“You will comport yourself well, Georgiana?”
“Yes, Fitzwilliam. It is but a short drive; I cannot misbehave very much in the next quarter hour.” Her giggle and mischievous glance softened the impertinence of her words.
He chuckled. “Very well, you little minx. You may go.”
The two young women left him and drew near to Mr. Bennet. Kitty brightened when she saw her friend.
“Georgiana, I am happy to see you again.” They embraced and then followed the others to the carriage.
As they traveled to Longbourn, Bennet, seeing that the two youngest occupants were already engaged in noisy conversation, leaned near to Elizabeth and spoke in a low voice.
“My girl, you have lost your closest friend to another.”
Elizabeth inclined toward her father and replied quietly. “It is well, Papa. I never hoped to see such a happy ending for Jane. Considering what her fate might have been, I am truly glad for her, though I shall miss her.”
He placed his hand over hers. “And what of you, Lizzy? Are you happy?”
“I am, sir.” But then Bennet saw her eyes narrow, and her expression tighten into displeasure. “Considering how matters stood when I spirited Lydia away to my uncle’s house, I am both happy and grateful.”
She deftly turned the conversation to a safer subject. “Mary informs me that Kitty has been very low in spirits. I wish to keep her here at home, near me. We shall be of use to one another. I will take her with me when I make my visits to the tenants, and I shall instruct her in the management of a household.”
“Very well, Lizzy. Kitty may remain at home with you.”
He placed his hand over hers. “I know you are angry with both your parents, my dear, and I understand. I do not hold it against you.”
Then he withdrew his hand and leaned back against the squabs, turning his gaze to the carriage window until they arrived at Longbourn.
The wedding breakfast proved a pleasant celebration. Though it remained subdued in respect to their recent loss, Jane’s neighbors had come to mark the happy occasion. Charlotte Lucas made herself useful, assisting Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner wherever she could.
When Elizabeth was at last free to sit and enjoy herself, she and Charlotte sat together and shared a plate of dainty crabcakes.
“Lizzy, it seems an age since we last spent any time together. I have been away to London with relatives, hoping to make a match.”
“It has been several months, Charlotte. Have you made any new acquaintances? Is there any gentleman who shows an interest?”
“No, my dear friend. For that reason, I have returned home. I found I missed the country. I would have remained in London, however, had I been courted by an eligible gentleman. And you, Lizzy? I am sorry for your loss.”
“So much has happened in our lives. When Papa was so ill, I had no time for anything else but to nurse him. Those were dark days, Charlotte. I missed your steady influence and your encouragement.”
Charlotte took her hand. “I would have come, Lizzy, but mamma wrote that Longbourn had been placed under quarantine, and you know how severely it affected my father last year. But now we are together again. Do you remain in Hertfordshire or do you return to Kent with Mary?”
“Kitty and I shall remain at home with Papa. I will oversee his household and instruct Kitty as well. She is already seventeen and yet knows very little of managing a house. She was greatly indulged, as was Lydia.”
Charlotte’s eyes brightened with interest. “How is Lydia? Where is she now?”
“My uncle found a very good school for young ladies on the Isle of Wight, and she is studying there.”
Charlotte raised her brows. “How is it that she enjoys the benefit of a gentlewoman’s education when you did not, Lizzy? You have always been the most scholarly of the sisters.”
“It was my uncle’s decision. Since she is so young, he believed she would profit the most from the opportunity.”
Elizabeth suppressed her rising anger. The least deserving of the sisters. She forced her mind to more charitable reflections. She dared not say more about Lydia’s situation, for as much as she trusted Charlotte, she could not risk being overheard.
Her friend appeared satisfied with the explanation. “Yes, I understand. She had the most to gain, for your mother had almost ruined her.”
Elizabeth laughed. “And that is precisely why you are my dearest friend, for you speak the truth without hesitation.”
“Mr. Darcy watches you a great deal, Eliza. His eyes never strayed from you during the wedding ceremony.” Her gaze traveled over Elizabeth’s figure. “You are quite a sight to see. That gown is very becoming on you.”
