Chapter 24 #2
The next day, she would marry him, and they would travel together to London, to their new life.
Alone for hours, in the carriage. Tomorrow evening, she would be in her new apartment, separated from his by only a door.
She would have to wear one of the three nightgowns her aunt had purchased for her — silky, soft, and too revealing, even with a robe worn over them.
Mrs Gardiner had teased her that a nightgown had to be revealing, which was probably true, since her aunt must know better than her.
She did not expect to consummate her marriage on her wedding night; of that, she was certain.
However, she found herself wondering whether he would at least visit her apartment.
Kiss her. Touch her. She had already enjoyed the feeling of his touch, of his lips on her hand.
How would it feel on her lips? On her skin?
Such thoughts, troubling her in the middle of the dinner with her family, made her shudder and blush, even more so as she felt Mr Darcy’s gaze upon her, and she feared he could guess the subject of her reverie.
The dinner ended at a reasonable hour, considering the events of the following morning, but the exhilaration remained at Longbourn.
“Upon my word, I can safely say this was the most successful dinner ever hosted in this neighbourhood,” Mrs Bennet declared.
“To have a colonel — the son of an earl — an admiral, Mr Darcy, and Mr Bingley all gathered round my table, and all complimenting my food, is beyond my wildest dreams. Wait until I tell my sister Phillips, Mrs Long, and Lady Lucas! I am sure they will all be at the church tomorrow, to see with their own eyes.”
“It was a huge success, indeed,” Mr Bennet agreed in a serious tone that puzzled his wife. “I thank you for taking such trouble all these weeks.”
“Mr Bennet, are you mocking me? If you are, you should know you cannot ruin my disposition.”
“I am not, Mrs Bennet, and I shall refrain from doing so again, if possible. I truly appreciate your efforts in assuring our daughters’ happiness,” he said.
Elizabeth knew that he was serious, as well as the reason behind it, but Mrs Bennet watched her husband doubtfully, incredulously, then turned her attention to her sister Gardiner.
“It was a perfect dinner, Sister,” Mrs Gardiner approved. “And I was shocked at how kind and amiable Mr Darcy is! Lizzy wrote to me last month that he was proud and disagreeable, but I saw nothing of it.”
“Lizzy was wrong, Sister! And so was I! You do not know how much we despised Mr Darcy! I almost forced Lizzy to marry that horrible Mr Collins, and she was almost smitten with an officer — Mr Wickham. But all is well that ends well. I thank the Lord for that!”
“I was not smitten with anyone, and I would certainly not have married Mr Collins,” Elizabeth explained.
“And it is true that Mr Darcy and I had a rather challenging start to our acquaintance. The behaviour of us both was wrong, and we both admitted it and are trying to make amends to remedy the errors.”
“Well, since he will marry you tomorrow, he does not have to remedy anything else!” Mrs Bennet concluded. “And we should go to bed now. It would not do for you to look tired and plain. He can still change his mind and leave you, you know.”
“I am quite sure that will not happen,” Mr Bennet intervened. “But yes, it is time to go to bed.”
Even after her parents and sisters withdrew to their rooms, Elizabeth was far from desiring to rest; she spent another hour talking to her aunt. And even afterwards, although she felt exhausted, she could not sleep until dawn.
∞∞∞
At Netherfield, Bingley suggested staying up for another drink, which the colonel happily agreed to. The admiral, however, excused himself and withdrew to his room. After a brief consideration, Darcy followed him and caught him when he was just closing the door behind him.
“What is it, Darcy? I am very tired. I need to rest.”
“Forgive me. I do not want to bother you. I just wish to thank you, sir, for telling me the truth. And to apologise for my arrogant and selfish response.”
The admiral hesitated for a moment, then invited him in.
“Admiral, as my father’s son and your friend, I felt betrayed, deceived for being kept ignorant of such an important secret. I felt like I had lost my entire childhood. If I had heard it from my father or from you, it would have been less painful than Lady Catherine’s spiteful accusations.”
“Yes, I realise that. I was wrong, and so was George. We should have presumed that you might find out one day.”
“I know I have no right to judge my father’s actions, as long as he fulfilled his duty to me and to my mother.
But even though I know they are almost a custom, I cannot approve such arrangements in marriages, for too many obvious reasons that I shall not even mention.
But it is an arrogance to presume I know how I would have acted if in his place in similar circumstances. Or in your place…”
“We both need time and proper consideration before we speak of all this again, Darcy. And as much as you are hurt by the past, it cannot be changed. I would suggest that for now, you should concentrate upon the present. Upon your marriage.”
“I shall…but I would appreciate it if we could speak more. There are still things that are unsettled…”
“We shall. About your father, not about me. My confession was not meant for any other living soul but you, and I shall not speak of it again.”
“As you wish. And, sir, one more thing. Elizabeth heard Lady Catherine’s accusations.
I am sure of her discretion, but we have been open and honest with each other since we decided to marry.
I would not want her to start our new life with suspicions.
I would like to tell her if you approve of it.
About my father, not about your secret, sir. ”
The admiral looked at him in silent contemplation, as though he was trying to ponder his answer.
“You may tell Miss Elizabeth whatever you find appropriate, Darcy. She will be your wife, and if you want to keep no secrets from her, I applaud you. Honesty will only help you to ensure your happiness in marriage. And I truly believe your marriage could be a happy one, not only in appearance but also in truth.”
“Thank you, sir. I must also consider if and what to tell Georgiana. I fear she will be deeply hurt, but I fear even more that she might find out from another source.”
“I am sure you will decide to her benefit, Darcy. Is there anything more for now?”
“No… Will you stay a few more days at Netherfield, with Richard?”
“I must. I promised Bingley, and I do not want to disappoint him.”
“Admiral, when you return to London, please call on us.”
“I shall send you a note when I return, Darcy. Good-night. I shall see you in the morning.”
With that, Darcy was forced to leave, but he remained in the hall for a little while, to gather himself together. Then, he returned to his joyful, carefree friends and became the recipient of their teasing while they all enjoyed another drink.