When they arrived at the house, Harriet hurried down the stairs, running straight to Mr Darcy and launching herself into his arms. “Mr Darcy! Where is my bouquet?” she demanded with an adorable pout.
Mr Darcy chuckled, hugging her close. “I gave it to the maid to put in a vase for you.” He turned and winked at Elizabeth.
Mr and Mrs Gardiner soon joined them, along with their three other children. All was joyful chaos for a moment until Mrs Gardiner called for tea and ushered them all to the parlour.
“Turbulent times in the ‘Change, is it not, Mr Darcy?” Mr Gardiner remarked jovially. But though the two men had hadmany pleasant discussions on prior visits, Elizabeth’s patience was not to be tested with a discussion of finances that day.
“I do not think Mr Darcy is here to discuss business, Mr Gardiner,” her aunt chimed in. “At least, not as of yet. I believe he has something more important in mind?” Mrs Gardiner motioned for them all to be seated.
When they had all taken their seats, Mrs Gardiner looked at Mr Darcy and Elizabeth expectantly. “Well, how was the bookshop? I must say, you were not away for very long.”
Elizabeth looked at her betrothed and smiled. “Well, that is what we would like to talk to you all about —”
“Yes?” her aunt pressed. Elizabeth could tell her aunt already knew what was coming. Perhaps she had known all along.
“Well,” Elizabeth began again, feeling a broad smile spread unstoppably across her face, “Mr Darcy has asked for my hand and I have accepted.”
Her other gave a squeal of delight and got up immediately to hug her and welcome Mr Darcy to the family. Mr Gardiner also gave his warm congratulations and Harriet and Eloise swooned over Mr Darcy. The boys, Frederick and Henry, could not be bothered with all the ‘romantic slop’, but shook Mr Darcy’s hand all the same.
When the excitement had died down a little, Mrs Gardiner sat back down, smoothing her hand over her hair. “Well, I must say, this has all been very exciting. I suppose you will want to return to Meryton soon, to negotiate the settlements with Mr Bennet?” She looked at Mr Gardiner, fanning herself. “Mr Bennet will be saying goodbye to two daughters by the time this year is out. How wonderful!”
“Yes, I suppose we shall. I do not think negotiations will take long, however,” Elizabeth said. Indeed, her father would surely be happy to give them his blessing, especially when she told him of the service Mr Darcy had rendered to her in chasing away Mr Wickham, the snake. Her mother would faint dead away when she heard the news. In waking, she would no doubt shriek, “Mr Darcy is twice as rich as Mr Bingley!” or perhaps something still more embarrassing. Elizabeth resolved to bear the mortification with calm. She knew the truth. It was not Mr Darcy’s money that she cared for, for she did not need it. More importantly, Mr Darcy was her equal in mind and spirit.
“It does not matter how long the negotiations take,” Mr Darcy replied. “I will do whatever Mr Bennet requires.”
“You are most gallant, Mr Darcy. Mr Bennet will be fortunate indeed to have a son-in-law such as you,” Mrs Gardiner praised him.
“Not at all, ma’am,” Mr Darcy said firmly. He turned and squeezed Elizabeth’s hand. “It is I who am fortunate.”
Chapter 31
The Wedding Day
As the carriage sped from Netherfield Park towards the little church at Meryton, Georgiana turned to her brother with a mischievous smile. “Well, Fitzwilliam, I think I have never seen you looking so handsome. Nor so nervous. Whatever is the matter?”
Darcy gave his sister his broadest smile in return. “Nothing in the world is the matter — not today. On the day I marry Elizabeth, I have no room in my heart for anything but joy.”
Beside him, Bingley chuckled. “My friend, I know exactly what you mean.”
That, too, was another source of joy and gratitude — that Bingley would sit beside him and laugh with him once more. After returning to Meryton to speak with Mr Bennet about his hopes to marry Elizabeth, the sisters had suggested a double wedding. And, after he had spoken with Bingley to give his most profound apologies, he had accepted and readily agreed to the joyous affair that would make them both husbands on the same day.
In the end, the meeting with his old friend had proved less fraught than Darcy could have hoped. He ought, perhaps, to have known better. Bingley had received his apology with his customary good humour and willingness to be pleased. Seeing that Darcy had truly learned to view his former condescension with abhorrence, he was delighted to renew their friendship.
Georgiana laughed and shook her head. “Of course you are full of joy — I had not a doubt of it. But you are nervous, too, Fitzwilliam.”
Darcy chuckled and kissed her on the cheek. “I am not nervous. Only eager,” he corrected her with a smile. “Though I must admit that I dread the publicity of the affair. I shall be heartily glad when Elizabeth is at last my wife, and we need no longer perform to so great a crowd.”
“Thatisbeing nervous, brother, but I shall not argue with you any further, seeing as it is your wedding day.” Georgiana turned her brilliant smile on Bingley. “I am ever so happy for you, Mr Bingley,” she said.“Miss Jane Bennet is a delight. Elizabeth told me her sister would prove a dear friend to me, and I am already finding it to be true. She is the sweetest soul I have ever met. You will be a very happy man.”
“Thank you,” Bingley said heartily. “Look there! We have all but arrived.”
The carriage drew to a stop. Looking at the stone walls of the church, Darcy could not deny it — hedidfeel a tinge of nervousness.
That was only natural, he reminded himself, for it was a day that would change his life forever. No longer would he be a solitary man. He would be Elizabeth’s husband, with all the duties and all the joy that entailed.
It would be a different life, and he could hardly wait for that life to begin.
His peaceful reverie was interrupted by the arrival of another carriage. Miss Bingley and the Hursts had set out from Netherfield only a few minutes later than themselves. As Bingley’s sisters stepped down from the coach, he gave Darcy a last, rueful look. Darcy gave his friend a brief nod of acknowledgement. While Darcy had learned the error of his presumption in believing he had the right to direct his friend’s happiness, Miss Bingley had not.
