Darcy returned her embrace by drawing her even closer, his arms encircling her waist. “I am delighted you are here as well.” He kissed the top of her head and pulled back with a smile. “It has only been three days, however, since we last saw each other.”
“It seems like forever!” she countered, nuzzling her head against his chest.
Darcy let out a hearty chuckle. “Yes, I suppose it does.” He released one hand and lifted her face toward him. “Is this the kind of reception I can expect now that we are neighbours?”
Elizabeth skewered her mouth. “Was my behaviour terribly shocking?” She began to pull away, but Darcy held her tight.
Darcy lifted his eyes toward Braedenthorn. “You do not fear that someone might see us?”
She reached up tentatively and fingered his neckcloth. “You know they already know.”
He smiled down at her. “The Bingleys know, but what of the servants? They are the ones who talk more than anyone else.”
A look of comprehension coloured her features, and again when she tried to pull away, his arms held tighter.
“Not yet.” His gaze held her fast, and she watched as his face drew near. When his lips pressed against hers, all thoughts were swept away, and she experienced a wave of light-headedness, prompting her to grasp onto him more tightly. The blades of grass she held fell to the ground.
There was something so right in his kiss that she did not want it to end. She was pleased that he seemed just as inclined to keep her in his arms, his lips pressed to hers. At length, he pulled away, but only slightly.
He touched his forehead to hers and took several slow breaths. He seemed unable to speak.
Elizabeth casually ran her hand down her dress to smooth it out and to settle her senses. She was the first to regain command of her voice. “Do you think we truly need to worry about the servants talking?”
Darcy chuckled. “Ah, now you are concerned.” He drew back and smiled. “Most of those whom Bingley hired have worked at Pemberley at one time or another. They know what is expected of them and that it could cost them their jobs if they gossip about what goes on inside and out of the house. Unfortunately, it does not always guarantee their silence.”
Darcy tucked Elizabeth’s arm in his, and they began to walk back toward the house. Darcy turned to her. “Speaking of servants, you now will require your own personal maid. I am sending a young lady for you from Pemberley.”
“My own maid?” she asked with surprise. “Goodness, I used to have to share one with my four sisters at Longbourn.”
“The decision rests with you whether you want to keep her, but I am inclined to think you will like her. Her name is Anna Harrington.”
Elizabeth instantly turned to him at the mention of her name. “Anna!” she said excitedly and clasped her hands together. “I think she and I will get along admirably!”
A satisfied smile appeared. “I thought she would be good for you.”
The Gardiners returned to London after having spent a pleasant fortnight at Braedenthorn. They had enjoyed their stay with their two favourite nieces, and Mrs. Gardiner particularly enjoyed visiting her friends in Lambton, including the Ketterlings. The couple reassured Elizabeth that they would return in a day’s notice for another wedding.
During the next month, the Bingleys and Elizabeth were invited to three small dinner parties, a whist party, and a ball. The hosts all appeared to be on quite intimate terms with Mr. Darcy, and they received their new acquaintances warmly. Bingley won them over with his friendliness, Jane with her kindheartedness, and Elizabeth with her liveliness and intelligent conversation.
Two weeks later, Caroline Bingley and Mr. and Mrs. Hurst arrived. Elizabeth had not seen Charles’s sisters since his and Jane’s wedding. A small dinner party was held to welcome them.
Elizabeth was certain that Caroline must have been disappointed that things did not go as she expected—or at least as she hoped—between her brother and Miss Darcy. While those hopes were now dashed, Elizabeth wondered whether Caroline still clung to hopes regarding Mr. Darcy and
Later, when the men had joined Bingley in his study, Elizabeth found herself alone with Caroline, who took the opportunity to speak her mind.
“Tell me, Miss Bennet,” Caroline said, “whatever happened with your ward? Will you be returning any time soon as her
“I do not believe so. I am confident the Willstones will find another.”
Caroline leaned in, as if wanting to share with Elizabeth some secret between them. Instead, her voice was accusatory. “Do not expect, Miss Bennet, to overcome your standing in society by merely residing with my brother at his estate. You are a governess, and that shall always be before you. If you suppose to attract the eye of some man of distinction and fortune, I would kindly offer you a word of advice. Do not get your hopes up. This arrangement will not change anything.”
Elizabeth remained silent while she collected herself. “There is doubtless some truth in your words, Miss Bingley. I would imagine
Caroline seemed satisfied. “It is good you understand your place.”
Elizabeth smiled knowingly back at her. “Oh, I understand my place. Believe me, I truly do.”
Later that evening Elizabeth overheard Miss Bingley’s excited voice.
“You see the futility in it, do you not? She wants to pass herself off as an esteemed lady, when she is not! You must alert my brother, so he will not earn the scorn of those in the neighbourhood!”
“I fail to see your point. Why should she not be received with the respect she deserves?”
“Because she cannot change the fact that she was a lowly governess! That will always be what people see! Certainly you can see that she has aspirations that are completely unreasonable!”
Finally, in a somewhat stern voice, Mr. Darcy said, “I see. Do you speak from your own personal experience, Miss Bingley, due to the fact that your father merely made his fortune in trade? Do you encounter people who have blocked your
Elizabeth stepped toward them. She walked up to Mr. Darcy and unflinchingly slipped her hand through his arm. Elizabeth’s smile was returned by Caroline’s look of bewilderment and shock. Darcy, seeing Elizabeth’s bold action, had somewhat the same look on his face.
“Has he told you the good news yet, Miss Bingley?” she asked, looking intently at her. “Has he told you that we have recently become betrothed? Shall you now wish us joy?”
Caroline sputtered something unintelligible. She looked at Mr. Darcy, and her eyes pleaded with him for a repudiation of Elizabeth’s absurd announcement. Instead, he said, “It is true, Miss Bingley. You may have not heard, as we have not yet made a formal announcement. But we are to marry!”
For a brief moment, Elizabeth noticed a look of grief and resignation pass over Caroline’s features, but just as quickly, she threw back her shoulders and lifted her head high. “May I offer you my congratulations? I hope you will be happy.” She then turned and walked stiffly and quickly away.
Elizabeth waited a few moments before turning to Darcy, who was shaking his head in Caroline’s direction. Elizabeth gave his hand a furtive squeeze. “I feel rather sorry for her.”
“It is because you are not like her. You are not meanspirited.” He turned and looked at Elizabeth. His hand cradled her chin, tilting her face up toward him. “We ought to announce our engagement soon.”
Elizabeth met his gaze. “I believe you are right.”
There was only one thing Elizabeth wished to do, however, before they formally announced their engagement, but she was not sure how to bring it about. Later, as she spoke with Georgiana about the small gathering coming up at Pemberley in a few days, she asked her if she had any ideas on how she could accomplish this.
Georgiana thought a moment and then smiled. “Yes,” she said. “I think I do.”
It was morning, and Elizabeth was already sitting up in bed when Anna tapped at the door. She bid her come in, and Anna quietly and most efficiently helped Elizabeth dress. She was proving to be an exceptional personal maid. Elizabeth not only appreciated her friendliness but her excellence at all she did.
