Bennet sighed. “One who would not have you harmed on my account. Return to the house and your intended, Bingley.”
Bingley remained.
“Allow me to fetch the magistrate,” Fitzwilliam said immediately. “You should remain close to the house as well.” Bennet did not wish to relinquish the task, but at length, he nodded in acquiescence.
“The closest magistrate is Sir William. Kindly remove him from the house before you explain the case to him. Lady Lucas has rather sensitive ears, if you take my meaning.”
Fitzwilliam touched the brim of his hat. “I will return as swiftly as possible.” He turned on his heel and strode off towards the stables.
Bennet stood from where he had been crouching next to the unfortunate thief. “Bingley, I meant what I said. I want one of us with the women until we know what this is about. If you return to Jane, it will not excite suspicion, and I would be most appreciative.”
“That will do for now,” Darcy said firmly. “But . . .”
Bennet nodded. “We must call for reinforcements.”
Chapter Nineteen
Theraincameafew hours after she returned to the house. Elizabeth shot surreptitious glances from the windows out to the copse but could see little other than a small group of men who disappeared behind the trees shortly after arriving. She did not wish to excite suspicion in her sisters, knowing her father would wish to speak to them all at once, so she sat down and picked up some sewing from their work basket.
Mary sat down beside her. “These are for the parish. There are several new babes expected before the end of the year.”
“Oh, did you speak with Mr. Green?”
Mary flushed. “I did. Was that all right? I know you normally speak with him yourself.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Of course it is all right. In fact, I thank you for performing the duty.”
“I did not think it a duty. He is a very pleasant man.”
“With a very pleasant son,” Elizabeth teased.
Mary’s cheeks pinked. “I will not deny that I find Mr. Green’s son well informed and very polite. However, I was there to speak to Mr. Green.”
“Did he have anything to request beyond sewing for the babes?”
“A few things. He did ask whether we might enlarge Jane’s garden this year and share whatever we did not require with the parish. Some people haven’t anything to eat or make medicines with at all, Lizzy!”
Elizabeth nodded. “It is a reminder of our own abundance, is it not? It is only right that we help wherever we are able.”
Mary nodded vigorously. “Mr. Matthew Green said nearly the same thing.”
“Ah, so hewasthere.” Matthew Green had been ordained earlier in the year and returned home to serve as his father’s curate. “Well, you must speak to Jane about the planting. She will be at Netherfield this spring, and the Longbourn garden will be yours to tend.”
Mary blinked. “I had not thought of that. It seems so strange to think of Longbourn without her. Will you help me?”
“Of course, if you like. But my talents are better suited to drawing up the plans, not coaxing seeds into plants. That is your strength. You know, it might be a project that Kitty and Lydia would enjoy.”
“Lydia will not wish to help,” Mary replied.
Elizabeth concurred. “It would be good for her, though, to work on a project for the benefit of others. Especially something that requires her attention for a longer span than a little sewing.”
Mary nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, I suppose it might.”
“Lydia longs to be important, Mary. If she sees where the food goes when all her work is done, she will earn that feeling.”
“I do feel wonderful when I see a babe wearing something I have made,” Mary said thoughtfully.
“You see? Lydia will feel it too. I really ought to have considered it sooner.” Thank goodness Jane had mentioned it.