Chapter 38
Drusilla Kingston and her three daughters abandoned Kingston Hall the next morning.
The widow could not face the ignominy of having the Bennets claim their estate—her husband had told her who would soon own the Hall after the girls arrived home the previous night.
She had told him she and the girls were better off with him dead; he had taken her advice.
Hence, they stuffed as much as they could into the carriage and were on the road to her parents’ home in Cornwall with the light.
She had to hope the coachman would convey them all of the way, as she had discovered that her late useless husband had not paid the servants the last quarter day. She had some coin with her, and Drusilla had to pray it was enough to reach her parents’ home.
The next question would be whether or not her mother and father would take them in.
Her father was in trade, and when Drusilla had forced the issue by compromising Mr Kingston, he would only marry her if she distanced herself from her parents and the stench of trade.
That had been more than six and twenty years past, and her parents had not ever met their granddaughters.
She would have to play on her parents’ sympathies so they would not be turned away.
In her contemplation, she never considered that her parents may no longer be alive.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
It had been a late night or an early morning, depending on one’s perspective. Darcy had rested his head on his pillow and Morpheus had claimed him immediately. Regardless of what time he went to bed, he still woke up with the first light of the day.
Even had he wanted to sleep later, the anticipation of proposing to Elizabeth that morning would have made that impossible.
As it was, like most nights, his dreams were full of the emerald-green-eyed beauty, and as loathe as he was to admit it, some of those dreams had been decidedly ungentlemanlike.
How he did it, Darcy would never know, but Carstens was at his bedside to hold his robe as soon as he stood. “A nice hot bath, please,” Darcy requested.
The valet exited the chamber and spoke to a footman in the hall. “The bath will be ready for you in about a half hour, Mr Darcy,” Carstens reported on his return. “Would you like me to shave you while we wait? If so, I have an ewer with hot water in the bathing room.”
Not only did his valet appear each morning as if by magic, but he always knew what Darcy wanted. “A shave would be welcome,” he replied.
Within an hour, Darcy had been shaved, bathed, and dressed. Even though it was early, he made his way down to the breakfast parlour, where he knew a pot of coffee and some fresh-baked items would be on the sideboard.
Darcy was on his second cup of coffee, had enjoyed some freshly baked muffins, and was reading the Times of London when, about an hour after he entered the room, he heard the voices of young ladies getting louder as they approached the breakfast parlour.
He remembered that the youngest two Bennet sisters, Miss Lucas, and Miss Cara Long had spent the night as Anna’s guests after they left the ball once the ladies had exhibited.
“William!” Anna exclaimed as she entered the breakfast parlour with the other girls, Mrs Annesley, and Miss Dudley.
“I would have thought today would be an exception, and you would rise after the light as you were at the ball until its conclusion, unlike us,” she indicated her four friends, “who left after supper.”
“I have an appointment at Longbourn; one I do not intend to miss,” Darcy said cryptically.
“You are going to propose to Lizzy!” Lydia guessed. “I should have waited for you to tell us what your purpose is.” Lydia was looking at her former governess, who had her eyebrows raised.
“It is not a secret, Lydia. Your assumption was a good one. If Elizabeth accepts me, I hope to return to Netherfield Park an engaged man,” Darcy shared.
“That is the best of news!” Anna squealed. “I will have five sisters when you marry.” She was about to look embarrassed, but when she looked at William, Anna saw no censure in his face, but rather only happiness.
While the girls were chattering about the plethora of upcoming weddings, footmen were placing chafing dishes of food on the sideboard.
Regardless of the nerves he felt with the slight uncertainty regarding his beloved’s acceptance of his proposal, Darcy put ham, coddled eggs, and toast on his plate. The last thing he wanted was for his belly to rumble from hunger while he was laying his heart bare for Elizabeth.
Towards the end of his meal, Miss Bingley, his aunt, uncle, Andrew, Marie, Anne, and Richard joined those eating. The only resident absent was Bingley. Darcy was not surprised; Bingley was not always a morning person.
The girls’ chattering and the other conversations flowed around Darcy’s head, but he did not pay attention.
Rather, he was thinking of what he would say during the most important speech he would ever make in his life.
Richard had shared the brevity of his proposal to Mary.
His cousin had been successful so perhaps that would be the way to go.
Darcy was snapped out of his reverie when he felt a hand on his shoulder. “Do not overthink it, William. When you are before Lizzy, allow what you want to say to come from your heart,” Fitzwilliam suggested so only his cousin could hear.
Ever since he had entered the parlour, Fitzwilliam could see that William was deep in thought, and by the looks flashing across his countenance, he was more than likely trying to plan the ideal words to say to Lizzy.
Knowing his cousin’s propensity to think too much and end up saying the wrong thing as he regurgitated every thought in his head, Fitzwilliam knew that for William’s own good, he needed to calm himself.
What Richard said cut through the fog Darcy had created in his brain. Richard had the right of it; if he allowed his heart to lead, all would be well.
Thanks to his cousin’s words, Darcy forced himself to relax.
By the time Bingley wandered into the breakfast parlour, the young ladies had made for the music room, and most of the rest of the residents were finishing breaking their fasts. “What a glorious day!” he said without ever looking at the weather.
“So speaks a man who is besotted with his newly affianced lady,” Matlock ribbed.
“I own that moniker with pride, my Lord,” Bingley responded with a bow.
“Seeing that you will be marrying a lady who will be related to us through both Richard and William’s marriages, do you not think you should address me as Uncle Reggie?” Lord Matlock allowed.
“And I am Aunt Elaine,” Lady Matlock added.
Those keeping Bingley company as he ate did not miss how Miss Bingley was looking at the clock on the mantle as often as William was.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Knowing that his Elizabeth also rose early each morning regardless of the time she found her bed, Darcy took a chance and had his coach arrive at Longbourn just after ten.
When the coachman drew the team of four to a halt, the older Thompson brother opened the door for him after extracting the step.
As he walked towards the front door, Darcy thought about how much he appreciated the younger girls choosing to not depart from Netherfield Park before eleven, so there would be no unexpected disturbance during his proposal.
Mr Hill opened the door before Darcy managed to use the knocker. It seemed the butler had been told to expect him. He was led to the drawing room where five Bennets awaited him. His heart sang when he saw the excitement shining from Elizabeth’s extremely fine eyes.
“Bennet, Mrs Bennet, Misses Bennet, a very good morning to all of you,” Darcy greeted as he bowed.
“Welcome, Mr Darcy,” Louisa returned as her husband bowed, and she and the three eldest Bennet sisters curtsied. “Have you broken your fast already? We have just done so, and there is still food available.”
“No, I thank you, Mrs Bennet. I ate before I departed Netherfield Park,” Darcy replied.
“If not to eat with us, why is it you have called today?” Bennet jested.
“Papa!” “Thomas!” Elizabeth admonished at the same time as Louisa did.
“Peace, I was only joking with Darcy. If your purpose is what you asked of me at the ball…” Bennet looked at Darcy for confirmation and saw a nod.
“…then you may use my study. You know the time and door restrictions, do you not?” He saw another nod.
“Wait a few minutes for Biggs and Johns to be in place, and then you may go to it.”
“Much appreciated, Bennet,” Darcy responded gratefully.
It was not long before Hill informed the master that the footmen were in place outside of the study.
Darcy stood and extended a hand to Elizabeth to help her stand.
Elizabeth smiled at William. Her dream of being his wife was about to come one step closer to reality. She looked at Jane, Mary, and Lulu, and each of them smiled encouragingly.
Wordlessly, the two made the short walk to the study where the two men were waiting.
“Good morning, John, and to you as well, Brian,” Elizabeth greeted.
“And to you, Miss Lizzy,” Biggs responded as Johns nodded his agreement with the sentiment.
On entering Papa’s study, Elizabeth sat herself on the settee between the windows while William positioned the door, leaving it cracked open by a few inches. Her breath hitched as she watched her suitor stride towards her purposefully, looking as handsome as he ever did.
He dropped to one knee and took each of her hands into one of his, upon which he bestowed a kiss on the top of first one and then the other before he said anything.
Frissons of pleasure shot out from where William kissed her on each hand and were felt in the furthest reaches of her body, playing havoc with her equanimity.