Elizabeth rose at once. “Thank you.” She turned to the company. “Pray excuse me. We should prefer to arrive before dark.”
Mrs. Bennet fluttered a hand. “Yes, yes, do not keep your aunt waiting.”
Elizabeth inclined her head to the room and withdrew. Harris followed.
Darcy, who had moved nearer the window, watched without appearing to do so. He saw her handed into the carriage, her maid already seated within. The groom mounted beside the driver, and the coach rolled forward, disappearing beyond the bend in the drive.
Miss Bingley was the first to speak. “Miss Elizabeth appears remarkably engaged this morning.”
Mrs. Bennet laughed lightly. “Lizzy is seldom idle.”
“The journey to London is not long,” Bingley observed cheerfully. “She will be back before we have time to miss her.”
Darcy did not immediately rejoin the conversation. Movement along the distant lane caught his attention. From behind the hedgerow, two wagons emerged and fell neatly into line behind the carriage. Several mounted men rode at measured intervals. By the time he turned back to the room, the procession had already disappeared from sight. Darcy said nothing, though his expression grew thoughtful.
After a moment, Mrs. Bennet brightened. “Oh, I nearly forgot. Mrs. Philips informed me that several officers of militia have arrived in Meryton. It is always pleasant to have new faces.”
Bingley turned from Jane. “Yes, they have invited the gentlemen to dine tomorrow evening.”
Miss Bingley’s brows lifted. “Tomorrow? I was not aware we had accepted.”
Bingley smiled mildly. “We have now.”
Darcy’s attention shifted from the lane to the conversation, though his expression revealed little.
***
Elizabeth looked from the carriage window and recognised the familiar landmarks that signalled their approach to London. Soon the two wagons turned aside toward her uncle’s warehouses, while two mounted men continued on with the coach.
It was not long before the carriage drew up before a neat brick house on a busy London thoroughfare. The groom descended, set down the step, and assisted Elizabeth and Millie to alight.Elizabeth mounted the steps and lifted the knocker. The door opened almost at once.
“Miss Elizabeth,” said the Gardiners’ manservant with a respectful bow. “Your aunt has been expecting you.”
She entered; a gentle smile touched her expression at the familiar welcome.
Mrs. Gardiner came forward immediately and embraced her. “My dear, how was your journey?”
“Very comfortable,” Elizabeth replied, surrendering her gloves and pelisse to the servant. “We rested the horses once but encountered no difficulty. Where is my uncle?”
Mrs. Gardiner laughed softly. “Ever practical. He will join us shortly. You shall have time to change before dinner, and you may discuss business afterward.”
Elizabeth's lips curved. “Then I shall first pay my respects to the children, if I may.”
“They are quite impatient for you,” her aunt replied warmly.
Chapter five
Elizabeth entered the breakfast room and paused a moment upon seeing her uncle already seated at the table. “Good morning, Uncle. I hope you are well.”
“Very well indeed, my dear,” Mr. Gardiner replied, setting aside his newspaper with a smile. “It is always a pleasure to have you in Gracechurch Street. Next time, however, I shall insist you remain longer. Your aunt will never forgive me if I allow you to escape without attending the theatre or making a proper tour of the shops.”
Elizabeth laughed lightly as she crossed to the sideboard. “You are most kind, sir. It would be agreeable, I confess. Yet I do not know that I may safely absent myself from Longbourn for so long.” She resumed her seat opposite him. “Have you had an opportunity to look over the papers I brought?”
“I have,” he answered. “They are thorough, and most carefully ordered. You have arranged matters admirably, Lizzy.” He regarded her over the rim of his cup. “Yet I sometimes wonder whether you permit anyone to share in the arranging.”
Elizabeth made a small dismissive gesture. “You assist me, sir.”
“In trade, perhaps,” he said gently. “I did not speak of trade alone. Lizzy”
