Page 148 of A Most Unwelcome Acquaintance

“Miss Bennet. Miss Elizabeth. How kind of you to come so soon after receiving the note.”

Elizabeth looked toward Georgiana. “It was a difficult invitation to resist.”

Caroline’s expression did not alter, but her fingers tightened around the curtain before she released it.

“Mr. Darcy is not with you?” Jane asked.

Georgiana glanced toward the door. “I thought he was with Mr. Bingley.”

Bingley had followed the sisters into the room. “Not since breakfast. He left the library before I went to the stables.”

“He promised to ride with me after luncheon,” Georgiana said. “Perhaps he has gone to speak with your steward.”

“Most likely.”

The uncertainty concerned no one. Darcy moved through Netherfield without accounting for each hour, and the addition of Georgiana and Anne had given him several reasons to speak with servants, order horses, or arrange rooms.

Caroline crossed to the tea table.

“You must take something before we walk. The ground remains damp, and Miss de Bourgh should not be kept outside long.”

“I am capable of deciding when I am tired,” Anne said.

Mrs. Jenkinson shifted beside her but did not contradict.

Caroline poured tea for Jane without asking whether she wanted it. Jane accepted the cup but Elizabeth declined, though Caroline had reached for another.

“We need not delay,” Georgiana said. “Anne wished to see the east lawn.”

“The south path will be drier,” Caroline replied.

Bingley looked toward the windows. “The east lawn receives more sun.”

“It also bears the marks of the work carts.”

“They have not crossed it since yesterday.”

Caroline set down the teapot. “Then the servants may not have cleared the path.”

Louisa raised her eyes from the embroidery. “The path was clear when I looked from my window.”

A silence followed, small enough to escape notice if Elizabeth had not been watching Caroline. There was no open disagreement in Louisa’s face, but neither was there the usual indulgence.

Caroline smiled. “Then we have no obstacle.”

Sarah appeared beyond the terrace door when the party entered the hall. She rose at Elizabeth’s approach, shook the damp from her paws, and waited.

Georgiana came down the steps first. “May I call her?”

“She may not come.”

“I should like to try.”

Elizabeth showed her the slight movement of two fingers she used when Sarah’s attention was already fixed. Georgiana repeated it. Sarah looked at her, then at Elizabeth.

“You may,” Elizabeth said.

Sarah crossed the short distance and stopped beside Georgiana.