Chapter 21 #3
Hurrying over and embracing her sister, Elizabeth kissed Jane’s cheek and wished her all the joy she heartily deserved.
A moment later, Charles Bingley came outside too, having obtained Mr Bennet’s blessing, and was welcomed by Elizabeth as a brother.
Mr Darcy stood back slightly from the group, his face and bearing smiling but reserved.
“I must offer both of you my heartiest congratulations and my apologies. Without me, this match would have been made long before now,” he told the happy couple.
Jane and Mr Bingley only smiled, entirely wrapped up in one another and uncaring about the past that had finally led them to this joyous moment. Elizabeth, however, acknowledged Mr Darcy’s words.
“All has been put right now,” she told him and saw an odd look in his eyes, as if he wanted to speak but was unsure, before he looked away.
“We should walk back to Netherfield with the ladies, Bingley, and tell Georgiana the news,” Mr Darcy proposed. “My sister will be waiting in great anticipation. She adores weddings.”
“Georgiana is here?” asked Elizabeth with pleasure. “I should very much like to see her again.”
Mr Darcy smiled at her fully on hearing this, and she took his arm again for the walk to Netherfield Park.
∞∞∞
They were soon well ahead of the deliberately dawdling Mr Bingley and Jane, for Elizabeth stepped out briskly to give her sister all the privacy she might wish, and Mr Darcy seemed equally eager to move ahead, whether from the same benevolent motive, or for reasons of his own.
When they had drawn far enough away not to be overheard, he turned to her with a look she could not interpret. There seemed something in it of embarrassment, or apology, and yet an equal amount of what she could only call hope.
“I believe I am to blame for a most unpleasant visitor to Longbourn,” Mr Darcy began. “My aunt is a woman of — strong notions, shall we say? She was not entirely cogent in relating all that she said to you, but I am very much afraid that it was offensive. Please accept my apology.”
“You can have nothing to apologise for in the behaviour of your aunt,” Elizabeth told him. “In any case, I am sure Lady Catherine went away more distressed than I. I was very willing to promise my secrecy regarding everything concerning Lord Hexham, but more than this, I would not do.”
Elizabeth looked at him, wondering if Lady Catherine would have confessed the promise she had tried to extort from her, but to judge by Mr Darcy’s expression, he could have no knowledge of it.
“She should have known better,” Mr Darcy remarked instead.
“I have long known of your quick wits and great heart, but your excellent advice to my sister ought to be proof enough for anyone. Lady Catherine ought to have thanked you — everyone who truly cares for Georgiana ought to thank you — with all their hearts.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I was very glad to be of service, and truly, I did little enough. I, of all people, know what it is to have a sister rescued from disaster.”
An odd expression crossed his face then, one Elizabeth could not interpret. “Let us be thankful, then,” Mr Darcy said. “For the deliverance of both our sisters.”
“Yes, let us be thankful,” Elizabeth replied. “I only hope Mr Wickham will keep to an honest path, now that he is put on one.”
“I think it likely,” Mr Darcy reassured her. “Colonel Richards is a strict man, with a reputation for keeping discipline among his men. He will put Wickham to rights if anyone can.”
Elizabeth gasped in astonishment, for the words revealed much more than he could have intended. Mr Darcy looked at her in surprise, but it took a moment before Elizabeth could bring herself to speak. This explained everything.
“It was you,” Elizabeth said in wonder. “You found them, when my uncle could not, and purchased Wickham’s commission. How else could you know where he is to be sent and who is to be his commander?”
Mr Darcy winced. “I — no, I cannot bear to deceive you. Your surmise is correct. I am very sorry to have slipped up so clumsily. I had not intended to let you know.”
“I am glad,” Elizabeth told him. “Glad, for now I may thank you, as all my family would wish to. When I think of what Lydia’s life would have been, what all our lives would have been, if you had not rescued her!
There is nothing I can say or do that would be adequate to thank you, but still I do thank you, Mr Darcy, from the bottom of my heart. ”
“I did only what was right and just,” he began to say, but then stopped himself and shook his head. “No, it was not only that. You were the star that guided my actions, Miss Elizabeth. All that I did, I did for you, and you can owe me nothing after what you did for Georgiana.”
Elizabeth studied Mr Darcy’s earnest expression and saw a sincerity in his eyes that matched his tone. Her heart beat powerfully under his gaze.
“I may owe you nothing,” she told him, gathering all her courage, “but there are still things I wish I could give, out of free will, not obligation.”
Elizabeth saw her companion take a deep breath and then pause on the road, halting Elizabeth with him.
“Could you ever give me your hand in marriage?” Mr Darcy asked her quietly.
“I love you even more than I can say, and yet I will try. You have changed my life and made me a better man. You have taught me what it is to truly love. I would be honoured beyond measure to have you as my wife and as mistress of Pemberley, Elizabeth Bennet. I would strive every day to be worthy of you.”
In response, Elizabeth reached out and placed her fingers in his.
“To be yours is all that I could wish,” she told him.
When she squeezed his hand gently, his smile spread across his handsome face, and he drew her aside from the road.
There, behind a tree and hidden from any watching eyes, Mr Darcy’s lips found hers, and Elizabeth knew that all would be well.
“Now Georgiana will have two weddings to look forward to,” she remarked.
Laughing joyfully together, Elizabeth and Mr Darcy returned to the path, their hands clasped as though neither ever wished to let go.