“Have you written to Georgiana?” Elizabeth asked. “If not, I wanted to add my own lines to the letter; I do look forward, Fitzwilliam, to having Georgiana in my life. I really did not know what to expect, but she is so much more than I conceived her to be; she has your same fine mind and quick wit; you two are very much alike.”
Her references to his sister pleased Darcy; he wanted them to be close.“Georgiana would enjoy hearing the news from you. Should we write the letter together?”
“I will get the paper,” Elizabeth scrambled to the desk. There they sat together.
9 October
Georgiana,
I returned to Netherfield, and you will be happy to know Miss Elizabeth finally agreed to be your sister and my wife. I am in a state of euphoria; I have waited so long for this to happen; it is definitely a dream come true.Thank you, Dearest One, for always believing this day would happen.When I was at my lowest, it was your love, which sustained me.You never allowed me to give up hope, and you allowed me to see I could be the master of Pemberley and still love Elizabeth—a choice between the two was never necessary.You are still the teacher and I the student when it comes to matters of the heart. I just wish our parents were here to see this day; I am sure next to our births, this day would be one to bring them both great pleasures. Elizabeth will be a fine mistress for Pemberley, and the two of you will bring life to the walls of our home again; the house has been silent too long. I will make arrangements to bring you to Netherfield next week so you and Elizabeth may renew your friendship. I know you wanted to come to Netherfield for some time, and this is a joyous event to celebrate here. It seems now that Miss Elizabeth agreed to marry me she cannot wait to do so.We will be wed in a double ceremony with Mr. Bingley and Miss Bennet. I am looking forward to introducing you to Miss Bennet.You heard so much about her from Mr. Bingley. Can you believe Charles and I will become brothers? The date has been set for a little over a fortnight. Elizabeth and I await your presence to share in our joy.
Your loving brother,
Fitzwilliam
Georgiana,
Your brother is mistaken; I am in no hurry to be his wife; I am only anxious to have you as my new sister. In reality, your brother has honored me, and I am truly blessed to have earned his love. Fitzwilliam has told me of your part in bringing the two of us together, and for that reason you have won my heart. Even when I was foolish, you saw I needed him in my life, and you did not allow him to turn away. Our love is because of you; your brother says you are a true romantic, and now I believe him. I am the happiest of God’s creatures. We will share Pemberley as our home—you and I.
Your sister,
Elizabeth
Looking over her shoulder, Darcy teased, “You are not anxious to marry me?”
“Why would I wish to marry such a dark figure as are you, Mr. Darcy?” Her eyes betrayed her joy as she traced the line of his jaw with her index finger.
“It could not be for my good looks or my wealth so it must be for the new pianoforte in my music room.You will be able finally to practice and become an example of an accomplished young lady.” Darcy saw her eyes flicker in anticipation of what she would say next.
Elizabeth laughed at his allowing himself some levity.“Speaking of being accomplished, who is to tell Miss Bingley of our marriage?”
“Charles claimed that pleasure.”
“Having both Jane and I as part of Miss Bingley’s extended family should vex her greatly.”
“I should offer an additional apology to you, Elizabeth. If I hid my fascination with you better, you would not have suffered so many rebukes at Caroline’s hand.”
“It seems everyone knew of your love except me.”
“Why is that exactly, Elizabeth?” Darcy taunted.
“Because I was so busy finding fault with you, my dear Fitzwilliam, I never saw the core of the man you are. It never occurred to me until I was at Pemberley how many people’s welfares depend on you. How could I have been so foolish?”
“Just now I did not wish to criticize you, Elizabeth. We both changed; you were right when you said anything arbitrarily changed in our relationship would not bring us here to each other.”
“It must be the rain which brings out my doom and gloom,” she sighed and then quickly brightened. “Speaking of doom,” she continued,“when shall you write to your aunt to tell her what has become of all her warnings about my arts and allurements? The shades of Pemberley are to be polluted after all.”
“It will take courage to face her wrath again, but it ought to be done, so if I may plead for another piece of paper, I will tell her of my joy and ask for her blessings.”
“It is too bad, my Love, that I, too, have a letter to write to an aunt or else I would sit close beside you and admire your meticulous handwriting as Miss Bingley used to do. However, Aunt Gardiner’s letter explaining your part in Lydia’s marriage hinted at what she perceived to be your fondness for me. I did not answer her directly because I could not believe she saw what I wished would happen. Now, I may happily give her the news and promise her a phaeton ride around the grounds of Pemberley.”
Darcy’s letter to his aunt was short and very formal. He knew she would not welcome anything he said nor would Lady Catherine change her mind. Elizabeth’s letter to her Aunt Gardiner, full of mirth and happiness, fondly acknowledged the Gardiners’ part in bringing Darcy and Elizabeth together.
Darcy dispatched a third letter to Edward.
9 October
Cousin,
Your interference in my life may come to a close; at last, Miss Elizabeth agreed to be my wife. I am the happiest man alive, but our aunt, I fear, will find herself in more distress. Get you to Rosings and claim Anne for your own. If you are as lucky as I, you and Anne will live in heartfelt delight.
Elizabeth and I will marry on Monday fortnight in a double ceremony with Mr. Bingley and Miss Jane Bennet.We desire your presence for the ceremony.Although it is probably too much for which to hope, we would enjoy seeing Anne with you. Miss Elizabeth sends you love and respect. She thanks you for your part in bringing us together at last.
Fitzwilliam Darcy
Once they finished the letters, Darcy and Elizabeth retreated to the privacy of the alcove. To be with Elizabeth at last gave him more pleasure than he imagined being possible. Most of the conversation between them dealt with their foolish behavior over the past year, but among these moments of mirthful self-reproach hatched nuggets of plans for their future. “Do you have preferences for our marriage travels before we return to Pemberley? Would you wish to see the Lake Country? Fortunately, the Gardiners postponed their trip there last summer,” Darcy asked during one of these moments.
“I traveled so little, each new place has its own wonder; yet, I do not imagine the roads will be in such good shape at this time of year. May we not wait until summer to travel? I would love to see the Lake Country through your eyes, Fitzwilliam, and maybe some day to visit Scotland. Papa says you traveled there recently.”
“It was one of the many ways I tried to forget you, Elizabeth. I threw myself into the running of Pemberley, but it was a futile effort,” he allowed a moment of reflection. “Scotland offered me no beauty at the time.”
“Then we should travel there together some day.”
“There is so much of the world I wish to share with you, Elizabeth.” He kissed the back of the hand he held.
“Where shall we go first as man and wife? Jane and Mr. Bingley chose to spend their time at Netherfield; they wish to complete the renovations and refurbishing before celebrating Christmas in their new home.”
“I thought,” Darcy hesitated, not wishing to speak of where they would spend their wedding night for fear of offending Elizabeth, “we could travel from the wedding breakfast to our home in London at Kensington Place. You never saw our London home, and we could control our privacy there.After that, we could decide where we go next.”
“Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth blushed, “that is an
excellent idea. To think I will have a house in London,” she giggled. “Everything is changing so quickly. It is a bit daunting!” Her mood changed quickly, and apprehension crept across her countenance.
“Elizabeth, I watched you for months.” He brought both of her hands within his and made sure she faced him directly. “I can tell your moods by the manner in which you attack your needlework or by the shift of your shoulders or the biting of your lower lip. I know the gamut of your many smiles.There is the smile you have for friends when they need your support, the one where you are excessively happy, the one when you are embarrassed or uneasy, the one when you think of something witty to say, and the one when you laugh to be polite.While I got to know those many mannerisms, I also learned about the woman with whom I wished to spend my life. Your transition into my world will be no great conquest.You already possess all the qualities to be Mrs. Darcy.”
She accepted his evaluation of her ability to be the mistress of his many holdings, but she still possessed some self-doubts.Yet, she knew he believed in her, and that made her more resilient and willing to try to please him. Finally, she offered,“London and some privacy would be heavenly. I fear as the news of our engagement spreads, we will be beset with guests who will demand much of our time. If we could spend several days in London without interference, I would be delighted to do so.We could choose to attend the theatre or take in a concert or simply just be alone together.”
“London could offer me no better draw. Our Kensington Place house will finally be a home.” Darcy’s face reflected his love.
“May we after a few days ask my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner to dine with us—say, later in the week?” she asked tentatively.
“Certainly,” Darcy smiled, “we will have the dinner we missed at Pemberley; we will come full circle.”
Elizabeth hugged him although Mary sat in the room, and she was sure Mary would offer her a moral reprimand later in private; yet, she did not care; she would be Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy soon. “My aunt and uncle will be so pleased! Thank you, Fitzwilliam.”
“I would do anything to give you pleasure, Elizabeth.You will have time to look over the house and to decide what changes you may want to make. I would wish to offer you my mother’s favorite room for your private quarters. You will find the room quite comfortable, but it is a bit old-fashioned; neither my father nor I could ever think of changing it after her death.”
“Fitzwilliam, I am honored. Having part of your mother’s belongings for my use is a distinction beyond words. I am sure the room is elegant.” Elizabeth’s eyes misted with the knowledge of his love for her. How could she ever think him to possess improper pride? Elizabeth often of late blamed herself for once finding Mr. Wickham attractive and amiable; she felt disloyal to Darcy with each of those reflections.
“Then may I, Elizabeth, send word to Mr. Thacker to prepare the house for us? I will insist no one be aware of our arrival in London; no one will call or leave words of congratulations until we are ready to receive them as man and wife.”
“Those sentiments are likewise mine, Fitzwilliam,” she teased him by tracing lines up his arm with her fingertips, but Darcy stiffened, and she looked startled.“Have I said something wrong? Have I offered some offense?”
“Heavens, no, Elizabeth!” He softened as he beheld her concern.
“Then you still love me, Sir?” she taunted, leaning in toward Darcy’s face and tempting his lips with the warmth of her breath.
“Elizabeth,” he said, the trembling in his voice evident, “I love you so much it hurts.”
Elizabeth’s prediction of their being beset with intrusions on their time became all too accurate. She tried to protect him from both her mother’s frequent notice and her Aunt Phillips’s vulgar questions about the size of Pemberley and his apparent wealth. Sir William Lucas pompously complimented Darcy on carrying away “the brightest jewel of the county.” Darcy bore it well and only shrugged his shoulders and rolled his eyes once Sir William left. Mr. and Mrs. Collins escaped to Hertfordshire to avoid Lady Catherine’s wrath once she became aware of Darcy’s plans to marry. Charlotte Collins rejoiced in Elizabeth’s news, and Darcy’s letter angered Lady Catherine. Lucas Lodge offered the Collinses some safety. Having her friend at home to share in her happiness thrilled Elizabeth, but she knew Darcy paid the price by having to tolerate Mr. Collins’s attentions. Collins, as usual, paraded about as if he were a man of importance rather than a mollifying clergyman whose living came at the whim of a bitter old woman. Darcy bore all of the pomp and silliness with admirable calmness. Putting up with Mrs. Bennet and her sisters and now Mr. Collins and Sir William took its toll on some of the pleasure of the season of their courtship. All the chaos of the Bennet household increased their desire to be away from all this madness; they needed time alone, and they needed the comfort and elegance of Pemberley and their family together at last.
On one such evening, as Darcy departed Longbourn, Elizabeth stood before him in the entryway; she felt his agitation, and she planned to send him back to Netherfield in a better mood. She gripped the lapels of his suit and pulled him near her, and Darcy found her finely formed features disturbingly beautiful in the flickering candlelight. “Fitzwilliam,” she whispered his name as his reaction to the planned romantic gesture made her blush, “I too have observed you for some time, Sir, and you have multiple smiles, but the one I love the most is the one when you look at me.” She boldly kissed him before parting.
CHAPTER 18
“Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.”
In less than a week, Darcy and Bingley received responses to their letters. Caroline Bingley’s letter to her brother proved to be full of insincere wishes and false platitudes. She even wrote directly to Jane Bennet, telling Jane of her delight in receiving Miss Bennet into the Bingley family. Caroline’s words no longer deceived Jane, but she still accepted them graciously.“I will write to Caroline and thank her.”
“Oh, Jane, you are much kinder than I,” Elizabeth responded.“I do not believe I could be as forgiving as you.” The sisters were seated in Jane’s bedroom at Longbourn; Darcy and Bingley were out shooting with Mr. Bennet. Jane patted Elizabeth’s hand in agreement. “Compared to Miss Bingley’s short response to her brother, Miss Darcy’s response is a novel. Four sides of paper were insufficient to contain all her delight at Fitzwilliam’s news we are to be wed. Listen to what she says, ‘Fitzwilliam, I have an earnest desire of being loved by my new sister.’ Sweet, Georgiana, her regard will soften the deprivation I will feel at being separated from you.”
“I feel the same emptiness as you, Elizabeth.We have been more than sisters, you and I, but our intendeds are such good friends, we will often be together.”
“Georgiana will arrive the early part of next week. I look forward to your meeting her. Jane, she is so beautiful and so accomplished, and Miss Darcy takes such delight in helping others. I found her to be of a very generous nature.You will adore her; I am sure of it.”
“I will be happy to make her acquaintance. Maybe Miss Darcy and Kitty can become friends. Kitty needs another influence in her life besides Lydia or Mary. I hoped, you and I could bring Kitty to stay with us. She is not as impetuous and uncontrollable as Lydia, and being removed from Lydia’s influence and with our proper attention and management , Kitty could be less irritable, less ignorant, and less insipid.”
“I agree, Jane. Why did I not think as such? In a better situation than she finds here, Kitty’s improvement will be great. I will speak to Fitzwilliam this evening about her studies and training.”
Mr. Bennet sought Darcy’s company on their outing; he would have plenty of time to learn Mr. Bingley’s quirks, but his time with Darcy and Elizabeth drew short. Mr. Bennet felt the pain of losing his favorite daughter. Previously, Elizabeth confided in her father how she was once blinded to Darcy’s goodness; she showed Darcy no regard, but she could not resist his dark appeal. She had told her father, “His distance irritated me at fi
rst, but I cannot deny Mr. Darcy fascinated me.” Mr. Bennet knew of Darcy’s reputation as a concerned landlord, and he now had an idea of his strength of character, but Mr. Bennet had difficulty admitting any man would be good enough for his Lizzy. Even though they kept it in check, Mr. Bennet also observed the ardor easily visible between Darcy and Elizabeth; this overwhelming affection for Elizabeth softened Darcy’s intolerant breeding; he released his passion while maintaining his discerning mind, according to all reports of those who knew him well. He was still a bit of an enigma, but Mr. Bennet would allow Darcy to prove himself if he made Lizzy happy.
“Mr. Darcy, your affection for my daughter places you in my family, but I feel I know so little about you. I know your reputation, but I would like to understand the man to whom my Lizzy gave her heart.”
Darcy lacked an easy answer for his future father. “To evaluate oneself is difficult, Mr. Bennet. I fell in love with a woman who demands I talk all the time when in the past, I was content to be silent. Most would say I have an independent mind, and, I believe, your sister Mrs. Gardiner once described me as obstinate. I am often cautious with my opinion and guarded with my heart.That is, until I met your daughter Elizabeth,” Darcy chuckled.“Elizabeth has a secret inner strength, a willingness to meet any challenge. I love and cherish two women, Mr. Bennet—Elizabeth and my sister Georgiana.That is the man I have become.”
The earnestness with which Darcy spoke stunned Mr. Bennet. “It appears, Mr. Darcy, you recognize the worth of my dear Lizzy.”
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