Page 69 of Miss Bennet's Dragon
Her wings fanned, leaves and twigs whirled, and she was gone.
“Lizzy?” Charlotte’s voice was hesitant behind me. “The carriage is here.” My turmoil must have shown because she took my hand. “You have hardly spoken since we were at Rosings. Are you so angry?”
I had told her that Jane was unwell. But nothing of… everything else.
“Not angry with you. You have been a generous and wonderful friend.”
Her smile was relieved. “I greatly enjoyed your visit. I feared you would be bored with so little society.”
I laughed at that, which cheered me up. “I assure you I was not bored.”
“Will Mr. Darcy come to see you off?”
I kept my smile, determined to be amused. “I fear not.”
We walked to the front. The driver was loading my bags while Mr. Collins squawked inane advice.
Charlotte looked down the road. “Perhaps you were mistaken?” One of her ladyship’s carriages was approaching.
Although I knew it would not be Mr. Darcy, I was surprised when the footman unlatched the door and Lady Catherine descended. She frowned at my iron-barred carriage and clanged it with her cane before approaching.
“Lady Catherine.” I curtsied.
“So, you depart,” Lady Catherine observed.
“Yes, madam.”
“Whatever for? Mrs. Bennet could certainly spare you for another fortnight.”
“But my father cannot. He wrote to hurry my return.”
“Yourfather?What use has a father for daughters? If you will stay another month, it will be in my power to take you as far as London. There should be room for you, as you are not large.”
“You are all kindness. But I believe I must abide by my original plan.”
“Hmph. And where is my vexatious nephew?”
“Which one, madam?” I asked innocently.
“Darcy, of course. I was certain he would be here.”
Charlotte raised her eyebrows. I wished I had told her a little more so she could stop reminding me of how idiotic I was.
Her ladyship prodded open the door of my carriage with her cane. She peered inside, perhaps to ensure that Mr. Darcy was not hiding. “Did your father not send a servant?”
“I hired the coach myself.”
“You are travelingalone?Not through London, I hope!”
“I will not pass through London.” Because I was stopping in London. That was a false distinction, but it was none of her business.
“Very well. You will return in the autumn. Mrs. Collins will be glad of your company. I shall expect you at Rosings.”
I did not answer. Her ladyship drove off without noticing.
“Will you come back, Lizzy?” asked Charlotte softly.
“To you. Not to Rosings. We shall need a plot for that.”
