Chapter 1.12 #3
“You were not interrupting us, my dear. In fact, there is something I wanted to share with you—something nobody else knows at the moment. I wanted you to be the first to hear it.”
Elizabeth looked at Darcy and smiled at him—a smile that left little doubt for Georgiana.
“Sir, I think that, before going further with this, before even speaking to my father, we should ask for Georgiana’s opinion on the matter.”
“Oh, Elizabeth, you are engaged,” cried the girl the next instant, and in a gesture that shocked her brother, she threw herself at Elizabeth, embracing her so forcefully that they almost toppled over.
“Well, I dare say her opinion is not completely unfavourable.” Darcy barely checked his laughter while his heart danced with joy at his sister’s hearty approval.
“I am so happy, Brother.” Georgiana hurried to embrace him, too.
“I am very happy, too, dearest.”
“When did you propose? May I ask that? Is it true that nobody else knows yet—not even Miss Bennet? And you did not speak to Mr Bennet yet?”
“Dearest, let us all sit a moment and talk calmly,” he suggested, and the ladies followed him to the sofa. Elizabeth seated herself between the siblings, one of her hands held by Georgiana; Darcy took the other.
“I proposed to Miss Elizabeth earlier today, and it is true: no one else has been informed yet. I plan to speak to Mr Bennet later today.”
“Oh, Elizabeth, thank you for telling me first!”
“Georgiana, my dear, I am so happy to see your enthusiastic approval, but you must take into consideration a painful fact: Mr Wickham will be a part of my family. It is possible that his name will be mentioned often by my mother and sisters, and you may even meet him again someday. Will you be able to endure that?”
“I hope that day will not be soon; I have no desire to see him or hear of him again. But that will not change how happy I am to have you as my sister.”
“Georgiana— Darcy attempted, but she stopped him.
“Oh, let us not be talking about such unpleasant subjects now. I could not care less about George Wickham. Instead, you had better tell me—have you fixed the wedding day? And did you inform Cassandra? She will be very angry if you keep her ignorant. Where will you marry?”
Her exuberance, though a little forced, left little choice for Darcy and Elizabeth, and after a short glance, they decided to indulge her.
“No, my dear, we have not decided anything yet! And I beg you, speak a little lower or everybody will find out long before I am able to speak to Mr Bennet.”
“Forgive me,” she whispered, covering her mouth with her palm, and then she continued. “But you will marry soon, I hope?”
Darcy laughed and squeezed Elizabeth’s hand, unable to tell his young sister how eager he was for a short engagement; they chatted a few more minutes until finally they all decided it was time to join the others downstairs.
∞∞∞
At first, they stopped at the door in wonder and surprise, hearing the bustle inside the drawing room. It was not difficult to distinguish Bingley’s joyful voice accompanied by that of Lady Cassandra.
They entered, and it took Bingley less than a moment before he ran to Elizabeth and then to Georgiana and Darcy, demanding their congratulations.
On the sofa, a blushing and highly embarrassed Jane Bennet hardly dared to look at them.
A few paces further on a settee, Mrs Hurst’s countenance was dark and bitter; Mr Hurst was enjoying a glass of wine.
Lady Cassandra was standing in the middle of the room, clearly enjoying herself.
In that din, it was an unquestionable success for Darcy to be able to calm Bingley and properly introduce his sister to Miss Jane Bennet. Georgiana offered her congratulations, and Jane graciously accepted them; finally, a calmer and more intelligible conversation commenced.
“As soon as Mr Bennet gives us his blessing, I think we should plan an engagement ball,” said Mr Bingley enthusiastically. “Of course, if you will agree to it, Miss Bennet,” he added, looking at Jane.
“An excellent idea, sir,” Lady Cassandra agreed.
“That would be lovely, sir,” replied Jane Bennet, still incredulous that everything had happened in such a short time.
The conversation continued with everyone’s involvement, and even Mrs Hurst was forced to show an interest in her brother’s engagement and future plans.
The visitors finally prepared to leave, and naturally, Mr Bingley accompanied them, as did Darcy—much to Elizabeth’s delight.
The Bennet sisters received a warm farewell from Lady Cassandra and Miss Darcy.
Mrs Hurst was all politeness, expressing her pleasure with the happy news.
However, as soon as the guests left, she excused herself as not feeling well and retired to her room.
In a great hurry, she wrote a long, furious letter to her oblivious sister in London, insisting that she return to Netherfield immediately.
∞∞∞
“Elizabeth, when shall we share our news with your family?” Darcy asked as he helped her descend from the carriage in front of Longbourn’s main door.
“Oh, let my sister and Mr Bingley have the joy of this evening, please! Let this be their day; they have waited so long, and my sister is so happy that I cannot do anything to disturb her state of bliss.”
“I have waited for this day, too, Elizabeth. I am not a patient man, you know. I have no desire to wait any longer; I want to have the right to court you, enjoy your company, and be certain I have your father’s blessing. I still cannot believe you have accepted me,” he replied passionately.
Elizabeth moved a little closer so their arms brushed against each other as they walked.
“I am not asking you to wait long…only a little more…because you see,” she blushed slightly in mortification as she admitted, “when my mother hears of our understanding, she will give little attention to Mr Bingley and direct all her interest to you, I am certain of it. So perhaps I am a selfish being, and I am asking to keep our engagement secret for a little longer not only for my sister’s peace of mind but for my own, as well. ”
“You are a wise lady, Elizabeth—a very wise lady indeed,” he replied after a few moments of meditation. They had reached the entrance to Longbourn.
“I am considering asking for a private meeting with Mr Bennet as soon as possible—perhaps tomorrow morning—as I do not wish to distress him overmuch for one evening, and after that I will allow you the complete liberty to decide when you want to publicly announce our engagement. Would that be acceptable, Elizabeth?”
“And you are a wise man, sir,” she responded, teasing him tenderly as they both entered the house.