The girls embraced and began talking at once, not bothering to exchange niceties or formal greetings. With a swiftness born from familiarity and eagerness, they quickly traversed any vital events that occurred between now and their most recent letters and moved on to plans for their summer.
“I know you must be dying to see Neptune, but I was hoping we could go to Barlow Hall first and ride in the afternoon. I am desperate to hold Constance. I have not seen her since we left for Scotland before Christmas. And Amelia too—she is reminding me more and more of you every time I see her.”
“I am told the same by my family. Having given it some thought, I am not sure I like the comparison.”
“Whyever not?”
“Though I love her dearly, at the moment it seems to me that she is a fairly wilful child, whose moods are as difficult to predict as they are to manage. It is somewhat disconcerting to be told this is a sign of her likeness to me.”
Georgiana halted their progress, pulling gently on Elizabeth’s arm until her friend turned to face her.
“Although I have not seen Amelia in many months, I would not have described her as wilful at all. Opinionated, certainly, and perhaps in one so young, this is a sort of wilfulness, as she does not have much of a basis to form her very strong opinions yet. But she is also kind and amenable to instruction, even willing to apologise when convinced she is wrong. I think it is some of these traits we are thinking of when we say we see you in her. In fact, it was William who pointed out the likeness to me last fall when the Gardiners came to Pemberley for a picnic.”
“He did?”
“Yes, Miss Amelia was asking for a second cup of chocolate mousse. He did not know Mrs. Gardiner had already said no when she turned her pleading eyes on him. There wasno way he could withstand the look she gave him—and so your cousin went home with a bellyache. Afterwards, when I teased him about it, he said Amelia looked just like you when she wanted something and that her love for sweets was similar to your own.”
“She does have quite the sweet tooth,” Elizabeth said with a smile, pleased to know Darcy thought of her at all, let alone in ways that revealed some fondness and knowledge of her.
As the girls resumed walking, Georgiana said, “Speaking of my brother, I am afraid he will not be arriving home as soon as I’d hoped.”
Elizabeth did not have to feign her empathy with her friend’s obvious disappointment.
“I am sorry to hear that. When do you expect him?”
“Likely not for another fortnight,” she answered. “Something has come up in London with one of his ventures. He indicates it is quite complicated and will take several weeks at least to resolve.”
“That is unfortunate for you. I know you are eager to be reunited. It is unfortunate for him as well - not only for the loss of your company, but also to be trapped in London. I know he does not relish time in the city.”
Georgiana giggled. “This is true. He is quite put out about it. But for you, your family and Mrs. Ashley, of course, I would love to be with him—even in the summer, there is so much to do and see in London.”
“I will have to take your word for it. I have been but rarely.”
“Why had I not considered it before? It is as you said years ago—but for our letters, we only exist to one another in one season and one place. But you must come to London next season. We would have so much fun together going to plays and museums. The parks are lovely and there are ever so many people to watch and gossip about!”
“I am always eager to have more time with you and would appreciate having such a knowledgeable guide to show me what I have missed,” Elizabeth responded. “Perhaps it is something we can talk about once your brother arrives.”
Jane was delighted to see Georgiana again, and as they caught up, Elizabeth went to fetch the Gardiner girls. They decided to set up a blanket on the lawn and play games with Amelia while taking turns holding Constance, occasionally letting her attempt to crawl her way onto the grass. Elizabeth and Georgiana returned to Pemberley in the afternoon, where Elizabeth had a merry reunion with Neptune which included a breakneck ride over the fields between their homes.
The first month of the summer went by quickly and without an appearance from Mr. Darcy. In a letter a few weeks after the one announcing his delay, he sent news of another. The party of friends who had planned to join him later in the summer would now travel with him to Pemberley, and this meant he would come in late June.
Though her thoughts often turned to Darcy and their eventual reunion, there was much to occupy Elizabeth’s time and nearly all of it pleasurable. Therefore, she was lessconcerned about his absence and less consumed by worries and imaginings about how he would perceive her when they met once again.
She and Georgiana, joined by Jane on occasion, rode nearly every day. She resumed her lessons with the music master who had instructed her two years ago. Jane, who, like Mary, loved painting and drawing, was given ample time and materials to practice her craft. She and Georgiana would often meet in the early morning at spots the latter proposed to indulge their mutual love of art and nature, capturing scenes at Pemberley and other places in Derbyshire. Many of their works were presented as gifts to family and friends.
“What a lovely rendering,” Mrs. Ashley said when Georgiana unveiled the painting of the church.
The ladies sat in the small parlour of Mrs. Ashley’s cottage home, enjoying tea, biscuits and conversation. It was one of several such gatherings. Mrs. Ashley was extremely happy in her marriage and enjoyed her role as the vicar’s wife, but she missed her former charge and was always grateful to have time with her as well as the Bennet sisters, of whom she had grown quite fond.
Soon, it was almost time for their birthday celebration. The girls had decided to resume their picnic tradition. Elizabeth was delighted to watch her friend blossom as she stepped into the role of hostess. Mr. Darcy had given her blanket approval to do as she wished. The day of his anticipated return, two days beforehand, came with a letter announcing another delay but promising his arrival in time to attend the festivities. The guest list was larger than in years past. Mr. and Mrs. Ashley would attend. Mr. and Mrs. Robertson and both of their sons were alsoexpected, the younger of whom was home for a short visit, which happened to coincide with the celebration. Though Elizabeth knew John would be present, she tried not to think on it too much beforehand. In this, she was marginally successful.
As had been the case years ago for their first birthday picnic, the day dawned bright and warm. The party from Barlow Hall, which included Miss Amelia, baby Constance and their nurses Cora and Abigail, made their way to Pemberley in the late morning, Jane, Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner by way of the walking path that connected the estates and the rest in the carriage. The carriage made its way directly to the lakeside, while the ladies who walked were met at Pemberley’s entrance by their hostess as well as Mr. and Mrs. Ashley. Warm greetings and best wishes were exchanged before they divided themselves up into the Darcy carriage and the phaeton and set out. Georgiana confirmed what Elizabeth had feared—Darcy would not arrive until the morrow.
Jane and Elizabeth rode with the Ashleys in the phaeton. Their conversation washed over her as she soaked in all the sights along the road and listened to the familiar birdsongs and the trickling of the streams they passed. It felt like home, summer and the promise of something to come. When she caught the scent of lilacs, Elizabeth’s happiness was complete. She closed her eyes and savoured the moment. The carriage swayed gently, and the sun warmed her face.
“Lizzy!”
Jane’s voice startled Elizabeth. She opened her eyes and saw that her sister was preparing to exit the phaeton. She had dozed off. Their uncle stood waiting to hand her down. Behindhim stood John Robertson. After Jane stepped down, he moved forward and offered her his hand.
