“Be a man, I assume is what you are working your way up to?”
“Yes. Treat the Bennets with respect and they will return it. Mr Bennet knows more about your estate than you do. Take advantage of it, but if you want to be a landed gentleman,bea landed gentleman. If you do not, quit pretending and give up the lease to someone who does.”
“And you, my friend. Why are you here?”
“Working on my Number 3. I will tell you another time.”
Bingley shook his head and shook Darcy’s hand. “Be well, my friend.”
Then he turned and walked out the side door, to return to Netherfield and see if he could manage to execute her second request.
“Miss Lydia, that was… interesting.”
Lydia Bennet laughed gaily, walking away from the dance with her hopeful brother-to-be. “My pleasure, Br—”
Darcy thought he had made noteworthy progress, when she became aware of the possibility of gossip when he simply raised his eyebrow at her.
She pretend-pouted. “You know Lizzy does that. You will need a different twitch, or you will not know which of you is vexed at any particular time.”
Darcy laughed and returned her to her sister Jane, when he was approached by his own express rider, and Lydia flounced off to find Kitty.
Darcy looked around to be sure only Jane was within hearing and spoke to the rider.
“Harry, ‘tis good to see you. Have you any news?”
Darcy had debated telling anybody anything at all about Elizabeth, but in the end, he told one trusted express rider at each house to come find him instantly if he heard any news. He had not mentioned her to Georgiana because he judged the chance of her showing up at Pemberley to be negligible, and he had not told anybody else to protect her reputation.
The rider looked around, and Darcy said, “Speak freely. The Bennets are in my confidence. This is Miss Elizabeth’s sister, and she knows what we are about.”
Darcy was happy to see his rider relax. “Good evening, Miss Bennet, is it? Pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”
Jane curtseyed, not entirely appropriate but courteous anyway. “Good evening, Mr—”
“Dawes, ma’am. Harry Dawes.”
“What do you have for Mr Darcy?”
Harry turned back to Darcy. “Two notes. The oldest is from Lady Matlock, but she instructed the rider to leave it at Darcy House until another more urgent note came by. It has been there for a week. The second is from Miss Darcy, dated four days ago, and she requests your return to Pemberley. They have a measles outbreak, and it has laid low the housekeeper, though the butler was still well when I left.”
“Blast!And the steward is away for a week as well.”
Darcy had barely suppressed the expletive before his good manners prevailed, but Jane just hushed him. “I have heard worse in my own bedchamber.”
Darcy asked, “Is Georgie distressed?”
“Not particularly. Mrs Reynolds is deathly ill, but she instructed your sister in what she needed to do. Miss Darcy designated the guest wing as a quarantine, summoned the apothecary from Lambton to offer advice, and carried on. She says she is perfectly content with Mrs Annesley as they expect no company. Breton is still there, so nothing terrible is likely, so she felt no panic. She just wanted you to come home as soon as you can, but she also sent a rider to Matlock to ask for help. The earl is away, but Lady Matlock was home, so she is probably already present.”
Darcy chuckled. “Well, well… perhaps Georgiana is growing up, if she is handling this without difficulty.”
“She was certainly in no panic when I left. I had some torrential rain which delayed me for days, but it is not as if she will suddenly receive dozens of visitors. The measles outbreak is worrisome, but I daresay Miss Darcy is doing well enough.”
Darcy nodded. “All the same, measles is a nasty business, and it could worsen or spread, and a death or two must be expected. I am certain my aunt has come to assist her, but I will leave at first light and make all speed. Thank you, Harry.”
Jane said, “Mr Dawes, pray turn left from the front door, then take the fourth drive on the right. A mile will bring you to Longbourn. Tell Mrs Hill that Jane sent you, and she will provide a meal and a bed.”
“Thank you, Jane,” Darcy said. “Harry, I will speak to you in the morning.”
“Yes sir.”
