Page 70 of An Accidental Meeting
Darcy did not understand the question. “It is sometimes more effective to offer a reward for good behaviour rather than punishing the bad. What do you think, Miss Bennet?”
When he turned his head to address her, she was gazing at him with approbation. But there was something more in her eyes. He could not tell what it was, precisely, but he liked it.
“You would do that for my sister?" she asked, repeating her uncle's question. "Despite . . .”
“She will be my sister as well, soon.”
“Uncle Gardiner,” Elizabeth said without removing her gaze from Darcy’s, “would you be so kind as to look out the window at the view for a moment?”
Gardiner frowned. “One minute, Lizzy. And do not expect this to continue.” He strolled to the end of the room to look out, clasping his hands behind his back and muttering something about the two of them marrying as soon as possible.
Elizabeth wasted no time. She crooked her finger, signalling for him to bend down. He complied. Then, placing one hand on each side of his face, she pulled him into a quick, chaste kiss.
Darcy had never tasted anything sweeter, and while he was not sure why Elizabeth had been so moved, he was certainly not about to complain.
“You are a dear man,” she said tenderly, and Darcy was ready to do whatever had prompted this demonstration of approval again and again, once he knew what it was.
Gardiner rejoined them, and Darcy rang for Mrs. Reynolds. When the housekeeper arrived, she was clearly puzzled.
“May I be of assistance, sir?”
“Mrs. Reynolds, was anyone we know on the mail coach from London in the past few days?”
“I can certainly inquire, Mr. Darcy.”
“Discreetly, Mrs. Reynolds.”
The older woman nodded once. “Of course, sir.”
“Thank you.”
She lingered for a moment and cast a questioning look, first at Elizabeth and then at him. Darcy knew the housekeeper was not asking him to confirm anything for her—she would never presume as much. But he offered her a small smile and the barest of nods.
Mrs. Reynolds returned the nod and withdrew.
“There are several women attached in one way or another to the estate who travel back and forth to family near London in the summer. We may ask them to perform some errand for the estate in exchange for paying the ticket," he explained. "If we are fortunate, one will have recently been on the post and can sayshe chaperoned your sister here. We need not mention Wickham at all.”
“And if not?” Gardiner asked.
“If not, I am sure that between us we will think of something.”
“In the meanwhile, we can write home and inform them that Lydia had turned up here with a chaperone, and, as Mr. Darcy and I are to be wed, she will attend. And that he insists on sending her to a finishing school before inviting her to London.” She offered him a rueful smile. "I can even tell Mamma you demanded it as a condition of the marriage. She will not question it."
“Just so,” Darcy said, happy to take the blame for the decision. “Call it Mrs. Alfredson’s Finishing School. Tell your sister that is where she is going. If she asks why she is the only pupil, we can inform her that it is an exclusive school.”
Gardiner laughed. “My sister will be nearly as delighted as Lydia. And when she asks, we will say that Mary and Kitty will not attend because they are already too old.” His natural cheerfulness seemed restored. “I shall have my wife break the news to Lydia, including the reward if she does well.” He stood. “We have the outlines of a plan, then.”
Darcy nodded. “Shall we rejoin the others? Poor Bingley will be wondering whether we have abandoned him, and we ought to ready ourselves for dinner.”
Elizabeth checked her watch and was startled to find the entire day was gone. “My goodness.”
“Wear the best gown you have with you, my dear,” Darcy said tenderly, lifting her hand and kissing it. “Your uncle has a special announcement to make tonight.”
“Do I?” Gardiner asked. “Whatever could that be?”
Darcy issued a playful growl, and Elizabeth laughed.
“First I must inform my aunt, and you should also inform yours,” she said, squeezing his hand before releasing it. “I shall see you at dinner.”
