Elizabeth did not hear the rest of it. As soon as she realised what was happening, she turned and rushed into the house.
There was quite a scene in the drawing room. The Bingleys had arrived while she was talking to her father. Now her mother and other sisters were crowded around Jane looking even more devastated than they had been when Lizzy stood there several minutes before. Elizabeth did not know who looked more wretched.
“But I had plans,” Lydia was sobbing. “I thought we would have balls and parties at Netherfield. It is bad enough saying goodbye to Miss Darcy for the time being, without the knowledge that we shall be left here quite alone!”
Jane looked wretched, the poor thing. Elizabeth almost could not stand it. She hurried over to her sister and dragged on her arm.
“It is true then?”
Jane’s easy smile returned to her lips, though her eyes were wet with tears. “Yes, Lizzy! We only decided this morning. Oh, what a wonderful time it shall be!” she turned to the others. “Oh now look, you sillies. It will not be for long and it is not as if we are going over seas never to return. We will be back!”
But that did not console them. In fact, no matter what Lizzy and Jane said, they would not be calmed. Soon, Elizabeth was secretly glad to be leaving such scenes, though it still saddened her to have to go.
There was a loud knock on the door; so loud that they all turned to see who it was.
Darcy.
Elizabeth frowned. The door had been open all along, so why had he felt the need to knock? He was part of the family now. When he cleared his throat, she realised—he was trying to get their attention.
“Listen,” she whispered.
“Thank you, my dear,” Darcy said. “Now, the rest of you. My sister has made a suggestion. Perhaps you would all like to follow us to Pemberley in the coming days. That way our farewell does not have to feel so sudden.”
Elizabeth baulked. “Are you sure?” she said, after she had rushed across the room to him. She gestured back at her mother and sisters. “Of course I am sad to leave, but I am prepared to. I never suggested for a moment that you be burdened with my family. That is not—“
“Elizabeth,” he murmured, taking her face in his hands. “Please. Stop for a moment and consider the kindness you showed my sister; the kindness that you continue to show my sister.”
“That is different. I love your sister.”
“Yes,” he said simply. “I know that. And I love you.”
She laughed. For all she loved her family, she was well aware of the energy required to tolerate them at times. “And my family? My darling Fitzwilliam, if you claim to love them then I shall have to question your—“
“Perhaps love is a strong word. But I adore them. How could I not? They are a part of you and they are all similar to you in their way, even though on the surface you could not be more different.” He bent to kiss her and smiled as he stroked her lip. “It would be undeniably good for you all to spend time together at Pemberley before you part ways again. And it is not just for you that I suggest it. It seems my sister has grown very fond of Lydia and does not wish to be parted from her.”
Elizabeth groaned as she glanced back at her sisters, now watching her expectantly as if they knew she was trying to convince Darcy to reconsider. Was she foolish to be apprehensive? Yes, she knew what Jane had said, but Jane had a habit of thinking the best of a situation. What if…
“Are you sure that is wise?” she whispered, for it was the only opposition to the scheme that remained. She could not deny the pleasure she would find in having her family with her at Pemberley. After all, the place was big enough that they could all find their own personal solitude whenever they wished.
“Wise?” he repeated with a frown. “What do you mean?”
“Well, you must recall her behaviour has been imprudent at times: you saw how she behaved at that ball with Wickham. Perhaps she is not the best influence on your sister.”
Darcy considered this for a moment before laughing. “That is your only objection? My dear, I have seen off a man like George Wickham. Your sister is a little wild, but she is hardly unmanageable. Now, can I confirm it to your family? They seem rather anxious to hear the outcome of our debate.”
“Yes,” she whispered. “Of course.”
There was no need for Darcy to say it again. One look at Elizabeth’s smiling face was all that was needed for her mother to run from the room, screaming for Hill to have her things packed. The servants at Longbourn must have rued that day, for there was not a moment’s rest to be had from that point onward, as the family fought to be the first one ready for the journey north.
The Darcys and Bingleys went on ahead as they had planned. Instead of going north with sadness in her heart, Elizabeth felt light as air. She was happier than she had ever thought possible, and she had one man to thank for it.
She smiled across the carriage at him. He had been right. Far from over, their story was just beginning.
Surprised by Love Page 7