Jane answered him kindly. “Your sister is a delightful young lady, sir. If she wishes to remain with us, it will be my pleasure to have her as a guest.”
Miss Bingley remained silent.
She sat beside Mr. Balfour and appeared to be making an effort to attach him. Darcy restrained a smirk. Poor fellow. He had little notion of what he might be inviting upon himself.
Caroline’s dowry would certainly be a consideration for Balfour, for his father had gambled away most of the family fortune before he was struck with apoplexy and thus spared the family any further ruin. Yet twenty thousand pounds would tempt no man who truly understood Caroline’s character.
“Thank you, Mrs. Bingley. Georgiana will be delighted to learn that she may remain in the neighborhood. Both of your sisters are great favorites of hers.”
He studied Mrs. Bingley’s countenance and suspected that her civility toward him would not remain so agreeable if she learned how deeply he had wounded her beloved sister.
He waited at the front entrance with the two mounts when Georgiana came down. He lifted her into the saddle, then mounted his own horse, and they set off together.
“Fitzwilliam, I pray Lizzy will receive me. I do not know what I shall do if she turns her back on me.”
“You need not fear that, Georgiana. Miss Bennet is a kind woman, as you yourself have said. Now tell me, how do you intend to spend your time when I am gone?”
“I shall spend as much time as I can with the Bennet sisters. Lizzy has been instructing Kitty in household management, and they have been visiting the tenants. If I am very fortunate, she may teach me such things as well.”
Darcy felt his eyes grow moist. Miss Bennet was truly good. He began to understand how much he had lost. Not only a lovely consort, but a loving sister, a devoted mother to his children, and a woman who cared for the tenants.
He turned his thoughts lest his composure fail him.
“My dear, I shall depart after I take a light luncheon. I have decided to travel directly to Matlock. After I return to collect you, we will reside in London. I must take a wife this year, which will require my residence in London during the Season. Perhaps I shall find one who proves suitable.”
“Fitzwilliam, you do not appear to relish that prospect.”
“Most matches made within our circle are not formed from affection or love but are arranged to strengthen bloodlines or increase wealth. If I am fortunate, I may meet a woman whom I can respect.”
“That is a dreadful arrangement, and I hope you do not expect it of me.” Georgiana looked horrified by that prospect.
“No, my dear. I shall allow you to wait until you meet a man you can both love and respect, but that time is still some years away. Let us concern ourselves with the present for now.”
They arrived at Longbourn. He helped Georgiana dismount, then led the horses a little way from the entrance so he would not be seen.
He watched as his sister approached the door and sounded the knocker. He watched as Mrs. Hill opened the door and greeted her with kindness.
And then she was gone.
He led the horses to the hermitage to wait. When he arrived, he started. Elizabeth sat upon a wooden bench, writing in a journal. Ares neighed, and she rose quickly to her feet, her face flamed red, and she looked as though she might run.
Her eyes fell away from his. “Sir. I did not expect to see you again.”
“Do not be alarmed, Miss Bennet. I have not come to trouble you. I am leaving Hertfordshire today, but my sister has begged to see you. She wishes to remain for the final month of her visit, but she will return to Derbyshire with me if you do not wish to see her again.”
Elizabeth’s expression softened.
“Of course, I wish to continue our friendship. She is a darling girl and very well brought up.”
Her eyes narrowed as she glanced his way.
“Unlike her brother, you mean.”
She raised her chin. “Precisely. Is she in the house, sir?”
“Yes. I told her that I would wait here at the hermitage so that I would not intrude upon your privacy. She knows that you do not wish to ever see me again.”
Elizabeth flushed.
