The progress and the speed at which Richard was learning how to run the estate was impressive to Darcy. He had also noted how much closer Anne and Richard had become. It was not something on which he would comment. Rather, he would allow whatever was to occur to happen in its own time. He had learnt his lesson regarding interfering in other’s romantic affairs.
As it always did, it did not take long before he was contemplating the great pleasure of seeing Elizabeth again.
In a few days, he, along with the residents of both the mansion and the parsonage, would make the almost fifty mile journey to Hertfordshire to spend a sennight in that shire until his friend married his angel, who happened to be his Elizabeth’s sister.
There had been letters exchanged between Elizabeth, Giana, and Tiffany since the departure from the Meryton neighbourhood. As much as he loved reading her words, especially those that had direct or oblique references to himself, it was simply not the same as being in her warm company. There had been a few letters sent to each other, but through Bennet so they had to be circumspect regarding what was said.
As it always did when he thought of Elizabeth, Darcy’s hand found its way into his pocket to open the back lid of his fob watch. It was always with him when awake and next to his bed when he slept. Without a thought, he would lift the lid and caress the lock of hair to feel closer to her.
On this day, Tiffany and Giana were visiting Mrs. Mary Bennet at the parsonage. Darcy looked at his fob watch and saw it was close to the time he had agreed to arrive at the parsonage and accompany his sister and cousin back to the manor house.
Taking advantage of his long strides, it did not take him many minutes to reach his destination.
“Welcome Mr. Darcy,” Mary greeted her guest when he entered the sitting room where she and her two friends were seated.
She offered him some tea to which Darcy politely demurred having just had tea at Rosings Park not an hour past. He looked at the two younger ladies. “Are you ready to depart?” Darcy enquired.
“Before you take your leave with Giana and Tiffany,” Mary interjected. Darcy sat and looked at his beloved’s sister expectantly. “I have learnt you will be required to remain at the estate for a few more months in order to undo the damage wrought by the former mistress, is that correct?”
“It is, Mrs. Bennet,” Darcy acknowledged. He was not sure to what the question tended, but he did know Mary Bennet was an intelligent lady similar to his Elizabeth.
“Did you know I have invited Lizzy to visit, and she has agreed to come here in March?” Mary asked slyly.
“No, I was not aware of that fact,” Darcy averred.
“For Tiffany and Giana, of course,” Mary looked directly at Darcy when she spoke, “I have written to Lizzy and invited her to return with us after Jane’s wedding. She has accepted my invitation.”
The three ladies in the sitting room were almost blinded by the beaming smile which Darcy displayed on hearing his beloved would soon be in residence.
“I am sure Tiffany and Giana cannot find the words to express their thanks for your gift to them,” Darcy responded.
He did not remember the walk back to the manor house with the two young ladies or what they had been chattering about. Darcy was too busy calculating the hours until he saw Elizabeth again and revelling in the fact she would be with them when they departed Hertfordshire.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The depth and scope of how she missed William had convinced Elizabeth she was in love with him; especially as it felt like part of herself was missing when he was away. One evening, she had discussed this with Jane as they conversed about the nature of love.
Not having been in love before, Elizabeth was not sure of her feelings yet. When she and Jane spoke, it was plain to see the way they felt about their respective men had much in common. For Elizabeth, it was the confirmation she needed. Like Jane with Charles, when she thought of the future, there was no version she could imagine without William in it. In fact, if she tried to do so, all she felt was a deep feeling of desolation.
At first, Elizabeth had railed against the unfairness of being separated from William for so long, but she had caught herself.
William was being selfless and she needed to remember that and act accordingly. He was placing the needs of others above his own desires. Elizabeth knew without any doubt where he preferred to be so she followed his example and tamped down her selfish desires.
Not two days before Mary’s invitation to advance her visit, a letter had come from Giana with the news William would be needed at Rosings Park for months, not weeks as had been thought. Mary’s letter had been for her as an oasis was to a man who had been lost in the desert without water.
For the rest of that day, much to her sisters’ amusement, Elizabeth had walked about in a dreamy state.
Elizabeth spent as much time as she could with Jane. All too soon her sister would no longer be at Longbourn and their relationship would change dramatically Not for one instant did Elizabeth begrudge Jane her happiness, but it did not change the fact she would miss seeing her sister on a daily basis.
Jane had asked Elizabeth to be her maid of honour. Elizabeth had accepted with alacrity and was determined to fulfil her duties with aplomb. The fact William was standing up with Charles and would be near her during the ceremony was an added bonus.
Sometimes when she was not busy assisting Jane, Elizabeth would walk into Meryton to visit Charlotte Forster.
She knew the former Miss Lucas was not a romantic, but it was easy to see her best friend was well pleased with her situation and her husband doted on her. Her husband had leased a house in Meryton in which they were residing before their move to Derbyshire. He had resigned his commission and was waiting a month or so for a new colonel to arrive and take command of his regiment before he and his wife travelled north to his small estate.
The two friends were pleased they would be neighbours if—when—Elizabeth’s courtship ended with a proposal. Evidently, Charlotte’s husband’s estate was less than eight miles from Pemberley.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
