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T he Bennets sent an immediate message to Netherfield telling them that Lydia had come home and was quite well.

Mr. Bingley and Georgiana were delighted; Mr. Darcy did his best to act surprised.

All professed their eagerness to welcome the youngest Bennet home, but understood that Miss Lydia would need a day or two before she would be ready for visitors.

That time passed slowly for Georgiana, who had become quite accustomed to visiting her “new sisters,” as she termed them, every day, but she understood that Miss Lydia needed a little time to be alone with her family.

“Poor Miss Lydia! What she must have gone through – I cannot imagine it!” Georgiana cried.

“You will be everything kind to her, I am sure,” Mr. Darcy said.

“Of course I will! And this means that you can marry Lizzy!”

Mr. Darcy could not help the wide grin that spread over his face. “We are all very grateful that she has returned to her family.”

“But how was she found? Have you any idea, Brother?”

Mr. Darcy thought it best to allow Lydia to tell her own tale. “We shall all hear the story when we next visit Longbourn, no doubt.”

“Is tomorrow too soon, think you?” Mr. Bingley walked into the room in time to overhear the last bit of the conversation. “Perhaps I should send a message to Longbourn, asking when it would be convenient for us to call on them. I know we must wait, but perhaps one day is enough!”

The Darcys agreed that this was indeed the best course of action. A message was sent at once, and a reply from Miss Bennet came an hour later, assuring Mr. Bingley that the Bennets would be happy to entertain guests on the morrow.

“Will you propose to Lizzy at last, Brother?”

“That is my plan, yes.”

***

That afternoon, Mr. Darcy spent two hours in the Netherfield library, working through the mail that had been forwarded to him from Pemberley to Darcy House, then Darcy House to Netherfield. In addition, he had a personal letter that had come directly from Matlock House.

Darcy,

I understand that my mother found your girl for you, with the help of Miss Kitty’s drawings. I thought I might pay you a visit at Netherfield. Expect me shortly.

Richard

Brow furrowed, Mr. Darcy showed the Colonel’s letter to Mr. Bingley.

“What does he mean by shortly?” Mr. Bingley enquired.

“It could mean tomorrow; it could mean within the hour. You are willing to host him?”

“Of course; I will alert Louisa at once.”

***

Mr. Bingley’s quick action in so doing saved Netherfield’s hostess from embarrassment, as the Colonel did, in fact, arrive just over an hour later. His room was ready for him, as was a substantial tea tray.

“I apologise for arriving without an invitation,” the Colonel said, bowing to Mrs. Hurst.

“You are very welcome,” Mrs. Hurst said. “You never need an invitation to visit Netherfield, Colonel.”

“You are most gracious, ma’am,” he replied.

Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley joined the Colonel and Mrs. Hurst in the drawing room. “I am surprised to see you, Cousin,” Mr. Darcy remarked.

“I hope the surprise is not an unwelcome one,” the Colonel returned.

“Of course not; but it is a surprise, nonetheless. Do you care to explain it?”

The Colonel glanced at Mrs. Hurst. Recalling that she was not aware of Miss Lydia’s situation, he simply said, “I thought I would give myself the pleasure of seeing you and Georgiana before rejoining my regiment.”

“Here I am!” said a voice from the doorway.

“Georgiana!” The Colonel stood as his young cousin came toward him, beaming. “I am delighted to see you!”

“And I you!” She went to him at once and was enveloped in his arms. “You look quite well, poppet; Meryton evidently agrees with you.”

“Oh, I have had a splendid time with the Bennets,” she said, cheerfully. She also glanced at Mrs. Hurst. “I see them quite frequently; we play the piano together and talk about – oh! – all sorts of things! It is almost as good as having sisters of my own.”

The Colonel stood. “I want to hear all about it, Georgiana, but I must first wash off the road dust. Mrs. Hurst, might I go to my room?”

Mr. Darcy said, at once, “Richard, it is the room next to mine. Mrs. Hurst, I will take my cousin up.”

Georgiana followed them, and once they were safely alone in the Colonel’s room, the Colonel said. “In addition to the pleasure of seeing you both, I thought I would have the privilege of seeing your most charming Miss Elizabeth.”

“She is not his yet,” Georgiana smirked. “He has not yet proposed to Lizzy.”

“Oh, Lizzy, is it?” the Colonel enquired, eyebrow raised.

“She is on a Christian-name basis with all the Bennet girls,” Mr. Darcy explained.

“Except Miss Lydia, as I have not yet met her,” Georgiana said.

“My mother wrote to tell me of her rescue; is she returning to Longbourn?”

“She has already done so,” Mr. Darcy said.

“We will go to Longbourn tomorrow to see her. But, Richard, I suspect there is yet another motive behind your visit.” He stared hard at his cousin.

“Your mother already told me that she wants to meet Elizabeth before we become engaged. I do not, however, intend to delay my betrothal for another minute longer. Does she not understand that we have waited long enough?”

The Colonel looked a little uncomfortable, but quickly said, “I am certain Miss Elizabeth will charm Mother into setting aside any doubts she has about you marrying an unknown country miss rather than one of the great heiresses she had in mind for you.”