The Road to Pemberley by Marsha Altman Page A

see to the packing.” Darcy made a speedy exit.

    â€œMiss Elizabeth!” Bingley’s butler appeared surprised at her coming unchaperoned to Netherfield.

    â€œMr. Branson, might you tell Mr. Darcy that I am here?” She tried not to sound as nervous as she felt. She had done Darcy a disservice the previous evening, and Elizabeth had come to apologize.
    â€œI believe Mr. Darcy is in the library, miss. Shall I announce you?”
    â€œThat will not be necessary. I shall be only a moment,” she assured him and started down the long hallway. If Mr. Branson objected, he did not say so.
    Elizabeth hurried along, but the sound of male voices brought her up short. She knew she should not eavesdrop, but they spoke of her.
    â€œCaroline’s behavior was beyond the pale when she spoke disparagingly of Miss Elizabeth,” Bingley declared.
    â€œI agree,” Darcy added. “But what did your sister say that I myself have not thought? I am not angry with Miss Bingley. I am angry with myself for not considering Elizabeth’s inability to see Georgiana through a London season. Perhaps I will seek Lady Matlock’s sponsorship.”
    â€œYou cannot mean to ignore Miss Elizabeth? She will be your wife. If you ask the countess to shepherd Georgiana about London, your wife’s reputation will suffer.”
    Elizabeth felt the air being sucked from her lungs.
    â€œWhat can I do? By ton standards, Elizabeth is incapable of being a proper chaperone for Georgiana.”
    Elizabeth could bear to hear no more. She tiptoed away. Thankfully, no servants lurked about the halls. Elizabeth turned toward the nearest door. Within a minute, she had escaped the main house and was circling the greenhouse. Away from any prying eyes, the tears began in earnest. “What have I done?” Dejected, she sank down on an abandoned wagon bed.

    Thirty minutes later, the tears had lessened, and Elizabeth pulled herself together. “By the time I reach Longbourn, my face will have assumed its usual happy expression.” Determined, she set off at a steady clip. The sound of a carriage behind her made Elizabeth want to run away—and to pray it was Darcy.
    â€œMiss Elizabeth,” Hardesty said as he pulled up on the reins. “You are out early.”
    Elizabeth dropped a halfhearted curtsy. “I called at Netherfield…to spend time with Mr. Darcy’s sister.”
    â€œI see.” Hardesty eyed her with some curiosity. “And the gentleman did not steal the opportunity to spend time with his affianced? I cannot imagine a man of Mr. Darcy’s reputation allowing you to walk to Longbourn while he leisurely spent hours at Netherfield. Would you like a shoulder on which to cry, Miss Elizabeth?” he said boldly.
    â€œI fear that I have no more tears.”
    Hardesty climbed down from the carriage to take her hand. “Let me see you home, Miss Elizabeth. Remember, if you wish to speak of this, I am available to listen.”
    Elizabeth allowed him to help her to the gig’s seat. When he climbed up beside her, she graciously said, “Thank you, Matthew.”
    He smiled at her broadly. “You were always my favorite Bennet sister. Always full of adventure. Of spontaneity. Of a passion for life.” He set the gig in motion.
    â€œAll the things Mr. Darcy does not wish in a wife,” Elizabeth grumbled.
    Hardesty did not respond immediately. “I imagine that for a man of Mr. Darcy’s stature, spontaneity comes at a high premium. I am sure he plans each detail of his life.”
    Elizabeth added ruefully, “Probably schedules every minute of every day.”

    Hardesty leaned closer, as if sharing a secret. “And you are willing to accept such a life?”
    Elizabeth sighed deeply. “I am willing to share such a life because I am hopelessly in love with Mr. Darcy. My aunt Gardiner says Mr. Darcy wants for nothing but a little more liveliness. I had