Chapter 26 #2
Both were certain they would not be able to sleep at all, but both were wrong.
After months of affliction, misery, and exhaustion, the moment they laid their heads down, sleep took them.
And since their love was fulfilled and their dreams had become reality, they slept deeply, and neither dreamt of the other.
∞∞∞
On the first day of her betrothal, Elizabeth woke when the sun was already shining brightly.
A sense of panic enveloped her as she looked around for a sign that the previous night was real.
By the bed, she saw her shoes, dirty and still wet.
She spun around the room joyfully, rang the bell hurriedly, and then walked onto the balcony, admiring the landscape that would soon become her home.
It was half past seven, and she had slept only a few hours, but she was so rested she felt that she could fly.
It was her second day at Pemberley, and her soul almost burst from happiness.
She was engaged to the only man in the world she wanted to spend her life with.
Of all the beauty that surrounded her, she would be mistress in a few weeks.
She knew her responsibilities would be tremendous and she would have much to learn to be worthy of her position, but there was time for that.
At the moment, she allowed herself to rejoice in her overwhelming happiness.
She chose a gown for the day, and Janey soon appeared. “Good morning Miss Bennet. You slept well, I hope?”
“Yes, very well.” She blushed.
“We have excellent news: the master returned last night!” Janey continued while helping her dress.
“That is excellent news, indeed,” Elizabeth admitted as Janey began to arrange her hair. “Is anyone downstairs yet?”
“Only the master. He is already in the library.”
“Very well.”
“May I bring you something to drink? Or eat?”
“No, thank you. I shall go to greet Mr Darcy,” she said with another blush.
“Do you know the way to the library, miss?”
“Not yet. I would appreciate your being so kind as to guide me.”
She followed the maid, her heart beating faster with each step. She was so nervous and eager to see him again that she barely looked at anything around her. Finally, Janey stopped in front of a heavy, elegant, wooden door and excused herself.
Elizabeth hesitated a moment then knocked. His beloved voice invited her in, and she stepped in hesitantly.
The first impression was stunning; the room was like Pemberley itself—perfect in its elegance with a manly scent and rich volumes lining every wall.
Darcy was sitting in front of the window at a large, dark desk. At her entrance, he rose to welcome her with a wide smile brightening his face.
“Good morning, my love! I selfishly hoped you would wake up early as I already missed you.”
“Good morning, my love,” she repeated while he held her arm and guided her to the settee.
“Would you like a cup of tea or coffee? I just ordered some.”
“Tea will be fine.”
He poured her a cup whilst she watched his every move. She took the tea, sipping a little, and it was his turn to gaze at her.
“I still cannot believe all this is true,” he confessed lightly, and she nodded in amusement.
“Neither can I. I woke up thinking I had dreamed it all. Luckily, I saw my shoes.”
He laughed. “Very thoughtful of me to retrieve them.”
Slowly, they grew easier with each other, and after the second cup of tea, they began making plans for the day. He started by writing the all-important letter to Mr Bennet under Elizabeth’s amused supervision.
As they sat side by side, the door opened, allowing Georgiana and Anne to enter. They stopped, obviously surprised.
“Forgive me, brother. I was told you were waiting for us in the library, and we were eager to greet you. Good morning, Miss Bennet.”
Darcy went to them. “Good morning; please take a seat.”
“Good morning, Miss Darcy, Miss de Bourgh,” Elizabeth responded. “Mr Darcy, I shall return to my room; I shall see you again at breakfast.”
“No. Miss Bennet, please stay.”
Elizabeth hesitated, then reluctantly accepted and resumed her place. She was nervous as she understood what was about to happen.
“I am so happy to see you. How was your journey, brother?”
“Long and difficult. But I am glad to be home.”
“We are happy to have you back.”
“My dears, I asked you to come here because I wanted you to be the first to hear the news.”
They watched him, puzzled; he glanced at Elizabeth then returned his attention to them.
“I proposed to Miss Bennet, and she has agreed to be my wife. We hope to be married in a fortnight.”
The shock was so complete that it left them speechless. They looked at Darcy, then at Elizabeth, and then at Darcy again.
Anne was the first to recover. “Congratulations to you both! This is wonderful, indeed. I trust you will be very happy together.”
“Congratulations,” Georgiana whispered, embracing her brother shyly. “I want nothing but to see you happy, brother.” Then she turned to Elizabeth hesitantly. “Miss Bennet, welcome to the family.”
“Thank you,” Elizabeth answered nervously. “I hoped and prayed that both of you would approve. I know it is very sudden and likely comes as a complete surprise.”
“To be honest, I suspected for some time that it might happen. I was surprised by the news only because I knew Darcy had just returned,” Anne declared.
“I have intended to propose to Miss Bennet for quite a while. I just missed the proper time,” Darcy explained. “I am aware it will be a surprise for many, but for months I have been convinced that Miss Bennet is my perfect match.”
Darcy ordered more hot tea and coffee, and they continued to speak, gradually becoming comfortable together. Georgiana was the most restrained, glancing at Elizabeth as if trying to know her better.
Half an hour later, Colonel Fitzwilliam appeared, and he was quickly informed of the news. His astonishment was complete, as was his joy.
“Upon my word, I have noticed Darcy’s inclination for some time, but I did not expect it to happen so soon. Well, congratulations, cousin. You are a man of few words but strong actions. This is quite wonderful!”
He then looked at Anne, who blushed.
Darcy noticed and smiled. “I apologize, but I took the liberty of telling Elizabeth your secret. She was concerned that the news of our engagement would hurt Anne, and I wished to put her at ease.”
Anne smiled. “Do not worry; it is time for us to make the announcement anyway. Miss Bennet, thank you for your considerate care. I was indeed in love with my cousin—but with the other one.”
The colonel sat by her side and took her hand. “Well, well—this is a shock that will surely shatter Aunt Catherine. Twice! Now I am worried about how to tell her.”
“I am worried too. And I would not want to write to her; I believe she deserves to be informed directly.”
“I know she will be at Matlock Manor next month. Perhaps that will be a good time,” the colonel offered.
“Elizabeth and I shall be married in two weeks—three at the most. I have written to Mr Bennet and shall send an express later. I shall apply for a common license as I do not want to travel to London again.”
“So soon?” Georgiana asked.
“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.