CHAPTER 19 – Echoes of Rosings
The carriage rattled along the uneven country road, jolting through the sunbathed landscape.
Outside, the countryside stretched wide and endless, greener pastures and small shoots announcing the arrival of the summer.
Rosings Island might have been two days behind, but it was far from forgotten.
Its shadow lingered in the minds of those within the carriage like a memory engraved too deeply to be effaced.
No one had spoken for some time. The air inside the carriage was one of quiet contemplation, each too absorbed by their own reflections and losses to engage in conversation.
Charlotte sat opposite Elizabeth, hands folded in a knot on her lap, her black widow’s hat stiff and severe against her pale face.
Maria, seated beside her sister, gazed out the window while she watched the countryside slip past in silence.
The carriage’s confines brought Elizabeth so close to her betrothed that their arms touched almost constantly.
The contact was more than accidental; whenever the carriage lurched, her head inclined naturally towards his shoulder, and she made no effort to move away.
Charlotte must have noticed, of course, but said nothing.
Their gazes even met once when Darcy’s fingers had brushed Elizabeth’s in tender reassurance, but Charlotte had quickly looked away with a small smile, obviously pretending she did not see.
Perhaps to see her happy at last gave Charlotte some relief from her own sorrows.
It was Darcy who finally broke the silence. “The news of Rosings is apt to reach Meryton before we do.”
“Of your engagement as well?” Charlotte asked quietly.
“No, I thought best to obtain Mr. Bennet’s consent first. I have been told that Meryton’s society may not have a good opinion of me, and I did not want to expose myself to ridicule in case he refused me.”
Elizabeth looked up and met his playful eyes. “He will not. My mother will assure herself of that.”
“We will break the news gently,” Darcy said. “This is not the time for celebration.”
“No,” Charlotte said. “But it is still a good event amidst all this sadness.”
Emotion swelled in Elizabeth’s chest. She glanced at Charlotte, steady and composed in appearance despite her great loss.
Did her friend have any regrets—did she wish she had chosen differently, had not tied her fate to a man who had ultimately left her alone?
But Charlotte’s gaze remained on the horizon, lost in her own thoughts.
She released a quiet breath and let her head lean once more against Darcy’s shoulder, closing her eyes. His hand, which had been resting on his knee, reached out, and his fingers gently twined with hers as the carriage continued its journey home.
***
After five weary days on the road, the sight of Longbourn filled Elizabeth with relief.
A small commotion greeted her at the door, with every Bennet in the house offering a warm welcome, relieved to see her return home safely.
Elizabeth was embraced by her parents and sisters, Charlotte received heartfelt condolences and kind words, and Darcy accepted the family’s gratitude with quiet reserve.
The Lucases were soon present to collect their daughters.
Charlotte's reunion with her parents was deeply emotional, and many tears were shed over the recent events. Losing the composure she had maintained throughout the journey, Charlotte embraced her mother and wept profusely. Overcome by sadness, the Lucases bid farewell to the Bennets, thanked Darcy for ensuring their daughters’ safe return, and departed for Lucas Lodge to care for their dear Charlotte.
As soon as the Lucases were gone, Darcy wasted no time in requesting a private audience with Papa. The elder gentleman responded with a surprised expression, but nonetheless granted him entrance to his library, closing the door behind them.
“Lizzy,” her Mama looked as confused as her father. “What has happened? What did you do?”
Elizabeth bit her lower lip. Apparently, Darcy’s decidedness had managed to astonish them all.
***
“What can I do for you, Mr. Darcy?” Mr. Bennet enquired over his spectacles. “I am at your disposal for whatever you might need. I believe there are few things I could deny you after bringing my daughter home unharmed.”
“It is good to hear that, sir, for I have come to formally ask for Elizabeth’s hand in marriage,” Darcy replied with the seriousness the matter required.
Mr. Bennet sat back on his chair, eyebrows arched up.
“Well, this is truly an unexpected development.” His voice was edged with amusement.
“My Lizzy did not seem to hold you in high regard during your last visit to Hertfordshire. Nor did she mention seeing you while in Rosings. I should like to know where this sudden understanding comes from.”
Darcy, although prepared for the comment, allowed himself a slight smile. “We have both undergone certain. . . transformations in our opinions, sir. I hold your daughter in the highest esteem, and I assure you, my affections and intentions are most sincere.”
Mr. Bennet tapped his fingers against the armrest of his chair. “And what of Elizabeth? Have you reason to believe she will accept you?”
Darcy’s confidence did not waver. “I do. In fact, she already has.”
Mrs. Bennet’s shrieks of unbridled delight came from behind the door, provoking smiles of amusement in both gentlemen. Elizabeth had surely shared the news with her mother, and Darcy only needed her father’s approval to seal the engagement.
Mr. Bennet chuckled. “Then I suppose there is nothing left for me to do but give my consent and blessing. If Lizzy is willing, I shall not stand in her way. I can only hope that you will make her happy.”
Darcy inclined his head. “I shall do everything in my power to ensure her full contentment.”
***
“Oh, Mr. Bennet!” mama cried when papa emerged from his library. “How could you not tell me sooner? How could you keep such wonderful news from me?”
“I did not keep it from you, my dear,” her father replied dryly. “I only just learned of it myself.”
Her mother hardly seemed to hear him; her thoughts raced faster than her words could follow.
“Oh, Lizzy, my dear girl, what an excellent match! To think, you shall be the mistress of Pemberley! I always knew you had an unusual manner about you, but I never dreamed you would marry so well! Why, we must begin preparations at once!”
Elizabeth, overwhelmed by her mother’s enthusiasm, attempted to speak, but to no avail.
Mama had already turned her attention to her other daughters, lamenting that Jane was not there to share her sister’s felicity and that the younger girls must take great pains to secure equally advantageous matches.
Her betrothed stood by her side with quiet amusement. He glanced at her, and they shared a joyful smile.
“Perhaps, my dear, we should first sit for dinner.” Papa made an effort to divert her mother’s excitement. “They have just arrived from a long journey, and are surely in need of a good meal to recover their strength.”
Mama clutched Darcy’s arm with a giddy laugh. “Yes, yes, of course! We must celebrate! Oh, Mr. Darcy, what a joy this is! You are too good! I am the happiest mother in all of England!”
***
The family gathered around the table to celebrate Elizabeth's return and her engagement.
It was an informal dinner, a stark contrast to the structured, measured conversations Darcy was accustomed to.
At first, the lively chatter unsettled him—the easy interruptions, the overlapping voices, the laughter at half-finished jokes.
But as the evening progressed, he found himself growing comfortable within the warmth of the Bennet household.
There was a familiarity in their interactions, an unpretentious joy that he had never experienced at his own table.
It was so different from the formality and darkness of Rosings, and overall, he did not mind the noise all that much.
They discussed the storm and the fire, and everyone was horrified to learn of their danger.
Mrs. Bennet's eyes filled with wonder at Mr. Collins's fate, and Kitty asked to see the scar on his hand, her curiosity met with Darcy’s indulgent smile.
Even Lydia, who had been unusually quiet, eventually leaned forward and demanded, "But truly, sir, were you not frightened? "
Darcy, surprised at the directness of the question, hesitated before answering. "There was no time for fear. Only action."
It was a simple statement, but it held weight. Elizabeth glanced at him, reading the unspoken sentiment behind his words, and squeezed his hand under the table.
Lydia, for once, was speechless. Eyes wide, she stared at him, her expression caught between admiration and wonder. "Well," she finally said, "if only all gentlemen were so brave!" From that moment onward, she seemed to hang on his every word.
Later that evening, after the excitement had settled, Elizabeth accompanied Darcy to the carriage that would take him to the inn in Meryton. He was invited to stay as a guest at Longbourn, but he had declined the invitation, not wanting to impose on the family.
The cool night air carried the distant murmur of voices from inside the house, but out here, they had a rare moment of solitude.
Elizabeth wrapped her arm around his and snuggled into his side. “This has come much faster than I expected,” she murmured. “To think, only weeks ago, I never imagined I would be here with you.”
“Nor I,” he admitted, looking ahead. “But I cannot regret the path that led us here.”
She turned to face him, her expression wistful. “I only wish Jane were here to share in my happiness.”
“I am sorry that her absence has marred this moment. Perhaps you can see each other sooner than you think. I must travel to town in a few days. If your father does not object, you could come with me and reunite with your sister.”
Elizabeth paused for a moment. “Travel to London?”
“One of your sisters may accompany us. Or Mrs. Collins, perhaps, if she feels up to travelling again.”
A wide smile spread on her face. "It would mean so much to me to see Jane again soon. I know she must have fretted for me as much as I have for her. To tell her all that has happened, to share this happiness with her, would make it all feel complete."
"Then I shall do my best to obtain your father's permission. Now that I am in his good favour, I do not think it will be so difficult."
They reached the carriage and stood before each other holding hands. Darcy stole a quick glance at the house to ensure there were no prying eyes and gave her a fleeting kiss on the lips.
“Good night, dearest Elizabeth. I shall see you tomorrow.”
“Good night, my dear William.”