He stepped into the room, then held out his hands to her. “Come here,” he said gently.
Elizabeth came to him without hesitation. He enfolded her in her arms, holding her gently.
Restrain yourself, Darcy. However much you have longed to hold her, this must be for comfort only — nothing more.
That the comfort was badly needed was all too obvious. Elizabeth was shuddering in his arms, suppressing her sobs. “Georgiana sent me,” Darcy said after a long moment. “She says you are not yourself today. What is this I hear about your sister being unkind?”
Elizabeth shook her head but did not move away. Instead, she leaned her cheek against his chest. “She should not have made anything of it. I am fine.”
“No, you are not fine. And that must not be so, my love. You must allow me to help you, if it is at all within my power. Please, you must at least tell me what is wrong,” he replied.
She wiped at her eyes, taking a long, shuddering breath. Retrieving a fresh handkerchief from his pocket, he offered it to her. Elizabeth took it with a nod of thanks. “I do not know if there is anything you can do to help. I have tried everything to reach her, Fitzwilliam, and she refuses to forgive me.”
“What has she said you have done?” Darcy found it difficult to believe Elizabeth could have done anything seriously wrong. But obviously, there was a severe breach between the sisters. And if he could do anything to help mend it, he would.
“I hardly know,” Elizabeth said, her frustration clear in her voice. “She has said she was angry that I was asked to come to Scotland with Papa instead of her, even though I know she would have hated the journey. Jane has never wished to travel before.” Elizabeth shook her head. “Maybe I should have asked her if she wanted to go before jumping at the chance as I did.”
“Thank goodness you did not,” Darcy said softly. “For I would not have missed meeting you for the world.”
Her eyes brimmed with tears again. “Nor I, you. But I did not think there was any discord between us until then.”
“Do you think she would have gone to Scotland if you had deferred to her?”
“That is just the thing,” Elizabeth said. She moved away from him, wrapping her arms around her middle, as if to protectherself. He placed his hands on her shoulders, and she turned back to him. “It is as if she is holding onto a grudge for the sake of playing the victim. I do not know —” She shook her head again. “I am just being silly, I know.”
“No. You have every right to be upset,” Darcy said. He released her, took her hand, and led her over to the sitting area. “Perhaps there is a solution?”
“Of course, there is.” She pressed his hand and gave a brave smile. “When we are married, it will all be over. And it will have been a drop of loneliness and heartache in an ocean of joy.”
“You are goodness itself,” Darcy said. “But no, that is not what I was thinking. What is to stop us from getting a common license and marrying at once?”
Elizabeth looked stunned. “Can we do that? What would people think?” she asked. “I would not put our reputations in jeopardy for anything.”
“We can say that I have business to attend to back at Pemberley and could not bear to be separated from you. What do you say, my love?”
She beamed up at him. “Well, I say yes! I was wondering how I would ever make it through the remaining days. Really, it is torturous being away from you for even a few moments.”
“Very well, it is settled. I will speak with your father to get his approval, of course. And then I will go on to London to get the license. I suppose the bishop must have a surrogate even nearer, but I should like to inform my aunt and uncle of the change in our plans in any case. We can be married within the week.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks flushed. “I hope my dress is done in time. It would be a shame not to wear it, particularly after you took all the trouble of having material sent from London.”
“Perhaps I ought to speak to the dressmaker,” Darcy mused. “If I pay her for her trouble, I am sure she will see to it that your gown is completed in time. I believe everything else has been arranged. We can have the wedding breakfast at Netherfield Park in the grand salon — that will prevent any difficulties with the preparations.”
“But what about the fee? I am afraid this will all cost an exorbitant amount,” Elizabeth said.
Darcy chuckled. “My dear, you are a treasure. Even now, you refuse to take advantage. Do not fret about the fee; I will take care of everything.”
“Very well, it seems it is settled,” Elizabeth agreed. Looking at her, Darcy was glad that Georgiana had come to get him. The prospect of leaving Longbourn without delay seemed to have been an enormous relief. Her smile was brighter, her eyes more sparkling, her spirit obviously unburdened; she was entirely the Elizabeth who had stolen his heart in Scotland.
Better still, they need not wait to belong to each other forever. Looking at the love shining from Elizabeth’s eyes, Darcy resolved to journey to London, obtain the license, and return to Netherfield Park for his bride as quickly as possible.
A few minutes later, Georgiana poked her head into the parlour. “Is all well?” she asked.
“Yes, come in, Georgiana. Bingley! You as well!” Darcy rose, but kept hold of Elizabeth’s hand. “All is well, in answer to your question. We have decided to apply for a common licence. We shall be married by the end of the week!”
There was much rejoicing as Georgiana and Bingley sat down and asked about the particulars.
“Would you like to stay with me until the wedding?” Georgiana asked seriously. “I would have suggested it earlier if I had known the extent of what you had been suffering.”
