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But at the back of the crowd, elbowing her way through, a female journalist called her name. Elizabeth stopped and Darcy stopped as well.

The woman seemed familiar. “Don’t I know you?”

“ We went to some of the same suffragette meetings together. I’m Nellie Winston , Morning Chronicle . Here’s my card.” The young woman was all business, even down to her smallish bicorn hat, which enabled her to navigate through this sea of men without losing it.

“ I’ll telephone you as soon as we get settled and give you an interview if that suits?

” She looked up at Darcy, who wore an expression of pure scepticism, and then turning to Miss Winston, she was greeted with a quiet nod and a knowing grin.

The rest of the journalists fell away as they reached the gate that separated the passengers from the welcoming crowd.

They were barely through it before Lizzy spied Kitty, hopping about and waving.

It had been her. She had to relinquish Darcy to Georgiana, who had her arms around his waist, hugging him close.

Lizzy was immediately surrounded by Jane, her mother, and Kitty.

Everyone began to talk at once. Lizzy felt quite overcome, and the tears that threatened were unrestrained the minute she saw the same running down Jane’s cheeks.

“ Oh, you don’t know what it did to my poor nerves, not knowing what had become of you,” her mother blubbered, snorting into her handkerchief.

“ Did you bring me anything from America?” Kitty was given a stern look from her mother for asking.

“ I’m so glad you are home, Lizzy… grateful… grateful you have been spared.” Jane’s words started a flow of tears again as her father stepped up. He gave her a tender smile, a quick embrace, then immediately coughed and stepped back.

“ Now, now, children. Enough of that. We must all hear the tale that you have to tell, Lizzy, and you must properly introduce us to your Mr Darcy. We’ve only met him briefly, you know…”

Lizzy peered through her throng of relatives to Darcy, who presently wiped tears from Georgiana’s cheek. Surreptitiously, he wiped away a few of his own.

***

Darcy detested emotional scenes such as this one, especially in public. He was grateful to Elizabeth for scattering the jackals of London’s yellow journalism but was not best pleased that the price of their freedom was bought with what they called in the trade as an “exclusive interview.”

The onslaught of Lizzy’s family temporarily separated them, but Georgiana instantly swooped him up in her embrace, one he welcomed more than he realised.

“ Thank God you’re alive. I thought I lost you…” She wept and it touched him to the core. It was times like these, of high emotion, that he could admit to himself just how much he loved his only sister.

“ I’m sorry I worried you.”

“ It doesn’t matter now—you’re home.” She clung to him, squeezing him hard, then leaned back to study him. “And you brought Elizabeth. Your wife….” She grinned as she wiped away a tear. “I always wanted a sister.”

“ Now you have five… all the Bennet sisters.”

She laughed and threw her arms around his neck. “I’m so glad you’re home. So glad.”

“ Darcy… Darcy …” An imperious tone cut its way through the crowd. Most people, including Darcy, turned to see his aunt scanning the crowd. Lady Catherine’s imposing presence brought silence as she stood like a great bird of prey, complete with a crown of feathers thanks to her resplendent hat.

“ Aunt,” was all he said and took a few running steps towards her. She stood a good head shorter than he, but was so commanding a presence, she always seemed monumental. Now, despite her gruff manner, she appeared tiny and fragile, as if she might shatter if he touched her.

Lady Catherine looked almost alarmed as he reached her.

He knew that he shouldn’t hesitate and threw his arms about her, kissing her quickly on the cheek, and her bird-like hands fluttered against his back.

She stepped away quickly. “For goodness’s sake, Darcy, what a display…

in public, no less.” Her face bore a tender aspect that she remedied the second she realised he had seen it.

“ Ladies and gentlemen,” said Mr Bennet.

“You are all invited to join us at the Dolphin Hotel. Mrs Bennet and I invite you to dine with us in celebration of the homecoming of our dear daughter and son-in-law.” There was a moment of silence.

Before Lady Catherine gathered her wits again to speak, Darcy intervened.

“ Splendid. On behalf of my wife, my aunt, my sister, and myself, I thank you for your gracious hospitality.”

There was nothing Lady Catherine could do. She thanked Mr Bennet for the kind invitation, but it amused Darcy to see her arch her brow at him, as she took her chauffeur’s arm. As he watched her go, a hand touched his shoulder.

“ Didn’t think I’d get a chance to welcome you home myself, old boy.”

Darcy spun around.

“ Bingley.”

Giving him a wide a grin, Bingley offered his hand and Darcy took it.

“ Gave us all quite a fright.” Bingley didn’t let go for a long moment, but neither did Darcy.

“ I’ll endeavour not to do so in the future,” Darcy said playfully, but Bingley’s jovial expression slipped.

Bingley rubbed his eyes and shook is his head. “Must be the fog got in my eyes.”

Good old Bingley. Darcy had missed him so much and endeavoured to lighten the mood. “I hear you are to be married soon.”

Bingley took a breath and the lighthearted aspect that so characterised his friend returned to him immediately. “Yes, next week. You’ll stand up with me, won’t you…? Best man and all that?”

“ I’d be honoured.” Darcy offered his hand again, and Bingley shook it. He rather wanted to embrace him, but… no, that wouldn’t do.

The Bennets began to move down the pier, and Elizabeth and Jane smiled at each other as they remained behind. “Gentlemen…” Elizabeth took Darcy’s arm, and Jane took Bingley’s.

“ I don’t know about you, but I’m famished,” Bingley said. It was just the right thing to say. Darcy could see the rosy tint about Elizabeth’s eyes and knew this reunion was an emotional time for all of them.

As they walked along, arm in arm, he laid his free hand upon hers. “Glad to be home?” “So glad to be home.”