Chapter 40
CHAPTER FORTY
B ingley went to London early the morning after Lord and Lady Romsley’s arrival. The earl and countess remained at Netherfield two nights. During that time, Lady Romsley managed to convince Georgiana to eat a little more than she had since her conversation with Wickham, and, to Darcy’s relief, she spent almost half an hour with him and their cousin. Both his uncle and aunt called at Longbourn; Mrs Bennet had been flustered but hospitable. Mr Bennet was also present; he sent Catherine and Lydia out of the room after they had been introduced, which Darcy appreciated, given their usual boisterous behaviour. The colonel departed at the same time as his parents and ward, leaving Darcy on his own at Netherfield until Bingley’s return several days later. It was strange being in the house alone. Not long ago, it had seemed too full. Wickham’s presence had been like a hidden menace filling every nook and cranny. The emptiness was not oppressive, however, since he spent as much time at Longbourn as possible, using the Bennets’ good cheer to chase away his lingering discontent.
And so, life returned to its usual, easy pattern. It was almost incongruous to Darcy at first; he had become accustomed to the misery of the last month and a half, especially the period during which he had believed he was losing Elizabeth’s love. Seeing her smile, being able to speak to her of happy matters, discussing everything they would do to celebrate Christmas, what their wedding day would be like, and planning how to pass their time in London all lightened the heaviness in his heart.
Bingley returned with his sisters and brother-in-law. When he and Darcy were having a drink in the library that night, Bingley explained that he had insisted they come.
“Well, I told Caroline she must, and I hinted that I wanted Louisa and Hurst here as well. After all, I am about to be married, and the Bennets, Jane especially, would be insulted if none of my relations were here.”
“I cannot imagine Jane finding their absence insulting.”
Bingley chuckled. “No, she would not, but they do not know her as well as I do. I want to hold a ball. A Christmas ball, or one to commemorate my marriage. What do you think?” He laughed again. “No, do not answer. I can guess, knowing how much you hate dancing.”
“I might not always have liked it as well as I do now, but I find my sentiments have changed. I think it is an excellent notion, Bingley, one of the best you have ever hit upon.”
Mr and Mrs Gardiner joined the family at Longbourn on the twenty-third and from then until the wedding, there was an endless succession of parties, including the ball at Netherfield on the twenty-eighth. Darcy was glad to meet the Gardiners again, and, in spending more time with them, grew to value their company even more than he had when he went to Gracechurch Street in November. While he was not sure how he would have felt about them had Georgiana and Wickham not eloped, at present, he was eager to embrace anyone who truly cared about his and Elizabeth’s happiness.
Georgiana’s absence was regretted by many. In truth, people more often mentioned Wickham, only seeming to remember her upon occasion. Darcy was not surprised, given Georgiana’s timidity and that Wickham had frequently left her at Netherfield while he amused himself. Elizabeth had explained everything that had happened with Wickham and Georgiana to her father but no one else would be told.
Unfortunately, Lady Romsley decided their attending the wedding was unadvised. Darcy wished it were otherwise, but the countess explained that, while Georgiana was improving, acting as though she were pleased would be difficult if not impossible. Even more, being amongst people who saw her as Mrs Wickham—a name she loathed—would destroy the progress she had made.
A wedding gift arrived for Bingley and Jane with the note. As an expression of their best wishes and gratitude, the Romsleys had sent a valuable painting by Joshua Reynolds. Bingley argued it was too much, but Jane said that, while generous, if it pleased the earl and countess to give it, they should accept it gracefully.
It seemed as though Darcy would have none of his family present at the wedding, but on December 28, Bramwell and Rebecca appeared at Netherfield, to his surprise.
“Our parents—all four of them—suggested we come,” Rebecca explained. “I received letters from my mother and my mother-in-law on the same day, both mentioning it. I do not know if they discussed it or had the same idea at the same time.”
To Bingley, Bramwell added, “I promise we shall leave immediately after the wedding. No man wants a horde staying at his house when he is newly married.”
Over the next few days, Darcy spoke to the viscount frequently about the events of the autumn. Bramwell was a sympathetic listener when the situation required, as this one did, and the result was that Darcy was able to rid himself of some of the negative feelings that still plagued him. Rebecca spent considerable time with Elizabeth and seemed to establish friendly relations with the Bennet ladies, especially Jane.
“Rebecca’s assistance was invaluable,” Elizabeth reminded Darcy when they were standing together at an evening party at Lucas Lodge. “From the first time I wrote asking for whatever information she could provide regarding Mr Wickham she was eager to help. I would love her for that alone. Now, with each hour I spend with her, the more I know I shall love her dearly because of who she is. Indeed, I foresee she and I being excellent friends.”
“I happen to agree with you,” Darcy said, smiling. “It is a rare occurrence, is it not?”
She laughed. “Very!”
“She and Bramwell will be at Romsley soon, and between them and my aunt and uncle, Georgiana will be well cared for.”
Elizabeth held his hand with both of hers. “She will be surrounded by love and understanding, which is what she most needs. Rebecca promised to distract her with music and whatever else works to improve her mood. Georgiana will be well, and I believe Lord Bramwell, Lady Romsley, and everyone who has lately told us to be selfish and think only of ourselves is correct. Now, rather than talk of these other matters, why do you not tell me how lovely I am tonight and how you cannot wait to be my husband?”
Whispering into her ear, he said, “You are so beautiful that it is all I can do not to throw myself at you. In two days, you shall be mine and I shall be yours, and the closer the moment when I can call you Mrs Darcy draws, the more certain I am that it will be very, very easy to lose myself in you. I love you, Elizabeth Bennet, more than I can ever tell you.”
To Elizabeth, the days leading up to her wedding were the happiest of her life. Even better was knowing that she and Darcy would share many similar, even more agreeable, times. No doubt there was an extra element of joy about her presently because she had not expected to be free of Mr Wickham. To be sure, his shadow would always remain over them, but he was gone from their lives in a practical sense, and that made a tremendous difference.
Jane and she were successful in convincing their mother that the wedding celebrations should be small. Mr Bennet joked about it extending his life by a decade to know he did not need to pay for an extravagant event. When they were alone one afternoon, sitting in his book-room, he mentioned it to Elizabeth.
“I trust you know that if you wanted a little more grandeur, I would not object. It is not every day a man gives away his two most deserving daughters.”
“I know, Papa, but, frankly, neither Jane nor I want it to be unnecessarily elaborate. I only wish to be married. ”
He regarded her for a long, silent moment. “You and Mr Darcy did have a long wait. I hope, one day, you will understand why I was reluctant to give my permission. You do know it is possible that rumours about your sister-in-law’s connexion to Mr Wickham will spread. He might be gone from your lives—I pray he is—but…”
“I am aware it could happen. If it does, we shall manage. For now, every indication suggests that he will follow the agreement he and Darcy made. Lord Romsley has secured him passage to New York, and I understand one of the earl’s agents will keep him company until he is on the ship and about to begin the journey.”
Her father grumbled but shrugged. When she had explained what had happened to finally rid them of Mr Wickham, he claimed to be glad it had been resolved. Yet he continued to express doubt that it was the last they would see of the man, not while Darcy and his family still had a farthing the man could demand in exchange for staying away from Georgiana.
“Do not mind me, Lizzy. I am only suffering from the knowledge that soon you will live in Derbyshire, and I expect Mr Bingley will decide to give up Netherfield and purchase a property elsewhere, likely closer to Pemberley. I shall miss you and Jane greatly.”
She kissed him, and he then demanded they speak of something less sentimental.
When she told Darcy of the conversation later, he initially dismissed her father’s concerns, but then admitted that he shared them. They were at Longbourn for a family dinner, which included Mr Bingley and his relations, as well as Lord and Lady Bramwell.
“I suppose none of us know what the future holds,” he said. “For now, I am reasonably confident he will go to New York, and I hope he finds life there exciting enough to hold his interest. I suppose, if I am being exceedingly generous, I would say he might also accept that returning to England would only cause pain. He must know that my family and I would do everything in our power to keep him from harming anyone, especially Georgiana. As for the possibility of people gossiping about her, I do not know that it is avoidable. We can act as though nothing has happened, refuse to discuss her marriage, but people will find out.”
“As long as she is contented, despite the difficult moments,” Elizabeth said. “A life in which she is well and amuses herself in society instead of hiding away, ashamed or oppressed because of what has happened.”
Darcy nodded. “Can we agree that it is a problem for another time? I cannot imagine my sister will want to take part in the Season or even attend many parties near Pemberley in the near future.”
“Yes!” Elizabeth said. “And I apologise for raising the subject when we have already vowed to set aside our worries. I wish we had the opportunity to be alone for even a few minutes.” She looked about the busy drawing room. “As much as I love our family, I feel we have not been able to have more than snippets of conversation lately, and I am always wary of being overheard.”
He made a noise of agreement. “Soon. I admit, I am tired of always being in company. To be sure, I am more comfortable at Netherfield presently than I was last month, but…”
“Mr Bingley’s sisters and even Mr Hurst will always rank higher in my estimation than he could. I would even say that I like the ladies a little more than I did last summer. They are being as kind as I believe they can be to Jane. Mr Hurst so rarely speaks to me that I am content not to think of him unless I absolutely must.”
“I do not know what he said to them, but Bingley informed his sisters and brother-in-law of Georgiana’s circumstances—without elaborating on all that transpired, naturally—and convinced them not to speak of it. He knew they would hear something about it in the neighbourhood, so it was unavoidable. For some reason, the ladies took it quite hard. I do not pretend to understand, and nor do I particularly care.”
“Neither do I. Instead, shall I tell you how exceedingly proud I am that soon I shall call you husband?”
To Elizabeth’s view, the wedding day was perfect. Her gown was new, and she felt beautiful in it, especially so, given the warm looks Darcy gave her from the moment he saw her at the church to the minute they climbed into the carriage that would take them to London after a celebratory breakfast with their family and friends. Once they were alone in the coach and the door was closed, Darcy ceased looking at her and commenced kissing her. That was how they passed the journey to town—kissing, laughing, talking of the day and Festive Season and simply being together.
Elizabeth and Darcy remained in London for three weeks. They saw a few people, notably some of Darcy’s distant cousins and the Gardiners, but for the most part, they preferred each other’s company over that of others. The journey to Pemberley took four days, which Darcy claimed was excellent during the winter. Every new sight—towns they passed, the landscape, the inns they stayed at—was a delight to Elizabeth, if only because she saw them as part of her life as Mrs Darcy. None was more meaningful to her than driving through the stone gate at the entrance to Pemberley and her husband telling her they were on his lands. Elizabeth strained her neck this way and that to take in the picturesque view from both windows.
“I almost wish we had married in the spring. Or summer or autumn,” she said with a light laugh. “Then I would be able to see more. Oh, it is lovely even now! Look at the trees with their sparkling cover of frost.” There was a thin layer of snow on the ground, but still she was able to get an impression of what it would be like in the warmer seasons.
“Wait until we are closer to the house,” Darcy said.
As the drive continued, the sun peeking through the trees, she sensed his eagerness grow and then, as they reached the top of a small hill, he gestured for her to look out of the left window. Before them was the most magnificent view of the manor, the bright daylight making the stone glisten. Smoke wafted from the chimneys, promising they would find warmth and comfort within. Her eyes feasted on it all, and Elizabeth knew that she was home.
She tore her gaze away from the vista to regard her very most favourite view of all: Darcy. Reaching across to him, she grasped both of his hands and grinned.
“I am so glad we are here. I am so glad we are married, that you went to Hertfordshire with Mr Bingley last summer, that you attended the assembly and thought better of refusing to dance. I am glad for all of it, because it means we are together.”
“Now and forever,” he whispered. “I do not believe I would ever have known such happiness had I not met you.”
With the rocking of the carriage, it was difficult, but they shared a lingering kiss. For the few minutes that remained before they were in the courtyard and able to end the long journey, Darcy pointed out various aspects of their surroundings—the direction of Lambton or a copse that was sure to become a favourite walking place. Waving away the servants, Darcy assisted her out of the carriage himself. The butler, housekeeper, and lines of maids and footmen greeted them. After performing some introductions, Darcy led her to the stairs.
“I want to show you your apartment,” he said to Elizabeth. “Knowing Mrs Reynolds, tea and hot food will be delivered to us there in no more than five minutes.”
Mrs Reynolds, the housekeeper, was a middle-aged woman with a competent air. Elizabeth expected to like her very well, based on her first impression and what she had been told of her by Darcy and Georgiana. The rooms were beautiful, the walls and furniture in soft shades of rose and green and cream, and, sure enough, two servants were leaving the refreshments just as Elizabeth and Darcy walked along the corridor towards her bedchamber. He thanked them and sent them and her maid away.
Facing each other, they were silent for a long moment. He spoke first, gesturing towards a sofa. “Mrs Darcy?”
Elizabeth smiled and chuckled. “I would like a hot cup of tea, but…”
“But?”
A grin covered her face. “But I happen to know that you are far more effective at warming me than even the most?—”
She had no chance to finish her sentence. Before she could, he had swept her into his arms and was pressing his lips firmly against hers.