Elizabeth was pleased to see this display of his interest in Jane. She would tell her sister about it, she decided. In any case, it would not hurt his cause.
Any pleasure she may have felt disappeared a moment later when Mr. Bingley turned back to their carriage in alarm.
“The young ladies’ carriage has not arrived yet. I hope nothing untoward has happened.”
Mr. Bennet was quick to dismiss any fears. “The road they have taken is longer than ours, and passes through some narrow country lanes. It was the safer option to travel straight from Richmond without going through London, but it is less sign-posted. They may have taken a wrong turn and been forced to retrace their steps.”
Elizabeth acknowledged that it was very possible. At any rate, it was still light outside, and as long as they were not forced to navigate country lanes in the dark, it was not yet time to start worrying.
“Or they may have encountered a similar situation to ours,” said Darcy. “The storm may have blown some obstacles onto the road and they may have been held back.” He jumped down from the carriage and put a hand on Bingley’s shoulder. “It’s still too early to start worrying, Bingley.”
However, Bingley could not be convinced so easily. “These are both possibilities. But what if they have been attacked by French mages? What then?”
“There is nothing to worry about. Miss King and Miss Bingley are powerful mages,” said Mr. Bennet. “Jane is in good hands.”
It was tactless of her father to mention Jane’s name, but everyone here knew about Mr. Bingley’s infatuation, so no harm was done.
“And Redmond is a Janus mage. I am sure his Wards will keep them safe,” said Elizabeth, trying to reassure him further.
“But what if an accident has happened, and they are lying in a ditch somewhere? No one can guard against that.”
“The Royal Mages have some of the best coachmen in the kingdom. They will know what to do,” said Darcy. “Now come, let us go to our bedchambers and refresh ourselves, and we can meet again in half an hour downstairs to have dinner.”
When they went down, however, there was no sign of the second carriage. Darcy thought it wise to ask for dinner to be delayed. They had requested dinner for around six o’clock, a compromise between the later dinners in London and dinners in the countryside, but they asked if it could be served at seven instead.
Seven o’clock came and went, and still the young ladies had not arrived.
“Could you ask Cook to delay another half hour?” said Mr. Bennet, when the innkeeper came to ask permission to serve food.
The man did not look very pleased. “The cook has already warmed up the venison stew twice, and the bottom of the pot is beginning to burn. I know fine gentlefolk like you are particular. I do not think you will take well to food that tastes burned. I will not have it said that this inn serves poor food.”
“It cannot be helped,” said Darcy, sternly. “We are more concerned about our missing party than about the state of the dinner.”
The innkeeper, realizing he had offended the young gentleman, tried to make amends.
“We can always serve your group the dinner, sir, and offer cold pie and meats when the others arrive.” he said.
“I ask for just fifteen minutes more, and then you can serve dinner.”
“Excellent. I will inform the cook, then.”
Elizabeth curled her lips at Darcy as the innkeeper left. “Poor man. He is very eager to impress us and spread a good reputation.”
“It is good to see someone so dedicated to his profession.”
Fifteen minutes later, as the clock chimed a quarter past the hour of seven, the serving men entered carrying the food and began to set it on the table.
Bingley began to eat, but then tossed down his fork and jumped up.
“I cannot sit and eat while the others may be injured. We will have to make up a search party.”
“If you will grant me a few minutes to do justice to this excellent fare,” said Mr. Bennet, “and I will certainly join you. If you cannot eat, why don’t you give the order for horses to be saddled?”
“Count me in,” said Darcy, “though I still think it is too early to worry.”
“I would rather be wrong than fail the young ladies when they are in distress,” said Bingley. “I am going to ask for the horses to be saddled.” Moments later, he returned. “The horses will be ready in five minutes.”
“You may as well eat something,” said Mr. Bennet.
