Elizabeth smiled. “Ah, so you agree. Obedience does not suit everyone. Let us hope Mr. Collins will be more forgiving of lively spirits than this writer supposes. Though if I must be admired for silence and meekness, we are both doomed.”
Pippin thumped her tail once in cheerful agreement, clearly untroubled by the prospect.
“Very well,” Elizabeth said, closing the book with mock solemnity. “I think only Mary could take delight in Mr. Fordyce’s lectures. Perhaps I should leave the reading to her.I daresay we are already accomplished enough in humility to frighten away every sensible man in Hertfordshire.”
Pippin tilted her head, tongue lolling, as if to say she found that no tragedy at all.
Elizabeth laughed softly. “You and I shall do very well without them.”
The moment’s peace was short-lived.
Lydia, who had been idly knitting by the window, suddenly sprang up, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
“Lizzy! Did not Papa say Mr. Collins was not to arrive until Saturday?”
Elizabeth looked up, startled by both her sister’s sudden movement and tone. “He did. Why?”
Lydia pointed toward the window, eyes wide. “Then why is there a carriage coming up the lane?”
At the word carriage, Pippin leapt to her feet, barking in sudden alarm. Elizabeth rose and joined her sister at the window. Sure enough, a fine carriage was turning into the drive of Longbourn, its wheels crunching over the gravel.
“Strange,” Elizabeth murmured. “Who could be arriving in a carriage so early? Mr. Collins cannot have mistaken the day, surely.”
Just then, Mr. Bennet appeared at the parlour door, spectacles in hand, his expression mild. “Ah, I see our guest has arrived.”
Elizabeth turned. “Our guest, Papa?”
“Indeed,” he replied, slipping the spectacles into his waistcoat pocket. “Mr. Bingley sent a note this morning. It seems he has chosen to pay his respects in person.”
Mrs. Bennet, as if summoned by the very name, swept into the room at that instant, her cap ribbons fluttering. “Mr. Bingley? Calling here? Today?”
“He is here already, I believe,” Elizabeth said, nodding toward the drive.
“Good heavens!” Mrs. Bennet cried, clasping her hands. “Why did no one tell me sooner? Hill must be called at once. We have nothing prepared! Lydia, fetch Jane this instant; she must come down immediately. Lizzy, do stop that dog from barking or we shall seem a pack of savages!”
Elizabeth, suppressing a smile, stooped to calm Pippin, who wagged her tail as though she too were eager to greet the visitor. “Peace, Pippin,” she whispered. “You shall have your introduction later.”
But Pippin had other ideas.
Before Elizabeth could catch her collar, the spaniel darted toward the open door, her claws clicking on the polished floor as she disappeared into the hall.
Moments later came Hill’s voice from below. “Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, ma’am!”
Elizabeth froze halfway down the stairs.Mr. Darcy?Her heart gave an involuntary leap of startled disbelief.
She descended slowly to the drawing room, where Mrs. Bennet immediately began her most elaborate curtsey. Jane, serene and lovely as ever, stood beside her mother, while Lydia and Kitty whispered excitedly behind their hands.
Mr. Bingley’s countenance brightened as he bowed. “Mr. Bennet, it is a pleasure to meet you, sir. Mrs. Bennet, Miss Bennets, what a delight to see you again.”
After the introductions were made, tea was served, and the gentlemen took their seats.
“I have not yet called since taking residence in Hertfordshire,” said Mr. Bingley, “and since Mr. Bennet was absent from the assembly, I thought it proper to pay my respects in person. I persuaded Darcy to accompany me on the drive.”
“It is a delight to finally meet the man every mother in Meryton is talking about,” Mr. Bennet replied in his usual dry tone.
Elizabeth swallowed what should have been a laugh and looked at the man sitting beside Mr. Bingley. Darcy appeared grave, though with less of the chill severity she recalled. His greeting had been courteous and measured, not proud.
As they conversed, Pippin, who had been lying at Elizabeth’s feet, suddenly barked again, tail wagging furiously.
