Page 121 of A Most Unwelcome Acquaintance

Relief transformed Caroline’s face before she mastered it. Elizabeth saw rank, authority, and correction arrive in her thoughts before Lady Catherine crossed the threshold. Louisa’s mouth tightened, though she said nothing.

Hurst folded his newspaper. “Is she staying?”

“No one has said,” Louisa answered.

“No one knows enough.”

Caroline bent to recover the spool, changed her mind, and left it where it lay. “Louisa, we must receive her in the drawing room. We cannot expect Lady Catherine to sit here.”

“The chairs have not changed,” Hurst said.

Caroline ignored him and moved toward the door.

Outside, Georgiana had seen Sarah before the carriage came to a full stop. The dog sat near the stable yard with her ears raised and her gaze on the house. Georgiana knew her from Darcy’s letters before Lady Catherine’s footman opened the carriage door.

A working dog and a flock of sheep.

The phrase returned with such force that Georgiana caught her breath. Miss Elizabeth Bennet must be inside Netherfield. The thought brought relief and dread in equal measure. She had wanted to meet the woman who occupied so much space in Darcy’s guarded letters, but not beneath Lady Catherine’s judgment.

Anne followed Georgiana’s gaze. “Is that the dog?”

Georgiana nodded.

Lady Catherine looked across the drive. “What dog?”

“The one my brother mentioned.”

Lady Catherine’s attention sharpened. “The girl is here.”

No one had said anything, yet the conclusion pleased her. Chance had placed the object of her journey within reach and spared her the need to seek Longbourn before dinner.

“She may have called upon Miss Bingley,” Georgiana said.

“But she is here.”

Anne rested one hand upon the carriage frame while the footman brought the step. “A call does not confer ownership.”

Lady Catherine descended without a word. Georgiana followed with Anne and Mrs. Jenkinson.

The groom beside Sarah bowed as the party crossed the drive. Sarah did not move, but her eyes followed Georgiana. The calm attention matched Darcy’s account of a dog that judged strangers before granting them trust.

Georgiana wanted to stop, but Lady Catherine’s pace left no room for it.

Caroline met them in the hall with Louisa beside her. Her welcome contained respect, surprise, and an appeal she had no right to make.

“Lady Catherine, this is an honor. We had no expectation of your arrival.”

“I sent no notice.”

“Mr. Darcy and my brother have gone out, but they should return before long.”

Lady Catherine gave the hall a survey. “Darcy has left you to receive callers without him.”

Caroline heard support in the remark and brightened. “We do what we can.”

Louisa greeted Georgiana and Anne before asking after the journey. Georgiana answered while Lady Catherine removed her gloves finger by finger.

“Who is with you?” Lady Catherine asked.