Chapter 32
The evening after the proposal passed truly like a dream for Elizabeth and Darcy, as well as Georgiana. For the first time she and her brother could remember, Miss Darcy yelled, cried, and jumped with joy.
Since they did not have Mr Bennet’s blessing yet, only Mrs Annesley was informed about the engagement, the news being kept secret from the servants.
Despite his deep tiredness, Darcy immediately wrote to Mr Bennet and to Mr Gardiner by express, then he decided to move to Georgiana’s house — only minutes away from his — that very minute.
Considering the engagement, he found it inappropriate to spend another night in the same house as Elizabeth, so he sent his valet to make the arrangements.
Another note was sent to Colonel Fitzwilliam, to inform him about his new residence, then Darcy bade his farewells to the ladies and left.
By the time he arrived at the house, the colonel was already there.
Despite him being completely exhausted, Darcy had dinner and several drinks with his cousin, sharing the news and discussing the events of that extraordinary day.
Elizabeth and Georgiana barely slept at all, even though both were exhausted after the most challenging couple of days. The girl’s joy was so profound that it almost exceeded Elizabeth’s.
Only several hours had passed since Lady Catherine’s horrific visit and Elizabeth’s decision to leave, and her turmoil had turned into bliss.
With Darcy’s profession of love in her mind and the taste of their kisses — more than one!
— on her lips, she was enchanted, thrilled, and dizzy with gladness and gratitude.
She intended to write to Jane but was too tired even for that.
She counted on the letters Darcy had already sent; despite everything that had occurred in the last two days, despite not sleeping at all, he seemed to never be too tired to do what was right.
He was surely the best of men — and soon he would be hers, she mused with exhilaration and thrilling anticipation.
The morning after the engagement was a day prior to Christmas.
Darcy returned to the house early in the morning; the moment she woke up, Elizabeth felt he was there, and she hurried to the library.
Unlike other times, he locked the door behind her and wrapped his arms around her in an embrace that placed her where she belonged — near his heart.
“I have missed you so much,” he whispered to her, allowing her no time to respond before he kissed her passionately.
Sometime later, they finally found the strength to speak coherently and discuss their plans in a reasonable manner.
But not for long, as another kiss and the many others that followed interrupted them again.
During breakfast, Mrs Annesley and Colonel Fitzwilliam joined them, the colonel displaying his usual large smile and a special greeting for Elizabeth, together with his congratulations.
The colonel did not stay long, but he was expected to join them for a Christmas dinner party, together with the Gardiners.
Around noon, after she had written to Jane, Elizabeth went to the library to take the letter to Darcy for posting.
She found him there with Georgiana. At her entrance, both stopped what was a seemingly intimate conversation.
“Lizzy, there is something I wish to tell you,” the girl said with apparent solemnity, and Elizabeth was worried for a moment.
“I have something for you. I wanted to give it to you for Christmas, but I confess I have no patience to wait.”
With obvious delight, the girl handed her a velvet box, which Elizabeth took reluctantly.
“My dear, I do not need any presents,” Elizabeth said.
“I know you do not need it, but I really need to give it to you, Lizzy. It is something from me, to add to what you already have from my mother,” the girl whispered.
With trembling fingers, Elizabeth opened the box and gasped, while tears moistened her eyes. A pair of earrings and a bracelet of gold set with rubies, an almost perfect match to her necklace, were shining in the box.
“My dear Georgiana, this is too much,” she whispered, embracing the girl.
“Allow me to put your bracelet on,” Darcy offered, taking her hand and caressing her wrist. Georgiana chuckled and averted her eyes.
Elizabeth also put on the earrings, glancing at her image in the mirror.
From behind her, the two Darcys were smiling at her with a love of a different kind but equal depth and strength.
“I have nothing to give you,” Elizabeth said, glancing at them both.
“You have given me my life back, Lizzy,” Georgiana said. “Now and ten years ago.”
“I have something for you too, Elizabeth. It was prepared a few days ago, but it has not been delivered yet,” Darcy said.
“A few days ago? Before our engagement?”
“Yes. It should be here any moment.”
“I do not need any more presents, Fitzwilliam. I truly do not.”
“I know,” he said, kissing her hand. “I hope you will enjoy this one, nevertheless. Georgiana, could we have some music?”
The glances exchanged by brother and sister showed Elizabeth they were together in the little scheme.
She ceased any opposition, allowing herself to be spoilt by their attention, and followed them into the music room.
Georgiana played while Elizabeth and Darcy listened, her hand resting in his.
His right hand was still bruised, and she caressed it lovingly, wondering about how their lives had changed in the last few days.
The peaceful moment was interrupted by the sound of a carriage, and Darcy stood up immediately, excusing himself. Elizabeth assumed the gift was being delivered. Curiosity led her to follow Darcy, with Georgiana only steps behind her.
Footsteps could be heard, and when the door opened, with amazement and rapture, Elizabeth saw her family gathered at the entrance.
She glanced at Darcy, who was watching her with an expression of gratification, then at Georgiana, who was only smiling.
If previously she had fought sad tears, the tears of joy were impossible to stop as she embraced her sister and parents.
“Please come in. It is very cold,” Darcy invited them, while Mrs Bennet and her daughters admired the house. Behind them, Mr Bennet and Bingley, less rapturous, greeted him.
“I cannot believe you are all here! But how is it possible? Mama, I know you do not travel during the winter.”
“My dear, I never have since you were born,” Mrs Bennet answered while maids came to their aid.
“But when your father told me that you were staying with Mr Darcy, as his sister’s companion, and he had invited us to stay in his house until Twelfth Night and would send his carriage for us, I told Mrs Phillips and Lady Lucas and Mrs Long, and all three of them almost fainted from surprise!
So, I had to come if only to annoy them. ”
With her mother’s every word, Elizabeth’s astonishment increased, and she kept glancing at Darcy, whose smile of contentment widened.
He had invited her family to stay in his house.
All of them. How was it possible? Did Georgiana know of this?
She was still smiling, though timidly in the face of that gathering of strangers.
It sounded like a plan had been made days before Lady Catherine’s visit.
Darcy had done it for her, before he knew she returned his feelings, before their engagement.
He had prepared that thoughtful gift for her out of his generous love.
Darcy introduced his sister to the Bennets, and Georgiana greeted each of them with care and friendliness, although in a timid voice.
“I wish to say that Lizzy is not my companion, she is my best friend,” Georgiana added daringly.
“How kind of you to say so, Miss Darcy,” Mrs Bennet replied. “You look so pretty and elegant! I hope my Lizzy is not too wild for you — she always had the tendency of doing only what she wanted.”
“She is the perfect friend for me, I assure you,” Georgiana responded.
“Please allow a maid to show each of you to your rooms,” Darcy interjected, and the ladies responded with rapturous cries. “Mr Bennet, if it is acceptable to you, sir, you may join me in the other house, my sister’s, where I live at present. Or you may stay here. There are plenty of rooms.”
“My dear Mr Darcy, all I need is a warm room to sleep in and a library to hide myself as often as possible. It might be in either house,” Mr Bennet answered.
Amidst the din, Elizabeth realised her family had not received the news of her engagement.
If they had, her mother’s rapture would have been heard from Derbyshire.
She allowed Darcy to handle the matter, while she accompanied her mother and sisters upstairs.
She decided Jane would share her room, as they did at Longbourn, since both missed each other and had much to share after a month of separation.
Lydia, Kitty, and Mary were sharing a large guest apartment with two bed chambers, while another apartment was offered to Mrs Bennet.
Darcy took Mr Bennet to the library for a drink, and Bingley left to return to his own house.
After several hours of rest, the ladies were given a tour, during which time they had more chances to admire the house and express their amazement.
A rich and elegant dinner was prepared, much to Mrs Bennet’s satisfaction, and Mr Bingley returned to join them, sitting next to his betrothed.
“Lizzy, what do you say about Jane’s engagement to Mr Bingley? Is it not the most wonderful thing?”
“It is, Mama, and well deserved for them both. I have rarely met two people so good in nature and so perfectly suited to each other,” Elizabeth answered, glancing at the pair affectionately.
In her heart, she knew there were two other people in the room even better suited, and Darcy’s glance told her he had guessed her thoughts.
“I never imagined I could be so fortunate and so happy,” Bingley declared.