earlier date. With the matter of his estate settled, he sees no reason to delay.”
Tilting her head toward him, Elizabeth smiled. “The more I come to know Mr. Bingley, the more I feel he is a very wise man.” A single raised brow revealed her suspicions that this had been Mr. Darcy’s idea. Darcy’s awkward glance down at the ground confirmed her thoughts.
She gave his hand a fervent squeeze. “Do you know how soon he hopes to marry?”
“As soon as the church is available. Perhaps two weeks. Three at the most.”
“Then we shall have much to do!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “Another wedding!”
His voice now grave, he spoke softly. “I leave again on the morrow for Kent with Colonel Fitzwilliam. I shall miss you.”
“I shall miss you too.” She studied him pensively. “It is regrettable, is it not, that whilst I was at Pemberley, we were together almost every day and knew not how the other felt? Now that our feelings have finally been voiced, we have not spent even two consecutive days together. This is lamentable, indeed!”
Elizabeth reached up and stroked his cheek with the back of her hand. It took her by surprise how smooth his face was. As she studied his face, he clasped his hand over hers and brought it to his lips again, kissing it before he said, “We ought to return inside. I would not wish to set a poor example for my sister.”
“Heavens!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “How ill-mannered of me! How could I have neglected her as I did?”
Darcy rose and took her arm. “Shall we go in, then, and make the first of what will likely be many apologies to Georgiana?”
Elizabeth tucked her arm farther into his. “I think we must.”
It was apparent that Miss Darcy was well aware of her brother’s intentions, for when they told her of their engagement—along with the extenuating circumstances requiring it to be kept a secret—she feigned surprise and exhibited true delight.
Both Mr. Darcy and his sister accompanied Elizabeth back to the Gardiners’ later that day. Her aunt, uncle, Jane, and Bingley enjoyed the added company of the young lady. Elizabeth detected no awkwardness at all between her and Mr. Bingley, and he informed everyone with utter delight that he and Jane would now be marrying in only two weeks.
Knowing it would be safe with them, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth announced their engagement, along with the news that it was to be kept a secret until a later date. Everyone was delighted.
The two gentlemen and Miss Darcy took their leave close to midnight. As Elizabeth sat with her aunt and uncle and Jane in their small sitting room, they talked excitedly amongst themselves about two forthcoming weddings.
The next week passed with wedding plans made and finalized. The banns would be read for the following two weeks at their churches, and their wedding would take place the Saturday following.
Mr. Darcy and his sister spent a little over a week in Kent for their cousins’ wedding. Elizabeth was delighted to receive several letters, posted from Georgiana, but one hidden inside from her brother. Elizabeth came to understand that their aunt was becoming more inclined to accept her daughter’s marriage with each passing day, but occasionally bemoaned how unfortunate it was that the Colonel had not been the firstborn. Elizabeth laughed when she read Mr. Darcy’s words that if that had been the case, it was highly unlikely that he would have remained unwed for as long as he had. He assured her, however, that the Colonel did have a fond regard for Anne. Elizabeth pondered whether Lady Catherine would accept the marriage of her
As the day of Charles and Jane’s wedding approached, all their family and friends descended upon London for this celebration. Households were crowded, and there was a constant flurry of activity. Despite all this, Jane remained calm and serene.
The day of the wedding broke bright and warm. The excitement was palpable, very different than what was felt the day of the Wickhams’ wedding. Elizabeth and Jane spent a good amount of time up in their room readying themselves. Elizabeth did not think she had ever seen a bride more beautiful and told Jane that Mr. Bingley was a very fortunate man. Jane corrected her sister, saying that
As the time for the ceremony drew near, Elizabeth and Jane waited in a small room in the back of the church. Jane took Elizabeth’s hand in hers. “Oh, Lizzy! Do you truly know how happy I am?”
Elizabeth gave her a reassuring smile. “I certainly do.”
“And you know how happy I am for you and Mr. Darcy. While I look forward with great delight to your residing with us at Braedenthorn, I cannot wait until you marry and become Mistress of Pemberley!”
The mere thought of that flooded Elizabeth with a sense of eager anticipation. Before she could reply to Jane, their uncle poked his head into the room. “It is time, ladies. Are you ready?”
Elizabeth nodded and looked at Jane. “Are you ready, Jane? This is
“I am.”
Elizabeth preceded Jane down the aisle, keeping her eye on the gentleman who stood beside the groom. Mr. Darcy had never looked finer, and her heart skipped a beat when she realized that the next time she walked toward him down the aisle of a church, it would be as his bride. From the look on his face, he had also come to that realization.
After the wedding, Elizabeth remained in London with her aunt and uncle. They were often the guests of Mr. and Miss Darcy. He immediately began acquainting her with his circle of intimate friends. He made a point of introducing her as the
The weeks she spent in Town were unlike any she had ever experienced. She watched with rapt delight a Shakespearean play performed onstage. Darcy enjoyed seeing her fascination as she enjoyed a ballet and an opera for the very first time. The music that filled her ears, both in voice and instrument, was far superior to anything she had ever heard in all her years in Hertfordshire.
At length she received a missive from her sister expressing her wish for her to join them. Plans were made for the journey that Elizabeth and the Gardiners would take. Mr. Darcy and his sister made immediate plans, as well, to return to Pemberley. They all looked forward to reuniting in a few days.
Jane rushed out to greet Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle when she happened to pass a window and see the carriage approach. Elizabeth readily noticed the glow of happiness that lit her sister’s face. She seemed truly happy.
Mr. Bingley was away when they arrived, which gave Jane the opportunity to give them a leisurely tour of the house. While not as large as Pemberley, it suited them well.
After seeing the house and visiting for a short time, Elizabeth excused herself. She wished to get a little fresh air and exercise, or so she told them. When she stepped out, she sought out to find the best view of the ridge off in the distance—the ridge that was situated behind Pemberley.
Coming to a tree which offered both shade and an unobstructed view of the ridge, she sat down and leaned against it. Her hands lightly skimmed over the grass at her side, and she stopped to pick a few blades, bringing them up to her face and twirling them against her nose.
“Do you plan to eat those or merely inhale them?”
Elizabeth gasped at the sound of Mr. Darcy’s voice, and she struggled to turn around and rise to her feet. He stepped around and held out his hands to her. She reached out, and he took each hand in his, easily pulling her up. As she came to her feet, she leant into him, wrapping her arms about his neck.
“I am so glad to see you, to finally be here!”
