“And you truly believethatis what she would want of you? To be married to a woman who although you love as a cousin, you could not love as a wife? Darce, I remember my aunt. She loved you and only wanted your happiness. This has forever reeked of our Aunt Catherine’s machinations.”
Darcy sniffed at the veiled hope in his cousin’s voice but understood how he was destroying Richard’s hopes as well. As Richard picked up the other cue stick and racked the balls, Darcy knew they were in a losing battle.
* * *
Her final dayat Pemberley arrived without fanfare. It was a clear day with brilliant blue skies reflecting off the light dusting of snow. The maid had packed her things the previous night and the footmen taken her trunks down to await the carriage. She was alone in the room which had come to feel like home.
Standing at the same window where she had stood many times before to admire the great estate she had come to love, she savored the view even more knowing this would be her last day, her last hour on his lands.
She did not want to leave. Could not bear to break the hold this place had on her but knew she must. This was her fate and she was resigned, accepting that her marriage to James was better than many women would ever achieve.
She picked up her pelisse on the way out the door and was met at the top of the stairs by the butler.
“Mr. Reynolds, I thank you for your hospitality during my stay.”
“It was my pleasure, Miss Bennet. Your family awaits you in the drawing room. Mr. Darcy ordered light refreshments before you depart, and Cook prepared a basket with some of your favorites including the blueberry scones.”
“Do thank her for me.” She walked down the stairs and into the drawing room only to be met by her mother’s loud pronouncement that she was her slowest daughter of all five, and that she was lucky Mr. Hamilton did not mind waiting like the rest of the world did.
Lizzy cast an apologetic smile toward her Mr. Hamilton, but his lips remained set in a tight line and he did not look her way.Oh, Mama. You have pushed even James too far.
Colonel Fitzwilliam took her hand and led her over to the chair next to his. “Miss Bennet, if we are to lose your company within the hour, I will monopolize it while it still remains. You do not mind, Hamilton?”
“Colonel, I do not believe I ever properly thanked you for saving me. Without you, surely I would have perished.”
“Yes, Colonel,” Hamilton pronounced tightly, “thank you for seeing to the safety of my beloved Elizabeth. It is a miracle that her life was preserved for a full night lying in an embankment in the woods during a raging snowstorm.”
Mr. Darcy swiftly sent Hamilton a look, but it was the colonel who was quickest to reply. “I only did what I knowanyman would have done to help a lady, sir. It is not my place to question Providence. Had Miss Bennet been anywhere else, she might not have been rescued in a timely manner.”
Lizzy felt her heart race at her deception.
“You are right, Colonel. However, we are grateful whatever occurred,did occur, for everything was made right. Elizabeth is safe and returning home to Longbourn with her family. You will head to the continent. And Darcy will leave on the morrow to marry his intended.” He took a sip of his tea. “Yes, everything is as it should be.”
Mr. Bennet set his cup on the side table and stood. “Yes, well, we had better be off. Thank you for your hospitality toward my girls. If you or Miss Darcy are ever near Hertfordshire, know that you are welcome to Longbourn.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bennet,” Mr. Darcy said. “I am certain my sister and Miss Katherine will ensure a visit happens not too long in the future.”
“For certain,” Kitty said squeezing Georgiana’s hand, both girls trying to hold back tears.
“Yes, Mr. Darcy. I am sure they will.”
“It is a shame you will not be able to attend Jane and Bingley’s wedding,” Mrs. Bennet said. “But, I presume with your own so close, you must go to Rosings to prepare for it. However, I promise you, you will miss a wedding breakfast like no other!”
“Of this, I can attest,” Mr. Bennet affirmed with a roll of his eyes. “Our cook has been working tirelessly since word reached Longbourn of this monumental event. Well, let’s be off.” He extended his hand to the colonel and then to Mr. Darcy. “Once again, thank you both. Colonel, until you have a child, you will never understand the gratitude I feel for you.”
“Miss Bennet is a treasure that the world could not do without.”
Kitty approached Mr. Darcy and the colonel and curtseyed. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. Words cannot express how much my stay here has meant. So many lovely memories.”
“You are always welcome to Pemberley and Darcy House.”
Mr. Hamilton shook Mr. Darcy’s hand, and Lizzy could feel her heart pounding as she knew she must say the words. Her last words to him.
“Mr. Darcy,” she said, maintaining an even tone despite the emotions roiling beneath the surface. She raised her eyes to his blank expression. “Thank you,” was all she could mutter before he nodded.
“I wish you happy, Miss Elizabeth. Hamilton.”
Mr. Hamilton bowed succinctly before ushering Lizzy out the door and down Pemberley’s steps. He handed her into the carriage before offering his hand to Kitty and then climbed in to sit beside Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.
