Chapter 31
Chapter thirty-one
Mr. Bennet found Elizabeth and Darcy in the drawing room.
“Ah, good. I have received a letter from Mr. Philips, and I should like to speak with you both. Darcy, may we make use of your study?”
Darcy rose at once and assisted Elizabeth to her feet. “Of course.”
They followed him to the study and took their seats before his desk.
Mr. Bennet opened the letter and glanced again at the accompanying document. “We have received the new deed. The entail has been removed.”
Elizabeth smiled. “That is very good news.”
Darcy inclined his head. “Indeed, my congratulations.”
Mr. Bennet gave a satisfied nod. “But, Elizabeth, there is something further I wish to discuss, and you must tell me if you disagree.”
Elizabeth laughed lightly. “I am certain I shall be able to do so, Father.”
Mr. Bennet paused a moment, then continued. “I have been considering giving Netherfield to Jane.”
Elizabeth reflected briefly, then nodded. “That seems most fitting.”
“And I intend to leave Longbourn, and the associated enterprises, in your care.”
Elizabeth’s expression grew more thoughtful. “And what provision is to be made for Mary, Kitty, and Lydia?”
Mr. Bennet glanced at Darcy before replying. “I propose that your portion, and Jane’s, be added to their doweries. It would provide them with a very respectable sum. As for Kitty and Lydia, they have some years yet before they come out.”
Elizabeth turned slightly toward Darcy.
Darcy met her look with an easy smile. “I would be content to marry you without a farthing.”
Mr. Bennet regarded him directly. “I am pleased to hear it. Would you object to it being formally settled that Longbourn remains under Elizabeth’s direction?”
Darcy answered without hesitation. “Not in the least. She understands it far better than I, and I have estates enough to occupy me.”
Mr. Bennet smiled, clearly satisfied. “Then it is settled.”
***
Darcy led Elizabeth, Jane, Bingley, and Mr. and Mrs. Bennet to a small parlor at the back of the house.
He opened the door. “We do not make much use of this room now, but it is comfortable for our discussion.”
The room possessed a quiet elegance and felt immediately inviting. A fire burned brightly in the hearth, while a large window overlooked the back garden, which in season would be particularly pleasing.
They took their seats. Jane glanced at Elizabeth.
Elizabeth gave a small nod. “Jane and I have been speaking, and we should like to have a double wedding ceremony.”
Mrs. Bennet looked uncertain. “Are you quite sure you would not rather each have your own special day?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “We have always hoped we might share the day.” She glanced at Darcy.
He smiled, taking her hand. “I will marry you in any manner you wish.”
Bingley nodded eagerly. “I think a double wedding will be quite charming.”
Mr. Bennet murmured under his breath, “And half the expense of two weddings.”
Elizabeth pretended not to hear him. “As Longbourn is not yet finished, we thought it best to marry here in town.”
Darcy inclined his head thoughtfully. “We could marry at St. George’s. However, as neither Elizabeth nor Jane is sufficiently settled in the parish, we shall need to obtain special licences.”
Mrs. Bennet looked slightly alarmed. “A town wedding, people will expect it to be very grand.”
Darcy turned to her kindly. “I am certain my aunt will be pleased to assist you.” He paused. “And I do not suppose we shall escape Lady Catherine’s involvement.”
Elizabeth coughed lightly.
Darcy continued, “Bingley and I can call at St. George’s and determine what dates may be available three or four weeks hence.”
Mrs. Bennet hesitated. “I had thought three or four months would allow sufficient time for planning.”
Darcy smiled gently. “I am afraid three or four weeks is all I can endure, though my staff will assist in every possible way.”
Elizabeth smiled and gently squeezed Darcy’s hand.
Bingley nodded in agreement. “Indeed, even three or four weeks will feel quite long.”
Mr. Bennet rose. “It appears everything has been settled. I shall be in the library if I am required.”
***
Anne sat in the drawing room, trying to contain her excitement. She had long wished to visit the museum. She had heard of it often, of course, but had rarely left Rosings to go anywhere of consequence. Now she would go not only in company, but in the company of Mr. Denham.
He listened to her.
She found she liked that, being heard.
Her mother had shown some improvement, but it still felt as though the situation might revert at any moment. Like the quicksand she had once read of, one did not always perceive the danger until one was already sinking.
She smoothed her hand over her dress. It was one of her new gowns from Madame Beaumont, and she felt a little braver in wearing it.
Soon the others joined her. Darcy and Elizabeth entered and took their seats.
Elizabeth smiled. “Are you looking forward to our outing?”
Anne nodded. “Very much. I have been, since it was first proposed.”
Bingley and Jane entered next, followed by Georgiana and Mary.
Bingley smiled brightly. “Well, are we ready, then?”
Darcy shook his head. “Not just yet.”
After a few minutes, the butler appeared in the doorway. “Mr. Denham.”
Mr. Denham entered. “I hope I have not kept you waiting.”
Darcy inclined his head. “Not at all. You are precisely on time. The carriages are ready.”
Servants assisted them with their outerwear, and they soon made their way outside.
Darcy, Elizabeth, Anne, and Mr. Denham rode in one carriage; Bingley, Jane, Mary, and Georgiana in the other.
Mr. Denham glanced at Darcy. “I must confess, I had some concern yesterday when your engagement was announced. Lady Catherine appeared on the verge of striking you with her cane.”
Anne sighed softly. “Yes, I fear she often threatens it.”
She turned to Elizabeth. “You seem to be the only one who has any influence over her.”
Elizabeth laughed lightly. “I rather doubt she would agree with that.”
Darcy smiled at Elizabeth. “I think Anne is correct. She has… softened is not the proper word, but my aunt is certainly less belligerent.”
Mr. Denham smiled. “Then is there some secret to winning her favor?”
Anne shook her head. “None that I know.”
Elizabeth’s eyes danced. “It is more a matter of surviving the encounter.”
Soon they arrived at the British Museum, its imposing facade and tall columns lending it an air of quiet authority.
They descended from the carriages and entered together.
Mary was speaking eagerly to Georgiana. “I have never been here before. Have you?”
Georgiana nodded. “Oh yes, we come nearly every year. The Egyptian collection is quite fascinating, though I find the mummies a little… unsettling.”
Jane and Bingley walked close together, speaking softly, as though the world beyond them had momentarily ceased to exist.
Elizabeth observed them with a smile, wondering whether they were at all aware of their surroundings.
They had just passed the King’s Library when a familiar voice called out, not to the group in general, but very specifically to Mr. Darcy.
They turned.
Miss Bingley approached, Mrs. Hurst beside her.
Miss Bingley greeted Darcy with animated warmth, speaking as though she had not the slightest awareness that Elizabeth stood beside him, her hand resting lightly upon his arm.
Elizabeth lowered her gaze, concealing a smile.
Miss Bingley gestured toward another gallery. “You must come and see it, Mr. Darcy. I am certain it will interest you.”
Darcy shook his head calmly. “No, thank you. I would prefer to remain with my fiancée.”
Miss Bingley stared at him. “Your… fiancée?”
Darcy’s expression softened as he looked at Elizabeth. “Yesterday, Miss Elizabeth did me the honor of accepting my offer of marriage. We are engaged.”
Miss Bingley’s composure faltered. “Engaged? To Eliza Bennet? You cannot be serious.”
Mrs. Hurst stepped forward at once. “You both have my congratulations.”
She turned to her sister. “Caroline, we must not detain them.” Taking Miss Bingley’s arm with quiet firmness, she guided her away.
Elizabeth glanced up at Darcy. “I believe you enjoyed that.”
Darcy smiled, unrepentant. “Perhaps a little.”
He offered his arm more securely. “Shall we continue?”
Mr. Denham turned to Anne. “That was almost as entertaining as some of the exhibits.”
Anne smiled, more easily than she would have done even a few days before. “I believe you are correct.”