Chapter 3: An unexpected visitor
Everyone who was in the room stood when Elizabeth entered it. Darcy had to restrain himself from not crossing the room to greet her, as he so much wanted to do.
"Dearest Jane, I hope you enjoyed..." Elizabeth began but stopped short when she realised who else was in the room. "Mr. Darcy!" said she as she curtsied, hoping to hide her flush of pleasure.
"Miss Bennet," answered Darcy, bowing in response. For a few moments, they just stared at each other, silently communicating their delight at the presence of the beloved.
Then noticing the knowing smiles Bingley and Jane exchanged, Elizabeth recovered and said "How was your visit to your future home, Jane?"
"Oh, thank you Lizzy, it was a lovely visit," said Jane, glancing lovingly at her fiance.
"I decided to take a walk in the neighbourhood and decided to stop on the way back. Do you mind it, Mr. Bingley?"
"Not at all, sister," said Bingley, and Elizabeth's eyes sparkled on the last word, "We are all delighted to see you as well." Bingley continued glancing mischievously at Darcy, who since the beginning of the visit had great difficulty tearing his adoring gaze from Elizabeth.
"But Jane, we must go back to Longbourn. The dusk is coming and I'm sure Mama's nerves would not stand the thoughts of us lost in the dark!" laughed Lizzy. "Moreover, she instructed me that you convey an invitation to dinner to your fiance. See what a dutiful daughter I am!"
Bingley and Jane laughed heartily and Elizabeth glanced at Darcy who could not help but smile at Elizabeth's teasing.
"Come on. Let us go," said Jane.
Bingley asked, "Will not you not join us, Darcy?"
"Of course, if you don't mind it," Darcy answered though his answer was more for Elizabeth than Bingley.
The four people collected their coats and hats and departed. As they started the walk Bingley and Jane arranged a convenient distance because they knew that the two remaining people had a lot to say to each other.
