Anne was very comfortable with Lizzy’s sisters as well as the Lucas sisters she had met twice so far. She had been told depending on how long it took the coach to be repaired, she would meet more girls who were around her age and lived in the neighbourhood.
That was something Anne was anticipating since before meeting Lizzy and her sisters, the only other girl she had spent time with was her cousin Gigi who was between Kitty and Lydia in age. Her cousin was an extremely sweet, if not somewhat shy girl—just like Anne—who she loved dearly. Her new friends would not replace Gigi in her heart, and she hoped Lizzy and her sisters would meet Gigi one day.
“Anne! Anne!” Elizabeth called.
Hearing Lizzy brought Anne out of her deep thoughts. “Sorry Lizzy, I was…deep in contemplation,” Anne responded contritely.
“You have nothing to beg my pardon for, I am lost in my thoughts sometimes as well,” Elizabeth waved Anne’s concerns away. “Your phaeton and Hector are ready for us. You still want me to show you the estate, do you not?”
“Of course I…do,” Anne stated excitedly. “Is Jenki ready?”
“Yes,Mrs. Jenkinsonand a groom are waiting for us in the drive,” Elizabeth confirmed.
“You know you may…call her Jenki too, do…you not?”
“No Anne, I do not. If andwhenMrs. Jenkinson tells me to address her thusly, I will consider it.”
With wide smiles, arms linked, the friends made theirway outside.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Not long after the two girls and their escorts departed for Anne’s tour, a large, luxurious travelling coach came to a halt in the drive in front of Longbourn. One of the footmen from the back bench placed the step and opened the door.
Lord Reginald Fitzwilliam and Robert Darcy alighted. They were met at the front door by the butler who took their cards to his master in the study.
Much to their relief, de Bourgh was one of the two men who approached them. “De Bourgh, will you introduce us please,” Lord Matlock requested.
“Matlock and Darcy, I present my friend and host, Mr. Thomas Bennet, the master of Longbourn. Bennet, these are my brothers-in-law, Lord Reginald Fitzwilliam, the Earl of Matlock, and Mr. Robert Darcy of Pemberley.” Sir Lewis stood back and allowed the newly introduced men to shake hands.
“Let us adjourn to my study,” Bennet suggested. He led the men into his sanctuary.
As soon as the door closed, Darcy who was from a long line of bibliophiles, and revered the written word, was impressed by the collection of books he saw. The quantity was not great, but the quality was.
“In your letter, you told us you were being hosted by the legendary unbeaten chess master, but not that he was a fellow bibliophile,” Darcy said to his brother.
“Your library at Pemberley has been mentioned by de Bourgh,” Bennet noted. “If I remember from the Cambridge record books you were no slouch at the game of chess.”
“If we have time, I would enjoy challenging you to a game or two,” Darcy responded.
“I do not see why not,” Bennet inclined his head to Darcy.
“Where is this wonderous daughter of yours who saved both my brother and niece?” Lord Matlock enquired.
“Lizzy and Anne are touring the estate at present, your Lordship,” Bennet averred.
“None of that, please call me Matlock,” the Earl requested.
“And I am Darcy.”
“In that case, please call me Bennet.” He turned to de Bourgh, “Are you sure you want me to remain?”
“Positive,” Sir Lewis returned.
“You think this was Catherine?” Lord Matlock confirmed.
“Yes, but as I wrote to you, there is no witness to the sabotage so we have no proof.” Sir Lewis paused. “That being said, I cannot take the chance of her moving against Anne again.”
“Are you sure there are none but your wife who would try to murder you?” Bennet enquired.
