Chasing Elizabeth by Jennifer Joy

Author:Jennifer Joy
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9781944795320
Published: 2020-05-30T04:00:00+00:00

Soft gray light peeked through the edge of the curtain. Throwing off her blanket and wrapping it around her shoulders, Elizabeth ran out to the hall.

Mr. Darcy’s bedchamber door was open. The room was empty except for a packed trunk Wilson would no doubt take with him when he joined his master in town.

Mr. Darcy was gone. She was too late.

What a silly goose she was for hoping he would stay, or at least bid her farewell before he departed.

She shook her head. Foolish, foolish girl.

Only the day before, Mr. Darcy had narrowly escaped a bullet to the head, and she wanted him to stay at Netherfield Park? Of course, he had to leave! He had a henchman to catch and a reputation to repair. He had no time for a moonstruck maiden when his life was in danger. No wonder he had left so quickly! She would have done the same in his position. She would stop at nothing until she got to the bottom of the affair.

Hope fluttered in Elizabeth’s breast. That was it! Mr. Darcy had gone to London in pursuit of the henchman, but she was not useless. She had better ways of gaining information about Mr. Robson. She had Charlotte.

Feeling lighter now that she had a purpose, Elizabeth cheerfully tended to Jane. She was much improved, and it was not difficult for Elizabeth to suggest they depart for Longbourn on the morrow. Mr. Bingley was sad to hear it, but he was overjoyed that Jane was well enough to travel, going so far as to offer the use of his carriage, which Elizabeth accepted readily (knowing how unlikely it was that her mother would send theirs.)

Mr. Bingley, too, had improved. He offered to sit in the garden with Jane, claiming that the fresh morning air was just the thing to restore their strength. Elizabeth did not disagree with him. In her mind, sitting in the warmth of the sun in a blooming garden was just the thing to encourage their blossoming affection.

While Miss Bingley and the Hursts showed signs of improvement, none of them felt strong enough to venture out of doors. Pity that, thought Elizabeth sarcastically.

Given her activities, the morning mercifully passed, and Elizabeth left Jane to rest while she walked to Lucas Lodge.

Charlotte was embroidering in the drawing room, the picture of an accomplished lady. Sir William would be proud.

“Good afternoon, Lizzy. I am glad to see you. Is Jane any better?” Charlotte set aside her white work.

“She is. We plan to return to Longbourn on the morrow.”

“Before a full week has passed? What will your mother say?” Charlotte asked with an impish grin.

“She would have refused us the carriage had I asked her to send it. Mr. Bingley offered his, and I gladly accepted.”

“Very sensible of you.” The arch in Charlotte’s eyebrow asked what she did not voice.

Elizabeth would not do as her mother often did and pronounce victory in an assumed engagement before an offer was made. She said, “He and

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