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A grin forced its way onto Elizabeth’s face. “I thought we were already clear on that point, Mr. Darcy. You may call at your leisure, though my warning for Mr. Bingley remains in force. The moment my mother sees him, I cannot but suppose she will push him toward Lydia.”

Mr. Darcy appeared confused. “Your youngest sister? Is she not too young yet?”

“In my opinion, she is far too young and immature, but you must consider it from my mother’s perspective.

Jane, the most beautiful, is already married.

Mama also favors Lydia as her liveliest daughter and the one most like herself.

” Elizabeth grinned. “Unless you make your interest in me clear at once, my mother will consider you an excellent prospect for her youngest daughter.”

The theatrical shudder was so unlike the man’s usual behavior that it delighted Elizabeth. “By all means, we must avoid that possibility at all costs.”

Elizabeth nodded, but her earlier thoughts returned; Mr. Darcy appeared to see this, for he said: “What is it, Miss Bennet?”

For several moments, Elizabeth wondered if she should say what was on her mind. Then she decided there was no reason to refrain, for Mr. Darcy must know what he would take on if he was serious about pursuing her.

“My youngest sisters, Mr. Darcy. As you have already met them, their silliness and ignorance have not escaped your attention. They are not mature enough to move in society.”

Though Elizabeth might have expected the gentleman to deflect such blunt language, Mr. Darcy nodded without hesitation. “That, Miss Bennet, would be difficult to miss. Even Bingley, as amiable a man as I have ever met, has not overlooked it.”

“They require reform.”

“Or instruction,” countered Mr. Darcy.

“Yes, let us call it instruction. My mother is ill-equipped to provide it, and my father will not take the trouble. Perhaps I speak too soon, but should matters between us progress to where we may take an active hand, I would like to make the attempt. Jane and Richard will assist.”

Mr. Darcy considered that for several moments and nodded. “That would be advisable, for their situations will be more prominent with our union, such that they might reasonably hope for matches of some consequence.”

“Which would not be at all possible or their introduction advisable with their current behavior.”

“Very well,” said Mr. Darcy. “I have no objection. Which of your sisters would get on with Georgiana, do you think?”

“Shall we not introduce them and see what comes?”

“That may be for the best.”

Mr. Darcy fell silent for several moments and then ventured: “The weeks of our separation will seem interminable.”

“Yet, I suspect they will fly past with the speed of an albatross.”

“I shall hope very much that they do,” said Mr. Darcy, raising her hand to his lips again.

They exchanged no further words, for anything else was unnecessary.

Mr. Darcy placed her hand in the crook of his arm and led her out to the courtyard where the carriage waited to take her to Lambton.

All the company gathered there to see her off, and while Miss Bingley appeared put out she had delayed inside with Mr. Darcy, the sense of smugness soon came over her, such that she leered at Elizabeth, her expression knowing.

Elizabeth nodded in her direction, remaining pleasant to the last, knowing that Miss Bingley’s delusions were just that.

“Oh, Elizabeth,” said Georgiana, throwing her arms around her, “I shall miss you most cruelly. I shall count the days until we reunite.”

“As shall I,” said Elizabeth. “I hope you will be one of the party to come to Hertfordshire in September?”

“Nothing will keep me away,” averred Georgiana.

Then Mr. Bingley stepped forward and bowed over Elizabeth’s hand. “How pleased I was to become reacquainted with you, Miss Bennet. Look for me in September, for I have an estate in Hertfordshire I have neglected for too long.”

Elizabeth did not miss the annoyance mixed with determination from Miss Bingley, but she ignored the woman in favor of the man before her. “I shall anticipate it, Mr. Bingley. I hope you have not found only loss and despair from our meeting.”

The man’s smile faltered for the briefest of moments before it returned in full force. “At present, I cannot but suppose my losses are heavy, indeed. However, I shall become a better man because of them, hard though they are to bear.”

“That is all any of us can hope, Mr. Bingley,” said Elizabeth. She leaned in close and added: “When you come to Hertfordshire, beware of my mother, for she will remember she has three unattached daughters before you have had time to take a sip of your tea.”

Mr. Bingley laughed, a return of the joviality for which he was renowned. “Not four ?”

“Not if your friend has anything to say on the subject.”

“Then I shall wish him the best of luck, for I do not think he could find a more precious jewel.”

With that, Elizabeth stepped away, and Mr. Darcy helped her into the carriage, saying nothing—everything they must say had already passed between them. All that remained was for the gentleman to return in September, so they could discover the future that lay before them.

As the carriage shuddered into motion, Elizabeth could not help but look back, her eyes finding Mr. Darcy, noting his gaze on her, never wavering, as dependable as the passage of time.

Until the carriage moved beyond their ability to see each other, their eyes remained locked together.

And then Elizabeth knew how it would all end.

All that remained was for events to catch up to their shared hearts.

With that, Elizabeth was content, for she knew every good thing would come if she only had the patience to wait.