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“How I wish that was the thing to do, for I can hardly countenance being the cause of denying anyone’s pleasure. However, I feel far too wretched to even consider travelling by carriage.” She hugged her stomach. “Why, the very idea makes me nauseous.”

His face riddled with concern, Bingley drew closer. “Pardon me, ladies, but I could not help overhearing just now that you are feeling poorly, Miss Lydia. I shall not hear of your leaving. You must stay here at Netherfield until you are fully recovered.”

“Oh! No—Mr. Bingley. I should never dream of imposing upon your generosity in such a manner,” Lydia protested rather weakly.

“It shall be no imposition at all. We have more than enough room. I say it is the thing to do, especially as you suspect there may have been something about the meal that disagrees with you. It is my obligation to see to your comfort.” He placed his hand on Lydia’s arm. After glancing about the room, he returned his attention to her. “I do not see Caroline. I shall speak with my housekeeper myself in order that she might make arrangements for your stay.”

“You are very kind, sir. Do ask your housekeeper to place me in an apartment close to my dear sister Lizzy, for I am not at all comfortable with the notion of being separated from my family, even for a single evening. I shall find it most comforting knowing Lizzy is nearby.”

“Indeed, Miss Lydia. I comprehend your meaning perfectly, and I shall make certain my housekeeper is aware of your concerns.”

When Bingley was gone, Elizabeth crossed her arms. “Lydia, I suppose you are pleased with yourself.”

“Pleased, Lizzy? How might I possibly be pleased? I feel positively wretched.”

“If you insist.” Taking her sister by the arm, Elizabeth led Lydia to the chair closest to the parlour door. “Have a seat and wait here for Bingley’s housekeeper. I shall inform Mama that you will be staying the night.”

Elizabeth walked away, a gnawing sense of trepidation nipping at her heels. Oh, how her mother would delight in the idea of Lydia spending the night at Netherfield. Bingley was, after all, a single man with a large fortune and, if she knew her mother at all, her fondest wish for that evening would be that Bingley might take a second look at one of her unwed daughters. With Lydia being her favourite, Elizabeth suspected her mother’s reaction upon hearing the news would be perceived as more vulgar than concerned for Lydia’s well-being, assuming she truly was ill.

Moments later, Lydia followed the housekeeper up the stairs. When they were headed down the corridor of apartments, Lydia commenced the next part of her scheme. “As I told Mr. Bingley, the thought of being away from Longbourn for even one night is discomforting to me. If it is not too much trouble, would you tell me who is the occupant of each of these rooms in the event I awaken during the night and lose my bearings should I happen outside my apartment in search of my dear sister? I should hate very much to find myself out of place. Mr. Bingley did tell you that I wanted to be close to my sister, did he not?”

“Yes, ma’am. I believe you will find the room very much to your liking.”

“Which of these rooms belongs to Mr. Bingley?”

“That would be the room just up the corridor to our right.”

Looking ahead, Lydia counted at least four doors on the right. “I see more than one door. To which do you refer?”

“It is the third door, ma’am.”

Lydia had not noticed that the housekeeper was standing still. The elderly woman cleared her throat, garnering Lydia’s attention. “This is your room. Mrs. Darcy’s apartment is two doors down on the left, ma’am.”

Soon after the housekeeper had quit the room with assurances that a maid would arrive shortly to attend Lydia’s toilette, Lydia raced to the bed and landed upon it with a gleeful thump. That was so much easier than I ever supposed. My Wickham shall be so pleased. She rolled on her stomach and cupped her hands about her chin. Now, if carrying out the second and most important part of my scheme should prove half as easy as this, I shall be mistress of Netherfield Park in no time at all, for I shall insist upon a quick wedding. Lydia pursed her lips. I wonder if we might be married by special license.

Darcy and the colonel stood opposite each other in the billiards room after the Longbourn guests had departed and most of the household had retired.

“You and Anne seem to have grown closer since Kent.”

Richard said nothing as he contemplated his next shot. Once he was positioned to sink the ball in the corner pocket, he said, “Methinks the gentleman sees that which he wishes to see.” A knowing expression then accompanied a successful shot.

Slightly impressed with his cousin’s proficiency, Darcy studied the table in preparation for his turn. “On the contrary. I saw the two of you speaking rather intimately earlier this evening.”

“Actually, our dear cousin was admonishing me for what she perceived as interest on my part in the stunningly beautiful Mrs. Collins.”

“Pray you have done nothing to act upon your interest.”

“As of yet—no.”

“Hear me when I say this, cousin. You are not the friend I always supposed you were if you would seriously consider behaving in a manner that forces me to align myself with Geoffrey Collins.”

Richard huffed. “You feel that strongly about it then?”

“Is it not what I have been saying all along?” Darcy readied himself to take his next shot. “For heaven’s sake, Jane is my sister. I will not stand by idly and watch anyone cause her harm, and that includes you.”

“Fear not, my friend. If I did not realise it before, I certainly know now that Mrs. Collins is indeed satisfied with her husband. She is safe from me.”

“That is all I want to hear.”