When Mr. Darcy’s attention was demanded by Miss Bingley, who had a pressing question about something she had seen that day at Pemberley, Elizabeth removed herself to join her aunt and Georgiana.
The evening ended shortly thereafter, Miss Bingley having had enough questions to keep Mr. Darcy to herself until they all rose to await their carriages. Mr. Hurst was roused from where he slumbered on the sofa, and the party made their way to the front entrance and then outside as the carriages were announced.
“Mrs. Gardiner, thank you for a wonderful evening,” Mrs. Ashley said.
The rest of the party agreed and proceeded to praise and thank their hosts until they were all safely ensconced in their carriages.
Though she wanted to stay up and talk with Jane and their aunt about the evening and especially ask Jane about Colonel Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth found that after changing and finishing her preparations she was too tired to do anything but crawl under the covers.
After some gentle encouragement, Georgiana did agree to accompany her brother to Scotland. The party would set off in four days time. Jane and Elizabeth, often accompanied by Mrs. Gardiner and Mrs. Ashley, spent some part of each of those days with Georgiana. On the afternoon before the planneddeparture, Elizabeth observed Jane and Colonel Fitzwilliam speaking quietly together on the edge of Pemberley’s formal garden, where they had all gathered for tea and cake. She would not learn the content of that discussion until several days later, as she was reluctant to force a confidence her sister didn’t offer. Much to her frustration Darcy seemed to remain on the periphery when they gathered at Pemberley and was not present at all when the others called at Barlow Hall to take their leave.
“Please forgive my brother for not being here to take leave of you all,” Georgiana said as they all took seats in the front parlour. “He was called away this morning on an urgent matter to do with two tenant farms.”
“Of course, we understand,” Mrs. Gardiner assured her. “I hope all will be resolved by your planned departure tomorrow.”
The visit did not last long, and though her disappointment at not seeing Darcy was acute, Elizabeth was eager to spend as much time with Georgiana as possible. They talked of what each would be doing without the other in the next few weeks and how terribly they would miss one another.
“I will write as soon as I arrive and tell you everything about the journey,” Georgiana promised.
“And I will do the same before we leave for home—telling you all that you missed in my final days in Derbyshire.”
“And feel free to include a note for William—I will happily pass it on without even reading it!” She gave her friend a small wink.
Elizabeth did not even admonish her. This was one of many not-so-subtle hints Georgiana had given that she had thoroughly revived her dreams of their becoming sisters. However, her hopes and beliefs were unchanged in that quarter, so she saw no reason to canvass it.
When Mrs. Gardiner came and took Miss Darcy’s notice away, Elizabeth was free to observe Mr. Bingley and Jane. They sat side by side on a settee. They spoke to one another but occasionally engaged with Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley. Colonel Fitzwilliam stood across the room, sipping his tea and looking entirely unconcerned. Elizabeth rose and went to join him.
“I wish you a pleasant journey,” she said.
“And you, when you and your sister return to Longbourn next week.”
“I am glad to have met you at last.”
“And I you,” he said, offering his signature smirk. “I hope we shall meet again soon.”
Elizabeth had to stifle the urge to ask if he had an idea of when it might happen and for what reason. Later, watching him bow over Jane’s hand and beam at the warm smile she gave him, she was fairly certain something was afoot but had no security as to what in that moment. Mr. Bingley and his sisters moved to the carriage after offering their farewells, his being longer and more sincere than theirs. As the coachman urged the horses on and Colonel Fitzwilliam took the reins of his horse from the groom, a rider came up the side path.
“I thought he might find a way,” Colonel Fitzwilliam chuckled as he handed his horse’s reins back to the groom. “Darcy, good of you to join us.”
Darcy dismounted and offered his bow of greeting. “My apologies for missing the visit and then arriving just in time to disrupt your leave-taking.”
“You need not apologise for either,” Mrs. Gardiner assured him. “We understood the commitment which kept you away and are delighted for a chance to farewell you along with the rest of your party. Would you like to come inside—it is always a good time for tea and cake.”
“I would not wish to inconvenience you,” Darcy said, but Mrs. Gardiner would have none of his objections, insisting she was happy to delay the goodbyes for a few more minutes. She and Georgiana moved back into the house, chatting amicably. Colonel Fitzwilliam and Jane moved behind them, walking silently side by side.
“It seems we are going inside,” Darcy said, offering Elizabeth his arm. She took it with a smile as they turned to follow the others.
The sadness and resignation she had felt just moments before, knowing she would not see him for nearly a year, were so recklessly overwhelmed by the sight of him riding up to the house that she needed a minute to find her equilibrium and her voice.
Mrs. Gardiner ushered the others into the same sitting room most of them had occupied just minutes earlier and rangthe bell, indicating to the maid who answered that tea and cakes should be served.
“Mrs. Gardiner, I wonder if you would mind if I went to visit with Miss Amelia and Miss Constance. I hesitated to ask when everyone was here, but now, if you have no objection, I would love to say goodbye to them.”
“Of course I do not mind, my dear,” Mrs. Gardiner laughed. “You will find that attachment to a lady’s children is a foolproof way to become a favourite. I shall accompany you. Lizzy and Jane can serve in my stead when the tea and treats arrive.”
Without further ado, Georgiana and Mrs. Gardiner made their exit.
“Miss Bennet, I wonder if while we wait to see what Barlow Hall’s kitchens can conjure on such short notice you would show me that book you mentioned earlier.” The colonel’s words and tone were entirely serious, but his eyes sparkled with delight and mischief.
