Page 58 of A Most Beloved Sister
Without stopping to knock, she burst through the doors into the study, where she knew she would find her brother ensconcedwith Darcy. “Charles,” she cried, waving the letter, finally allowing her elation to burst forth unrestrained, “I have the most excellent news!”
Bingley—who was standing at a table with Darcy, looking over maps of the acreage around Netherfield—looked up at his sister. “Caroline’s engaged?” he exclaimed.
“What? No!” She laughed. “But you soon shall be!”
She laughed at his dumbfounded expression and handed him Mr. Bennet’s letter. Darcy stood at Bingley’s side, reading over his shoulder. As Bingley’s grin grew, so did Darcy’s frown.
“I shall ride to London for the license immediately!” Bingley declared. “Darcy, can you write me a letter of introduction to the bishop? And stand up with me when I return? I suppose I’ll also need to draw up the betrothal documents, if for nothing else than to say that I don’t need any dowry.”
“Are you certain, Charles?” Darcy asked.
Bingley’s face darkened. “I thought we had finished this conversation.”
Darcy held up his hands. “I simply wanted to ensure that your feelings and wishes had not changed.”
“They have not.”
Darcy held Bingley’s gaze for a long, measuring moment. “In that case, I will come with you and introduce you to the bishop myself.”
“But—”
“I need to check on my sister. If I am to stay here until I stand with you, I will need to see her. We have never been apart for this long before.”
“I wasn’t aware you had a sister,” Mrs. Hurst said with some surprise.
“Not many people are,” he said curtly.
Mrs. Hurst bit her tongue against the multitude of questions that arose within her. Instead, she said, “Speaking of sisters, youshould probably speak to ours while you are in London, Charles. Caroline has had enough time to make a decision.”
“I certainly shall. I will leave within the hour and return in two days—perhaps three, depending. Will you be all right in my absence?”
She hesitated, then nodded. “I shall remain with Miss Elizabeth to tend to her sister as needed, even through the nights, until your return.”
“If Gilbert has any issues with that, remind him that he is welcome to return to his own estate at any time he desires.”
Silence, then, “Very well. Thank you, Charles.”
She pressed her hand down on the slight bulge under her gown, silently saying a prayer for her brother’s safe return—not just for Jane’s sake, but for the safety of herself and her unborn child.
Chapter 16
Darcy entered the front door of his house on Grosvenor Square, exhausted and dirty. The butler, Jenkins, looked at him with wide eyes.
“Mr. Darcy! We did not expect you, sir. I’m afraid—”
He waved his hand wearily. “Not to worry. It was a sudden decision to accompany Mr. Bingley to town. I will only be here for a few days. Hawkins will not even be joining me, so I will need a footman’s assistance whilst I am in residence.”
“Very good, sir.”
“Where is my sister?” Darcy asked as he removed his hat and gloves before passing them on to a waiting footman.
“I believe you will find Miss Darcy in the music room.”
“Excellent. Thank you, Jenkins.”
As he made his way down the long corridor towards the back of the house, the faint chords of a somber tune slowly marched their way towards him. His shoulders slumped as he recognized the mournful notes of Beethoven’s funeral march sonata on the death of a hero.
It was hardly the typical piece a young lady of fifteen would choose. But then again, Georgiana was far from typical in every sense of the word.
