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“That I am excessively happy, and hope he will forgive the inconvenience of another journey.”

Darcy kissed her forehead.

“When may I ask him to come?”

She looked up. “You have considered a date.”

“Several.”

“How industrious of you.”

“I had time while I waited.”

“January,” she said. “Jane will be stronger. There will be time for the arrangements, and for Mama to be quite certain that no part of them can proceed without her.”

“I should be glad of January.”

“The eighteenth? Unless Papa or the clergyman supplies some objection we have not thought of.”

“The eighteenth,” he repeated.

He said it as though he meant to remember the sound. She felt herself colouring, which was absurd after she had kissed him with so little reserve.

“And Christmas,” she added. “Might they come before Christmas? All of them? Mary and Kitty and Lydia have only had my letters. I want them to see where I shall live.”

“Yes.”

“They will make a great deal of noise.”

“I have been warned.”

“Warnings seldom do justice to Lydia.”

“Then I shall meet her with suitable humility.”

Elizabeth laughed and laid her cheek against his coat. Her sisters at Pemberley, Jane well enough to enjoy them, Papa in his chair and Mama discovering that the wedding had not been arranged to her satisfaction. She wanted the confusion as much as she wanted the quiet of this room.

“Thank you,” she said.

“You need not thank me for wishing to know your family.”

“I may still be pleased that you do.”

He held her a little closer.

They remained there until Elizabeth remembered that Jane would expect her before lunch. She made an effort to leave which Darcy did very little to assist. When she finally reached the door, he came with her.

“Must you tell her alone?” he asked.

“No. But you must allow her to kiss me first.”

“I think I can bear that.”

Jane had the baby against her shoulder when they entered. Charles sat beside her, looking so thoroughly at home in his new occupation that Elizabeth almost regretted interrupting. Then Jane saw their faces.

“Oh, Lizzy.”

Charles rose before he appeared to know why. Elizabeth went straight to her sister, bent over the child, and received the kiss she had reserved.