Chapter 17
The weeks of engagement passed in haste and anticipation for the betrothed couples and with even more joy for Mrs Bennet, causing a commotion which affected Longbourn as well as half of Meryton.
She was torn between expressing her admiration for her two sons-in-law but secretly favoured Darcy more, as she whispered to Elizabeth.
To his credit, Darcy bore all the attention reasonably well, and he slowly learnt to be more amused than irritated by Mrs Bennet’s behaviour, as well as by Mr Bennet’s constant teasing, which was equally uncomfortable.
The long walks with Elizabeth, where they enjoyed intimate conversations, mutual expressions of love, and some delightful moments of privacy, the chance to sit by her side at the dinner table and sometimes take her hand without anyone noticing, the time spent in the library making plans with his future wife, and the daily countdown to the moment of the wedding made everything worth the while.
Mrs Bennet called on her sister and all her friends in Meryton to announce the happy event the very day she learnt about Elizabeth’s engagement — news that was first received with scepticism and doubt.
If Mr Bingley’s proposal to Jane was an expected consequence of his long-witnessed admiration for the pretty young lady, the proud and arrogant Mr Darcy marrying Elizabeth Bennet, when their mutual dislike was equally universally known, seemed incomprehensible.
And yet, after much disbelief, rumours, and wondering, it proved to be as real as Mr Darcy’s obviously improved manners.
Consequently, the Bennets’ unexpected good luck became a subject of jealousy and gossip.
Against his will, Darcy was forced to travel to London twice during the period prior to his wedding, to settle some unexpected problems. The major one was caused by Wickham who — just as Darcy had feared — broke the arrangement and returned to London.
Having a man who followed Wickham, Darcy had been immediately informed.
Being thus taken from Elizabeth infuriated him exceedingly, and he showed no mercy and no patience for the man who had affected his life so often.
Therefore, he applied to the judge with the settlements of the debts, and Wickham was confined and placed in debtors’ prison.
Marshalsea was a drastic step that Wickham did not expect and Darcy did not feel comfortable making.
However, Colonel Fitzwilliam suggested it was better than ‘just shooting that scoundrel’, which was the second option.
Darcy had no intention of leaving Wickham to rot in such a place, but if there were a situation appropriate to induce the man to reconsider his actions in haste, this was it.
The plan was to release Wickham as soon as another commission was found for him.
The one in the North was no longer available to him, so Colonel Fitzwilliam recommended searching for other employment abroad, although the colonel found it ridiculous that Darcy bothered himself with anything related to Wickham only weeks prior to his wedding.
Eventually, the colonel promised to make use of his connections and secure a place for him in one of the regiments leaving for the continent.
Equally disturbing was Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who received the news of Darcy’s engagement with disbelief at first, then with ire and spite.
She wrote Darcy several letters sent by express and some more to her brother demanding assistance from the earl.
All the replies she received only angered her more and made her express her displeasure against Mr Collins and his wife until Charlotte decided it was the time to visit her family in Meryton.
His aunt’s offensive and violent words against Elizabeth made Darcy cut all connection with Lady Catherine until he received proper apologies.
Once he returned to Netherfield, Darcy and Elizabeth were together most of the time, just like the other betrothed couple.
They dined at Longbourn nearly every day; Mr Bingley did not host any parties at Netherfield as his sisters continued to show their disapproval for the upcoming weddings and, surprisingly, act with little civility even after Georgiana, the colonel, and his brother the viscount arrived to attend the wedding.
The sisters planned to return to London the same day of the wedding ceremony, a decision which nobody attempted to contradict.
The invitation to Pemberley for Christmas was politely extended to them too but — much to Hurst’s disappointment — they harshly declined it.
Again, it was a decision nobody attempted to contradict either.
On a bright October morning, little more than one year after Netherfield had been let at last and Mr Bingley had brought his friend Mr Darcy with him, all Mrs Bennet’s maternal wishes and hopes were fulfilled.
In Longbourn church, the two eldest Bennet sisters wedded the gentlemen of their dreams, in the presence of their neighbours, the Gardiners, and of course the distinguished guests from London, whose presence showed the support of Darcy’s family.
Braving the displeasure of Mr Darcy’s illustrious aunt and the esteemed patroness of her husband, Charlotte Collins was there too, congratulating her friend Elizabeth Darcy and rejoicing in her good fortune.
It was universally admitted among those in attendance that Miss Elizabeth looked almost as beautiful as her sister Jane and Mr Bingley almost as handsome — although not so tall and rich — as his friend Mr Darcy.
Mrs Bennet’s nerves proved to be strong enough to keep her relatively composed during the ceremony and afterwards at the wedding breakfast. The only reason for displeasure was that Mr and Mrs Darcy planned to leave for London immediately, so they could reach their home by nightfall.
However, she did not argue, consoling herself with the upcoming meeting at Pemberley and the more immediate possibility of boasting, “Oh, they needed to depart so soon because Mr Darcy insisted on arriving at their townhouse as soon as possible, you see, impatient to introduce the servants to the new Mrs Darcy.” Besides, she had long promised to approve of anything Darcy wished to do, and she would not dream of breaking her word to him.
The Gardiners returned to London too, as the children had remained at home for the wedding. Also, Colonel Fitzwilliam and the viscount had urgent business to attend to, while the Bingley sisters were already long gone.
A warm farewell was shared, and even Mr Bennet shed a tear when his favourite daughter embraced him. With Darcy, he only exchanged a nod and a glance; everything had been said and cleared between them.
Finally, the carriages — Darcy’s being so large and elegant, as Mrs Bennet repeated countless times — started to move, while the waving and shouted well wishes and goodbyes continued until it disappeared from sight.
Darcy’s carriage was indeed too large for two people, but inside, the sudden silence following many days of bustle was most welcome.
The newly-married couple looked at each other, their smiles slightly awkward; for the first time since they had been pronounced man and wife, they were finally by themselves, but the long-desired intimacy made them uneasy.
“We should be in London by late afternoon. But it might get dark before we arrive,” Darcy said.
“I am not worried about it getting dark. I am glad we shall be home today,” she replied. “I am surprised that Georgiana preferred to travel with my uncle and aunt, though.”
“You should not be surprised. My dear sister is wise beyond her years, and she assumed I would enjoy a private journey with my new wife. There is nothing I wanted more than to finally be alone with you. Am I distressing you with my enthusiasm?” he asked, as he noticed she was blushing.
“No, not at all. In truth, I am relieved that I am not the only one who is eager. I dearly love Georgiana, but I am glad I am alone with you,” she admitted.
He took her hand and brought it to his lips, while his arm encircled her shoulders, pulling her closer.
“We shall have one stop on the road, already agreed upon with Mr Gardiner. My cousins will probably press on ahead, as they have another engagement tonight.”
“It was very kind of the colonel and the viscount to attend the wedding, and I hope to see them again soon. But shall we stay long in town? I assume Georgiana will come with us to Pemberley and the rest of my family will join us later on, for Christmas.”
“In fact, I spoke to Georgiana yesterday. She and Mrs Annesley will travel together with your family, at the beginning of December.”
“Really? But why?”
“Because I asked her to…I want to make this first journey home to Pemberley alone with you. We have already shared a long and distressing journey. Now, I would like to travel with you by my side, in my arms, with no hurry, no distress, and no worries.”
“Oh…” she sighed, pleased, and settled more comfortably against his side. “That would be wonderful. I just hope Georgiana does not mind.”
“Not at all. Besides, you will have time to visit and talk to her in the coming days. For the time being, she and Mrs Annesley will stay in her house.”
“Will she?”
“Yes…I am a very selfish man, and I wish to share your company with nobody, at least for a few days.”
“Then you might say I am a very selfish woman, too, as there is nothing I would like more.”
“I am glad to hear that,” he said, then his lips found hers, and there was silence in the carriage for a while.
“To answer your question,” he continued whilst catching his breath and putting a bit of distance between them lest at the next stop he would not be able to stand in the Gardiners’ presence, “the length of our stay in London is undecided yet. I would like to leave for Pemberley very soon, but I am afraid there are some issues that will require our presence for a month.”
“The business with Wickham, I assume?”