The Darcy carriage made good time to London. Riding comfortably within were Darcy, Hurst, and Mr. Bennet. Darcy had offered his equipage to bring Hurst and Mr. Bennet closer to reuniting Elizabeth with the Hurst family. Hurst, in turn, requested Darcy's presence on the journey. He anticipated he and his father, as well as Mr. Bennet, would be too emotional at times to think clearly. Darcy's solidity would be most helpful.
As much as Darcy wished to stay at Netherfield, near Elizabeth, he would do everything he could to smooth the path for her and her families. Meanwhile, Bingley and Louisa had been charged to visit Longbourn in their absence. Though, Bingley needed no such incentive visit Longbourn, Miss Bennet was quite enough.
They spoke other things on the journey - the war in France, the trial of Leigh and Robert Hunt for seditious libel, the difference between Cambridge and Oxford – there would be time enough to talk of Elizabeth. However, she was on the mind of each of the gentlemen.
Arriving at the Hurst townhouse, they were accosted as soon as they stepped inside the door. Mr. Bennet and Darcy stood back, marveling at the brunette whirlwind before them and the rapid-fire conversation between her and Hurst.
"David, is she here?!"
"Hello to you, too, Tessa," said Hurst.
"Hello, darling brother. Now... .SHE?"
"She is not here. She is at her home."
"And where might that be?"
"Longbourn."
"Which is?"
"Her father's estate."
"Where is it?"
"Just outside the town of Meryton."
"In?"
"Hertfordshire. If you will-?
"Thank you. I will see you in Hertfordshire soon." With that she raced back up the stairs.
"-give me a chance, I will introduce you to her father." Hurst finished, shaking his head.
Tessa and her husband, Henry Michaels, had made for London as soon as they received Hurst's express. They had arrived from their home in Oxfordshire well before their brother.
"That, gentlemen, was my sister Tessa Michaels. This quiet figure staying out of the way is her husband and my brother, Henry. Michaels, this Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth's father."
Michaels informed them that he and Tessa had not unpacked. Their trunks were ready to be loaded on their carriage at a moment's notice. Then all that was needed was for the horses to be hitched. The staff was told to notify the stable as soon as Hurst had arrived. If Elizabeth was not with them, they would be leaving as soon as possible. "You know she is unstoppable. And I did not have the heart to deny her."
Tessa returned to the foyer, where the gentlemen still waited. She had donned her outerwear.
"Henry, please get your things. If you are not ready once the carriage is prepared, I will either leave you behind or put you physically into the carriage myself. I have not determined which. It would be best if I am not forced to decide. But I will see my sister before the day is through."
Tessa only tolerated introductions because the carriage was not yet ready, but she had no patience for conversation.
"Tessa, we thought to give Zibby time to adjust before we all descended upon her." It was simply a statement. Hurst had no belief that he could dissuade her.
"How considerate of you, but I am not all, I am her sister."
"And I am her brother. Her only brother. You are but one of her five sisters, now."
"I have never liked you, David." Tessa said in a teasing tone.
"Brat."
"Bully."
Darcy smiled at what seemed to be a familiar exchange. It reminded him of the camaraderie he shared with his cousin Richard.
"We did think of giving Lizzy time to adjust, but this may play out well," said Mr. Bennet. "It will not be so daunting as meeting everybody at once. And I believe Lizzy will enjoy your liveliness. You will find yourself quite the pair. Let me write a note for you to give to Mrs. Bennet. If Lizzy wishes it, you may stay at Longbourn. If not, I believe Mr. Bingley is prepared to host your family."
"Louisa and Miss Bingley are there?" Tessa wrinkled her nose when Hurst nodded.
"I am firm in this, Mrs. Michaels. You may go to Longbourn to see Lizzy, but please accept whatever limitations she puts to you."
"Mr. Bennet, you have my word." She could not but appreciate the man's protectiveness.
As they spoke, still in the foyer, Mr. Bennet was taken to the study where he could write his note. He had just finished and returned to the rest of the party when they heard the carriage stopping on the street outside the door.
"It is here! Let us go, Henry. Good day, gentlemen." With that they were gone. The door of the carriage had barely closed after Mr. Michaels when it was off."
The three men stood looking at each other in the quiet of the entryway. "So, that was Tessa," Hurst said with a laugh. There was a polite cough behind them. The staff swept in around them, taking care of them as they would have if not for Tessa's interruption. The staff was well acquainted with the good-natured woman and indulged her enthusiasms.
"We should probably send an express, so Mrs. Bennet and Elizabeth are not surprised with unexpected guests," Hurst suggested.
Holding up a folded note, Mr. Bennet was prepared. "I have that here."
The express was dispatched. After quickly repairing themselves from the road and partaking in luncheon, Darcy made his way to his own London home. He would spend the afternoon and evening with his own sister and return to Hurst and Mr. Bennet on the morrow. The elder Hursts were expected. They were one step close to reuniting Elizabeth with her family.