Chapter 26
TWENTY-SIX
The next few weeks passed quickly, despite not involving any momentous events.
Darcy attributed the swift passage of time to being happier than he had ever been before.
He would soon be married to the only woman he had and would ever love.
She meant everything to him, and by simply being who she was, she promised him more than he had dreamt was possible.
There were moments when he was alone, such as when he was attempting to fall asleep at night, that he was astonished at how much had been missing from his life without him ever realising it.
He had no notion he could feel this full at heart or that he could take such tremendous pleasure in simple activities, like having breakfast or taking a walk along a path he had often trod upon before he knew her.
But, with her by his side, food tasted better, meals were occasions for laughter, his steps were lighter, and he noticed more than he used to, such as the sound of the birds or variations in the colour of the sky.
They went to Pemberley as planned, but for a shorter stay than Darcy had originally hoped.
However, he did not regret the alteration, because it was to allow the earl, countess, Elizabeth, and him to go to Hertfordshire to discuss the wedding.
The remainder of their party went directly to London; his sister would stay at Curzon Street with the Darcys.
Driving through Meryton on the way to Longbourn, watching the view change from the carriage window, he felt an odd mix of heavy and light.
The latter was because he would soon be married there, and the former was caused by memories of the previous autumn and how dreadfully he had behaved towards the woman he loved.
He also had conflicting feelings of gratitude for how Mr and Mrs Bennet had embraced Elizabeth and anger at how Mrs Bennet had acted when Elizabeth had refused to marry the foolish Mr Collins.
But, he reminded himself, that also led her to Grosvenor Square and back into my life. For that, I shall always be grateful.
Mr Bennet might have found the documents pertaining to his ward, including his sister’s letter, regardless of Mr Collins’s proposal and what followed, and as long as Elizabeth had contacted Lady Romsley, they would have met again.
But he sensed it would not have been the same, although he could not explain why.
In short, everything had worked out exactly as it was meant to.
Bramwell and Fitzwilliam had often joked that her finding them had been a Christmas gift to the family, and perhaps the special joy of the Festive Season had helped unite all of them—including the Sterlings and Bennets—in forging a new family and repairing bonds that had been broken when Elizabeth’s parents had eloped.
“Oh, you are here!” Mrs Bennet cried when they arrived at Longbourn. “Let me look at you, Lizzy. What a fine gown you are wearing.”
Her greeting was followed by the youngest two Miss Bennets asking where she had acquired her clothing and multiple demands to know how her weeks in Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, and Derbyshire had been.
“I cannot believe you have seen so many places, while I have been nowhere! Not even London,” Miss Lydia said with a pout.
“That is enough,” Mr Bennet said, giving both Miss Lydia and Miss Catherine stern looks, which Darcy appreciated.
Order in the drawing room was soon restored; Mr Bennet insisted that his daughters—including Miss Mary—take themselves off after greeting their visitors, leaving only Mr and Mrs Bennet, the earl and countess, Elizabeth, and Darcy.
“Jane has gone to call on my sister, Mrs Philips, who has sprained her ankle,” Mrs Bennet explained. “It is nothing serious, but it does make it difficult for her to get about. Mr Bingley accompanied her. I expect they will be back within the hour.”
“You are to be congratulated on your elder daughter’s betrothal,” Lady Romsley said politely. “We wish her and Mr Bingley every happiness, as we do Elizabeth and my nephew.”
Apparently, Mrs Bennet had forgot that her adopted daughter was also an engaged woman, for she leapt to her feet and crossed the short distance to Elizabeth, who stood and accepted the older lady’s embrace. To Darcy’s embarrassment, she also insisted on kissing his cheek.
“Two daughters engaged!” Mrs Bennet cried.
“And to such fine gentlemen. I can hardly believe it. The neighbours are extremely jealous of our good fortune, as they should be.” She stopped suddenly with a gasp; her eyes large and alarmed, she regarded Lord and Lady Romsley.
“I beg your pardon. I do think of her as my girl—”
“And as we told you in January, my dear Mrs Bennet, none of my family is offended by it,” the earl interjected gently. “Indeed, we are thankful she had family who loved her enough to treat her as a daughter and not just an orphaned niece.”
Mr Bennet acknowledged his words and said, “Perhaps we would do well to think about the present and not the past, not when the memory brings regret with it.” Darcy supposed he was thinking of how he had forgot so much about Elizabeth’s circumstances before she came to live at Longbourn, leaving her with questions about her father, including his name.
“I recommend we not speak further of engagements or weddings until Jane and Mr Bingley return. I, for one, would much rather discuss the conditions of the roads and how comfortable the inns were at which you stopped. Any topic that does not involve matrimony.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Have you been plagued by discussions of gowns and flowers and what dishes to serve at the wedding breakfast?”
Mr Bennet groaned as though injured. “It has been terrible. I had the most horrible dream about lace last night.”
The exchange lightened the mood, though it had not been especially uncomfortable, even for Darcy, and for the next while, they chatted amiably.
This persisted when Miss Bennet and Bingley returned and, deferring to Mr Bennet’s wish, they continued not to talk about the wedding.
He said, “I suggest that whoever must be involved in making the necessary decisions meet to do so tomorrow.”
“I am afraid I am too fatigued after spending the last few days travelling to do the subject justice,” the countess said. “Thus, I agree to Mr Bennet’s suggestion.”
The Romsleys and Darcy declined Mrs Bennet’s invitation to dinner and did not remain long after Miss Bennet and Bingley’s return.
The earl and countess wanted to settle into the inn.
They did not wish to stay at Netherfield, despite Bingley’s invitation, because they had no desire to risk encountering Bingley’s sisters, who had treated Elizabeth poorly.
Darcy felt obligated to go with them—not that he anticipated being in company with the Hursts or Miss Bingley again.
Elizabeth, a woollen shawl wrapped round her shoulders, accompanied him and Lord and Lady Romsley outside.
“I shall see you tomorrow morning, my darling niece,” the countess said.
“As will I,” the earl added. He and Mr Bennet had arranged to meet to discuss Elizabeth’s financial affairs.
Darcy would take part when necessary, such as to review the marriage contract; otherwise, he would be with Elizabeth, the countess, Mrs and Miss Bennet, and Bingley to ensure the wedding did not become overly elaborate or—even worse—postponed.
With his aunt and uncle safely in the carriage, Darcy led Elizabeth to a spot where they would not be observed by their relations or anyone watching from inside the house.
She smiled at him, her expression coquettish enough to cause a certain warmth to spread though him. How he wished they were truly alone!
“You and I both know you brought me to this shaded spot to kiss me,” she whispered. “So do it quickly before my aunt or uncle orders you to get into the carriage.”
He did as she demanded, pressing his lips to hers for as long as he dared.
Caressing his cheek, she said, “I think the meeting went well. As I have told you, we had a pleasant if awkward time here on our way to Hillsdale. Tonight, I shall be asked a hundred thousand questions, if not more, about the past months, your proposal, our intentions, et cetera, and I shall do my best to answer them fully so that you and our aunt and uncle do not have to endure them in the next few days.”
“After which, we shall go to town?” They had not settled the question of how long they would stay in Meryton, or even if she would want to remain there until the wedding.
Lord and Lady Romsley would not, in part because of Bramwell’s engagement and the need to begin making preparations for his and Rebecca’s wedding, and in part because staying at an inn for that long would be extremely disagreeable.
He might stay at Netherfield, but that would mean seeing Bingley’s family.
His friend claimed he understood, but he was responsible for Miss Bingley, and, naturally, he did not feel it was right to demand she absent herself from his home.
In addition, Darcy did not want to be apart from Georgiana for too long, and there were matters of business he should see to in London, including to prepare for his marriage, such as rewriting his will.
“Let us discuss it tomorrow or the next day. I assure you, my darling soon-to-be husband, I have no more wish to be separated from you than you do from me. But soon, my home will be over a hundred miles from here, making it difficult to see the people I have spent almost every day with until recently. I owe them my time, and I want to give it to them.”
“Because you love them, just as they do you,” he said, nodding to show he understood. “Until tomorrow,” he added, lifting her hand to his mouth for a kiss. He then walked back to the front door with her before stepping into the carriage for the short drive into Meryton.