“I hardly think that it will be necessary for you to do so,” Darcy teased. “Miss Elizabeth seems to accept everyone with the same warmth and kindness. She will forgive you readily and move past whatever discomfort has persisted.”
Bingley tucked his hat under his arm as they walked up the stairs leading up to Netherfield’s front door. Darcy felt famished and looked forward to having a hearty breakfast.
“Caroline writes to expect her at the end of the month,” Bingley said casually. “Sir James will accompany her.”
“Has their business in the North concluded to their satisfaction?” Darcy asked. He did not feel ready to see Miss Bingley. Though her constant agreements with his every remark had ceased after he politely informed her that he would not marry her, he still found her company unwelcome.
“It has. Sir James’s family approves of her and they have offered to help them find a house in town until they decide where they wish to settle.”
“Will he purchase an estate?”
Bingley shrugged. “I believe that he means to, eventually. His reward monies and her dowry are enough to see to the purchase, but it would leave them with little in the way of funds for emergencies and the like. The house in town is meant to help them save and invest so that they can purchase a home in the future.”
“It is kind of his family to aid them.”
They handed off their mud-splattered greatcoats and retired to their chambers to bathe and change before breakfast. Later that day, they were to dine with the officers in Meryton. Darcy resolved to enjoy the afternoon, even though he would infinitely prefer reading a book in peace.
Chapter Thirteen
November 12, 1811
London
Lady Montrose
LadyMontroseslammedherbedroom door as hard as she could. “Charlatans!” she cried angrily. “Scheming, devious little pretenders. I ought to have known that putting out a reward for information would bring all manner of riffraff to my door.” She collapsed in a chair, putting her elbow on the arm and her face in her hand.
Three this week. Each time, a man escorted a woman into her presence, claiming to have found Elizabeth. People presented all sorts of stories to explain her long absence—fear for a life, kidnapping, and even memory loss. Each girl fell short in some way, from mismatched features to ignorance of her granddaughter’s life in Yorkshire.
To make everything worse, the pressure to declare Elizabeth dead mounted. Peers of the realm wished to have a proper heir installed at Marston Hall. Thankfully, Maude had friends in high places. Her friendship with some who were close to the Prince Regent aided her in her quest. However, she learned that even their reach had limits. Marston Hall needed management, and no one thought that she, the mistress of the estate for the better part of three decades, could do it justice.
It is for the earldom’s sake,they told her. Bah!
Sighing, she stood and moved to her window. It overlooked the gardens and not the street in front of the house. In summer,the garden was a pretty prospect—a riot of blooms and greenery. It was a veritable sanctuary from the grimy streets of London. Now, the plants were stripped of their leaves, and all was dull and brown.
Am I a fool to keep hoping?She posed this question to herself often. The answer was alwaysno.Lady Montrose felt deep in her heart that if Elizabeth were dead, she would know it. She loved her granddaughter fiercely and had always looked forward to receiving the post, hoping to find one of the little drawings made by the child's hand.
How much longer can I continue my search? I do not know if I can withstand the repeated disappointment.
Elizabeth
“A note for Miss Bennet.” Hill presented a folded piece of paper to Jane, who accepted it with a word of thanks.
“Who is it from, dearest?” Mrs. Bennet looked up curiously, her fork suspended halfway to her mouth.
“It is from Mrs. Hurst.” Jane read the letter quickly. “She wishes to invite me to dine today. The gentlemen are out with the officers, and she finds herself in want of company.”
“And she did not extend the offer to Lizzy or Mary?” Mrs. Bennet frowned.
“She hardly spoke to us when they called, Mama.” Elizabeth sought to placate her mother. Mrs. Bennet despised deliberately rude people, and it would not do for her to have a grudge against Mrs. Hurst when the lady’s brother sought Jane’s attention so assiduously.
“Oh, if you are certain.” She brought her fork to her mouth and consumed the bite of egg. “Jane, you must take the carriage. It appears it may rain.”
Jane turned to Mr. Bennet. “Are the horses available?” she asked, with a hopeful smile.
“They are. When shall I call for the carriage?” Mr. Bennet gave his daughter a wink. Everyone in the house felt pleased that Jane had attracted the attention of a wealthy and amiable man—even Mr. Bennet, who did not like the idea of giving the care of his eldest daughter over to any other man.
Jane replied with a time before returning to her meal. Her look of contentment warmed Elizabeth's heart. She found joy in seeing her sister in love.
