“Now, Charles,” Darcy said with a grin, “all that remains is for you to purchase an estate here in Derbyshire, somewhere close, that our wives may visit each other as often as they please.”
Bingley laughed. “I will, Darcy. I shall set my solicitor to find me an estate as soon as may be.”
“I am so fond of this notion,” said Darcy, “that we have already written to instruct my solicitor to seek one out for you.”
Bingley laughed again. “I say, Darcy, you must have been very confident that Miss Bennet would accept my suit.”
Darcy’s eyes looked amused. “I was. Anyone but a blind man could see that she adores you, Charles.”
He turned toward the women. “Come, let us go in and celebrate with a toast.”
They found the rest of their guests gathered in the music room, listening to Georgiana at the pianoforte. When Bingley made his announcement, the ladies rushed forward to embrace Jane. Darcy served wine to each of them and raised his glass.
“To your happiness,” he said. “May all your endeavors prosper, may your children grow into upstanding members of society, and may your love last into eternity.”
Late that afternoon, the Lewises arrived. Darcy and Elizabeth were on hand to greet them, as the others had already gone up to dress for dinner. Darcy made the introductions, then Elizabeth led Miss Lewis upstairs to her room.
As they ascended the staircase, Elizabeth asked, “How far is your brother’s estate from Pemberley, Miss Lewis?”
Isabella reached for Elizabeth’s hand. “Shall we dispense with the formalities? Please call me Isabella, and may I call you Elizabeth?”
Laughing, Elizabeth said, “Yes, let us.”
“Then, Elizabeth,” Isabella continued, “our journey was quite easy. We live but seventeen miles from here. We should have arrived earlier, but my brother’s steward took an inordinate amount of time…”
She stopped speaking abruptly. Elizabeth followed her gaze and saw Richard standing in the entrance hall below. His eyes were fixed upon the young lady, and hers upon him. For a moment, they stood silent and still. Then Richard’s eyes flicked to Elizabeth’s; he bowed and stepped quietly back into the blue salon.
Elizabeth turned to her guest, who was visibly out of countenance, her face flushed. Seeking to cover the awkward moment, Elizabeth began cheerfully, “My elder sister Jane has just announced her engagement. Her fiancé is Mr. Charles Bingley. Do you know him?”
Isabella recovered herself and replied. “Yes, I have met Mr. Bingley. He attended university with my brother and his friends. He has visited Pemberley every summer since they first became acquainted, and my brother often invited the three of them to our home to fish.”
Elizabeth raised her brows. “Three gentlemen?”
Isabella blushed again. “Yes, Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, and Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
“I see,” Elizabeth said, her tone mild. “Our other guests include Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, Mr. Richard Fitzwilliam, and my younger sister, Mary. Dinner is served at seven. Shall I send up hot water for a bath?”
“Yes, that would be wonderful,” Isabella replied. “I should like to wash off the dust from our journey.”
“This is your room,” Elizabeth said kindly. “Ring if you need anything. I will have the water sent up directly.”
She left her guest and walked toward the family wing. Entering her chambers, she started when she almost bumped into her husband, who was standing just inside the door.
“Fitzwilliam! You startled me. I imagined you downstairs with Mr. Lewis and the colonel.”
“No,” he said, “Lewis is out walking. He rode all seventeen miles and wished to stretch his legs before dressing for dinner.”
“I see,” she said, waiting.
He hesitated, then spoke. “Elizabeth, there is a woman for whom I once had atendre.”
Elizabeth stiffened, pressing a hand to her breast in an effort to calm the wild beating of her heart.
He took her arm and led her to the couch. “My darling, there is nothing for you to fear,” he said softly. “I speak of Miss Ashbrook. She has been away these many years, and to speak truth, I never expected to see her again. But yesterday the rector mentioned she has returned to her father’s house.”
He looked at her, but as she remained silent, waiting, he continued. “As I said, it has been many years since we last spoke.”
“How many?” she asked quietly.
