Elizabeth could not help but wonder what this decision had actually cost Bingley. Several times during the course of the afternoon she had to purse her lips tightly together to prevent from asking him, “What does Mr. Darcy think of this?” or “Is Miss Darcy terribly hurt?” She had never divulged information to Jane about Mr. Darcy’s actions in convincing his friend to doubt her affections. No, she would do nothing to lessen the joy that Jane felt now having been reunited with the man she had continued to love since he departed Netherfield.

Elizabeth prolonged her stay as long as possible, knowing that when she said good-bye to Jane, it would be for several months. As they hugged one last time, Elizabeth whispered into her sister’s ear, being able to honestly say, “I leave you in good hands, my dearest sister. If not for this most pleasant circumstance, I would be distraught, knowing we are to be separated by so many miles and so many months. But I leave content, knowing that you are truly happy again.”

Elizabeth felt a shudder course through Jane, knowing her parting words had wrought mixed feelings in her sister and evoked some tears. But she knew that while there were a few tears shed for her departure, they were mingled with many more tears of joy for Mr. Bingley’s return.

After saying their final, lengthy, and very emotional good-byes, Elizabeth left, knowing that the only thing that might bring her back sooner would be a wedding. Elizabeth’s heart filled with joyous anticipation of that thought.

She smiled almost the whole way back, her mind and heart more at ease than they had been in a long time. She was not only leaving her sister in a good situation, but she was returning to the country, where the fresh air and miles of good walking would leave her refreshed. Now that Jane was happy, she could look forward to leaving London and all that had transpired here the past several weeks.

She had greatly missed Longbourn and life in the country since coming to London. While she had enjoyed it at first, she had come to long for her lengthy walks across fields and up Oakham Mount. She knew not what the Willstones’ manor or surrounding area would be like, but she looked forward to having some time to explore it.

* * *

When Elizabeth returned to the Willstones’, she was met with about as much joy as she had left at her aunt and uncle’s home. Rosalyn and Mr. and Mrs. Willstone were in a very animated conversation in the sitting room when she walked in.

Not wishing to disturb them, Elizabeth peeked her head in and wished them a good evening, then proceeded toward the stairs to go up to her room. Rosalyn rushed out and asked Elizabeth to join them for a moment.

With eyes as bright as her smile was wide, she said, “Come, we have some very exciting news.”

Elizabeth knew that whatever the news was, it could not surpass in excellence all that had come to pass this day. She walked in and joined them, eager nevertheless to hear what it was that had Rosalyn so vibrant.

Mr. Willstone greeted Elizabeth and then nodded at Rosalyn with a teasing twinkle in his eye. “So are you going to tell her or should I?”

The way Rosalyn clasped her hands and looked at her with such joy on her face, Elizabeth was quite sure what… or at least who… this was all about. “You will not believe what happened today. I am sure you will be just as amazed as we all were.”

“I cannot imagine, Rosalyn. What happened?”

Looking first to her sister, then to Mr. Willstone, Rosalyn finally turned to Elizabeth. “The Darcys were at services this morning. Mr. Darcy and his sister joined us directly afterward, and we talked about our journey to the country in a few days and their departure on the morrow.”

Elizabeth nodded, feeling somewhat apprehensive, but encouraged her to continue.

“You will not believe this! I cannot believe this!” Her face grew flushed and she fanned herself demurely with her hand. “Mr. Darcy and his sister have invited us to come to Pemberley!”

Elizabeth was stunned into silence. “Your family will be going to Pemberley?” she finally asked.

“All of us! For a fortnight! You included, of course.”

“No!” Elizabeth exclaimed abruptly, her brows furrowing in astonishment as she attempted to make out what this meant. “I mean, surely you are jesting, are you not?”

“She is not jesting. It is true,” Mrs. Willstone answered as she looked at her sister and smiled. “Rosalyn could not be happier.”

Rosalyn leaned toward Elizabeth with a conspiratorial glint in her eyes. “They know the regard I have for him. They had guessed all along.” She let out a slight giggle as she said, “And here we thought we were keeping such a good secret between ourselves!”

“Hmmm,” Elizabeth said with a compulsory grin, still wondering how all this transpired and why.

“Mr. Darcy has invited some men to join him for several days of hunting,” Mr. Willstone explained. “Miss Darcy is going to entertain the ladies. I dare say I have always wanted to see Pemberley. I have heard so much about it over the years from Lorraine’s family.”

Rosalyn reached over and touched Elizabeth’s arm. “Is this not the most exciting news?”

“I cannot find the words to express my feelings,” Elizabeth said honestly. “It is all quite… astonishing.”

Mr. Willstone leaned back in his chair, planting both arms firmly on the armrests. “I do not believe Mr. Darcy customarily invites people to Pemberley that he does not know intimately. This comes as quite a surprise—and an honour—to us!”

“And Miss Darcy,” chimed in Mrs. Willstone, “is so quiet and shy. We were quite pleasantly surprised by her wish to entertain the ladies while the men are out. This may perhaps be her introduction to hosting a small party.”

Mr. Willstone nodded. “Now, we have cautioned our Rosalyn not to look upon this with too much expectation.” He looked over at her and winked. “But with the attention Mr. Darcy has paid her recently, we cannot help but hope that he has formed an attachment to her and wishes to further their acquaintance.”

Elizabeth looked over at Rosalyn, studying her features. She was indeed very pretty. Her manners were pleasing, and she had a very engaging personality. Pushing down a myriad of feelings that were beginning to rise, she answered, “I know of no reason why he should not.”

Elizabeth’s words could not have made Rosalyn more happy and herself feel more confused.

After allowing Rosalyn sufficient time to express how this might just be the opportunity for all her hopes and dreams to be fulfilled, Elizabeth looked at Mrs. Willstone. “Under the circumstances, I feel somewhat awkward trespassing upon Pemberley. After all, Mr. Bingley forsook Miss Darcy for my very own sister. I cannot believe that she or her brother would wish me there. Do you suppose they are under the misapprehension that I will not be accompanying you?”

The Willstones looked at each other. “We had not thought of that, dear,” began Mrs. Willstone.

With her hands folded in her lap, Elizabeth began to nervously intertwine her fingers together and suggested, “Perhaps it would be best if Emily and I went on directly to your country home, instead.”

“If I recall correctly, Miss Darcy seemed most pleased to extend the invitation, and Mr. Darcy assured us that we were all invited,” Mrs. Willstone continued. “I believe he may have even mentioned your name. I would not fret, my dear, as you will most likely be tending to Emily most of the time. Why, you may hardly see Miss Darcy or her brother at all!”

For some reason, those words of assurance left Elizabeth even more unsettled. She knew, and rightfully so, that her position of governess would prevent her from socializing with the family at Pemberley as she had recently become accustomed to doing here.

“I understand your meaning, Mrs. Willstone.”

“Elizabeth,” Mrs. Willstone looked at her with compassion. “You know we dearly love you and have been thoroughly elated at the friendship you and Rosalyn have developed, but… taking into consideration the stature of the Darcys and Pemberley… well, we must act in a way that is deemed appropriate.”

“Certainly.” The smile that formed on Elizabeth’s face was forced and not one that came from her heart.

The subject of conversation then turned to the logistics of their travels. They would depart in two days for Northamptonshire, where Rosalyn and Lorraine’s brother now resided. After spending two weeks there, they would take their greatly anticipated detour to Derbyshire and Pemberley, where they would stay an additional two weeks. Finally, and for Rosalyn most likely reluctantly, they would depart Mr. Darcy and Pemberley and travel to the Willstones’ manor in Nottinghamshire.

Later that evening, after discussing the details—and all the possibilities—of their stay at Pemberley, Elizabeth went to bed with her head in a whirl. She truly wondered why Mr. Darcy would have extended this invitation to the Willstones, knowing it would likely include her.

Miss Darcy would certainly not want her there as a constant reminder of Mr. Bingley forsaking her for Jane. This scheme that everyone in this household looked upon with great anticipation was for Elizabeth a most disconcerting prospect.

A stray thought played around Elizabeth’s mind that perhaps Mr. Darcy had some vengeful plan to punish her. Perhaps he did wish to pursue Rosalyn, and he would do it all before Elizabeth’s eyes. He would make sure she knew exactly all that she had turned down. He would ensure that she would come to regret the very words she uttered against him.

“No,” she said aloud softly. “I do not believe him to be that sort of man.” She did not know why, but she felt with a certainty that it was not in his nature to resort to that manner of behaviour. At least she hoped that it was not.