Elizabeth heard someone call her name. 'Lizzy'. She turned back.
It was her sister, Kitty. Before Elizabeth could look around her, she was enveloped in Kitty's embrace. Kitty's momentum was such that Elizabeth was spun around until she was facing the front doors instead of the new arrivals.
"Oh, Lizzy we thought you were lost to us – but then Mr. Darcy found you and here we are" Kitty said as she held Elizabeth at arm's length. "You do look a little pale, Mr. Darcy said you did; we didn't believe him, you were always so nut brown –."
Elizabeth quit listening as Kitty chattered on; her mind was being squeezed – was Mr. Darcy married to Kitty? Was that why she was here? Who were those other people? As best she could, without offending her enthusiastic sister, Elizabeth broke free and turned back to greet the others.
As Elizabeth turned, she first saw Mr. Darcy; then his sister, Georgiana, whom she recognized from the wedding; then her own sister, Mary; then Mr. Bingley; and then her sister, Jane. Only Mr. Bingley smiled at her. Jane was standing next to Mr. Bingley. She saw Jane touch Mr. Bingley's elbow, drawing his attention to Mr. Darcy, who was introducing Mr. and Mrs. Smithers. Jane and Mr. Bingley. They must be married. Jane was Mrs. Bingley. Were they the ones purchasing the estate? Elizabeth felt Kitty take her elbow, to nudge her down the steps, and she followed along to extend her greetings.
Elizabeth curtsied to Jane and Mr. Bingley. When she rose, she said "Mr. and Mrs. Bingley, I congratulate you. I have not a doubt of your doing very well together." Perhaps she should have left her congratulations at that, but a portion of the wit of the old Elizabeth, favourite of her father, well versed in repartee, had survived despite the deadening of the past year's servitude, and so, with a big smile, she continued "Your tempers are by no means unlike. You are each of you so complying, that nothing will ever be resolved on; so easy, that every servant will cheat you; and so generous, that you will always exceed your income."
Mr. Bingley laughed. "You know me too well. And what's this Mr. Bingley business. We're brother and sister now; you must call me Charles, and with your permission, I would call you Elizabeth."
"Nay brother, you should call me Lizzy" Elizabeth laughed and then her laughter died away as she turned to Jane and Mary. They were both frowning.
"Elizabeth, I hope you understand that imprudence or thoughtlessness in money matters would be unpardonable in me," said Jane. Beside her, Mary nodded.
As Elizabeth struggled to avoid openly gaping at Jane, out of the corner of her eye she saw Mr. Bingley stiffen to attention beside her. Elizabeth had always known that Jane's gentle and sweet demeanor concealed a resolute personality; but now it appeared that the velvet glove covering her iron fist was starting to wear through in places. Before she could confront Jane, as she would have done in the old days, that time just a little less than a year ago but now so very long ago, she realized a sister of hers was missing.
"Is Lydia not with you?" Elizabeth asked.
Kitty started to answer but was quickly shushed by Mary.
"Now is not the time and place to answer you. Perhaps during our visit, we will have a private moment to discuss Lydia," said Jane. Motioning at Elizabeth to turn, Jane continued "You remember Miss Darcy, don't you?"
Elizabeth mumbled her way through the inconsequentialities with Miss Darcy, not noticing that the latter was regarding her, not with the shy curiosity of their first meeting the day before the wedding, but with an alarmed skepticism. Elizabeth herself was overwhelmed with questions regarding her sisters.
Before Elizabeth could properly greet Mr. Darcy, with all the allure she could muster – he had come back, she had another chance – she saw her maid, Polly, gesturing at her from the front doors. She sighed, she had to get ready to perform her duties; not matter what, she had a full year complete to complete.
"Mr. Smithers has arranged for you to dine with us tonight. We will get caught up then," said Mr. Darcy. He smiled at her. "Everything will work out. Eventually."
All Elizabeth could do was blink at him.