Chapter 27
TWENTY-SEVEN
Elizabeth looked at the ladies she was sharing the Longbourn parlour with—her two aunts and Jane.
It was the morning after she had returned, and the four of them had spent the past two hours discussing men, weddings, and marriage while drinking far too much tea and eating far too much cake.
Fortunately, Mrs Bennet spoke less than usual, apparently awestruck at having a countess in her home.
Why Lady Romsley’s presence had not had such an effect before, Elizabeth could not say, but she was not sorry it kept Mrs Bennet from chatting ceaselessly, as she often did.
In the end, Jane and Elizabeth were able to agree on what they wanted their double wedding to be like before Mr Bingley and Darcy joined them.
It did Elizabeth good to see how enamoured of Jane Mr Bingley was.
She would never understand why he had remained away from Netherfield for as long as he had, but she supposed it was his sisters’ influence.
Elizabeth found it difficult to foresee a day she would think well of them, but she hoped he had learnt not to allow them to lead his actions or, through their poor behaviour, cost him the friendship of gentlemen such as her wonderful Darcy and her Fitzwilliam cousins.
Mrs Hurst’s and Miss Bingley’s actions would surely prevent such connexions, if the women resumed importuning Elizabeth when they met again.
The subject of going to town arose, and to Elizabeth’s surprise, it was Mrs Bennet who insisted she return to Grosvenor Square.
“You must be there to purchase your wedding clothes,” she said. “You will be Mrs Darcy, the niece of an earl and countess—and from what you have said, Mr Sterling is a very fine gentleman as well.”
“It is generous of you to give up the time with Elizabeth,” Lady Romsley said.
“I am sure the shops in Meryton are excellent, but I am familiar with those in London and would be happy to ensure she has everything she will need to start her new life. I wonder if perhaps Miss Bennet had considered staying with Mrs Gardiner for a week or two? If so, they might like to join Elizabeth and me when we go shopping, and we would find other ways to divert ourselves.”
As had happened many times in recent weeks, Elizabeth experienced a wave of gratitude for her aunt. To Jane, she said, “Do say you will.”
“Oh, yes, Jane!” Mrs Bennet cried. “You must. I would go with you, but I am needed here.” She also found London too large and crowded to be comfortable there. “I shall write to my sister today. She will be pleased to have you visit.”
There was little doubt that the Gardiners would agree to host their niece, and by dinner, it was all arranged.
Jane would make the journey to London with Elizabeth, Darcy, and Mr Bingley in several days, after the first reading of the banns had taken place.
Lord and Lady Romsley would leave on the morrow.
The interval before they went to town passed quickly.
Darcy removed to Netherfield, feeling it was unfair to his friend to refuse his invitation, which he had repeated several times.
The gentlemen were at Longbourn every day, which suited Elizabeth perfectly, because it meant she and Darcy were able to spend a great deal of time together.
She also made a point of talking with Mr and Mrs Bennet, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia as much as possible, storing up memories for the long separations they would experience in the future.
There were many callers, as well—neighbours and friends who wished to welcome her home and offer their congratulations on her engagement.
She found herself telling the story of meeting her father’s family again and again, which was fatiguing, but she would rather people heard the correct tale; Mrs Bennet’s account of it, which she had been quick to share, had been exaggerated and more akin to something from a novel than real life.
It was almost a relief to climb into Darcy’s large carriage for the short journey to London.
“I ought not to feel this way,” she said when she confided her feelings to him. They were sitting on one side of the carriage and able to keep their voices low enough that Jane and Mr Bingley, sitting across from them, would not hear.
“Why do you?” he asked.
“I am not sure,” she admitted with a shrug. “I do not know if it is because I have seen too many people who asked and said the same thing, or whether something in me has changed and I no longer recognise Longbourn as my home.”
“It would not be for long, even if you considered it the dearest place in the world.”
She smiled at him, each tiny element of her swelling with love for him. “I did so enjoy being at Pemberley and cannot wait to return and have the opportunity to explore it properly.”
“And I cannot wait to return and have you to myself,” he said into her ear, causing a delightful tickle on the back of her neck.
Their attention was called for by Mr Bingley, who wanted to talk about how they might amuse themselves while they were in town. Between that subject and others—including the possibility that he and Jane would visit Pemberley in the summer—the drive proceeded as quickly and agreeably as possible.
Elizabeth realised that this was the third time she was leaving Longbourn in less than half a year.
How nervous yet hopeful she had been regarding what awaited her when she had left at the start of December and again in January.
But she had discovered the missing pieces of her past, first in town and later in Northamptonshire.
And in just a few short weeks, Darcy and I shall be undertaking another voyage away from Meryton, Elizabeth reflected.
Although becoming a wife would mark a significant change in her life, she was not at all anxious about it.
Instead, taking in his handsome features and hearing his soothing voice as he responded to something Mr Bingley had said, she felt only elation.