Page 134 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

Jane bit her lip and grimaced. “I dare say nothing to her until the meeting is over. You know her excitable ways. When we tell her, I know I will make her so happy—my own heart is more full than I can say.”

“Has Mr. Bingley told his sister?”

“He said he would do so yesterday,” Jane said, appearing pensive.

“I would not be surprised to learn that Miss Bingley tried to convince him he should wait until he is older.” Lizzy would rip and tear at her if that happened.

“Do you think he should?”

Lizzy impulsively embraced her. “Silly goose. He will be older by the time you marry. Are you going to wait until the spring?”

“As you know, I have always longed for an early May wedding so I might carry bluebells in my bouquet. I have not changed my mind.”

“There you have it. You will both be six months older before you wed.”

Jane sighed happily. “I am so…so…”

“So in love?”

Jane laughed. “Yes.”

Their father’s hack was led out into the yard and talk turned to horses.

“Mr. Bingley said he bought a new hack that would be perfect for me,” Jane mentioned. “A mare. Will you look her over?”

“I will be pleased to meet her,” Lizzy said, beaming in anticipation. “It is a lovely morning, so I shall take the pony cart over to Netherfield directly.”

“Leaving me to wait alone in anxious anticipation for the result of Mr. Bingley’s meeting with our father?”

“You need not be alone. I know Lydia and Kitty have walked over to see Maria Lucas, but Mary must be about.”

“I think I saw her going to the music room,” Jane said, nodding.

“She will be pleased to hear your news,” Lizzy promised. “Excuse me while I have Apple placed in harness. Kindly ask Hattie to bring out my reticule, gloves, and driving pelisse.”

Jane agreed to this task and left her in the stables.

*

Jeffry winked out of his enclosure and arrived in Aunty’s bedroom, landing on her thick, fluffy comforter. She stared at him from where she sat up in bed, her arms folded.

“Report, please, Jeffry,” Aunty ordered, a twinkle in her eyes.

She is feeling better.

“Aye, I am. Thank you,” Aunty said. “Lizzy and Darcy?”

Jeffry’s whiskers twitched. “They had a fight, and then made up the next day.”

“Good. What did they fight about?”

“Darcy became angry with Lizzy because of fear. She was tending to their bull in the bull paddock—by herself.”

“Hmm,” she said, stroking her chin. “A reflex reaction. Typical. What about Mary?”

“Lizzy told Mary she should marry Dr. Oscar Gregg.”

Aunty laughed. “This Lizzy is a bold one.”