Chapter 27
During the following week, Pemberley was filled with more joy and guests than it had seen in years.
The Gardiners and Bingleys received the betrothal news with delight and gratitude, and they immediately offered their congratulations.
Without Mr Bennet’s response, there was no public announcement, but since nobody doubted his acceptance and blessing, the couple behaved as though they were already engaged.
Darcy dedicated his time to Elizabeth. As promised, he showed her the estate in long rides in the phaeton—with others, with Georgiana, or sometimes alone.
In five days, a letter from Longbourn arrived, and the betrothed couple read it together.
Dear Mr Darcy,
I must first tell you that I shall never forgive you for the torment I have had to suffer because of you.
First, you invited my favourite daughter to Derbyshire only to steal her away. That alone is unpardonable. Then, you have given me not one moment of peace as, night and day, Mrs Bennet constantly praises the Lord, your handsome features, and your income.
Despite all this, I gladly give you my blessing. I truly believe that you and Lizzy are perfectly suited for each other, and as much as I shall miss her, I am sure she will be happy with a man not only worthy of her affection but also her respect and admiration.
Regarding the wedding, I would suggest it take place at Pemberley. Unfortunately, we shall not be able to travel such a long distance in this warm weather. But since Elizabeth will have her sister, uncle, and aunt there, I hope she will not be too disappointed by our absence.
Besides, I am convinced that both of you will need a little peace at the beginning of your marriage, and an invasion by the entire Bennet family would surely ruin that.
If you are still willing to have us, we could travel at the end of October—when the weather is cooler but not too cold—and stay at Pemberley until after Christmas.
Until then, I shall only say God bless you, and be as happy as you deserve.
Best regards to you all,
Thomas Bennet
PS: Tell my sister Gardiner to write to Mrs Bennet about all the details of the wedding day—along with an accurate description of Pemberley—or I shall not hear the end of it.
PPS: Tell Lizzy that I should have come to Pemberley after all to see who is marrying whom.
Elizabeth read the letter with tearful laughter. She was sad but also aware of her father’s wise decision.
“I believe October is an excellent month for travel. I shall send them a carriage and make all the arrangements at inns along the way so they will have a safe trip and rest comfortably during the journey.”
“Thank you, my love.”
“I know you are sad…”
“I am…a little… but I agree this is the best solution for everyone.”
He kissed her hands tenderly. “I shall write him immediately.”
“And I shall do the same—both to him and to Mama. I shall give her a full description of Pemberley just as she wishes.”
“My dear, I believe it would be fair also to write to my uncle and aunt. I would not wish them to hear rumours and be taken by surprise.”
“Yes, you should. If you wish, I shall assist you in that daunting task,” Elizabeth teased him.
Mr Bennet’s approval allowed the couple to spread the news of their betrothal to the entire staff and to begin preparations for the wedding day.
The news of the master’s engagement to Miss Elizabeth Bennet astounded everybody in attendance, but nobody as much as the Bingley sisters.
They suffered such a shock that Miss Bingley insisted they return to London before the wedding.
However, Mr Hurst strongly opposed her demand and suggested Miss Bingley leave by herself if she insisted.
Feeling alone and betrayed, Miss Bingley remained but refused to join the others in any pre-wedding activities.
Mr Wilson soon became a favourite of both Georgiana and Anne as he shared with them memories of those so precious and dear to them who had left too early.
His return became the talk of Pemberley and Lambton. Many of them did not recollect him, but some did, including Mrs Reynolds who readily spread the story of young Gilbert Wilson’s bravery and his saving Mr George Darcy’s life.
Mr Wilson’s past was not known by all, but his present was: polite, friendly, generous, and apparently wealthy with connections to dukes and countesses. Except for the Darcys, nobody in their neighbourhood compared to him, and knowing he was one of their own made him almost a local hero.
Elizabeth’s love for Pemberley began to grow the first day of her engagement, as did her concerns about the responsibilities attached to her future position.
Meeting the tenants and the families in Lambton—whose prosperity mostly depended on Pemberley—she gained a glimpse of the responsibility that lay on Darcy’s shoulders.
She was ready to share it with him but was also aware that she had much to learn.
She dedicated time and attention in discussions with Mrs Reynolds about estate and household business.
The housekeeper was impressed with Elizabeth’s interest and diligence.
There was no arrogance, no self-sufficiency in the future Mrs Darcy, only preoccupation for Pemberley, for the people around her, and for the master.
Mrs Reynolds thanked Darcy several times for choosing such a lovely, kind, and beautiful mistress, and her eyes moistened with affection every time she saw them share obvious mutual fondness.
Though undeclared, her fear had been that he might marry the insolent and arrogant Miss Bingley—which was now proved to be a nasty rumour and a bad joke.
Despite the busy schedule, Darcy was able to steal private time for them—or better said, for him to abduct Elizabeth every time he could.
Either he brought her into the library and locked the door for a while, visited the mistress’s apartment connected to his, or took long walks and rides around the property; they found ways to be alone.
The better they knew each other, the more they realised how perfect a match they were. Even their strengths and faults were complementary, and although they often had different opinions and tastes, they always managed to agree to disagree.
Mr Darcy learned quickly to do two things once he became engaged.
The first—easily observed by everyone and acknowledged loudly by Mr Wilson—was to laugh more.
The second—carefully concealed from everyone and displayed only when they were in complete privacy—was to break with propriety at every opportunity.
Though gestures of tenderness, hand holding, quick kisses, and meaningful glances were often stolen during the day, Darcy sneaked into Elizabeth’s chamber every night, happily welcomed by her.
Their bodies learned to discover and become accustomed to each other, eagerly awaiting the completion of their union on their wedding night.
Darcy knew that Elizabeth would not oppose anticipating their vows. He could feel her love become restrained passion; he could sense her body yearning for his as much as he craved hers. She was ready and willing to offer herself to him in every way.
But he preferred to wait. He planned for everything to be perfect, just as their union would be.
To him, Elizabeth was like the most exquisite book.
He found great enjoyment in slowly discovering her, page by page, until the climactic ending—which would be the start of a new and lengthy book they would write together in the years to come.
Therefore, he was with her every night, teaching her about passion and desire then resting in each other’s arms for a few hours while she slept peacefully.
He stayed awake, however, to watch her beautiful face glowing with happiness and to carefully retire to his room before dawn so nobody would discover their secret encounters.
It was a torture to him in every sense that he gladly suffered as he counted the days until their wedding.
∞∞∞
Ten days after Mr Darcy proposed to Elizabeth Bennet, while they all relaxed inside at noon with refreshments and drinks, a visit interrupted them: Lord and Lady Matlock were announced.
Darcy and the colonel hurried to greet them, but when they entered, the large gathering obviously surprised them. Lady Matlock quickly recovered, greeted everybody, embraced Anne and Georgiana, then congratulated Jane and Bingley as well as Elizabeth and Darcy.
“Mr Wilson! What a pleasant surprise to see you here,” Lady Matlock said.
Wilson bowed to her. “I am honoured to see you again, your ladyship.”
“This is a good opportunity to apologize for leaving the ball in such haste and to thank you for the invitation to a very pleasant event.”
“Your ladyship is too kind. It is I who must thank you.”
The colonel helped his mother sit, but the earl remained standing. He appeared uneasy and disturbed, undecided whether he should stay or leave.
“I am… It is… Mr Wilson, I would like a private word with you, if I may,” the earl eventually said. “There are things that need to be discussed.”
Elizabeth and Darcy startled; Wilson looked at him with unconcealed surprise.
“Of course,” he responded after a short pause.
“I believe the library would be private,” Darcy offered. “Let me show you there.”
Except for Elizabeth and Mrs Gardiner, the others ignored the exchange; they were accustomed to gentlemen speaking privately, so no one remarked on it. Darcy turned and gave his betrothed a look that reassured her he would take care of the matter. She replied with a smile of gratitude.
∞∞∞
The library door closed heavily.
“I would like to stay,” Darcy declared with a tone that allowed no opposition. “Regardless of what you have to say, I shall be involved in a certain way. My future is forever bonded to Miss Bennet and her family, and I must know how to properly handle the conflict between my uncle and hers.”
Wilson shrugged, nodding his agreement.
“You may stay,” the earl reluctantly agreed. “The worst has been said anyway.”