Darcy and Elizabeth’s reunion the following morning was exactly what one might have expected. Between loving embraces and passionate kisses, they talked and planned. They planned for that morning when Darcy would seek Mr. Bennet’s blessing and how they would tell their family and friends. Elizabeth laughed at what she imagined would be Miss Bingley’s shock and horror. Darcy assured her that though he could not predict the lady’s horror, she would at least not be shocked. The slight blush on his cheeks as he spoke heightened Elizabeth’s curiosity, and she insisted on hearing the tale.
“It was after we left Pemberley last summer,” he said as they began to walk once again. “After dinner one evening, Bingley began to tease me about you, as had become his custom.”
“I want more details on that at a later time,” Elizabeth laughed.
“Perhaps I could be persuaded,” he smiled down at her before stealing a kiss and continuing his tale. “This turned into a discussion of your attributes—Miss Bingley led the way.”
“I bet she did. Shall you tell me what Miss Bingley thinks of me? I am certain I could guess.”
“No doubt, but no, the tale you demanded requires you hear what someone else had to say about you that evening.”
“That someone being?”
“Me,” Darcy replied with a rueful smile. “I am afraid that my need to contradict Miss Bingley’s very incorrect opinion regarding your suitability, your intelligence and your beauty may have given me away. After that, she did not speak of you again.”
Elizabeth blushed as she imagined an impassioned Darcy telling the spiteful Miss Bingley how well he thought of her. She could almost hear the emotion in his voice and see the flash in his eye.
“My heroic defender,” she declared with an exaggerated sigh.
“A role I will gladly fill for the rest of our lives.”
For the remainder of the time the couple allowed themselves, before Elizabeth returned to Longbourn to await Darcy’s call, they returned to earnest conversation and planning for a happy future. Mostly.
As Darcy had somewhat begrudgingly agreed that Elizabeth could share the news with Georgiana when she told her sisters, Elizabeth sought them out immediately upon her arrival back at Longbourn. Fortuitously, Lydia, Kitty and Mrs. Bennet were just setting off to visit Mrs. Phillips when Elizabeth came back downstairs after changing into her day dress. After bidding them goodbye, she went through to the front parlour and found all of those she had wanted.
“You look quite happy about something, Lizzy,” Georgiana observed. “Could your dance with my brother have anything to do with that?”
“Perhaps it is connected to their joint disappearance just prior to that dance,” Mary ventured.
Elizabeth’s surprise at her quiet sister’s teasing prevented an immediate response. When Jane spoke, Elizabeth was certain she would admonish the others.
“Indeed, I noted that neither of them was seen after the fourth set until they danced together at the end of the evening. What are we to make of this long absence, dear sister?”
Though she wanted to pout and exclaim at their mocking, Elizabeth simply could not contain her happiness and was nearly desperate for them to share in it.
“Mr. Darcy and I did have a conversation of great import during the time you noted our absence,” she said with exaggerated gravity.
“And what was the content of this important discussion?” Georgiana asked, trying to match Elizabeth’s indifferent tone but barely concealing her excitement.
“I do not recall all that was said,” she blatantly lied, prolonging the moment just a little bit. “We spoke of chestnut trees, my imagination and Mr. John Robertson, I believe.”
“John Robertson!” Mary and Georgiana exclaimed.
“Elizabeth.” Jane had apparently saved her voice of admonishment for her. “Do be serious.”
“You all started it,” she retorted before taking a deep breath. “Very well, Mr. Darcy has proposed and I have accepted.”
The joy she felt was reflected in the reactions of her sisters and friend. Jane reached for her hand as she started to cry. Mary hugged her fiercely. Georgiana sat quietly for a moment.
“I knew that he loved you,” she said.
“Was it when you heard his ardent defence of me to Miss Bingley when you first knew?” Elizabeth asked.
“No, although I am glad he told you about that. He was quite fierce. Miss Bingley did not know what to do with his fervency.”
After they relayed the story to Mary and Jane, who were quite impressed with their future brother’s gallantry, Elizabeth pressed Georgiana, “If not then, when did you know?”
“You will think me silly,” she demurred.
