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E lizabeth sat in the coach opposite her father, trying not to look too unhappy.

This was not how she had imagined breaking her news to Jane and the rest of her family. But her father had been firm.

“I’m sorry, Elizabeth, that you are not content with me joining you at Netherfield. But I must meet Bingley before I can permit you to stay there.”

She tried to pull her mind to make things so pleasant that he would have no scruples about allowing her to stay. “What is it like, do you think, for people when you appear at their home without warning?” She smiled impishly. “A duke, no less!”

He frowned. “I am glad you can imagine it. It will be the same for you, no doubt, in future. A Lady, no less!”

A sudden thought came to her, and she tried to stifle an unladylike giggle.

Father’s eyebrows rose. “What did you think of?”

“Mr. Collins and his obsequious respect for his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Every other sentence was expounding on her condescension and pride.”

His eyebrows were still up. “You know she is Darcy’s aunt?”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Mr. Collins would not let us forget it, or that Mr. Darcy is engaged to her daughter, despite being told repeatedly that was not the case!”

“Lady Catherine is a formidable woman,” Father said with some amusement. “If she has decided on Darcy for her daughter, then he will have to have considerable strength of mind to escape the expectation.”

Elizabeth kept her expression as disinterested as possible. She must mask her dismay at his comment, and his unconscious air of relief.

She changed the subject. “So Papa has gone straight to Netherfield and will tell them that we are arriving, but not break the news?” She didn’t understand how this was going to be accomplished.

“He is Mrs. Bingley’s father and your papa, so I’m sure he knows the best way to do this. I hope you would not otherwise wish us to appear totally unannounced?”

Elizabeth shook her head slowly. What she wanted above all else was to get there unannounced, but on her own, in one of her old country dresses. She hid a grin; perhaps she could even be covered in mud.

“I think it will work,” he said placatingly. “I will go with the gentlemen to the library while you talk to your sister.”

Elizabeth hoped so. She looked out of the window. Five more minutes and then she would know.

She hurried up the steps and straight to Jane, who took her hand. They would have fallen into each other’s arms, but Jane was clearly very anxious. “Who is he, Lizzy?” she whispered. “Why is he here with you?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll explain everything in a minute, as soon as they go into the library,” Elizabeth whispered back.

“Library? Why does he want to talk to Charles? Is there a problem?” Jane sounded increasingly frantic. “I ought to be with my husband!”

“No.” Elizabeth took a firmer grasp of Jane’s hand, and pulled her towards the drawing room. She glared behind her at the gentlemen, and shut the door as soon as she could.

“But, Lizzy! Papa said he’s a duke!” Jane sounded near to tears. “I am not being a good hostess.”

Elizabeth embraced her. “It doesn’t matter, Jane. It doesn’t matter. I don’t know what Papa has said to you, but it doesn’t matter. Everyone here is family, so ceremony is not expected.”

“Family?” Jane sat up straighter. “Lizzy, you’re making even less sense than Papa did.”

“Take a few deep breaths, Jane. Tell me what Papa said, and then I can explain the rest.”

“It’s all so muddled, I can’t credit it,” Jane wrung out her handkerchief, but she sat up straighter. “All right, Lizzy, you have a lot of explaining to do.”

Elizabeth smiled. “That’s better. So what did Papa say?”

“He reminded me of the time when you were about five, when you asked why you looked so different to all of us. Do you remember? You were very young.”

Elizabeth nodded. “Remind me, though.”

“He told us you were the orphan of a distant cousin, and the family wanted you brought up with joy within a settled family, so we’d adopted you.”

“Did he say any more than that today?” Elizabeth squeezed her sister’s hand.

Jane looked at her askance. “He said you’d discovered that you weren’t an orphan, and then he said the Duke of Lancaster and you were arriving here soon.

And you have just said everyone here is family.

” Her voice was high and disbelieving. “Is that where you’ve been, Lizzy, and not with Aunt Gardiner at all? ”

Elizabeth dropped her head. “I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you, but they said if I couldn’t keep the secret I wouldn’t be permitted to return here.”

Jane’s hand tightened in Elizabeth’s. “I suppose that must have been difficult. But you could have told me , at least.”

“Papa said he’d know if I had, as you wouldn’t be able to hide your anxiety for me.” Elizabeth glanced up, not troubling to dash away her tears.

Jane looked steadily at her. “I admit I’m hurt, Lizzy. But you know our bond as sisters means we cannot stay at odds for long.” She drew herself up. “But, the duke. What is he to you?”

Elizabeth drew a deep breath. “He is my father.”

Jane’s hand jerked out of her own, and her shocked expression made Elizabeth jump to her feet. “Don’t be like that, Jane. I am still me, even if I do outrank Lady Catherine de Bourgh!” She waggled her eyebrows, and Jane laughed, despite herself.

“That’s better.” Elizabeth dropped back into her seat and wound Jane’s arms around her. “I have missed you so much. And he wouldn’t let me come here alone and explain in my own good time.”

“Why is that?” Jane seemed puzzled.

“He said he must meet Mr. Bingley before he can let me stay here. He’s so over-protective.” Elizabeth sighed, relaxing into Jane’s embrace, and returning it herself. “But I know he will be reassured by the good nature of your husband. Oh, I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you too.” Jane gave her a squeeze. “Don’t think you’re done explaining, mind you. But it is enough for now.” She pushed herself free of Elizabeth’s arms, and crossed the room to ring the bell.

She ordered tea, and that the gentlemen be informed once it had arrived, and then returned to the sofa.

“So, tell me about the duke, Lizzy. Everything you know, so I can be a proper hostess.”

That afternoon, they made their way to Longbourn. Papa had left earlier, in Mr. Bingley’s chaise, and Elizabeth wondered apprehensively what he would have said to the family. She held Jane’s hand tightly under the cover of her coat, although Father was as observant of her as was Papa.

“Be strong, Elizabeth. I’m sure your papa has a good whisky in his library to occupy my attention while you talk to your family.”

She smiled briefly. “Thank you, Father.”

Jane squeezed her hand. “I must warn you, though, Lydia and Kitty may be quite discontented if Papa has ejected the officers before this meeting. They do spend a lot of time at Longbourn, and Mama encourages it, too.”

“Oh, dear. I doubt Lydia will like that.” Elizabeth stole a glance at her father, who was wearing his stern expression. The sooner they arrived the better.

Mama was suitably awed and quite unable to speak at the honour of meeting a duke, but her two youngest sisters glared petulantly at them.

When Father and Papa moved towards the door to go to the library, Mr. Bingley looked apologetically at Jane, who smiled. “I will be quite all right, Charles,” and he dipped his head at her, and left the room with an air of relief.

As soon as the ladies were alone, Mama started. “You are such a clever girl, Lizzy! If you really don’t mind him being so old, then it is a good match, and you will be a duchess!” Her handkerchief fluttered excitedly.

“Mama!” Elizabeth and Jane’s words came together.

“No, Mama. You have it completely wrong. The duke is my father. You know I was adopted.” Elizabeth had to get her mother’s attention. “Tell me you have heard. He is my father.”

Mama blinked at her. “So why didn’t Mr. Bennet tell us? If I’d known you were a Lady, we would have had more standing in the town as you grew up.” She began to look annoyed. “How long has your papa kept the secret from us? It is not right, not right at all.”

“You know now, Mama.” Elizabeth crossed to her mother’s side. “I’m happy you can know. I want to be able to tell you about the season and the balls I have been to, and all my news.”

“Oh, yes!” Lydia bounced up. “Jane, you’ll have to get your Bingley to hold a ball to celebrate this.” She was definitely overexcited. “You’ll like the officers, Lizzy, and I’ll let you dance with them all. But you can’t have Wickham, or Denny. They’re mine.”

“Both of them?” Elizabeth raised her eyebrows.

“No, of course not!” Lydia and Kitty giggled together. “I’m just keeping them guessing.”

Elizabeth and Jane exchanged expressive glances. It might be that Father’s school idea might happen sooner rather than later.

“So, are they quite proper?” Elizabeth asked Jane. “It seems wrong if they are here outside the normal calling hours.”

“Oh, nobody bothers with that here, Lizzy!” Lydia giggled. “They look so fine in their regimentals. Even Mama likes a man in a red coat.”

Mama fanned herself. “I admit I do. But, Lizzy, if your father is a duke, we ought to get the girls presented. You can introduce us, and my girls could meet proper regular soldiers, perhaps even colonels.”

Elizabeth looked at her. “Perhaps we can. But Papa will decide when they are old enough and ready to be presented.” She must encourage them to behave better.

“Just think, when Father is ready to introduce you, you’ll have many new gowns, and a ball for the occasion. But I cannot persuade him if he feels you will not behave in a manner suitable to be under the patronage of a duke.”