And what gossip would there be about Bingley and his new wife? That they had made a love match? That was enough to earn the scorn of many in London. More fools, them.
Despite his eagerness to be gone, how many miles could he actually travel today? It was already noon, and at this time of the year it would be dark in four hours. And tomorrow was Sunday. He would not travel on Sunday when there was no emergency.
He released a large breath. “Fine. Be ready to depart at first light Monday morning, Anders.”
Anders’s expression cleared. “Yes, Mr. Darcy.”
Elizabeth rose and stretched. It was Monday. Today would be five days since Jane’s marriage, and there had not been a single word in all that time. She began to think that Jane had found herself equal to all her tasks and in no need of her assistance. Or perhaps Mr. Bingley was not yet ready to part with her, even if therewaswork to be done.
She dressed herself for a walk. Sarah could do her hair later. With only three girls to tend instead of five, the maid was now more amenable to special requests. Elizabeth quickly donned her walking dress and boots and slipped downstairs and out into the gardens.
She wandered to the back of the park. It had not yet been cold enough to ice over the pond or turn the rain into sleet, but it was cold enough to give her a headache if her ears were not covered. She wound her scarf around her ears and nose, sure she made a ridiculous picture with her bonnet set atop the whole. When she was far enough away from the house that she would not be seen, she removed her bonnet and rearranged herself so that the scarf also covered her head.
Elizabeth was tired. Ever since the night before the wedding, she had not slept well. At least she had her bed back to herself. Her sisters had realised after one night that what had been a pleasant experience in childhood was a great deal less enjoyable now that they were grown. Mary kicked like a mule, and Kitty snored. Elizabeth had not slept at all until her sisters had crawled back to their own beds with the dawn.
When she returned to the house, cheeks ruddy with the cold and her spirits much lifted, her father handed her a note.
“Jane asks that I come today,” she told him as she read it.
“I suppose you shall be needing the carriage?” Papa asked with a twitch of his lips. He set down his paper and picked up his coffee cup.
“I could walk,” Elizabeth replied lightly, “but I would likely lose my boots in the mud and create a scandal appearing at Netherfield in my stocking feet.”
He laughed softly. “That would not do. You are the sister of the wealthy Mrs. Bingley now.”
“Given the state of the paths, Papa, Iwouldprefer the carriage.” She did not want to shame Jane before her own servants.
Her father reached over to pat her hand. “I will call for it, my dear. Why do you not have something to eat while you wait?” He stood to ring the bell and give instructions.
Elizabeth nodded, filling a plate and returning to sit at the table just as her father did.
“With any luck, they will return just in time to take your mother visiting.” He stood and dropped a kiss on the top of Elizabeth’s head. “Has Sarah packed your trunk? I suspect that once you are with her, Jane will be loath to send you back again.”
“Why does everyone keep saying that?” Elizabeth inquired with a shake of her head.
“Because it is true.” Papa smiled. “I will miss you, but I suspect you will be happier in the larger society that the Bingleys will frequent, and so, if it comes to that, you are to accept the invitation, Lizzy.”
It was as close to prescriptive as her father had been with her since before she came out. “Do you mean to send me away?” Elizabeth teased him.
He shifted in his chair and sighed. “Yes. For your own good.”
Elizabeth frowned. “Papa . . .”
He shook his head. “Elizabeth, you were never meant to remain at Longbourn. You could not be happy here forever.”
Mr. Darcy had said something similar when they were both in Kent. “I love Longbourn, Papa.”
“I know you do. It is why I am going to push you out of the nest.” He frowned at his food and held her note out.
Elizabeth took it. “Jane has not offered me an invitation for anything beyond a visit. Mr. Bingley may wish to have his wife in town by himself this first year.”
“The affable Mr. Charles Bingley will do whatever his wife asks of him and will be delighted to do it,” Papa said, almost grumbling. “Janewillask, and her husbandwillassure you that it was always his intention to have you with them. Besides, someone needs to save your sister from his.”
There was no question as to which Bingley sister her father referred. Elizabeth stood and placed a kiss on her father’s head. “If this is your wish, Papa, then I will say yes.”
“I would that I could keep you home with me forever, Lizzy,” he admitted, “but it would not be fair to you. Go, enjoy the company of younger, more fashionable people.”
“Fashion is not my forte,” Elizabeth told him between bites of her breakfast. “But I will go, to please you and protect Jane.”
