Then, abruptly the wind gave way. She could see Netherfield Park clearly now. The tall building was a most welcome sight.
She followed the driveway through the gate then stopped and waited. No one emerged from the building to help her down or lead her horse away. It must be the weather. The footmen were not expecting anyone after all. No doubt they were warming their hands at the fireplace. Well, nothing to be done now. She could not turn back.
She should have sent that note. She was sorry she would have to drag them out to tend to her horse in such unpleasant weather.
Feeling tremendously self-conscious as she took out her basket with Healing herbs from the saddlebag. She dismounted and tied the horse to a hitching post, then went to the door and tugged at the doorbell.
No one answered. She shivered and pulled her cloak around her, wondering for the first time if they might refuse to open for her. She looked around for somewhere she could take shelter.
She was just about to give up and head for the stables when the door slowly creaked open. A footman stood there, looking ready to bolt any second.
“Good morning. I am here to see Mr. Murray.”
The footman looked back, as if to ask permission, then the door slowly opened. A familiar figure stood in the hallway. She stared, certain her eyes were deceiving her.
“Lord Matlock?”
He ought to at least acknowledge that he knew her, but he just stood there. Elizabeth had told her that the Royal Mages were very arrogant, but it was really very uncivil of him not to greet her after they had eaten together at Longbourn.
Then someone else stepped into the hallway. Another familiar figure.
“Mr. Darcy?”
She did not know Mr. Darcy well. No one from Longbourn had attended the wedding, and she had met Elizabeth’s husband only briefly when he came by carriage to take Lizzy back to the Academy. Still, Jane could not possibly mistake him for anyone else. He, too, made no move to welcome her.
Both gentlemen were staring at her with the same befuddlement she was experiencing. There was a note of alarm in their expressions that she could not account for, but she had a strong sense of having committed a very seriousfaux pas.
No one spoke.
Then suddenly Lizzy was there as well. What was Lizzy doing at a convalescent home for officers? She did have Healing abilities, but surely the Royal Mages had more important tasks to assign her than taking care of injured officers?
“Jane? For heaven’s sake, come inside, out of the rain. Look at you, you are soaking wet.”
The sound of her sister’s voice finally propelled Jane out of her embarrassment and dismay and into the warmth of the hallway.
“Oh, Lizzy! I am so glad to see you!”
