Chapter 14
The betrothed couple was so overjoyed that they could not stop smiling all the way back to the house.
Being in full view, the gentleman having kindly offered his arm and the lady having cheerfully accepted it, they kept an almost proper distance from each other, but the brief caresses they shared, the scent and taste of each other, the awareness of the feelings aroused inside them, the relief of finally being certain their love was mutual, the expectations of the future now easily foreseen — all caused such a delight as neither of them had felt before.
The knowledge that Elizabeth would leave the following day lost its melancholy, replaced by the contentment of the certainty that she would return soon, as the mistress of Pemberley and of the master’s heart.
With the little composure they still possessed, they discussed the best way to give the news to their closest relatives — Georgiana and the Gardiners.
Considering Mr Gardiner was Elizabeth’s guardian during her journey, Darcy suggested speaking to him first and asking for his consent, then sharing it with the ladies, and Elizabeth readily acquiesced.
According to the plan, Darcy invited Mr Gardiner to join him in the library as soon as they entered the house.
Darcy felt slightly nervous in the solemnity of the moment and thought he might need a drink before he started, so he proposed one to Mr Gardiner, who accepted and enjoyed his brandy with apparent serenity.
“Mr Gardiner, there is something of great importance for which I need your support. And your approval…”
“Mr Darcy, you already have my support and approval for anything you might need.”
“Thank you…but this is different…I…in short, I asked Miss Bennet for her hand in marriage, and she generously granted it to me. I am applying to you since her father is not present. I plan to address Mr Bennet too, as soon as possible.”
Mr Gardiner showed less surprise than Darcy expected, but he stood up and bowed formally as he replied, “Mr Darcy, I would never refuse you anything that you did me the favour of asking for. I confess I have noticed your partiality for my niece for some time. In fact, from almost the beginning of our acquaintance. I also suspect your affection was formed prior to our arrival at Pemberley and has lasted for some duration.”
“You are very observant, sir! I should not have doubted it, of course. However, only recently have I been so fortunate as to win Miss Bennet’s heart. Due to my past behaviour, her opinion of me was not particularly good.”
“Yes, yes, I remember some of your past misunderstandings. In marrying my niece Elizabeth, I am certain you are making a wise choice, which will bring a happy and fulfilled life to both of you. You are the best of gentlemen, and I am aware of how fortunate my niece is, considering the differences between your situations in life. Choosing Lizzy as your wife shows wisdom and deep knowledge of human nature, as well as an excellent taste in ladies if I may say so,” Mr Gardiner concluded with a little humour.
“I feel fortunate for being accepted, sir. Before I met Miss Bennet, I was rather oblivious to my faults, and she helped me see the truth of my own insufficiency. It was not an easy journey, I assure you.”
“I imagine as much,” Mr Gardiner replied.
“I admit I am a little worried about how Mr and Mrs Bennet will receive the news and respond to my application. My behaviour towards them has been marked by despicable arrogance, I have long realised that. Sadly, I have no time to make amends, and I fear their rejection. Were I the father, I would not allow my daughter to marry a man with such rude manners and behaviour.”
Mr Gardiner smiled and sipped from his glass.
“My brother Bennet will be utterly shocked and wary, and he will question this marriage which seems hasty. Luckily, Lizzy will have the chance to speak to her father before you. I shall also write to him, so by the time you address him, he will be rather accustomed to the notion. But I suspect he will give you a hard time, and you will have to bear his sarcasm and wit for a long while. Bear in mind that Lizzy is his favourite. However, I suspect he will be interested enough to come and see your much-praised library, so he will overcome any objections.”
Darcy widened his eyes in alarm, and Mr Gardiner laughed.
“I just gave you a taste of what you will have to suffer from my brother. His great enjoyment is to make sport of those around him, even those he loves. So be forewarned.”
“I see…I believe I shall be prepared,” Darcy replied, thinking he might need his drink after all. “Miss Bennet herself has censured me and taken me to task more severely than anyone ever has, so I doubt it can be any worse.”
“As for my sister Bennet, you have nothing to worry about. Being tall, handsome, and so rich, you will easily get her approval,” Mr Gardiner ended, very amused, and Darcy wondered whether he was being serious or was still jesting.
Soon after that conversation, they joined the ladies, and another announcement followed for Mrs Gardiner and Georgiana.
Elizabeth was still not comfortable enough to speak about her new felicity, so it was Darcy again who gave the news.
However, his sister and Elizabeth’s aunt seemed more glad than surprised, offering their congratulations warmly, leaving no doubts about their approval.
“My dear Elizabeth, I could not be happier!” Georgiana said, embracing her tearfully. “I prayed and hoped that my brother would ask you before you left. I was afraid I would lose you, but now I know you will marry soon and return to be my sister.”
Such an outburst from a restrained, shy girl was heart melting, and Elizabeth held her tight, feeling her own eyes moisten.
“My dear Georgiana, you would not have lost me anyway. By marrying your brother, I could not love you more, as I have already loved you as a sister for a long time now. But you must be warned — you will be granted four more sisters, who will surely come to love you too, but only my dear Jane will not be a challenge to your serenity.”
At Georgiana’s worried expression, Elizabeth laughed and stroked her hair. “And another fair warning — being related to the Bennet family, you will have to become accustomed to teasing.”
“It seems we both have to become accustomed to teasing, my dear,” Darcy interjected. “I presume I shall be the preferred recipient of such, much more than you. And I fully deserve it.”
∞∞∞
Three and half weeks after they arrived in Derbyshire, the Gardiners and Elizabeth left the place that had changed their lives as if in a dream they would never have dared to believe might become reality — until it did.
The farewell from Darcy was emotional, but not sad, as he was expected to arrive in Hertfordshire in less than a fortnight, and Georgiana would follow later on.
The Darcys planned to travel shortly after their guests’ departure, to London first, as he needed to visit his solicitor and changes needed to be made at the townhouse before he returned in the company of his wife.
Of the servants, only Mrs Annesley and Mrs Reynolds were informed about the engagement, in confidence.
Although both expected such news — as Mr Darcy, they both knew, would never display such particular attention to a lady unless he had a serious inclination towards her — Mrs Reynolds could not help embracing her master with the affection of a mother.
Secretly, she had feared that the most excellent of men — the best master and the best landlord — might do what was expected of him and marry someone of higher consequence but with insufficient affection and warmth of the heart to make him happy.
Seeing him in the company of pretty and cheerfully witty Miss Bennet, and knowing he had chosen her to stand by his side, was a reason for relief and joy and hope — and the happiness on his and her countenance left no room for doubt that a great deal of affection was shared.
Elizabeth’s departure brought such emptiness and longing to both that Darcy speeded up their travelling plans.
While Georgiana would remain in London with Mrs Annesley, Darcy was determined to reach Netherfield — and Longbourn — at the earliest possible time.
Once he had Mr Bennet’s blessing, he and Elizabeth might decide either to apply for a common licence or marry at Longbourn after waiting for the banns to be read.
In addition, other urgent and important matters that needed his attention had to be accomplished, together with those in regard to Wickham’s transfer to the new regiment.
Darcy felt somehow relieved to have purchased all Wickham’s debts and have him at his mercy.
The threat of being thrown into debtors’ prison was frightening even for a man with as little honour as Wickham and would likely temper any further attempts to trouble Darcy.
But impatience and opportunity could push Wickham to act, braving the possibility of finding himself at the Fleet or Marshalsea, despite the reputation of the horrors inside, and Darcy felt it would be better if the scoundrel was enrolled under strict orders.
He had to present the news of his engagement to his family and — except for Colonel Fitzwilliam — he expected some opposition or at least some questioning from the earl and even stronger objections from Lady Catherine, whose reaction to the collapse of her own plans and wishes might be dangerous for his equanimity.
He could have written to them, but he felt he owed it to them, as his closest family on his mother’s side, to disclose his decision in person.