She gasped. “You cannot mean to isolate me!”
He stopped at her door. “Caroline, have you no sense of propriety? You have just insulted Miss Elizabeth. Worse, you threatened her with ruin. You would drag Darcy’s name throughthe gutter if you exposed the compromise. He will never suffer you near him again if you do. Is that what you want, to be exiled from his presence?”
Tears sprang to her eyes. “No.”
“Poor sister. You cannot restrain yourself, even when it means your own undoing. What shall I do with you, Caroline? Shall I send you to Canada? America?”
They entered her room. “You will enjoy your own companionship for the remainder of the day.”
She glared at him. “I will not.”
“My dear, I will not allow you to embarrass Miss Elizabeth again. Your luncheon and dinner will be sent up on a tray. Until further notice, you will remain in your own rooms. Perhaps solitude will teach you restraint.”
Descending the stairs, he met Grayson in the hall. “Miss Bingley is indisposed and must remain in her room. Send up her meals.”
“Very good, sir,” the butler replied.
When Bingley returned to the dining room, the company was once again cheerful, conversing in small groups. Jane looked up as he entered. Her smile was warm and approving. He returned it, deeply gratified, and taking his plate, seated himself beside her.
They all lingered long after the meal was done, the conversation easy and pleasant, and laughter filled the air.
Richard stood and turned to his young cousin. “Sweetling, would you like to walk?”
Georgiana turned to Mary. “Will you join us? Perhaps you could teach me the names of the trees and flowers in French.”
“Have you seen a Pasque flower yet?”
Georgiana shook her head. “No, I have never heard of them.”
“They are rare and grow only here in Hertfordshire. They bloom at Easter, but there are still a few in bloom. Would you like to see them?”
“I would.”
Mrs. Hurst spoke. “May I come too? I have never seen a Pasque flower either.”
Bingley turned to Jane. “Shall we join them?”
Jane stood when he did. “They are very beautiful. I call them furry Easter flowers. There is a field covered with them, but it may be a half-mile walk from here.”
Elizabeth said, “Not that far. But they are rare, and they bloom for only six weeks.”
Darcy rose. “Will you take my arm? I have a mind to see them myself.”
“Yes. Let me get my bonnet.”
They walked together as a group through the wood that bordered the formal gardens and up a slight incline. When they reached the top, they saw the other side of the field covered with the strange, lovely plants in different stages of bloom. Some had already gone to seed, their feathery heads drifting in the breeze, while others were still in bloom, their large purple petals and bright orange centers open to the sun. The underside of the petals was soft to the touch, covered with fine hairs. Georgianasquatted and ran her finger along the furry underside of a petal. “Oh, this is lovely. I have never seen such flowers.”
Mrs. Hurst was equally pleased. She plucked one of the seed pods. “Perhaps I can grow these in my conservatory. I wish I were an artist. I would draw them as a remembrance for when I am old and can no longer climb hills or walk through woods.”
Mr. Hurst laughed. “That is a long way off, my dear. I will bring you back next Easter to see them again.”
Darcy picked a bloom and placed it on the side of Elizabeth’s bonnet. He smiled at her, but his smile faded when he saw hers vanish and her eyes grow shadowed.
“What is it, Elizabeth? You have seemed distressed since I arrived.”
“Mr. Darcy, I need to speak with you privately. May we walk a little way from the others? Perhaps we can stand in the shade of the woods, still within sight but out of hearing.”
“Of course.” He offered his arm, and she took it.
