Chapter 34
Later that day, Darcy was enveloped in great happiness when, after securing Mr Bennet’s consent, the news of Elizabeth and his engagement was announced to the family and Bingley to universal delight.
Mrs Bennet clearly rejoiced in having two daughters betrothed to rich men; she stated as much several times, causing Mr Bennet to roll his eyes, and her three eldest children to blush.
Darcy privately found the matron too silly to easily tolerate for long periods—other than when he recalled Lady Catherine, whose company was far more disagreeable.
Unlike his aunt, Mrs Bennet was generous and loved her family, and he appreciated that it was important to her future security, and that of her daughters, that some, if not all of them, marry well.
“She will be…less enthusiastic. Eventually,” Elizabeth told him that afternoon.
After chuckling, she added, “In a year or two. I am afraid her surprise that I had such a worthy suitor has added to her…” She gestured as though not knowing how to describe her mother’s exuberant and repeated mentions of his having a house in town as well as a country estate or that his grandfather had been an earl.
For that matter, Darcy did not have the words to capture Mrs Bennet’s glee.
“Do you mean she did not expect that you would attract such a man or that she had no notion we were more than mere acquaintances?” he asked.
If it were the former, his opinion of his future mother-in-law would be severely damaged.
“You see that I am not averse to considering myself a worthy suitor. I am afraid you will have to accept that I am arrogant, though I promise to avoid being inappropriately so.”
Again she laughed, this time adding a broad grin that enhanced her beauty. He loved to see her happy, and intended to do everything possible to ensure she always was.
“What exactly does being ‘inappropriately arrogant’ entail?” she enquired.
To that, he shrugged. Their private exchange, held in the Longbourn drawing room, was ended when Miss Bennet—Jane—approached and whispered, “Lizzy, Mr Darcy, come into the parlour. Mr Bingley and I want to speak to you. Now, while my mother is occupied by Lydia and Kitty.” The three ladies were discussing an upcoming party at Haye-Park, the home of one of their neighbours.
The purpose of the private discussion Jane and Bingley wished to have was to ask if Elizabeth and he would like to share a wedding day with them.
“We have got ourselves engaged at almost the exact same time,” Bingley said. “My dear Jane and I hope to be married by mid-January, and we cannot imagine you two will want to wait much longer. It might make it easier for Mrs Bennet.”
“But mostly it would be easier for my father, sisters, and the four of us,” Elizabeth interjected.
“My mother would likely relish the fuss of planning two separate events, and until after the second, she would not say a word on any topic apart from weddings and her daughters’ exceptionally good fortune to marry such perfect gentlemen. ”
Jane protested, but when Elizabeth gave her a steady look, her brow arched, she conceded it was true, albeit reluctantly.
“It is just because she is so pleased,” Jane insisted.
“Which I am sure we all appreciate,” Elizabeth said.
Bingley and he agreed at once, and soon, the four of them not only decided a double wedding would be their preference, they had also selected a date to suggest to Mr and Mrs Bennet.
The upcoming wedding and necessary preparations, including for Elizabeth’s removal to Derbyshire, was the only topic of conversation for the rest of the day. Mr Bennet and Darcy spoke of the terms of the marriage contract, and he promised to have it written as soon as possible.
“I shall write to instruct my solicitor this evening,” Darcy assured the gentleman.
“Tomorrow morning, soon after sunrise, would do as well,” Mr Bennet said.
Darcy knew he was being teased, and he did not much mind—today, that was.
He was too filled with relief, triumph to have won Elizabeth’s love, and simple joy.
In the future, and while he would welcome Elizabeth teasing him, he did not believe he would find it quite so easy to tolerate his father-in-law making sport of him.
After dining with the Bennets, Bingley and he rode back to Netherfield; predictably, Bingley chatted the whole time, chiefly about how satisfying it was that they were marrying sisters.
“Louisa and Caroline will have no choice but to cease their objections to Jane, since you see nothing wrong with connecting yourself to the family. It might be the most generous thing you have ever done for me, my friend!”
He laughed, though Darcy did not need that sign to know he was joking. The statement did result in a longer conversation about the Hursts and Miss Bingley’s lack of delight at Bingley’s choice of bride, and Darcy was sorry to learn that they were not being supportive.
“But I have kept what you told me in September in mind,” Bingley said. “It is my life, I am at liberty to decide for myself what will make me happiest, and that is what I shall continue to do. Well, what will make Jane and me happiest.”
Darcy dutifully wrote to his solicitor, but not before writing to Georgiana to share his news and ask her to inform their relations.
That night, with happiness robbing him of sleep—which was a welcome change from having distress do so as it had since the ball—Darcy planned for the future.
Likely, he would travel to and from London several times in the period leading up to the wedding, including to celebrate Christmas with his family.
The countess would insist on it, and he did not want to disappoint her this year.
In the future, he would spend the Festive Season with Elizabeth.
He envisioned Christmases at Pemberley, what it would be like once they had children, and the possibility of inviting some of their family to join them.
“And I know just what to do regarding a wedding trip,” he murmured softly and smiled.