Chapter 42
Chapter Forty-Two
Watching her go was agony.
He remained with his cousin and friends, conversing about nothing important until Miss Bennet—nay, she was now Mrs Bingley!
—told Bingley it was time to depart for their honeymoon.
They went to bid their farewells to her parents and his sister, and then all moved outside to wave to them as their carriage departed.
Darcy secretly wished them an entertaining adventure, and that all went as well as Bingley hoped.
Darcy had heard of brides trembling with such fear and crying so loudly that the consummation of the marriage could not happen for days or until the bride was nearly knocked out with drink.
He thought Mrs Bingley a sensible girl, and assumed no dramatic scenes such as those would occur.
“Darcy,” said Goulding, who was standing at his side, “the hour is late, and I must prepare for tonight’s entertainments.” He bowed and departed.
Darcy noticed that a good many guests were readying themselves for departure. He crossed to speak with Georgiana, who was laughing with one of the young Bennet girls. Lydia. Yes, that was the one. An intolerable girl, but he had to fortify himself, for she would soon be family. He shuddered.
“Georgiana, a word?”
Georgiana blushed, and Lydia giggled before walking away.
“What were you two speaking of?”
Georgiana blushed harder. “Nothing, dear brother.”
He suspected they spoke of young men, but he did not wish to intrude. Or to know, if he was honest. “I am leaving this gathering, and tonight will play cards with Goulding. Miss Elizabeth has kindly invited you to remain here until it is time to retire. Would that please you?”
She clapped her hands. “She is ever so wonderful.”
He nodded.
“I…Brother, I told her of…Mr Wickham.” As he opened his mouth to speak, she said, “I know you swore me to secrecy, but it seemed imperative that she understand why—”
He took her hands to still their anxious gesticulations. “It is all right. In fact, better than all right. Your confession helped her to understand my actions, and allowed…I have—” He looked about and lowered his voice. “I have asked her to marry me, and she has accepted.”
Georgiana’s eyes went wide and she shrieked.
“Shhh!” he said, looking about again. “I have yet to ask her father, which I shall do on the morrow. As for tonight, you are not to breathe a word of it to anyone.”
“I promise,” she said and hugged Darcy.
Miss Elizabeth came into the room at that very moment, and walked cautiously towards them. “Am I,” she murmured, “to understand that Miss Darcy knows of our secret?”
Georgiana smiled, as did Darcy, who brushed Miss Elizabeth’s arm with his fingertips, not daring to take her hand in public. He noted that goose-flesh rose on her skin, which pleased him.
In a louder voice, he said, “I was just bidding Georgiana farewell. I shall likely be late at Haye-Parke, and I am leaving the carriage for you, dear sister.” He bowed to them both, and then said, “Until tomorrow.” His fingers itched to reach out to Miss Elizabeth again, but he took hold of his senses.