Page 105 of What Change Entails

“We did arrange the shawl catastrophe.”

“True, but she cannot prove it.”

Georgiana’s lips pressed together helplessly. “No one could have predicted Horace running through the stream.”

“That improved matters.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “I begin to fear what encouragement at Pemberley has done to you both.”

“You are welcome,” Lydia informed her serenely.

Georgiana bent closer. “My brother and your sister did look rather…” She hesitated.

Lydia’s eyes widened. “Intimate?”

Georgiana flushed crimson.

“They did,” Lydia whispered triumphantly. “And we must accomplish it again.”

“Lydia!”

“What? We are assisting romance.”

“We are meddling.”

“Just a little.”

Across the table, Darcy lowered his letter very slowly. “I can hear every word.”

Lydia grinned at him without embarrassment. “Then you ought to be grateful.”

His expression suggested he was uncertain whether gratitude or alarm proved more appropriate.

They set out shortly before eleven beneath a sky still heavy from the rain two days’ prior. The roads remained damp in places, and the air carried the rich smell of wet earth and horses.

Miss Bingley maneuvered herself beside Darcy before the servants had even finished arranging the carriage steps.

Lydia saw it happen.

So did Georgiana.

The two exchanged a look.

“Oh no,” Lydia muttered.

Miss Bingley moved to secure Darcy’s arm and was speaking with determination about some acquaintance in London whom nobody cared about in the slightest.

Lydia acted instantly.

“Georgiana,” she announced loudly, “you promised to explain which pastry shop in Lambton sells the little sugared cakes.”

“I did?”

“Yes.”

Darcy faced them just as Lydia marched directly toward his carriage and climbed inside without waiting for assistance.

Georgiana followed, trying unsuccessfully to suppress her laughter. She settled onto one seat and left the place beside her empty.