Chapter 26 #3
“Two weeks?” the colonel repeated, glancing at Anne.
“Yes,” Darcy responded to both. “There is no reason to wait longer.”
“Miss Darcy, would you prefer we wait?” Elizabeth asked the girl, who appeared troubled by the news. Georgiana startled, glanced at her brother, and then at Elizabeth.
“No…it is not for me to decide. It is just…”
Elizabeth took her hands gently. “Miss Darcy, it is for you to decide too. I want only to make Mr Darcy happy, and while we are both eager to be married soon, I know his felicity would not be complete if his sister were displeased. Therefore, we should choose a date that would be agreeable to us all.”
Georgiana was tearful and averted her eyes as she struggled to reply. “Thank you, Miss Bennet. I also want only to see my brother happy. I believe I just need some time to become accustomed to this change. Pemberley has been my home until now and…”
Darcy sat by his sister and Elizabeth, and took their joined hands in his.
“Dearest, what silliness is crossing your mind? Pemberley is your home and always will be. Surely, you do not imagine that will ever change!”
Elizabeth opened her eyes in disbelief. “Oh dear Lord, you thought you might have to leave Pemberley once we marry?”
Georgiana nodded, and both Darcy and Elizabeth embraced her at once to comfort her as she began to sob. Anne and the colonel quietly left, allowing the three some privacy to solve their differences within the family.
All three of them needed a little time to dissipate the uneasiness. Gradually, Georgiana began to calm herself, and she was able to congratulate the betrothed couple with a light heart. She apologised for acting so silly and begged Elizabeth to forgive her for her reluctance.
“I perfectly understand you,” Elizabeth said, attempting to dissipate her distress. “If I were you, I would certainly be suspicious of any woman who might try to steal such a perfect brother from me.”
Georgiana was puzzled and astonished by such a tease, but Darcy laughed and kissed Elizabeth’s hand.
“You are mistaken if you believe Elizabeth tried to steal me, dearest. I needed many months to convince her to marry me, and I still cannot believe how fortunate I have been to finally succeed.”
“I am so happy to see you happy, brother! I have never seen you smile this often,” Georgiana said.
“I might be smiling, my dear, but my heart is laughing. And we have Elizabeth to thank for that.”
∞∞∞
It was nine o’clock, and the others still had not appeared. Darcy invited Elizabeth for a stroll before breakfast, and she gladly accepted. The news of their betrothal had yet to become public, but neither of them wished to waste any more time denying themselves the pleasure of being together.
They walked along the same path on which Elizabeth mused over Darcy’s absence the day before. Today everything was different for Elizabeth, and even the beauty of the place seemed enhanced.
While he shared with her details about the estate, their attention was drawn to an approaching carriage and rider.
The party stopped atop the hill that descended to the lake. For some time the horses and the man did not move, staring down into the valley.
When they started to descend towards the house, Elizabeth and Darcy readily recognized Mr Wilson, and they returned towards the main entrance to greet him as he arrived.
He dismounted, and a servant took his horse. Then he took off his hat and stood, silently gazing around for several minutes.
“Welcome, Mr Wilson. I am glad you have come,” Darcy called.
He looked at them, and a smile spread over his face.
“I am honoured to be here, Mr Darcy. And I am glad to see the two of you together.”
“Will you not come in?” Darcy inquired.
“No…not yet…I need a little more time to collect myself. For many years I lost all hope that I would see Pemberley again.”
“It is fortunate that you have regained that hope, sir,” Elizabeth said. “And that you wisely decided not to waste it. Come; you are expected. Even those who do not know you yet are eager to see you—and Mrs Reynolds more than anyone else.”
“Reynolds is still here?” he asked Darcy.
“Of course she is,” the colonel said, moving towards them in haste.
“She is the housekeeper and part of the family—still healthy, lively and, I might say, handsome for a lady of her age. Mr Wilson, you have saved me the effort of riding to the inn and bringing you here. I was tempted to do so yesterday, but Mrs Gardiner stopped me.”
“Colonel Fitzwilliam”—Wilson bowed to him—“good morning. I was not aware my company was so much desired. I thought nobody would miss an old, strange man,” he jested.
“Come, let us enter,” said Darcy. “Your chamber is prepared in the west wing near the Gardiners. Georgiana is already awake; I shall introduce you to her.”
“Thank you, Darcy,” Wilson said with solemnity. “Thank you.”
“Welcome back to Pemberley, Gilbert Wilson. You have been missed,” Darcy responded then offered his arm to Elizabeth as they entered together.
The Pemberley party was finally complete.