Page 167 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Lydia interrupted and asked, “Do you suppose Mr. Bingley gives balls? If he takes Netherfield, he ought to give a ball.”

Mrs. Bennet readily agreed and began speculating upon everything a wealthy young gentleman might be expected to do once established in the neighborhood.

Jane moved to the chair beside Elizabeth.

“Are you certain you are well?”

“Dear Jane, I am perfectly well.”

* * *

After tea, Bingley looked through the open window toward the garden.

“You have a beautiful rose garden, Mrs. Bennet.”

“Oh, you must see it, Mr. Bingley. We have some very fine roses, though it is early for most of them. Jane, you must show Mr. Bingley the garden. And the hermitage. He ought to see that as well.”

“I should be delighted,” Bingley said. He looked to Jane. “If Miss Bennet is willing to walk out with me.”

Jane colored. “Certainly, sir.”

Bingley glanced at Darcy. “But you must come with us, Darcy. I cannot ask Miss Bennet to walk out with me alone.”

Darcy smiled and looked down at Elizabeth.

“Miss Elizabeth, will you walk with me and help keep my friend within the bounds of propriety?”

Elizabeth met his eyes. “It would be my pleasure, sir.”

The afternoon was mild, and the grass beyond the garden was scattered with the small wildflowers of May. Bingley and Jane went ahead, their conversation coming easily as they followed the path toward the rose garden.

Darcy and Elizabeth walked several paces behind them.

“Sir, I understand that it was very improper for me to write to you, but though we are no longer married, I still consider myself your wife.”

She drew the little gold chain from beneath her gown. An amber cross hung from it alongside his ring.

“You are always in my thoughts, Fitzwilliam.”

Darcy laid his free hand over hers where it rested upon his arm.

“I think only of you, Elizabeth. Everything I have done since my return has been to preserve our two families. Having that purpose made it easier to endure the waiting, not knowing whether you had crossed or whether you would remember me.”

“Yes, sir. That has also been my constant fear. But now you are here beside me, and I know that you remember everything. It is a great relief to me, sir.”

“I remember everything, Elizabeth.” His hand tightened gently over hers. “And I wish we could marry tomorrow and be together again.”

Elizabeth looked ahead to where Jane and Bingley were approaching the rose garden.

“What comes next, sir? You return to London tonight, and then?”

“The estate is good. I shall insist that Charles sign the lease before we leave.”

She smiled. “You intend to insist?”

“I do. And in two weeks I shall return with Georgiana, with or without Charles.”

Elizabeth laughed softly. “Very well, sir. I shall count upon it. And Georgiana? How does she go on?”