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I t was another two days before Elizabeth finally sat in her uncle’s old coach, bound for Longbourn. Sitting on top were four extra footmen, ostensibly hired by Uncle Gardiner at Papa Bennet’s request, to protect all his daughters from the militia.

She hid a smile from the maid travelling with her. Lydia would not be happy. But Father had been determined.

“They will protect you when you are out and about, Elizabeth. And by seeming to be for all the Bennet daughters too, it will take the attention from you. One other benefit is that the family will also be protected from themselves so there is less chance of any scandal reaching the ears of society.”

She leaned forward and looked out of the window.

One part of her regretted leaving London.

Father was going north, to call upon her mother’s sister.

Together they would begin to plan Elizabeth’s entrance into society when the season was underway in the new year.

She wanted to go too. But Jane was at Longbourn and needed her.

She sat back and drew out the letter she’d received yesterday.

Dearest sister,

I’m so happy you’re able to return. I’m happy our little cousins are recovered enough for that. Aunt must have been so glad to have had your assistance.

Elizabeth could almost hear Jane’s gentle laugh.

Your story-telling ability is the only thing that would have kept the boys in their beds, I know. Please thank Aunt for letting you return so soon.

I ought not to need you so much. I know you love being with our aunt and uncle, but I need to have your arms round me and the comforting words you can whisper in my ear. Only you will do, Lizzy.

But I must try to be strong. I wish Mama would not keep on about Mr. Bingley’s perfidy in leaving Netherfield so precipitately. I am sure she does not think how much it pains me to listen to his name being mentioned so much.

I know you will be able to comfort me and help me to be myself again.

Elizabeth wasn’t convinced of it; she was quite as angry with Mr. Bingley as Mama was. He had almost certainly been persuaded to stay in town by his sisters — and Mr. Darcy.

She frowned. That gentleman was taking up far too many of her thoughts lately.

But he must stay away. She didn’t want to be summoned to town again because he was back, even though she was certain he had not divined who she was.

She sat back, the letter forgotten on her lap. Aunt Gardiner had been very helpful over the past two days.

“You’ll have to forgive your father, Elizabeth. Although I know that from our perspective, it must seem that he is a stubborn man who cannot admit he was wrong to hold such a grudge for so many years.”

“But he was, wasn’t he?” Elizabeth had tipped her head to one side, thinking.

“Such bitterness must eat into a person’s very soul.

” She huffed a laugh. “And while I don’t like Mr. Darcy, he must have been less than ten years old at the time.

” She made a face. “And, to be fair to him, he appears an honourable man.”

Aunt had nodded. “The fact that Lady Althea passed so suddenly implies to me that even the presence of a physician would not have been able to save her. It was a tragedy, but His Grace had to cast around to lay blame somewhere to assuage his feelings of guilt that he wasn’t there.”

“Oh.” Elizabeth had accepted her aunt’s words, but had returned to the topic the next day.

“How ought I help Father accept that I am here, and it will make him happier if he may let go of this grudge?”

Her aunt had kissed her. “Always the peacemaker, my Lizzy. Be yourself, my dear. Let your joy and youthful gaiety help him gradually to let go of the past. Don’t try too hard to reform him, just let it happen.”

Elizabeth watched as the coach turned off the Great North Road onto the road for home. Only half an hour, and then she would be back in the noisy, chaotic place she had always known as home.

Jane would be there. And Papa. There would be time in the future to meet her mother’s family.

It had taken a week, but finally, it seemed that the strangeness of having the extra footmen and the new maid had stopped attracting so much attention.

Papa had been firm. “I have decided you girls have run wild long enough. While some of those boys in red coats are amiable enough, they are none of them to be trusted. No.” He raised his hand. “Lydia, you will not be out and about in the same way you were.”

Lydia had scowled. “Who did you speak to in Hertford, Papa, that made you so stern? You want to ruin my life!”

“Oh, yes, Mr. Bennet, my dear! My Lydia — all my girls — are good girls. They ought to be allowed to enjoy themselves.” Mama leapt to the defence of her youngest daughter.

Papa had raised a sardonic eyebrow. “I’m happy you say they are good girls, Mrs. Bennet. If that is so, it will be no hardship for them to enjoy themselves with the footmen with them, will it?”

She had been silenced, and Elizabeth smiled at the memory. It was as well Papa had seen Father in Hertford the day before she returned, and they had concocted this story of Papa wanting to protect his girls and ordering footmen to be employed.

Only Lydia had expressed surprise that Elizabeth hadn’t objected to being followed on her walks out in the country. “I would have thought you would say you didn’t need protecting, Lizzy. You always say you like to be alone.”

Elizabeth had shrugged. “They walk well behind me, Lydia. And if Papa deems it necessary, I am not so babyish as to object — and not so ill-mannered as to have anything to hide!”

Jane had looked at her in surprise, and returned to the topic that evening in her chamber. “I am surprised at you, Lizzy. You do not often try to goad Lydia like that.”

Elizabeth sighed. “If only she would stop complaining about it, Jane.” She dropped onto the bed beside her beloved sister.

“That she still objects makes me concerned what she was actually doing with the officers that she could not do while being observed.” She looked at Jane’s stricken face.

“I, for one, am glad that she will no longer be at risk of ruining us all.”

“You don’t think she was actually …” Jane seemed lost for words.

“I had not thought it at all before this, Jane. But why else would she still be objecting so strongly?” Elizabeth went over to the window. “And why else would Mr. Bingley’s sisters and friend be so disapproving of his paying you his addresses?”

The next morning, Papa had another surprise for them all. He waved a letter from the head of the table. “I want all you girls to be at home this afternoon, as we have someone calling upon us.”

His manner was sardonic, but the underlying amusement made Elizabeth raised a brow at Jane, who had also caught the undertones.

While the rest of the family were loudly competing to guess who the visitor would be, Elizabeth regarded him thoughtfully.

Finally, he held up his hand. “You have had your amusement long enough. About a month ago I received this letter; and about a fortnight ago I answered it, for I thought it a case of some delicacy, and requiring early attention. It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases.”

A month ago! Elizabeth tightened her mouth. He would have known about this before he discussed her return with Father and the new protection they had been afforded.

She listened with growing astonishment as he read such a letter as she had never imagined, and after breakfast followed him into his book room.

Papa waved her into the opposite armchair. “You’ve come to discuss our cousin with me, I’ve no doubt, my dear.”

Elizabeth glanced at the door and lowered her voice. “Did you tell Father about this relation’s visit?”

His eyebrows went up. “I shouldn’t think he’d be in the least bit interested.

” He leaned forward. “But I will admit that knowing of his coming inclined me to be anxious for your return. I believe I shall need your sense of humour and light-heartedness, as his letter gives me a little cause for concern.”

Elizabeth huffed annoyance. “You mean amusement, I think. I have never heard such pomposity and servility within every sentence as he expressed.”

He laughed. “You’re right, my Lizzy. I look forward exceedingly to seeing him in person.”

She shook her head. “And trying to puncture that sense of self-importance with the odd well-aimed barb, no doubt.” She rose to her feet. “If I am to be here for four o’clock, then you will have no objection to me walking out this morning?”

“Not at all.” Papa reached for his book. “You, at least, have caused me no grief by accepting your shadows.”

“No,” she said quietly. “I know they are needed for his peace of mind.”

She climbed quickly, knowing the footmen had been chosen for their strength and stamina as well as their imposing appearance. But they remained behind her, scrupulously proper, and she could pretend she was alone, as she preferred.