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“Are you listening to me?”

Elizabeth shook her head to remove the tormenting image. “Yes. Yes, I am listening.”

“Then you agree that Fitzwilliam is too much the gentleman to let you leave, even if it is to protect himself. That makes it imperative that we leave before he suspects anything or, God forbid, Georgiana finds us out. We must leave at daybreak.”

Elizabeth blinked, trying to stave off the tears. The woman was right about one thing—Fitzwilliam would never let her go, even to save himself.

“Daybreak? Yes, we should leave at daybreak. I shall inform Mrs. Reynolds that you are staying the night and that I will be accompanying you to the Ingram’s home very early tomorrow. I shall not have my things packed, which would raise suspicion, but bring only a few things in my valise, which you can put with your bags.”

“Excellent plan!” Cecile declared with relief. “By the time our story is proved false, we shall have a good head start to Liverpool. I only hope that by the time someone suspects we are gone for good, they will have no idea as to the direction in which we are headed.”

Cecile concealed her unbridled happiness as she stood and moved to pat Elizabeth’s arm. “I am heartened that you have listened to my counsel. After all, we are both only trying to protect Fitzwilliam.”

Elizabeth stood to leave. “Mrs. Preston, I am not as naive as you believe. I know that your concern is strictly for yourself.” Then she walked to the door, stopping to address her once more. “I shall inform Mrs. Reynolds to prepare a room.”

Cecile fumed as she watched her rival quit the room.

At least I was not pretending to be his cousin!

~~~*~~~

Chapter 34

Pemberley

The next morning

With a heavy heart, Mrs. Reynolds stood on the front portico until the coach carrying Mrs. Preston and Miss Elizabeth was completely out of sight, disappearing down the long drive and seemingly into the surrounding forest. She was well aware that Mr. Darcy would not be pleased when he learned of Elizabeth’s trip, but she had done her best, reminding her charge that the master would not want her to leave Pemberley while he was away. Nonetheless, her warning did nothing to dissuade the determined young lady.

Oddly, the housekeeper had begun to feel anxious the moment Miss Elizabeth had announced that she was going to accompany Mrs. Preston to the Ingram’s residence that morning. Something about Elizabeth’s demeanour was unsettling. Last evening she had been so excited at the prospect of a letter from Mr. Darcy that she had rushed downstairs to greet Mrs. Preston personally. In the morning, when asked if Mr. Darcy had mentioned when he might be coming home, Elizabeth had sounded oddly despondent when she had replied that he had not.

In addition, Mrs. Preston’s feigned interest in Elizabeth’s company was not in any manner believable. The housekeeper had not spent years observing the women who tried to impress Mr. Darcy without becoming quite adept at identifying the cunning ones, of which the Widow Preston was a prime example. It pained her greatly to see Elizabeth keeping company with a woman who obviously still fancied Mr. Darcy for herself.

Realising that she had been staring at nothing but the trees since the coach had travelled completely out of sight, Mrs. Reynolds steeled herself not to worry. After all, worrying never changes anything except the number of grey hairs on my head.

Turning back to the house, she noted Mr. Walker waiting at the ornate front entry, a frown evident on his face. She tried to put on a smile as she stepped over the threshold, and he closed the heavily carved door soundly behind her.

“I do not like the looks of this,” Walker offered sourly as he glanced about to make sure no other servants were within the sound of his voice.

Mrs. Reynolds met his eyes in equal disapproval. “Nor do I, but what could I do, other than to remind Miss Elizabeth of Mr. Darcy’s express instructions that she remain here until his return. At least they are only going as far as Rosewood Manor.”

“Mr. Darcy will not hold you at fault. I heard your warnings, and you tried to make her realise the danger of leaving the estate. Yet, I cannot help but feel a strange uneasiness at her accompanying that woman. There must be a reason, other than friendship, that would compel the widow to take an interest in the young miss. For my money, the old hen still fancies the master for herself.”

Mrs. Reynolds chuckled at his words before promptly sobering at the truth of them. “I am afraid that I heartily agree with your assessment. I shall not feel at ease until Miss Elizabeth is safely returned this evening.”

Then trying to put a pleasant perspective on the situation, she added, “But on the other hand, perhaps a visit with Miss Georgiana, I mean Mrs. Ingram, will cheer her. Miss Elizabeth has been in poor spirits since the master left and much the worse since Mrs. Preston’s arrival. I pray she will be back to her usual cheerful nature when she returns.”

“I trust that will be the case, as well. It pains me to see the young miss with a frown on her lovely face. Now, I suppose I should get myself busy and try not to dwell on what could happen in the few short hours she will be away.”

Exchanging wan smiles, the long-time servants turned and went in opposite directions.

Pemberley

That afternoon

In the early afternoon, a carriage carrying Evan, Georgiana and Millie Ingram pulled to a stop in front of Pemberley. As the Ingrams disembarked, they were certainly in good spirits. They had come expressly to cheer Miss Elizabeth, as seeing Millie always improved Elizabeth’s frame of mind.

Evan descended the carriage first, reaching back in to take Millie from his wife’s lap and then set her gently on the ground. While he was thus engaged, a footman assisted Georgiana from the carriage. Then each parent took one of Millie’s hands and turned to ascend the steps three abreast. Almost immediately, they encountered Mrs. Reynolds, who was already coming down the steps at a quick pace—the look on the housekeeper’s face instantly alerting them that something was amiss.