“It is from your father,” said Mr. Gardiner at last. “You are required to return home. Immediately.”
“Immediately?”
“Without delay.”
“That cannot be,” said Darcy, “Miss Bennet was not to leave for several days. The arrangements were already made. She was to return under proper escort; there was no necessity—”
“There is now,” said Mr. Gardiner. “Your father insists upon it.”
“But why? He never, at this time of year; there is nothing that requires—”
She broke off suddenly.“Unless something has happened.”
“My dear—” Mrs. Gardiner moved nearer.
“The tenants,” Elizabeth continued. “It must be something among them. He would not send for me otherwise. There must be some difficulty, some distress. I ought to be there.”
“He expects you to travel at once?” said Darcy, turning back to Mr. Gardiner. “In what manner is Miss Bennet to undertake the journey?”
Mr. Gardiner hesitated only a moment.“By post.”
“No,” said Darcy. “That cannot be allowed.”
“I have travelled so before,” said Elizabeth.
“That does not make it proper. Nor safe. Not in such haste, and not under present uncertainty.”
“She would not be alone,” said Mr. Gardiner. “James would attend her.”
“It is not sufficient,” said Darcy. “If Miss Bennet must go, she shall not go in that manner. You told Mr. Bennet that business alone detained us. That remains true. But she shall not be sent off by post. I will not allow it, not when I can prevent it. If Mrs. Gardiner will accompany us, my carriage shall be ready by morning. I will go with her to Longbourn myself. Two footmen shall attend, and you may depend upon her safety entirely. Mrs. Gardiner may remain, or return as she chooses.”
Mrs. Gardiner looked toward her husband.“It is the best arrangement.”
“It is a generous one,” said Mr. Gardiner.
“It is a necessary one. But I must go at once, if it is to be prepared.”
Mrs. Gardiner turned to Elizabeth.
“My dear, you will walk with Mr. Darcy.”
At the door Darcy turned to her and took both her hands.“I gave you my word. Nothing shall separate us. You believe me?”
“I do. Yet I fear I am not free to keep that promise as I wish.”
“You are free in every way that matters.”
“I ought not to have joked of delay.”
“You ought not to have delayed at all. Had we been less prudent, we should not be standing here making plans.”
“Then we should already be regretting it.”
“On the contrary,” said Darcy, “we should already be beyond regret.”
Her hands tightened in his.
“You speak as though you would have had me run away with you.”
