will come with you.” Elizabeth’s tone was matter of fact.
“That would be lovely, my dear, but you know you cannot. Your reputation would suffer from spending the night at the house with a supposedly unmarried man.”
“I shall not be visiting you,” she said in mock indignation. “I have a letter from Georgiana inviting me to stay at Darcy House whenever I like. There is nothing untoward in accepting her invitation.”
Darcy came to a halt directly before her chair; he meditated on her proposal for a moment. “Georgiana is staying with my Aunt and Uncle Fitzwilliam, but I could retrieve her for your visit. She would be pleased to see you and her companion, Mrs. Annesley, will be there as well. I suppose that would be acceptable to your parents. More importantly for my purposes, she would prove to be a very lenient chaperone.”
Elizabeth’s face clouded over. “Oh, but your aunt and uncle! They did not want you to be seen with me. Perhaps I could stay with my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. Although they are already hosting Lydia….”
For a long moment, Darcy said nothing as he stared at the space over her left shoulder. “No,” he said abruptly. “I have played by my aunt’s rules long enough. It is not as if my visit to Hertfordshire is a secret. Eventually the members of the ton will learn where my interests lie.”
“Are you certain?” Darcy nodded curtly. She stood, throwing her arms around his neck, and kissed him. “No doubt this will be a visit to remember.”
It was all arranged very expeditiously. Mr. Bennet had no objection as long as the appearance of propriety was maintained. Elizabeth was certain that his concerns over the swift resolution of Lydia’s dilemma played a part in his acquiescence. Still oblivious to Darcy’s interest in Elizabeth, Mrs. Bennet seemed dubious about the plan until Elizabeth pointed out that Miss Darcy would undoubtedly know many wealthy and eligible men. This idea transported Mrs. Bennet into such raptures that she started thinking about how Kitty could accompany them until Elizabeth noted that her sister had not been included in Georgiana’s invitation.
Jane’s ankle had healed sufficiently so she could return to Longbourn after Elizabeth departed Netherfield. Darcy sent Georgiana an express advising her of the change in plans and made a very quiet visit to Mr. Fenton to ensure his silence – although Elizabeth never learned exactly what he said to the other man. The next day found them on the road to London, accompanied by a maid Bingley had spared from Netherfield to act as Elizabeth’s “chaperone.”
Mrs. Green, the housekeeper at Darcy House, was accustomed to the master’s comings and goings, so she was not surprised to see him appear in the front hall. However, at the sight of Elizabeth she seemed somewhat flummoxed. Without any words of explanation, Darcy said, “Mrs. Green, this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet. She will be staying in the yellow room.”
Mrs. Green blinked rapidly in surprise. “The y-yellow room, sir?”
“As I directed. I would hope you can have it prepared by the time she retires. I also expect there will be absolutely no talk among the servants.” This was Darcy at his most imperious, and the housekeeper blanched.
“Y-yes, sir.”
Darcy escorted Elizabeth into the drawing room. “Why is the yellow room special?” She asked as they settled into the room’s elegant embroidered chairs.
“It has not been used since my mother’s death. It adjoins the master’s chambers.”
“They will believe you brought home a mistress! Why not spare the poor woman the shock and tell her the truth? I am certain she would keep her own counsel if she values her position.”
“Yes, but I am not certain all of the servants may be trusted. I will tell her in time.” Darcy said imperturbably.
“I do believe you are enjoying shocking the servants!” She said with a laugh. “You wish them to believe you might do something as out of character as bringing home a mistress.”
Darcy shook his head, but did not deny the charge. “I cannot endure having you here at our house and not having you occupy the mistress’s chamber. Anywhere else would be too far away from me.”
Elizabeth considered for a moment. “I am not certain this is how I would care to begin my tenure as the mistress of the house since the servants do not know me. Perhaps I should stay in another room.”
Darcy’s eyes flashed fire. “Absolutely not! We have compromised much for the sake of secrecy; I am tired of the sacrifices.” Then he sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “I will make the circumstances clear to a few key servants who I can trust. The others must remain confused for the time being.”
After a moment he smiled provocatively at her. “Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth asked archly.
“It has just occurred to me that you are too far away and my lap is very empty.” He gave her a crooked grin.
When the maid brought them refreshments, she said nothing, but upon her return to the kitchen she reported in scandalized tones that the Bennet woman was on the master’s lap with the top buttons of her dress undone – and the master had on neither his coat nor his cravat! Mrs. Green goggled a little at this news, but soon recovered and informed the maid frostily that there was to be no talk about it.
Georgiana returned home later that afternoon, thrilled to spend more time with her new sister. Elizabeth was no less pleased and they soon settled in Georgiana’s sitting room. Darcy was happy to have his two favorite women for dinner and anticipated many pleasant evenings with the three of them at Pemberley. That first night at Darcy House gave him even more reason to look forward to their nights.
Less pleasant was Elizabeth’s obligatory visit to the Gardiners’ house
the following morning. Lydia was unrepentant about the anguish she had occasioned her family and insensible to the damage she had done to her reputation. Elizabeth marveled at the naiveté with which her sister expressed her confidence that Wickham would return to her.
“But, he will still expect me to be at the Three Crowns.” She explained to Elizabeth peevishly. “I don’t see why I had to come away from the inn. He may have difficulty finding me.” Elizabeth reminded her sister that she had needed to leave the inn because she had no means of paying for her room. She also tried to instill a sense of gratitude toward the Gardiners, but Lydia was immune to such hints, only complaining about not being allowed to return to Longbourn. Elizabeth left with the knowledge that her sister was as silly as always and her unwarranted faith in Wickham was unshakable.
