Page 169 of A Most Unwelcome Acquaintance

Elizabeth reached beneath the table and pressed her hand.

Before Elizabeth went upstairs to change, Bennet drew Darcy toward the library door.

“I have no speech prepared,” he said. “Consider that my wedding gift.”

“I am grateful.”

“I shall ask one thing. Do not mistake Lizzy’s strength for a lack of need. She will not always tell you when she carries too much.”

Darcy glanced across the room, where Elizabeth stood between Jane and Georgiana.

“I know.”

Bennet followed his gaze. “Yes. I believe you do.”

By the time the carriages came around, the house had grown warm and loud. Elizabeth changed into her traveling dress, endured another embrace from her mother, and promised to write soon. Lydia and Kitty followed her into the hall with conflicting advice about marriage, and Mary brought the book Elizabeth had left in the drawing room. Bennet remained near the library door.

Elizabeth stopped before him.

“I suppose this is where I offer wisdom,” he said.

“You have offered enough to last until Christmas.”

“Then I shall save the remainder.”

She embraced him. Bennet held her for a moment, then released her before Mrs. Bennet could notice and turn the farewell into a family ceremony.

Outside, the air carried the first edge of winter. Sarah waited beside the Darcy carriage with a length of rope at her feet. Hill stood nearby, holding the end of it without conviction.

“Sarah knows you are leaving,” Georgiana said as she joined Elizabeth on the steps.

“She knows a carriage means movement. The distinction may not interest her.”

Sarah abandoned the rope and approached Darcy. Months earlier, he might have stepped aside to protect his coat. Now he held out his hand, waited for her to inspect it, then rubbed the fur behind her ears. Sarah accepted the attention before turning toward the open carriage door.

“It appears she intends to come,” Georgiana said.

“That was always her intention,” Elizabeth replied.

Darcy glanced from the dog to the carriage. “Will she remain inside once we begin?”

“No.”

“Will she attempt to direct the horses?”

“Not if they behave.”

He considered the answer, lifted Sarah into the carriage, and placed the rope beneath the opposite seat before she could claim it.

Elizabeth watched him. “You have improved.”

“I have learned to examine the evidence before reaching a conclusion.”

“You first saw me in a field with Sarah and concluded that I belonged among the livestock.”

“I concluded that you worked with them.”

“You concluded much more than that.”