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E lizabeth tried to see out of the coach window where they were, but she did not know Hertford, and sat back. She would have to wait.

Her father looked amused. “Of course, it is a while since you have seen him.”

She nodded. “Does it discompose you, Father, that I call him Papa? As I call you Father and am proud to be your daughter, I hoped I may still call him Papa, given that Mr. Bennet would seem so formal.”

Her father thought for a moment, and her heart sank. She thought Papa would be as upset as she was at the thought there would be more formality between them and a loss of the felicity they once had.

“Well, I suppose the habit is ingrained now,” her father said slowly.

“But many young ladies from the first circles call their fathers Papa , and this could still prove to be a confusion. However, may I suggest a compromise? You can be free to address him as Papa when in private conversation when with family, and refer to him as Papa Bennet on other occasions. Does that meet with your approval?”

She knew her eyes shone, and clasped her hands together. “Oh, thank you so much, Father. I am sure it will mean as much to him as it does to me.”

The coach slowed and began to turn into the Lone Swan Inn. “Oh! Are we here?”

Her father nodded. “We have met here regularly over the years. It’s not too far for him to travel, but far enough away that he is not seen with me.”

“You have both taken prodigious care of me. I am grateful for it.” She tipped her head to look at him.

“I remember seeing you as a visiting gentleman when I was very small and staying at Gracechurch Street. Was there a particular reason why you made the decision to tell me who I was when I was fourteen, rather than maintain the secret?”

Father nodded ruefully. “You were growing up, my dear. Your papa and your aunt both said to me that it would be at about that age that most young ladies began to take an interest in youths and some began to fancy themselves in love. It seemed prudent to ensure that you knew who you were, so you would not feel any sense of infatuation if some man should find out who you were and persuade you run away with him, either for a ransom or to gain your fortune through forcing you to marry.”

“I am surprised you felt I might not divulge the fact when in the throes of imagined affection,” Elizabeth laughed lightly.

“We felt you were sensible, but we had plans in place in case that happened. You would have had to come to town earlier. But you justified our faith in you, my dear.”

A groom opened the door and set down the step, and her father climbed down and turned to offer her his hand.

As she climbed down, Elizabeth looked round eagerly, and Father smiled. “I believe he will be waiting inside — we have tried not to be seen too obviously together — and I omitted to tell him you would be with me. I thought he might enjoy the surprise.”

Elizabeth laughed and turned impatiently for the door.

She waited until they were shut in the private parlour before she greeted Papa. “Oh, it’s so good to see you again. I was really happy when Father suggested I join you today.”

Papa dashed his handkerchief over his eyes. “Get along with you, my dear.” He bowed over her hand. “You look very lovely today.”

Elizabeth leaned forward and kissed his forehead. “No formality when we’re alone, Papa. I couldn’t bear it.”

“But we’re not alone,” he pointed out reasonably. “I would not care to offend His Grace.”

“We discussed it in the coach, Papa. I have his consent when we are with family, and will call you Papa Bennet when with other people, too.”

Papa turned to her father. “You are extremely generous, sir.”

Father nodded. “I am indebted to you for assisting to keep my daughter safe all these years. But come, I see the refreshments are arriving. We have business matters to discuss.”

Elizabeth turned to her chair, moving it a little further from both men, and listened carefully, determined not to give her opinion until she was asked for it.

Father began the conversation, and she was amused that Papa was perfectly polite, but without a hint of subservience.

She wondered if that was why the Bennet family had been chosen to host her during her childhood.

She wondered vaguely what her life might have been like in a different family, but knew her close bond with Jane might never have been replicated with another sister.

She pulled her mind to the room. Father was still speaking to Papa.

“I think it very likely that young Darcy might have written to his friend already, and am concerned about it. Would you think this Bingley and your eldest daughter might be able to withhold the knowledge from everyone?”

Papa frowned in thought. “I am not sure, Your Grace. It is more likely I can be confident that, given now Jane is mistress of Netherfield, his infernal sisters are unlikely to have called; but if there is the slightest chance that they have had the news, then it will be all around the town as we speak.” He looked up.

“I know you will not to wish to write to Mr. Darcy. Do you wish me to write and explain that we would wish him not to inform Bingley, if he hasn’t already? We may be anxious about nothing.”

Father shook his head, heavily. “It is a tempting thought, but Elizabeth is anxious to be able to correspond freely with her sister and Mrs. Bennet. We must plan for the information to be shared.”

Elizabeth’s heart jumped. At last she could be free of this secrecy. It seemed a weight had been lifted from her.

Papa smiled at her as if he could sense the lightening of her spirit. Then he turned back to Father.

“Very well. So we need to think of her security — and that of my family so they do not disgrace you or Elizabeth.” He sighed heavily.

“It is a great pity that we have a militia regiment posted to Meryton. Most of the officers are very young, and Lydia and Kitty are blinded by their gaudy regimentals to think there could be no higher delight than to make fools of themselves.”

Father frowned. “You are still having your daughters supervised by the extra staff I sent?”

“I am, although once the young men discover our connections, Lydia, in particular, could fall for their blandishments, if the man flatters her enough to try to get access to Elizabeth.”

“I won’t fall for it!” Elizabeth said fiercely.

Both men turned and looked at her. “Elizabeth, no one doubts you,” Father said. “But if your youngest sister causes a scandal, then the taint may well spread to you. I know you do not wish to cut off all association with the Bennet family.”

“Oh.” She sat back in the chair. “No, I would not like to do that.”

Father turned back to Bennet. “I’m aware Longbourn has limited servant space, but I could send more footmen, to ensure the younger girls are less able to escape supervision?”

“I would be grateful,” Papa nodded.

“Elizabeth,” Father turned to her. “I know you miss your elder sister as well as your papa. How would it be that when you went into the country, you stayed at Netherfield, and just visited Longbourn with her? Netherfield Park is considerably larger, and easier to make secure.”

He turned to Papa. “Might that be acceptable?”

The conversation continued, and Elizabeth listened with only half her attention. Her other thoughts were taken up with the thought of visiting Netherfield, staying there with Jane.

It would be different, of course. Jane would be in the master suite with Mr. Bingley, and Elizabeth alone in the guest wing. But they would still have great deal of opportunity to be together.

Her heart beat faster. What if Mr. Darcy came to stay? She pushed the hope away. She would have to return to London immediately, of course, or Father would not trust her again with any freedom.

She wondered gloomily if she might ever have the chance to discover if she and Mr. Darcy could be friends, then brightened a little. They could dance at balls, and perhaps Father would come round to accepting that he was not to be blamed for the loss of her mother.

But Father was still talking. “Perhaps we ought to have a reserve plan in place. Would Mrs. Bennet be amenable to a suggestion, if it was worded carefully, that her youngest daughters might benefit from a finishing school? We can find a school that takes young women in who are in need of learning proper manners and behaviour.”

“I expect we could gain Mrs. Bennet’s approval — until she realises they will be away from home,” Papa answered, his cynicism apparent. “But let us hope you do not have to incur such expense, and our plan works.”

He sat back and looked at Elizabeth. “Is the plan for you to arrive and tell people, or will you inform us officially by letter?”