Chapter Twenty-Seven
Tomorrow night we will have the Emersons here for dinner, Darcy.
The eldest daughter married last Season, so the next daughter will be introduced to society this coming Season.
Miss Emerson is considered likely to be one of the jewels of the Season, and you are fortunate to have the opportunity to meet her before she is introduced to the ton at large. ”
“I will not be here tomorrow night, Aunt,” Mr. Darcy returned.
“Whatever do you mean?”
“Only that tomorrow I will go on to Hertfordshire, as I intended to do when I first arrived here.”
“What! But why?”
“I just feel that it is time, nothing more,” Mr. Darcy said. This was not quite the truth, but he was not about to show the Countess the message he had secreted in his right coat pocket. “I shall instruct Durham to begin packing.”
“Darcy, this is truly unreasonable of you –“
“No, Aunt, I have been very reasonable indeed, as I have met any number of young ladies at your behest. I shall give each and every one of them due consideration while I am at Netherfield Park with Bingley.”
Knowing she had lost the battle, the Countess finally gave in. “Safe travels, Darcy. Do write to me on occasion, will you?”
“I will, of course.” He bowed to her, and then took the stairs two at a time to his bedroom to give orders to his valet.
If Miss Bennet was ready to return home, then her relationship with Mr. Stanford had quite evidently run aground.
***
“What do you mean, you are going home with Mr. Darcy?” Mrs. Gardiner frowned at her niece, hands on her hips.
“I sent him a message.”
“You sent a message to Matlock House?” Her aunt was scandalised.
“Yes.”
“So improper! I cannot believe it of you, Jane!”
“I know, but you have told me more than once that Susan is to be trusted.”
“And you used my own maid! What if she had been seen?”
“But she was not, and I just received a reply.” Jane reached into her skirt pocket and gave her aunt a small piece of folded paper.
I am ready to assist you, Miss Bennet. I shall be at your relatives’ house at eight o’clock in the morning. My valet will ride on top of the coach, and I will take my own horse, so the carriage will be entirely yours.
F. Darcy
“Well, at least he has considered the proprieties of the situation,” Mrs. Gardiner grumbled.
“I am sorry, Aunt, truly; but I could not wait, knowing that my sister is in such turmoil.”
“I understand, my dear. Oh, how I wish things had worked out differently with Mr. Stanford!”
“I have no regrets on that point at all, Aunt, so I beg you to have none, either. I am everything grateful to you and Uncle for hosting me these many weeks. And I suppose I should add that I am also grateful that you have been so generous with my family in the past.”
“I wish we could do more…”
“No, Aunt. It is time for the Bennets to stand or fall on their own.” Jane spoke firmly, but she was a-quiver inside. What would it mean, if the Bennets could not find the three thousand pounds that were evidently so desperately needed? Would the estate be leased out? Where would the Bennets go?