Page 118 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

“We have done what we can.”

Elizabeth's fingers ached.

Georgiana flexed hers. “I hope I remember everything merely so I shall never have to read all of that.”

Elizabeth laughed. “I was thinking much the same.”

Darcy gathered the loose sheets into three separate piles. “You may both be grateful I insisted upon completeness when one of these letters prevents a catastrophe.”

* * *

Mrs. Radcliff entered the drawing room before Darcy could answer.

“Sir, did you receive an invitation from Mrs. Jacobs to dine tomorrow evening?”

“I did. I have not yet replied.”

“I have accepted for Mr. Radcliff, Papa, Lizzy, and myself. You must come. Everyone will wish to congratulate you.”

Georgiana brightened. “May I come, Fitzwilliam?”

“You were not included in the invitation, Georgie. You are not yet out.”

“Oh, of course. I forgot.”

Mrs. Radcliff went to her. “Soon, my dear. At fifteen, you are still a child, but at seventeen there will be more dinners and parties than you care to attend.”

Darcy promised to send his acceptance when he returned to Pemberley.

“I also have expresses to send today,” he told Elizabeth after Mrs. Radcliff had gone.

“I will write to Richard, and the Gardiners. And I shall send one for Bingley.”

“Mr. Bingley, sir?”

“Yes, I had a letter from him. He is in London, courting your sister. He is my closest friend, Elizabeth. I would rather he learn of my engagement from me than through neighborhood gossip, and I would like him here.”

Elizabeth began gathering the unused paper. “You may wish to tell him that Uncle Edward and Aunt Maddie, along with Jane, have also been summoned to Derbyshire, or he may be loath to leave London.”

Mr. Darcy laughed as he and Georgiana rose to take their leave.

Elizabeth accompanied them to the entrance and watched until the Darcy carriage turned the corner and disappeared from view.

* * *

The following evening, Elizabeth stood with the Radcliffs and Dr. Wynn in the drawing room of one of the neighboring estates while their hostess, Mrs. Jacobs, greeted Mr. Darcy.

He had called at Ashcroft earlier in the day, but they had not seen one another since. Elizabeth found that a single day of being engaged had already altered her expectations in an unreasonable manner.

She wanted to see more of him, alone if possible.

When he entered, Elizabeth watched him look around the room. His gaze found hers, and he smiled before his hostess claimed his attention.

He came to Elizabeth as soon as civility permitted and bent his head to speak to her.

“You look beautiful, darling.”

“Thank you, sir.”