“I long for a glimpse of your library, Fitzwilliam. Would you be willing to give me a brief tour?” Elizabeth inquired. Since his guests appeared sufficiently engrossed in Georgiana’s performance, Darcy agreed and escorted her across the hall. Since his library had been the work of many generations, he hoped she would appreciate the collection. He guided her through the shelves, pointing out the various topics and a few of his new acquisitions.
However, when they reached the antique book section, Elizabeth grasped his lapels and pulled him down, boldly kissing him. Despite his surprise, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer, revelling in the softness of her lips. When she finally released him, she rested her head on his shoulder. “What have I done to deserve such favour, my love?” he said.
Her eyes glowed in the candlelight. “I wanted to thank you for removing Wickham from Meryton. It is a great relief to my family—Kitty especially,” she said, lightly stroking his jaw with her fingertips.
Although her slightest touch fuelled his passion, he had no desire for her gratitude. “My dearest Elizabeth, if you must thank me, let it be for yourself. You must know that I thought only of you.”
“I had hoped so, and I do thank you, Fitzwilliam, again and again.” She rose up on her toes and offered her lips again. He did not hesitate to take full advantage of the opportunity, but the music echoing through the house reminded him that her family was close at hand. He released her and guided her to a chair near the window. “You must have hated me for my dreadful proposal,” he said, his guilt for his poor choices still plaguing him.
She shook her head and reached for his hand. “Not at all; I have scarcely forgiven myself for refusing you. After some reflection, I chided myself for running away. If I had stayed to discuss our differences, things might have easily been resolved between us.”
He could not deny that outcome would have been far more preferable. “And I should not have left, but I was in no frame of mind to think rationally.”
“Nor I, to be sure.”
He pulled his chair closer to hers. “Now that we are both rational, I must admit that I placed too much importance on your station and on my uncle’s disapproval. He has drummed my responsibility into my head with such frequency that I was certain he would withhold his approval.” It now seemed so absurd that he had placed any importance on it at all.
“Will your uncle object?”
He shook his head. “He will lecture me, but he will not oppose us.”
She squeezed his hand. “Did my uncle berate you after supper? He expressed his intention of doing so during the ride from Gracechurch Street.”
“Rightfully so, but for your sake, he is agreeable to the match.”
“You may receive the same treatment from my father.”
“I would expect nothing less, but you must not trouble yourself over it.” Accustomed to the earl’s scorching lectures, Darcy was well able to withstand another set-down from Mr Bennet. He pulled Elizabeth closer, and after one last, lingering kiss, he offered his arm and escorted her back to the drawing room. The sooner he endured her father’s rebuke, the sooner they could plan their future.
Chapter 23
Enthralled by her travel companions, Elizabeth hardly took notice of the scenery as they left London on Friday morning. She sat across from Darcy, whose shimmering air had never faded since their reunion. Georgiana chatted happily, asking all manner of questions about her family; Elizabeth answered as truthfully as she could without delving into her mother’s or sisters’ embarrassing tendencies. When they stopped to change the horses, Darcy ordered a private room and a tea tray so they could refresh themselves before continuing the journey. Mrs Annesley gave their party respectability; without her presence, Elizabeth would not have been able to make the trip to Hertfordshire. Thankfully, with amiable company, good roads, and favourable weather, the time passed quickly.
However, when the carriage rode through Longbourn’s gates, Elizabeth braced herself for her mother’s onslaught. Her uncle had sent an express to advise the family of her betrothal; however, they did not know she would be coming home with Fitzwilliam and Georgiana. When they reached the house, she spied Mrs Bennet at the window. As Elizabeth alighted from the carriage, she pulled Darcy closer. “You must not be offended by anything my mother might say. She is bound to be overly enthusiastic.”
“I am perfectly ready to receive her highest compliments without complaint,” he said with a satisfied smirk.
As soon as the party entered the house, Elizabeth was in Jane’s arms. “What a wonderful surprise, Lizzy. Come to the parlour; Mama is waiting for you.”
Elizabeth found Mrs Bennet trembling in the centre of the parlour, dabbing her eyes. “Oh, my dear Lizzy,” she said in a quiet voice, then burst into tears. Elizabeth embraced her mother, hoping she would exert some measure of control over herself. “You must forgive me, Mr Darcy. I am quite overset,” she said, then, upon observing Georgiana, she gasped. “Is this Miss Darcy?” When Darcy introduced his sister and Mrs Annesley, Mrs Bennet curtsied primly and expressed her pleasure at meeting them both. “How lovely that you have accompanied Lizzy from town. You must meet my other daughters,” she said, performing the introductions. When they all took their seats, Kitty propped her foot up on an ottoman. “You must forgive Kitty; she recently stumbled.”
Georgiana turned pale at this description of Wickham’s handiwork. “I am sorry you were hurt, Miss Kitty, and hope you will soon be fully recovered.” Kitty thanked her for her good wishes and exclaimed that she was already much improved.
Darcy accepted a cup of tea from Jane and exchanged quick glances with Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet, Elizabeth and I have been instructed to relay Mr Bingley’s best regards to you.”
Jane blushed brightly, and the air around her sparkled with light.
“We do so look forward to seeing Mr Bingley again,” Mrs Bennet said in a lilting voice. “I hope you will stay for supper, Mr Darcy.”
This time, Mrs Bennet’s efforts to have a gentleman at her table succeeded when Darcy accepted her invitation. After a few minutes of listening to the ladies discuss the latest news from Meryton, he squeezed Elizabeth’s hand, then begged to be excused. “I must speak with Mr Bennet.”
“Oh yes, he is expecting you.” As he left, Mrs Bennet released a great sigh. “Oh, Lizzy, what a wonderful day.”
Elizabeth agreed wholeheartedly with her mother. Whether or not her father agreed was an entirely different matter. Although she had never disclosed the extent of Darcy’s insults to her parents, her perceptive father could have no difficulty discerning the reason for her refusal of his first proposal. She hoped he would not be too severe on Darcy.
***
Upon his arrival at Longbourn, Darcy fully expected to enter a scene of boundless imprudence; however, for Elizabeth’s sake, he resolved to endure it without protest. He foresaw Mrs Bennet as acting even more nonsensical than usual, but she conducted herself with all the elegance of an experienced hostess, serving tea to her guests and keeping the conversation flowing. Although he had been surprised by Mrs Bennet’s restraint, he knew no similar control awaited him in Mr Bennet’s study.
“Ah, Mr Darcy. I wondered when I might find you at my door,” the gentleman said when Darcy gained entrance.
After exchanging civilities, Darcy came directly to the point. “I have come, first, to beg your forgiveness for insulting your daughter and, second, to request your consent to marry her.”
“I gather you have grovelled sufficiently since your last attempt,” Mr Bennet said with a wry smile.
Darcy nodded. “On my knees.”
Mr Bennet chuckled to himself as he polished his spectacles. “You may think yourself cautious, Mr Darcy, but your frequent study of my daughter reminded me of my younger days.”
Darcy supposed that any young man in love suffered the same bewilderment while they courted the women they loved. “I have learned a great deal about pleasing a woman worthy of being
pleased. I shall endeavour to remain in her good graces.”
Mr Bennet nodded his agreement. “That would be my best advice. Having lived in a household of females these many years, pleasing them has been my life’s work,” he quipped. “However, I shall not plague you with questions. You have my hearty consent, Mr Darcy,” he said, offering his hand.
Darcy shook hands with the gentleman and thanked him from the bottom of his heart. He had escaped Mr Bennet’s wrath, and nothing further stood in the way of his marriage to Elizabeth.
“I believe you are a man of your word, Mr Darcy. Were you responsible for Wickham joining the regulars?” he inquired. Darcy confirmed the man’s assumption, and Mr Bennet bowed his head. “I thank you, and I believe you will find other gentlemen in the community equally in your debt,” he said. Glad that he had been able to perform that service, Darcy allowed himself to relax until he observed a sly glint in Mr Bennet’s eye. “Of course, if I were ever to hear that my Lizzy is unhappy, my entire family will appear on your doorstep. I would even go so far as to invite my heir to join us. As you may know, his talent for inspiring conversation is well renowned.”
While Elizabeth had taught him to be more tolerant of those beneath his station, and he suffered no dread from a future visit from the Bennets, Darcy cringed at the thought of enduring any amount of time with Mr Collins. “I hope you will visit us whenever you are so inclined,” he said, allowing no hint of fear to cross his face.
“You may depend on it, Mr Darcy.”
***
Elizabeth marvelled at her mother’s quiet decorum. During the visit, she calmly measured her words, said nothing improper, never resorted to her fan or smelling salts, and kept her hands folded in her lap.
After Georgiana and Mrs Annesley had removed to their guest chambers to refresh themselves, Mrs Bennet drew Elizabeth aside. “If I say something I ought not, Lizzy, I hope Mr Darcy will overlook it. When I get nervous, I cannot seem to help myself,” she said in a hushed whisper.
“You have nothing to be nervous about, Mama. In all truthfulness, I owe you an apology. You were right all along. Mr Darcy found me at Gracechurch Street and begged my forgiveness, on his knees, just as you said he would, and now we are betrothed,” she said, hoping to reassure her mother. However, suspicion lingered in the back of her mind. “Tell me, do you have a gift? Everything has happened just as you said it would.”
“Lord no,” she said, twittering gaily. “One need not be gifted to see the affection on a man’s face. Mr Darcy is so taken with you, he can barely keep his eyes from you. Everyone remarked on it at the ball—Sir William, Lady Lucas, your aunt Phillips, and even Charlotte. You must have seen it in Mr Bingley, too, when he looked at Jane. Although I must admit, Mr Darcy had no mooncalf look about him like his friend.”
Of course, Elizabeth had seen that faraway look in Bingley’s eyes, but had been so distracted with the glow around him, she had forgotten about all the other signs.
“I daresay, Jane will be betrothed on Monday when Mr Bingley returns to Netherfield.”
Although Elizabeth knew that he and Jane planned to begin a courtship, she offered no disagreement. After all, her mother had been correct about Darcy; who was to say that she would be wrong this time?
Darcy returned to her side. “Your father is waiting for you in the study,” he said in hushed tones. When she entered, she found Mr Bennet in high spirits.
“Well, Lizzy,” Mr Bennet said as she closed the door. “I have given your suitor my consent. He is not the kind of man to whom I could refuse anything he asked of me, but I made sure he will not disappoint you again.”
“Dare I ask, Papa?”
“It may be better if you did not, my dear,” he said, chuckling to himself. “But if you and your mother are happy, then I am also.”
She could not imagine what her father may have said to Darcy, but she hoped to discover the answer in due time. Thanking her father for his kindness, she assured him that she was overjoyed. All obstacles to their marriage had now been conquered and they could begin planning their life together.
***
Laden with parcels on Friday afternoon, Darcy entered the drawing room at Lucas Lodge, and the family rose to receive him. “Mr Darcy, I am delighted to see you. Shall I assume that you bring good tidings?” Sir William said, smiling broadly.
“I come bearing gifts to thank you for your timely advice. I am betrothed to Miss Elizabeth Bennet, thanks in no small part to you,” he said, presenting the parcels: a box of cigars and a bottle of brandy.
Sir William and his family expressed their felicitations, which Darcy gladly accepted. After they were seated, Sir William puffed up his chest. “I believe you first danced with the fair Miss Eliza in this parlour,” he said, gesturing around the room. “You must know that you will be carrying off one of the brightest jewels of the county.”
Charlotte echoed her father’s sentiments. “Eliza is my dearest friend in the world. I have every confidence that she will make you a fine wife.” She expressed her hopes that he and Elizabeth would attend her wedding to Mr Collins on Thursday. Although he cared little for the parson and his obsequious blathering, he knew of Elizabeth’s and Charlotte’s close friendship, and accepted the invitation.
When the visit ended, Darcy rose to take his leave. “Are you returning to town?” Sir William inquired. Darcy explained that he would stay at the Meryton Inn until Netherfield was reopened. Upon hearing this abhorrent plan, Sir William recoiled. “I shall not hear of it,” he said, inviting him to stay at Lucas Lodge until Mr Bingley returned.
“I plan to take my meals at Longbourn and could not think of offending you by using your home as my temporary lodging.” Despite his best efforts to decline, stating the benefits of staying at the inn where he would be in no one’s way and would most likely enjoy every comfort, Sir William insisted.
“Nonsense!” cried Sir William. “My wife and I are well aware of our indebtedness to you for removing a certain unsavoury element from the community. You must allow us to return the kindness,” he said with a decisive nod of his head.
Since neither Sir William nor Lady Lucas would tolerate any argument to the contrary, Darcy thanked his hosts and promised to return after supper that night.
***
As if in a dream, Elizabeth spent Saturday and Sunday with Darcy. He arrived each morning for breakfast and stayed until well after supper. Their time was blissfully spent chatting with her family and Georgiana, stealing quiet moments together, sharing kisses, and making plans for the future. The banns had been read that morning during Sunday services, and all seemed right with the world.
Later, they celebrated Twelfth Night, drinking wassail, eating a sumptuous meal, including a king’s cake, and burning the holiday greenery that had decorated Longbourn. Darcy held her hand as they watched the flames and sparks float upwards, ensuring another year of good fortune. Of course, Elizabeth knew that the tradition of destroying the greens was steeped in superstition, but after enduring so much misfortune in the past few weeks, ’twas better to not tempt the fates.
On Monday morning, Darcy arrived at Longbourn as the family gathered for breakfast. He remarked on the excellent meals he had enjoyed in the past few days, and Mrs Bennet received his compliment with glee. Pleased that Darcy had made every effort to put her mother at ease, Elizabeth whispered her thanks when he took his seat beside her.
The mood was high in anticipation of Charles Bingley’s return. Mrs Bennet had mentioned it several times in the past three days, expounding on Bingley’s good nature and charming manners, but she checked herself each time, careful not to refer to the match between him and Jane as though it had already been settled. Now that Elizabeth had secured a favourable match, she hoped her mother’s fears about the family’s future had finally been put to rest.
Not long after the party had finished their breakfast, Bingley strode into the sitting parlour to a resounding welcome. “You are true to your word, Mr Bingley,”
Mrs Bennet said and invited him to sit next to Jane.
“I cannot stay long, as Netherfield is in a state of chaos, but I wanted to let you all know that I am back in the neighbourhood.”
“But you must come for supper this evening.”
Elizabeth laughed at her mother’s persistence. Despite Mrs Bennet’s cautious reserve, she did not falter in her pursuit of Bingley, who replied that he would be pleased to dine with the Bennets. He then patiently answered their question about the holidays, and inquired likewise after theirs. While he sat next to Jane, Elizabeth noticed the shimmering lights hovering around the two lovers, then merge in a harmonious, sparkling dance. She gasped, fascinated by the beautiful swirling mists; she had never observed such magnificence.
Darcy grasped her hand, distracting her from the mesmerizing phenomenon. “Are you well, my love?” he whispered. She noticed that the lights around Darcy no longer encircled him fully but seemed to form a semi-circle. Could it be possible that she and Darcy were now wreathed by the same luminous air enjoyed by Jane and Bingley? She perceived no glow around herself but now desperately wished she had that ability.
Once Bingley had dispensed with the usual civilities, he finally addressed the reason for his visit. “With your permission, Mr Bennet, may I have the honour of a private conversation with Miss Bennet?”
“By all means,” Mrs Bennet said, gushing with delight, then caught herself and deferred to her husband, who naturally agreed.
Mrs Bennet jumped to her feet and pulled her daughter towards the door. “Take Mr Bingley to the sun parlour, Jane. You will not be disturbed there, and the fire is already set.”
Elizabeth exchanged amused glances with Darcy. Some things never change, she thought; her mother had prepared for this tête-à-tête, going so far as to provide a fire in a room that was little used during the winter months. Even so, Elizabeth was elated for Jane, who would finally begin a courtship with the man she adored.
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