Chapter 34 Engaged, Part Two
ENGAGED, PART TWO
By the end of May, Darcy found himself once again bound for Hertfordshire. This time, he and Elizabeth did not travel alone. Georgiana accompanied him, as did Elizabeth’s sisters, Jane and Mary, whose company promised to make the journey far more agreeable than his first visit to the county.
Bingley had already returned to Netherfield several days earlier. In Darcy’s estimation, his friend had changed greatly over the past months. The easy, impressionable young man who once allowed himself to be persuaded against his own happiness now displayed a steadier, more determined nature.
Throughout the spring, Bingley had divided his time between Netherfield and London.
Darcy had often wondered whether such exertion sprang from affection more than necessity; yet, seeing his friend’s resolve, he could only approve.
Indeed, as Netherfield came once more into view, Darcy felt a quiet satisfaction—both for Bingley’s perseverance and for the prospect of returning to the place where his own life had changed so completely.
He and Elizabeth had agreed not to interfere in the renewed courtship between her sister and his friend, but both had privately wondered what continued to delay an engagement.
While they would keep their own counsel, Darcy knew others in the neighbourhood, particularly Mrs Bennet, would not be so discreet.
He could only hope that Bingley’s intentions would be formalised before it was time for the Darcys to journey north to Pemberley in little more than a fortnight.
Elizabeth had yet to see her new home, and while Darcy had been content to forgo the spring planting that year, it had now been more than six months since he last visited his estate—too long for his liking.
To his great satisfaction, however, the wait proved short.
Bingley had not been uncertain at all; he had merely been waiting for the explicit approval of Mr Bennet and wished to make his offer to Jane in Hertfordshire where they had first met and where he had begun to build a home for her.
Although Darcy had been given leave to grant permission, Bingley felt he ought to speak to Mr Bennet directly in this instance.
Instead of waiting for his guests at Netherfield, Bingley was at Longbourn when the Darcy carriage arrived.
He wasted no time in suggesting that everyone take a walk, and Kitty and Lydia were quick to propose that they all go into Meryton—something they had been able to do only rarely since their elder sisters had left.
With a shrug, the rest agreed readily enough, and they all gathered their outdoor things.
The entire party — ten in all — set off in pairs: Kitty and Lydia in the lead, with Mary and Georgiana just behind.
Mrs Annesley walked beside her charge, joined by the new companion recently engaged for Kitty and Lydia.
The appointment had been the subject of much conversation between Mr Bennet and Darcy, and Bingley had witnessed more than one such discussion.
Apparently, Mr Bennet had relented, for after the Darcys’ visit to Netherfield in March, a companion had arrived at Longbourn a se’nnight later. This new companion was known by Lady Matlock and highly recommended for the Bennets in particular since she understood what would be required there.
Behind the younger girls and their companions walked Darcy and Elizabeth while Bingley brought up the rear with Jane.
Watching the group move ahead of them, he deliberately slowed his pace, allowing the others to drift farther along the path before turning to his companion with a hesitant expression.
“Miss Bennet—Jane,” Bingley began, his voice unsteady, his hands twisting together as he struggled to find the right words.
“I—well—you must know that I have not always been the man I ought to be. I… I have been foolish at times, easily led, and far too quick to believe others wiser than myself.” He paused, glancing down before meeting her eyes again.
“But I think—no, I know—that over these last months, I have tried to change. I have learnt what truly matters, and I want to be the sort of man who deserves—well—someone like you.”
He drew a quick breath, his words tumbling faster now.
“When I first met you, I was uncertain—no, terrified—that I could ever be what you needed. My friends have often laughed at me, you see, for finding some new angel every few weeks, and I suppose I feared they might be right—that I was too changeable, too easily charmed. But…” His voice softened.
“In all the months of knowing you, Jane, my feelings have only grown stronger, steadier—deeper.”
He took another breath, almost laughing at himself.
“I am in love with you—completely and irrevocably so—and I can only hope that you might, perhaps, feel something of the same for me. For if you do…” He swallowed hard, his courage rallying at last. “I should like—if you would have me—to call you my wife.”
As Bingley spoke, the pair had come to a halt, and for him, the rest of the world seemed to vanish.
He was aware only of Jane—her stillness, the softness of her expression, the way her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
When she smiled through them, his heart leapt, for he could only believe they were tears of happiness.
He reached for her hands which he had let fall when he’d turned to face her. Now, unable to bear the loss of their warmth, he clasped them once more, holding on as though his future depended upon it. Every nerve in his body felt taut as he waited, breath held, to hear her answer.
“Yes, Mr Bingley,” Jane said through her tears, her voice trembling but sure. “I happily accept.”
At her words, Bingley could no longer contain himself. He gathered her into his arms, utterly forgetting that they stood in the middle of the lane where they were in full view of some of their party. For one blissful instant, he cared nothing for propriety or spectators—only that she had said yes.
When at last he released her, he was just aware enough to remember that now was hardly the time—or place—for greater demonstrations of affection.
A fleeting thought crossed his mind that perhaps he ought to have suggested a stroll through the gardens instead.
Still, as he looked at her radiant face, all such concerns vanished.
Jane Bennet—his Jane—had accepted him. In that single, shining moment, Bingley thought himself the happiest man alive.
As they walked, Darcy and Elizabeth found themselves glancing frequently over their shoulders at the couple behind them. Whenever they slowed, so did Bingley and Jane; when they stopped, the other pair did likewise, unconsciously mirroring their movements.
For several minutes, Darcy and Elizabeth simply watched as the two conversed, the air between them charged with unspoken expectation. Then, at last, Bingley took Jane’s hands, said something Darcy could not hear, and drew her gently into his arms.
Beside him, Elizabeth gave a soft gasp, her hands rising instinctively to her mouth.
When tears welled in her eyes, Darcy drew her close, wrapping an arm around her shoulders in quiet understanding.
He said nothing—there was no need—for in that single, joyful moment, he knew his friend’s happiness was complete, and his wife’s heart was full.
They stood watching in silence for a few moments longer. Jane’s face was radiant, her tears falling freely as Bingley laughed before pressing her hands fervently to his lips.
When at last Bingley and Jane began to walk towards them, Elizabeth hastily brushed at her tears, her smile trembling with emotion. Darcy offered her his handkerchief which she accepted with a watery laugh. “I am ridiculous, I know,” she whispered.
“Not at all,” he murmured, his gaze fixed on the couple approaching. “You are simply happy for them, as am I.”
Darcy smiled broadly and clapped his friend on the shoulder as they approached. “I am delighted for you both, Bingley. You could not have chosen better.”
Jane’s eyes shimmered anew, and Elizabeth, once more overcome, flung her arms around her sister. They clung to one another, laughing and crying in equal measure, while Darcy and Bingley looked on with unguarded affection and quiet amusement.
When at last Elizabeth had regained her composure, she drew back and regarded her sister with a teasing smile. “Now, Jane, you know we purchased your trousseau whilst in London. Truly, there is nothing to prevent your marrying as soon as the arrangements can be made.”
Jane laughed, shaking her head. “Lizzy, you make it sound as if a wedding can be planned in an afternoon.”
Darcy stepped forward, his tone practical though still warm. “Elizabeth and I cannot delay our journey to Pemberley. We must depart in a fortnight and intend to remain there for some time. Tell me, what must be done to prepare for the wedding?”
Bingley’s expression brightened even further.
“I thought of that already,” he said eagerly.
“When I spoke to your father about my intentions, Jane, we discussed their limited stay. I purchased the licence during my last trip to town—so there is nothing left to arrange but the wedding breakfast, and your mother,” he added with an affectionate laugh, “can have that planned before the day is out.”
Jane looked around and laughed. “Very well, then,” she agreed. “We shall have a wedding in a little less than a fortnight—but, Lizzy, you must be present when I have to explain this to Mama.”
Elizabeth laughed and turned towards her husband with a teasing glint in her eye. “Oh, I think not. We will let William tell Mama, for he has proven far more successful at persuading her in such matters than I.”
Darcy raised a brow, the corner of his mouth twitching. “I see I am to be offered as a sacrifice,” he said drily, his tone betraying his amusement.
Elizabeth slipped her hand into his arm, smiling up at him. “A most noble one, my dear—and in the service of love and family, no less.”