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Chapter Fourteen

The approach to Netherfield looked exactly as Elizabeth remembered, the familiar drive lined with stately trees now shedding their autumn leaves in a gentle golden shower.

Yet everything else had changed. She sat now in her husband’s elegant carriage rather than her father’s modest gig, Darcy beside her and Georgiana opposite.

Her heart quickened not with the nervous anticipation that had marked her previous visits to this house, but with genuine pleasure at the prospect of seeing Jane again.

“We have arrived,” Darcy observed, reaching across to take her hand. “Are you prepared to face the Bingley sisters once more?”

Elizabeth smiled, squeezing his fingers in return. “I believe I can weather their particular brand of hospitality with equanimity now.” She glanced toward Georgiana, who watched the exchange with quiet interest. “It is Georgiana I worry for. Caroline Bingley can be rather… overwhelming.”

“I shall be perfectly fine,” Georgiana assured her, though her fingers played nervously with the ribbon of her bonnet. “Between you and my brother, I doubt I shall be required to say much at all.”

The carriage rolled to a halt before Netherfield’s imposing entrance. Elizabeth watched as Bingley himself appeared at the door, hurrying down the steps with his characteristic eagerness. His smile was as warm and genuine as she remembered, his manner as open and friendly as ever.

“Darcy! Mrs. Darcy! Miss Darcy! You have arrived at last. I cannot tell you how delighted I am to welcome you to Netherfield again.” He assisted Elizabeth from the carriage himself, bowing over her hand with perfect courtesy. “Mrs. Darcy, you look remarkably well. Marriage clearly agrees with you.”

“Thank you, Mr. Bingley. It does indeed.” Elizabeth accepted his greeting with genuine warmth. “We are most grateful for your invitation.”

“Not at all, not at all. It is entirely my pleasure. I have so looked forward to your visit.” Bingley turned to welcome Darcy and Georgiana with equal enthusiasm.

As they moved toward the entrance, Elizabeth felt Darcy’s hand at the small of her back, a light touch that conveyed both support and affection.

Such subtle displays still had the power to warm her heart, even after months of marriage.

Together they followed Bingley inside, where the elegant entrance hall appeared much as she recalled, though perhaps with a few additional ornaments that suggested Caroline’s continuing influence on the décor.

“You must all be fatigued from your journey,” Bingley said, ushering them toward the drawing room. “I have had tea prepared, and there is a pleasant surprise awaiting you, Mrs. Darcy.”

Elizabeth had scarcely crossed the threshold of the drawing room when she spotted a familiar figure rising from a chair near the window. “Jane!” she exclaimed, all formality forgotten as she crossed the room in swift strides.

Jane met her halfway, enfolding Elizabeth in a warm embrace.

“Lizzy, how wonderful to see you.” When they drew apart, Elizabeth studied her sister’s face eagerly.

Jane looked well, perhaps more settled in herself than Elizabeth remembered, her gentle beauty enhanced by a certain quiet confidence that had not been present before.

“You look wonderful,” Elizabeth said, still holding Jane’s hands in her own. “Truly wonderful.”

“As do you,” Jane replied, her eyes bright with genuine happiness. “Marriage has brought a glow to your countenance that is most becoming.”

A pointed clearing of the throat interrupted their reunion.

Caroline Bingley had risen from her seat on the sofa, her tall, thin figure impeccably gowned in the very latest London fashion.

“Mrs. Darcy,” she said, emphasizing the title with just enough inflection to suggest she still found it remarkable. “How delightful to see you again.”

“Miss Bingley,” Elizabeth acknowledged with perfect civility, refusing to be baited. “I trust you are well? And Mrs. Hurst too, of course,” she added, noting Bingley’s other sister hovering nearby with an ingratiating smile.

“Oh, Mrs. Darcy, we are all excessively well,” Louisa Hurst replied before Caroline could speak, moving forward to take Elizabeth’s hand with unprecedented warmth.

“And so very pleased to have you visit Netherfield again. And Mr. Darcy too, of course. And Miss Darcy! What a pleasure to have the opportunity to become better acquainted.”

Elizabeth observed with some amusement how Mrs. Hurst’s attention immediately shifted to Georgiana, who stood quietly beside her brother.

The elder Bingley sister’s eagerness to curry favour with the Darcys was utterly transparent.

Caroline, meanwhile, had composed herself sufficiently to offer greetings to Darcy and his sister, her manner toward them markedly more pleasant than that she had shown Elizabeth.

“Miss Darcy, how you have grown since we saw you at Pemberley,” Caroline observed, her voice taking on the honeyed tone she reserved for those she wished to impress. “You must be nearly ready for your come-out in London.”

“Not quite yet,” Georgiana replied softly, her eyes seeking Elizabeth’s for support. “My brother and sister think it best to wait until the spring, as I have only just turned seventeen.”

“Most wise,” Caroline agreed, though Elizabeth noted the slight narrowing of her eyes at Georgiana’s reference to her as “sister.” “One would not wish to rush into society too young. So many... unfortunate things can happen to girls who enter society before they are properly prepared.”

The pointed remark hung in the air, its target unmistakable. Elizabeth felt rather than saw Darcy stiffen beside her.

“Indeed,” Elizabeth replied calmly, offering Caroline a pleasant smile. “Fortunately, Georgiana has had excellent guidance from her brother and Mrs. Annesley. And now that she and I have become such dear friends, I hope to offer what little wisdom I possess as well.”

Jane, ever the peacemaker, smoothly intervened. “Shall we sit? The tea will grow cold.”

They arranged themselves around the room, Elizabeth taking a seat beside Jane on a small sofa, while Darcy and Bingley stood near the fireplace.

Georgiana was led to a chair near the Bingley sisters, a placement that Elizabeth watched with some concern, though Darcy’s reassuring glance suggested he would keep a watchful eye on his sister.

“Tell me, Jane,” Elizabeth said, accepting a cup of tea, “have you been staying here at Netherfield?”

“Oh no,” Jane replied. “I came especially to see you arrive. Mr. Bingley was kind enough to send the carriage for me this morning.”

“Most kind indeed,” Elizabeth agreed, noting the slight colour that rose in Jane’s cheeks at the mention of Bingley’s name. She wondered whether Jane’s feelings for him remained as strong as they had once been, or if the disappointment of the previous year had tempered her regard.

As the conversation flowed around them, Elizabeth observed the dynamics of the room with interest. Bingley’s attention constantly returned to Jane, his expression brightening whenever she spoke.

Caroline, having failed to engage Darcy in exclusive conversation, had turned her attention to Georgiana, whose quiet responses and occasional glances toward Elizabeth indicated her discomfort.

“And how is your family, Mrs. Darcy?” Caroline asked suddenly, her voice carrying across the room with deliberate clarity.

“We were so surprised to hear of your youngest sister’s.

.. hasty marriage. To a Captain Wallace, I believe?

A military man, like Mr. Wickham, though I understand the circumstances were rather different. ”

A hush fell over the room. Elizabeth felt Jane tense beside her, but maintained her own composure with remarkable ease. A year ago, such a comment would have flustered her; now, she found it almost amusing.

“Captain Wallace is indeed a military man of excellent character,” Elizabeth replied evenly. “He and Lydia are quite happily settled in York.”

“How fortunate,” Caroline persisted, with a thin smile. “Though one does wonder at the suddenness of it all. From courtship to marriage in such a short time...”

Elizabeth met Caroline’s gaze directly, aware of Darcy watching the exchange with concern. “Captain Wallace recognised my sister’s true worth immediately, as the best men often do with the women they come to love. Darcy and I are fully supportive of the match.”

She glanced meaningfully at Darcy as she spoke, and was rewarded with the slight quirk of his lips that passed for a smile in company. Caroline’s expression soured visibly.

“And what of your other sisters?” Mrs. Hurst interjected hastily, clearly anxious to smooth over the momentary tension. “Miss Catherine and Miss Mary, are they well? We must all call at Longbourn tomorrow, Charles. I long to renew my acquaintance with the Bennet family.”

Elizabeth nearly choked on her tea at this extraordinary revision of Mrs. Hurst’s previous attitude toward her family. Jane’s eyes widened slightly, the only indication of her similar surprise.

“I have not yet seen them as we came directly to Netherfield,” Elizabeth replied, recovering quickly. “We plan to visit Longbourn tomorrow morning. Perhaps you might join us?”

“Oh, that would be delightful,” Mrs. Hurst exclaimed, while Caroline looked distinctly less enthusiastic. “Would it not, Charles? A perfect opportunity to pay our respects.”

“Of course, of course,” Bingley agreed readily, though his attention remained fixed on Jane. “I have already called at Longbourn several times since my return to Netherfield, but I should be happy to accompany you all tomorrow.”