“No, I am well,” Elizabeth said. “Besides, it would be unseemly in the eyes of some. I would rather not attract any more attention than we already will by getting a common license instead of waiting for the banns to be read. The only thing I am worried about is the talk that will ensue.”
“I shall do my part to see you need not worry,” Bingley said, with a wry smile that showed him to be thinking of his sister. Darcy did not envy him the task of keeping Miss Bingley quiet, but he would be grateful for any attempt his friend might make in so herculean a task.
“Will your sisters be able to make it back from London in time?” Georgiana asked. Miss Bingley and the Hursts had travelled to London, but had intended to return for the wedding.
“Yes, they are due back in two days. Indeed, you may pass them on your way into Town. If you do, you can tell them about the change in plans. In any case, you need not wait on Caroline’s account.” Bingley rolled his eyes heavenward. “I do not think she would add very much to the pleasure of the day.”
Darcy had never heard Bingley speak that way about his sister, but perhaps he was coming around to the true nature of his sister. For so many years, he had turned away, refusing to acknowledge the defects in her character. It seemed his experiences with Miss Bennet had helped him to see that Miss Bingley’s spite and manipulations could not be tolerated.
Whatever the case, he was glad that Bingley had learned from the experience with Miss Bennet, as painful as it had been. With his eyes opened, Bingley at last had a chance of choosing a wife for her character as much as for her angelic good looks. His good-natured friend deserved a wife as kind and open-hearted as himself.
Darcy suspected he knew just the young woman to combine the golden beauty and elegance that Bingley had always preferred with the intelligence and strength of character that his friend now knew to be essential to his future happiness, but whether they would prove to be a match in the end, only fate could know.
∞∞∞
The following day, Elizabeth came to Netherfield Park to see him off. She and Georgiana stood outside the grand limestone steps of Netherfield, along with Bingley and many of the staff. “I will be back in a few days. And then we shall never be parted again,” Darcy promised.
“Even a few days will seem like an eternity,” Elizabeth murmured. Though she smiled bravely, he could see tears forming in her eyes. Unable to resist the temptation, Darcy reached up and wiped them away. She leant into his cupped hand, and he wished this were his homecoming instead of his departure. “Be careful and come home safe to me,” she whispered again.
“I promise,” Darcy replied. He reluctantly let her go, then said his goodbyes to Bingley and then to Georgiana. He leaned down to whisper in his sister’s ear. “Keep an eye out for her.Elizabeth tries to be strong, but I am just as worried as you about her well-being. I do not want anything to distress her before the wedding.”
“I will keep her with me as much as possible. Do not worry, the time will fly with all the last details we must arrange.”
“You are enjoying this very much, I think,” Darcy said, smiling down at his sister.
“I enjoy seeing you so love-struck that you think nothing of going to London so you may sooner be united with your love.” Georgiana grinned broadly. “I never thought of you as a romantic, but I see I was mistaken. And I was never so glad to be proven wrong.”
He hugged his sister, then raised a hand in farewell as he climbed into the carriage. “It is a wonderful thing, is it not?” he said to Georgiana through the window.
“What is?” she asked.
“To find the joy in saying you were wrong,” Darcy said with a broad smile. “I know I have found it so myself, ever since I fell in love with Elizabeth.” He winked at her, then signalled to the driver that he was ready to go. Georgiana laughed aloud, waving to him as the carriage bumped toward the lane. He chuckled, then turned toward the front of the carriage.
There would be much to be done once he arrived in London. There were a great many things requiring his attention at his study, he was sure. But it could wait until he had acquired the wedding license. And he would save his work to help distract him from missing Elizabeth.
As the carriage sped south towards London, Darcy made a mental note to write to his aunts as soon as he arrived, and tellthem of their changed plans. He already felt his Aunt Catherine’s displeasure, even before he had informed her of the coming wedding. Lady Catherine had made no secret of her intention that he should marry her daughter one day. Whether he or Cousin Anne approved of the idea — and as it happened, they very much did not — seemed a matter of no consequence to her.
When Darcy arrived in London, it was too late to visit the church registry. That task would have to wait until the morning. He was half-way through the stack of letters that had arrived for him when a smile crossed his face. The timing of the countess’s note was particularly good.
∞∞∞
Dear Darcy,
One can never tell where you will be these days — first in Derbyshire, then London, then Scotland, then Hertfordshire, of all places! If you happen to be in London the following Thursday, you must visit us in the evening, for I shall host a particularly amusing party. You care for watercolours, do you not? I have invited a most promising young artist to display his work. Do come and see me, Darcy. It has been too long.
With sincere regards,
Your loving Aunt Beatrix
∞∞∞
Darcy checked the date. As he thought, the party was thatvery evening, and he might yet go. And as he was invited, he would, for it would give him the chance to share his happiness with his family.
How you are changing me already, Elizabeth,Darcy thought with a private chuckle.Willingly going to a London society party, all so that I might speak of my love for you.
It was the work of moments to change his attire for formal wear more suitable for the countess’s event. By dint of hurrying, he arrived not too late for politeness, though late enough that the party was already in full swing. The house was filled with gaiety and laughter as everyone milled about the artist’s work to admire it.
After coming through the crowded foyer and into the grand salon, he spotted his aunt and went to her. He smiled as he approached, and she beamed up at him, coming to greet him with open arms. With her usual warm informality, the countess stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. “My dear nephew! Why, Darcy, though I sent you an invitation, I had not much hope of its being accepted. I did not expect to see you again so soon. I thought you had gone to winter in Hertfordshire, or some such place.”
