Only Mr. Darcy Will Do

recognized Mr. Darcy’s meticulous handwriting, and she smiled as she recollected Mr. Bingley’s words. Mr. Darcy had written to her! Her eyes feasted on his words, not able to devour them as quickly as she would have liked.

Miss Bennet,

I do hope you will forgive me a second time for presenting you with a letter, this time even more surreptitiously than the first. My intentions when I left London were to return promptly. Those plans have changed, and my sister and I will depart in a day or two. When I first arrive, unfortunately another pressing matter will occupy my time. I will, of course, attend the wedding of your sister and Wickham, if only to make sure he is there and to stand up for him. As well as to see you.

When we first arrive, Georgiana will not, as you would likely surmise, be in residence at our home while Wickham remains. She will stay with our cousin, Anne, who only just recently arrived in town. My sister much prefers Anne’s company without her mother’s overbearing presence, and it is not often that Anne finds herself without our aunt. It is all very convenient.

I have every hope that you will be able to visit my sister on Sunday. She looks forward very much to your company and seeing you again. As do I.

There is much I would like to say to you, but I shall wait until I can speak those things face-to- face. I hope that an opportunity to do so will be forthcoming.

Until then, I remain yours,

Fitzwilliam Darcy

Elizabeth reread his words, running her fingers over them. Her eyes continually returned to his words, As well as to see you, As do I, and Until then, I remain yours. She pressed his letter over her heart, and even through the fine stationery, she could easily feel the fluttering deep from within. While she would have to wait longer to see him, his words to her would ease the waiting.

* * *

On the day of Wickham and Lydia’s wedding, Elizabeth had rather expected the skies to be grey and cloudy, with a heavy drizzle leaving everything cold and wet. But the day dawned bright and beautiful; a warm, sunny day with a deep blue sky dotted with puffs of white clouds.

Elizabeth could not be more anxious for it to be over. As the day had grown closer, her mother displayed more agitation, Lydia became more demanding, and Mr. Wickham grew more silent. Elizabeth wondered with increased concern whether he would truly go through with it.

In addition to the apprehension she felt about the upcoming nuptials, Elizabeth fought a swelling tide of impatience to see Mr. Darcy again. It was apparent that she would not see him until the day of the ceremony. She understood that he was going to accompany Mr. Wickham to the church.

It was to be a small ceremony with only their family in attendance. Despite her protestations against the strict treatment by the Gardiners, Lydia requested that Mr. Gardiner give her away. They arrived at the church, and Elizabeth sat beside Jane in one of the front pews in the church. Mr. Bingley sat on the other side of Jane.

As the ceremony began, the reverend stepped out to the front. Elizabeth watched as Wickham followed him. Her heart leapt as she finally caught sight of Mr. Darcy. He strode in rigid and erect, not looking in the least bit as though he was enjoying himself. He rather looked like he would wish to be anywhere but here. As his eyes swept the church, they settled on Elizabeth’s face. His countenance relaxed somewhat as she gave him a smile. A slight smile was returned.

As Lydia strolled toward Wickham, she seemed to thoroughly enjoy being the centre of attention. All eyes were on her, except Elizabeth’s and Darcy’s. It appeared he forbade himself from looking at either the bride or the groom. As long as he kept his eyes on Elizabeth, he managed well.

After the ceremony, as Elizabeth’s family walked toward the carriages to proceed to the Phillips’s home for the wedding breakfast, Mr. Darcy approached Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet, do you not think it is very fine walking weather? Would you care to walk with me?”

A genuine smile lit Elizabeth’s face. If Darcy had been at all in doubt of her feelings for him, this was all the assurance he needed.

“I would like that very much.”

Elizabeth told Jane she would meet them at the house and joined Mr. Darcy. He extended his arm as they began walking, and he said, “I shall make only a brief appearance at the wedding breakfast.”

She certainly understood his wish to distance himself from Wickham; she wished she could do the same. She was still disappointed, however. “There is no need to explain,” she reassured him.

Darcy shook his head. “It is not just Wickham. My cousin is in town and requires my assistance.”

“Mr. Hamilton?” Elizabeth asked.

“No,” Darcy let out a soft laugh. “Colonel Fitzwilliam.”

“Ahh,” Elizabeth smiled. “How is the Colonel?”

“Doing well.” He reached over with his free hand and placed it over Elizabeth’s fingers, which were closed around his arm. “He hopes to see you again. Will you visit my sister on the morrow?”

“Yes, indeed I will. Please inform Miss Darcy that my uncle is providing me with his carriage, and I shall be there promptly at one o’clock.”

“He and I will likely stop by after you and Georgiana have had some time together.” Darcy let out a deep sigh of contentment. He gave Elizabeth’s fingers a gentle squeeze.

She looked up at him appreciatively. “You have done so much. How can I ever thank you?”

Darcy shook his head. “You have no need to thank me. I did nothing out of the ordinary.”

Elizabeth laughed. “Nothing out of the ordinary?” Elizabeth shook her head. “You managed to convince Mr. Wickham to marry my sister when he truly had no inclination to do so. I saw him over the course of this past week, and I can most assuredly tell you there is no love on his part. She has no fortune… nothing to offer him.” She cast a sideways glance at him. “I was actually convinced you truly did have him under lock and key.” She let out a soft laugh. “How is it that he agreed?”

“He was,” Darcy spoke with forcefulness, “and still is convinced that this marriage will grant him permission to return to Pemberley. But it will not!”

“I see,” she said softly, realizing the import of his words.

Darcy saw at once the regret that shaded her features. “It is only Wickham I will prohibit. I shall amend my decision only if he alters his dissolute ways.”

Elizabeth extended to him a nod of her approval and smiled. “Here is the Phillips’s home. Let us talk no more of Mr. Wickham and my sister.”

They stepped into the Phillips’s home to a celebration that was truly not a celebration at all. Darcy stayed only briefly, taking his leave within the first half an hour.

Before leaving, Mr. Darcy gave Mr. Gardiner directions to his town home, and to Elizabeth he gave all the assurances that he would see her at his home when she came to visit his sister. For that, Elizabeth was grateful.

Chapter 26

After sending the newly married couple off to their new life together—which Elizabeth hoped would not end in a terribly disastrous way for her sister—Elizabeth and Jane returned home with the Gardiners. Now she could look with joyous anticipation toward a new day tomorrow.

After returning from church services the following day, Elizabeth visited briefly with her family until it was time for her to take her leave. She had not felt such nervous anticipation since that day she first arrived at Pemberley. Her heart beat vigorously, and her smile never left her face.

The carriage ride to Mr. Darcy’s home took her from the unfashionable Cheapside neighbourhood into a more fashionable district. The duration of the journey took approximately twenty minutes, providing her with ample time to calm her heart and collect her nerves. When the carriage came to a stop in front of a fairly large, stately home,