Chapter Twenty-Eight
D espite Elizabeth’s desire for a lengthy betrothal, she was made to understand that Mr. Darcy had already been away from Pemberley for rather a long time, and needed to return as soon as possible.
“I left Pemberley mid-March in order to be at Rosings for Easter and it is now almost May,” Mr. Darcy said, apologetically, as they walked together.
“I understand, William,” Elizabeth said. “And by the time the banns are called…”
“I must journey to London in any case to have the marriage articles prepared; I could apply for a license,” Mr. Darcy said, quickly.
“I do not wish to give anyone reason to think that there is a necessity for haste,” Elizabeth objected.
“So you wish to wait for the banns to be called?”
“Yes; this will give Mama time to arrange the dress, the breakfast, and all the other necessities. I do understand that this further delays your return – our return – to Pemberley.”
“But it does give me the opportunity to invite my relatives, the Earl and Countess of Matlock, to our wedding,” Mr. Darcy allowed.
“Will your relatives come?”
“I think so. I hope so.”
“An earl and a countess at our wedding! My mother will lose her mind.” Elizabeth smiled.
Mr. Darcy realised this was the first smile he had seen on her face all day. “Elizabeth!”
“Yes, William?”
“Elizabeth, are you unhappy with our betrothal?”
“Not unhappy, no; why do you ask?”
“This is the first smile I have seen from you this day.”
She stopped and turned to him. “I am sorry, William. No, I am not unhappy. You know I wished for more time, which Miss Bingley has made impossible, but I imagine we would have reached this point without her aid.”
“Elizabeth, do you at least care for me?” He was desperate for some indication that this was what she wanted.
“Oh, William, of course! I would never have consented to the marriage if I did not love you.”
“You love me!”
His delight transformed his face entirely. Elizabeth had always considered him the handsomest man of her acquaintance, but now his appearance truly stole her breath away. “I do love you, William,” she said, shyly.
She stood on tiptoes; he bent down. Their lips touched, and in that moment, it was as if the small Longbourn garden had been transformed into paradise.
***
“Look, Mary, do.” Mrs. Bennet was almost incandescent with delight as she peered out the kitchen window that overlooked the garden.
“Mama! Spying on them?”
“I want to make certain Lizzy is happy,” Mrs. Bennet said, virtuously.
“Spying!”
“Chaperoning!” her mother retorted.
***
Mr. Darcy was invited to stay for dinner, of course, and he was happy to accept. He was in no hurry to return to Netherfield. He asked Mr. Bennet if he might send a message to Mr. Bingley informing him of his decision to dine at Longbourn.
“I imagine you also want to be certain that Miss Bingley has left,” the older man said, shrewdly.
“You are quite right,” Mr. Darcy replied.
“Joe, the stable lad, will be happy to carry your message to Netherfield and await a reply.”
In just an hour, Mr. Darcy had been assured that Miss Bingley had already departed.
The conversation around the dinner table was entirely of the wedding; indeed, no other subject could be of interest. When Mr. Darcy mentioned his titled relatives, Mrs. Bennet put a hand to her heart. “An earl and a countess!”
“It is not certain, Mama,” Elizabeth said, quickly, hoping to forestall any further effusions. “They may not approve of Mr. Darcy’s marriage.”
“Or they may already have plans,” Mr. Darcy said, quickly. “They have rather full social schedules.”
“But a nephew’s wedding, surely they will come!” Mrs. Bennet would not release the idea of such august guests so readily.
It was agreed that the couple would marry on the twenty-fifth day of May. “I will leave for London tomorrow,” Mr. Darcy said. “And I will return as soon as I have the marriage articles in hand. Is there anything you might wish for from Town, Elizabeth?” He relished the opportunity to use her name in front of her family.
“No, but you have reminded me that I have relatives of my own to invite,” Elizabeth replied.
“Ah, I recall that you have an aunt and uncle in Town.”
“Yes. And…” Here she hesitated.
“Yes?”
“Well, I would normally invite Charlotte. But given the situation…”
“I think it would not be a good idea to alert my Aunt Catherine to our impending marriage,” Mr. Darcy said, hastily.
“I agree.”
“He proposed to Lizzy first, you know,” Miss Lydia interjected.
“Who?”
“Mr. Collins!”
“Mr. Collins proposed to you? He actually thought you and he would be a good match? Astonishing!” Mr. Darcy was amazed.
Elizabeth’s face was aflame. “Lydia, why did you have to bring this up?”
“Because it is so very funny! He proposed to Lizzy, and when she turned him down, he went out the very next day and proposed to Charlotte Lucas! We could not stop laughing, could we, Kitty?” She turned to her sister for corroboration.
“I did notice him giving you the occasional odd look, Elizabeth,” Mr. Darcy said. “Well, he has good taste if not good sense.”
Everyone at the table liked that, and applauded his choice of words.