“Believe me. I know what I am doing.” His mouth twisted. “Now go, child, before it is too late.”
What if she lingered? If Mr. Darcy met her mother and sisters, would he abandon the whole mission? She was strongly tempted to delay so she could find out.
She went indoors and found Miss Darcy already in her bonnet and pelisse. She bounced and clapped her hands when she spotted Elizabeth. It made her seem even younger than Lydia. All her timidity had disappeared. “William has gone ahead to seeto his ride. Miss Bennet, are you ready? I have so much to tell you.”
She could not disappoint Miss Darcy. Not now. Not when this was so important to her.
Elizabeth stood by as the trunk was loaded onto the carriage, intensely aware of Mr. Darcy regarding her with a critical eye. She tried not to think what it meant to be dealing with Mr. Darcy for three whole months. She had formed an opinion of him that painted him as a monster. He could not possibly be as bad as that. Yet, the butterflies in her stomach refused to be pacified.
Mr. Darcy came from the direction of the stables, leading the horse. “Well, then,” said Mr. Darcy, addressing her directly for the first time since his arrival. “Shall we depart, Miss Bennet?”
Elizabeth nodded. “Yes. I just need to say my goodbyes to my sister.”
She walked back towards the house. Jane was standing just outside the doorway, her arms folded over her chest, looking as gloomy as Elizabeth felt.
Elizabeth tried her best to appear cheerful. “You must wish me good fortune in my new adventure.”
“I do. I hope you will be very happy.” Jane clutched her sister’s hand. “Three months is a long time. I do not know what I will do without you.”
Elizabeth tried not to feel resentful that her sister had finally seen the implications of Mr. Darcy’s invitation, now when it was too late. Elizabeth would be cut off from her family for a long time.
“I will write to you as often as I can,” she replied, “and you must write to me straight away to tell me how Mama reacts to Papa’s betrayal.”
Jane shook her head. “You are fortunate to be leaving. You will not have to face her ire. You know how badly she will take it. Shewill be very angry at being deprived of the chance of bragging about meeting Mr. Darcy, and her nerves will suffer.”
They laughed. “Well, I had better go, before Mama and my sisters return.”
She could not linger any further. It was time to leave. As Mr. Darcy mounted his horse, the butterflies began to settle. At least he would not be inside with them.
Elizabeth stepped up to the carriage. The hired footman shut the door behind her, and Darcy gave the signal for departure. Not a moment too soon. Even as they began to move, Elizabeth heard the voices of Mrs. Bennet and the others coming down the small footpath heading towards Longbourn. Fortunately – or unfortunately – the carriage turned the corner before Mrs. Bennet could see them.
As they passed through Meryton, several people turned their heads and stared at the crested carriage and the gentleman riding next to it. Her departure would be the talk of the town, with everyone vying to describe Mr. Darcy, especially since Mr. Darcy was riding alongside them, as if to satisfy their curiosity.
Elizabeth smiled inwardly. She could imagine the exaggerated description of Mr. Darcy that would circulate. She wished she could have been here to witness it. She would have to ask Jane to write to her and tell her what was said.
Her good humor somewhat restored, she turned to Miss Darcy, who was biting her nails and looking anxious at all the attention.
“So, Miss Darcy, you must tell me what you and Mrs. Annesley have planned.”
Miss Darcy immediately brightened up. “We made a list of some expeditions we can do. I have a list at home. We will make quite a group.”
“Do not expect me to run around everywhere with you, Miss Darcy,” warned Mrs. Annesley. “I am not young anymore, and my knees give me trouble.”
“I am sure we can find enough things we can all do comfortably,” said Elizabeth.
As the three of them chatted about possibilities, Elizabeth began to feel more optimistic. There were many things to do in London, and, although the situation was not ideal, she dared to hope that she might enjoy her time there.
That is, as long as she could spend as little time as possible with Mr. Darcy.
They were nearing the end of the journey when the wind started to gust, and the skies opened up, resulting in an unexpected downpour. Miss Darcy’s happiness dimmed as she looked out of the window, her brow furrowed.
“Oh! My poor brother. May we invite him to join us in here, Miss Bennet?” she said. “We cannot leave him out in the rain, getting wetter and wetter. Surely there can be no objection to it, with Mrs. Annesley as chaperone.”
“Of course. Mr. Darcy must sit inside,” said Mrs. Annesley.
Elizabeth thought uncharitably that he deserved all the misery the skies could rain down on him. She hoped his sodden clothes were heavy and uncomfortable. However, as Miss Darcy’s companion, she was supposed to set a good example for the younger lady. Much as she would have liked to indulge in a fit of spite, she could not in all conscience do it.
“Why don’t you invite him in, then?” said Elizabeth. “Quickly, before he is thoroughly drenched.”
