If it went against the grain for Elizabeth to leave Jane, she could only imagine how much worse it was for Bingley. None of them wanted this. Elizabeth could only hope that, in the end, they would play a useful role, and that she was not abandoning her sister for nothing. Though she felt conflicted even about that. A trip that was not wasted meant they would face battle, something Elizabeth could not wish for at all. It was difficult to know what she wanted, really. If the battle could resolve things, once and for all, then it would be wonderful, and she would sacrifice anything for that. The thought that it might be yet another skirmish with the Imperial Mages – one of many – lowered her spirits, but it could not be helped. Railing against her fate would accomplish nothing.
Meanwhile, as Bingley walked with them to the carriage, Darcy and Elizabeth each sought to console him.
“She will recover, never fear,” said Elizabeth. “The Rochester Healers are excellent.”
Darcy clapped him on the shoulder. “It will all work out. You will see. You just need patience.”
“That is what I do not have. I want to be certain that she will not take a turn for the worse. And I feel like I am abandoning her. I cannot bear the idea of her staying in the room alone.”
“She is not alone,” Elizabeth pointed out. “Mrs. Jenkinson is accustomed to caring for Anne. I am sure she will smother Jane with attention. And Darcy has spoken to the butler. He will ensure one of the maids is with her all the time, and that all her needs are attended to.”
At that point, Lord Matlock called them. “We need to depart immediately.”
Bingley was looking thoroughly downcast.
“Perhaps Bingley should change places with Lord Matlock and go in the other carriage,” suggested Mr. Bennet, hopefully.
“No, Papa. He needs to come with us, just as we already arranged,” said Elizabeth. “We will at least be able to talk to him.”
“It will do no good,” said Mr. Bennet. “He will spend all his time discussing Jane’s health, and thinking of the worst possible outcomes, and we will quickly become as gloomy as he is. Better for him to be with others who might distract him. Better still if he went with the ladies, who would fuss over him. Matlock can come with us.”
“Bingley will travel with us,” said Darcy, in a tone that brooked no argument.
The next morning, Elizabeth hoped Riquer would contact her again so she could clarify things, but nothing happened. Lord Matlock looked at her expectantly when she came in, but she simply shook her head and hurried to say goodbye to her sister before setting out for Walmer Castle, near the town of Deal.
When she returned to the front of the house, she found Lord Matlock arguing with Lady Catherine. As she drew closer, she discovered, to her absolute astonishment, that Lady Catherine was insisting on coming with them.
“It is clear there are too few of you to hold off an invasion,” she said. “You need my assistance. You need not change any arrangements for the journey itself. I will make my own. I will be taking my own carriage. In any case, I am going to call on a friend on the way. I will meet you at The Three Kings Inn in Deal.”
“As if this is the time to make social calls,” grumbled Lord Matlock. “We are not going on a trip to the seaside, Catherine.”
Lady Catherine merely sniffed before going into her carriage.
The small group of mages set out together this time, since there was no indication that Rosings was being watched. They had learned their lesson from the accident, and despite concerns over propriety, the consensus was that the ladies should not travel alone.
Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth and Darcy traveled in their original conveyance with Bingley joining them. Miss Bingley, Miss King, Lord Matlock and Redmond traveled in a third carriage which they had borrowed from Lady Catherine. Their own carriage had yet not been repaired. Colonel Fitzwilliam went on horseback, since he needed to liaise with his men to receive news from the signal towers.
Just as the footman opened the carriage door and Elizabeth was about to step up, the sound of her name made her turn. It was Anne, running towards them.
“I thought I had missed you! Mrs. Jenkinson tried to stop me from leaving the house, but I managed to slip away.”
She leaned against the carriage and waited to catch her breath. “I just wanted to let you know, Elizabeth, that I will make sure everything is done to make Miss Bennet comfortable. I will notlet Mama get up to her old tricks. The maids will follow my instructions. And I will write to you at Walmer and inform you of your sister’s progress.”
“Thank you,” said Elizabeth, resisting the temptation to embrace Anne, not knowing what her reaction might be. “I would welcome that.”
Anne gave them all a curtsey and waved to her mother in the other carriage. Lady Catherine put her head out of the window.
“What are you doing out here, Anne? You will catch your death of a cold. What does Mrs. Jenkinson think she is doing, letting you leave the house like this?”
“It was not her fault. I got away while she was not looking,” said Anne. She exchanged glances with Elizabeth and giggled, then turned to go back.
Darcy was feeling conflicted about leaving Rosings. Despite everything that had happened, it had been pleasant for him to return to his childhood home. It was not Pemberley, but when he had shown Elizabeth around, it had brought back memories, and he wished he could have stayed longer.
Bingley was the last to climb into the carriage, looking distressed. It was obvious his mind was elsewhere. He was folded in on himself, not looking at anyone else. Darcy wondered if Mr. Bennet had been right. Already, Darcy could feel a heavy gloom settling inside the carriage.
Mr. Bennet caught Darcy’s eye and sent a purposeful glance towards Bingley. Darcy ignored it and looked out of the window.
However, as soon as the carriage began to move, Bingley suddenly jumped up and thumped on the roof for the coachman to stop.
