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“Since Lizzy has refused Mr. Collins, she owes it to the family to help Jane capture Mr. Bingley,” Lydia declared, almost daring Elizabeth to contradict her.

“I do not intend to capture anyone,” Jane said.

Lydia tipped up her chin. “Then Lizzy must do it for you.”

“I have never captured a gentleman either,” Elizabeth objected.

“You caught Mr. Collins,” Kitty said.

Yes, and she had thrown him back. “I assure you, his proposals were entirely without any encouragement on my part.”

“That is even better,” Lydia declared. “You can capture Mr. Bingley for Jane without any exertion at all.”

Elizabeth nearly spoke to defend herself, but it suddenly occurred to her that Lydia’s scheme had some merit. She could accompany Jane to the Gardiners’ house in London. She would have to suffer through the call on Miss Bingley that Jane would require. However, spending a few weeks away from Mamma while she bemoaned both Elizabeth’s rejection of Mr. Collins and Jane’s loss of Mr. Bingley might be the best outcome for all of them. She would be happy to help Jane, and she could do so while in company with her uncle and aunt, whom she quite adored.

“Perhaps Lydia is right, Mamma,” Elizabeth said.

Jane’s eyes narrowed as she listened to Elizabeth, but she did not say anything other than “Papa shall have to write to my uncle. It is possible they will not be able to accommodate us.”

“Not accommodate you?” her mother cried. “Of course they will! They must!”

“They may have made other arrangements,” Jane said. “We cannot simply assume that they will be able or willing to host us.”

“Your father must write at once,” Mamma said, standing and looking about her as though Papa might be hiding behind the settee. “Where is he? Why is he never present when he is needed?”

“Mamma, he is always in his study at this time of day,” Kitty said in a bewildered voice.

Her mother ran her hands down her skirt and sat again. “Go and fetch him, Lizzy.”

Elizabeth was not inclined to fetch her father from his books, but escaping this conversation did hold considerable appeal just now. Jane stood to accompany her, and Lydia and Kitty followed without being asked.

“You need not all come,” Elizabeth said as they crossed the hall. “Jane and I are fine on our own.”

“We wish to be there to hear what Papa will say,” Lydia told her.

“Very well,” Jane replied. “If that is what you wish.”

Elizabeth looked over her shoulder. “I do not⁠—”

Lydia had her head turned towards Kitty as she pretended to place an imaginary bonnet atop her head and tie the ribbon. She dropped her hands the instant she noticed Elizabeth watching.

Whatever was she doing?

Papa read Jane’s letter and then received the London proposal with greater composure than Elizabeth had anticipated. She knew he did not like to be separated from her or Jane for any length of time.

“So,” he said with a rueful smile, “Jane is to be sent to London so that Mr. Bingley does not forget she exists, eh?”

“That does appear to be the intent, Papa,” Jane said. “Though I shall not put myself in his way.”

“No, I would not expect it of you,” he said, raising one eyebrow at Lydia, who raised a hand to her heart and pretended affront. “And Lizzy, I suppose, must accompany her sister as a punishment for refusing to marry a fool.”

“Yes,” Kitty said.

“Exactly,” Lydia added.

“It is uncommon to find a punishment that suits the offender so well,” he said with a wink at Elizabeth.

“It need not be pleasant,” Lydia told him. “Lizzy ought to go in disgrace.”