But Paul’s real attention was given to Sophie, and he spent most of his time either sketching her or watching her in silent adoration.

Edward was not so silent. He endeavoured to interest Sophie in his enthusiasms and succeeded in bringing the occasional smile to her lips. But then she drew back, like a child drawing her hand back from the fire at the memory of a previous time when, seeking to warm herself, she had been burned.

Sir William and Lady Lucas spoke at length of their daughter Charlotte and Charlotte’s husband, Mr Collins, who, with Mr Darcy’s help, had acquired a valuable living. Elizabeth had to smile when Lady Lucas remarked that Mr Collins spent long hours with his parishioners and that Charlotte bore his frequent absences without complaint.

But the morning of their departure arrived without any real arguments, and Elizabeth heaved a sigh of relief as everything was packed and trunks were carried downstairs. She had the occasional sinking feeling that they would not be ready in time, but at last everything was done. The children were put in one of the Darcy coaches with their grandmama; the Lucases offered a seat to Edward, who accepted with alacrity; Paul Inkworthy accepted the offer of a seat on the box next to the coachman, leaving Darcy and Elizabeth to make the journey in Darcy’s phaeton.

There had been some debate about whether they should travel for one long day or stay overnight at an inn and have two shorter journeys, but it had been decided in the end that they should break their journey so as to arrive at the ship feeling refreshed.

The decision proved a good one, for when they drove into Southampton the following day, they were not too tired to enjoy the wonderful sight which met their eyes.

“Well, what do you think of it, my dear?” asked Darcy as he helped Elizabeth down from the phaeton.

Elizabeth looked around her, taking in the busy harbour, which was full of hurrying men and women, horses, carts, and, above them, wheeling seagulls. She breathed in deeply, inhaling the salty, fresh air, as her eyes came to rest on their own vessel. She looked at it with awe. It was a large ship, freshly painted, which boasted two tall masts, each with five billowing white sails of increasing size and two smaller ones at the front. Sailors in rough working clothes, their hair dipped in tar, scurried along the decks. All about them was hustle and bustle.

“Magnificent,” she said appreciatively.

Her children stared in wonder, for they had never seen anything like it.

John was gaping in something akin to adoration at the way the sailors scrambled up the masts with the agility and confidence of monkeys.

“So, John,” came a familiar voice behind them, “do you think you might like a life in His Majesty’s navy, rather than in the army?”

They turned to see Colonel Fitzwilliam, and John’s face lit up. He took a step forward and looked as if he were about to hug his father’s cousin, before pride got the better of him and he stood to attention.

“No, sir,” he said. “It’s the army for me.”

“Good boy!” said Colonel Fitzwilliam approvingly.

John was not the only one who was pleased to see the colonel.

“Brother!” said Edward, greeting him warmly and clasping him by the hand. “I wondered if you might come to see us off.”

“I was in the neighbourhood and could not resist,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam. “The Darcy expedition is the talk of the port. It is not often that someone can afford to commission a ship to take them all the way to Egypt. You were wise,” he said, turning to Darcy. “It is no small thing to take a family so far. I think you will have good fortune, though; she is a fine ship. Her captain, too, is well spoken of.” His gaze wandered from the ship back to John, who was eager for his attention. “It will be an opportunity for you to find your sea legs, John. As a soldier, you will often be transported to the scene of battle by the navy, and you must accustom yourself to life aboard.”

“Yes, indeed, John,” said Mrs Bennet, who had been silent for two minutes and could manage no more. “And I am sure it would do me good, too. Some sea air is just what I would like to set me up. A sea voyage is just what I need.”

Elizabeth and Darcy exchanged glances, but otherwise ignored this hint, as they had ignored every other hint, large and small, dropped by Mrs Bennet since her arrival at Darcy House.

“I think I see the captain,” said Darcy diplomatically. “Let us board.”

They made their way up the gangplank. This mode of entry proved irresistible to Laurence, who ran up and down it several times until he nearly overbalanced. He was just about to fall into the ocean when he was caught by Paul Inkworthy, who was bringing up the rear.

The entire party was welcomed on board by a tall man of middle years, his fine military posture and smart uniform immediately proclaiming him the captain of the ship.

“Captain Merriweather, may I introduce my wife, Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy,” said Darcy.

Captain Merriweather took her hand and kissed it lightly.

“I’m delighted to make your acquaintance, ma’am,” he said.

“As I am yours, sir. This is indeed a splendid ship.”

He smiled, pleased at the compliment. “I like to think so, ma’am, though I own I may be prejudiced. My wife tells me I pay more attention to this vessel than I do her or my children.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed, and the two men greeted each other with respect.

“You have every reason to be proud, Captain,” said Elizabeth, looking around her.

Once on board, she found the ship was even finer than she had thought. As Darcy continued with the introductions, her eyes wandered over the masts and wheel, to the ship’s crew and the barrels of provisions which were being rolled on board.

“And is this the last of your luggage?” asked Captain Merriweather, as trunks followed the Darcys.

“It is.”

“Then I will see that it is stowed safely below. We will be leaving with the tide in the next hour, ladies and gentlemen,” he said, as he left them to see to essential matters. “I must ask you to make all necessary preparations and say your good-byes before then.”

He nodded to Darcy and marched off along the deck.

“How exciting it all is, Lizzy,” said Mrs Bennet. “And what a wonderful ship. Do you not think so, Lady Lucas?” She turned round. “Lady Lucas?”

But Lady Lucas, together with her husband and daughter, had already gone below.

“I daresay they are looking at Sophie’s room,” said Mrs Bennet, adding in an aggrieved tone of voice, “though why you had to invite Sophie Lucas when you have four perfectly good sisters of your own, I cannot imagine.”

Elizabeth was glad that the Lucases were not there to hear such an uncharitable sentiment, and to distract her mother’s thoughts, she said, “Let me show you our cabin.”

One of the cabin boys was on hand to show them the way, and they followed him slowly down the spiral staircase. The accommodation was rather cramped after the spacious and luxurious surroundings of Darcy House as well as Pemberley, but nevertheless Elizabeth regarded it as part of the adventure. And besides, for shipboard accommodation it was unusually spacious. The Darcys had taken over an entire deck, and she could tell from her children’s excited shrieks that they were delighted.

As well as quarters for the servants and tutors that they had brought with them, there was a master bedroom for herself and Darcy and a cabin for the boys, while the girls were sharing another. Edward had a cabin next to Mr Inkworthy. Since the two men had become somewhat cool toward one another, especially when in the company of Sophie, Elizabeth could only guess at how their relationship might progress during the journey. As for Sophie, she had been allocated a tiny little room all to herself, and Elizabeth heard murmurs of interest from the Lucases, who were examining it together.

“Mama, do come and look,” shouted Laurence, running up to her. Taking her hand, he pulled her toward the cabin he was to share with his brothers. “The windows are round.”

“They’re called portholes, Laurence,” William informed him disdainfully.

Laurence ignored him.

“And look, little beds on top of each other too.”

William rolled his eyes. “Bunk beds,” he said.

Laurence poked his tongue out at his older brother.

“Mama, I want to sleep on one of the top ones, but John and William won’t let me.”

“You must all take it in turns, my darling. That is what Papa and I will do.”

“Mama, you do not have bunk beds in your room.”

“Well then, you must let me take it in turns to share the top one with you!” Elizabeth replied, her eyes twinkling.

Just then Jane and Beth appeared, and both Elizabeth and Mrs Bennet were taken to admire the girls’ cabin.

They were joined at length by Darcy, who made it clear in his polite but determined fashion that Mrs Bennet should join Sir William and Lady Lucas, who were now being shown back to the top deck by Sophie in order to disembark from the ship.

Fond farewells were exchanged, although Elizabeth could not help feeling guiltily relieved that Mrs Bennet would soon be on her way back to Meryton.

As Elizabeth began to accompany her mother up to the top deck, Beth appeared from the girls’ cabin.

“Mama,” she said in agitation, “do please come quickly. Jane says she is feeling sick.”

After the way Jane had been eating sweetmeats, which had thoughtfully been provided for her by her grandmama, Elizabeth was not surprised. She looked at her mother accusingly for a moment, but Mrs Bennet returned her gaze innocently and said, “It is the motion of the ship, no doubt, all this bobbing about on the water. Be off with you, Lizzy; pray do not worry about me. I am sure I can find my own way to shore.”