Page 33 of Master of Himself

They travelled in silence until the carriage entered the yard at the Blue Goose. “You’re right,” Charles said. “I’m starving.”

“So am I,” Darcy said as they alighted. “Go secure a table in the coffee room, and I’ll see to the horses.”

Darcy entered the stable and requested four fresh horses from the stable master. After examining the livestock, he approved and left Lockhart to see them properly hitched.

Upon entering the inn, he panicked at the sight of two men he knew from town.

“Darcy just cut me,” Lord Langston said in an indignant tone.

His travel companion gaped in shock. “No, not Darcy.”

Langston gestured behind him. “Just now, in the coffee room. Gave me the cut direct. Never more insulted.”

Good God. Darcy rushed into the coffee room and found Charles. “There’s no time to lose. Come with me,” he said, escorting him into the hallway. “You just cut a good friend of mine.”

“Oh Lord. I should have known something like this would happen.”

Darcy paused near the door. “The tall man in the blue coat is Lord Langston. Mr Oakley is in the striped waistcoat.”

Bingley rushed out to the yard. “Is that you, Langston?” Bingley said upon reaching the two men. “A thousand pardons. I swear I’m not myself before I’ve had my coffee.”

“Darcy, you old goat,” Langston said, shaking Bingley’s proffered hand. “Thought you seemed off.”

Charles motioned to Darcy. “Lord Langston and Mr Oakley, please allow me to introduce my good friend, Mr Bingley. We’re spending the shooting season at his new estate.”

Langston released a low chuckle. “Heard you were rusticating,” he said, then signalled to his driver. “My carriage awaits. A pleasure meeting you, Mr Bingley.”

Relieved that he had salvaged the connection, Darcy shook hands with both gentlemen. “The pleasure is all mine.”

“Good Lord,” Charles said once they had gone. “That could have been a disaster.”

Darcy cursed himself for failing to dissuade his friend from this venture. “There’s no telling who else we might run into here or in town. Let’s return to Meryton immediately and discuss our next plan.” After summoning Lockhart, they waited in the carriage for the horses to be hitched.

During the ride, Bingley admitted his impulsive decision to leave was a terrible idea. At least at Netherfield, they could avoid their acquaintances from town. In the same vein, Darcy admitted his mistake in suggesting they enter a public place where they might be recognised.

By the time they reached the Meryton Inn, they had devised a new plan to return to their true forms. After enjoying a hearty meal of eggs, ham, fresh rolls, and several cups of coffee, they returned to Netherfield where their reception was less than cordial.

“Where have you been, Charles?” Caroline said in an irritable tone. “You missed breakfast.”

“We went for a drive,” Darcy said.

“Shall I ring for two trays?”

“No, thank you.”

“You might have mentioned that you were going out.”

“We’re going out,” Charles said, then left the room with Darcy quickly following. They left the house through the side door and headed towards the brook.

***

Hurrying over the narrow path, Charles couldn’t get far enough away from the house.

“Wait for me,” Henry said, rushing after them. “What happened? You left me in a devil of a scrape.”

Charles winced at this. He hadn’t even considered his brother-in-law when he’d bolted from the house. “I’m sorry, Henry. It was a spur of the moment decision. I just needed some time away, but we used the time well and devised a plan.”

Henry followed behind them on the path. “The Bennet sisters’ presence made matters more complicated. Now that they’ve gone, we can devote our full attention to reversing the spell,” he said as they reached the brook and sat on the roughhewn bench. “What’s the plan?”