Page 180 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

A well-worn path climbed the slope. Near the summit, the trees thickened until Darcy rode beneath their branches and into the grove.

He dismounted.

The sun had cleared the horizon. Trees, fields, and hedgerows stretched toward Meryton, and beyond them, several estates dotted the countryside, including Netherfield.

For several minutes, he stood beside Ares and watched the morning brighten.

Then he looked around the grove.

No house stood within sight of the summit. From the road below, no traveler could have known who waited among the trees.

Darcy's hand tightened around the reins.

Wickham had chosen his meeting place well.

Grateful that Elizabeth and her sisters had escaped without harm, Darcy mounted Ares and started down the hill.

Wickham would not have another opportunity.

* * *

Darcy returned to Netherfield as the household was beginning to stir. He left Ares with a groom and went upstairs to bathe and dress.

When he entered the breakfast room, Bingley was already at the table.

“Charles, I did not expect to see you awake so early.”

“I could not sleep. I have been thinking of Longbourn since before daylight. Do you suppose eleven is a proper hour to call?”

“Eleven will do very well.”

“I should not like to arrive at an inconvenient hour, but I have been looking forward to seeing Miss Bennet again. Upon my honor, Darcy, I do not believe I have ever seen a more beautiful woman. I thought so the moment I entered the room at Longbourn.”

Darcy’s eyes crinkled. “You appeared suitably smitten.”

Bingley laughed. “I hope I was not so obvious to Miss Bennet or her father. We had too little time to speak before Mr. Bennet carried us off to the study. Perhaps my memory has improved upon her beauty, but I should very much like to see her again and discover if it has.”

Georgiana entered a few minutes later.

“Good morning, Fitzwilliam. Mr. Bingley.”

“Good morning, my dear. We intend to call at Longbourn this morning.”

Her face brightened. “May I come?”

“You may.”

“At last, I shall meet Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

“And Miss Bennet,” Bingley said. “You must meet Miss Jane Bennet. Darcy may have told you of her, but I assure you he has not done her justice.”

“Fitzwilliam told me she is very beautiful.”

“Very beautiful does not begin to describe her, for she is as amiable as she is lovely. How she has escaped becoming vain is astonishing. You will see what I mean when you meet her.”

“I look forward to meeting all of the sisters.”

Caroline entered as Georgiana poured her tea.