Mary held out the letter. “Read this and tell me what you think.”
Jane took it. When she finished reading, she said, “It is a very good letter, and his apology is everything sincere and obliging. I would forgive him if it had been addressed to me.”
“But Jane, what if he speaks to me in that same manner after we are wed? I will be completely in his power, and it will be too late to change my mind.”
Jane sat in thought. “It is a shame that Isabella has left us. You could ask her, and she would tell you the truth. Who would be in a better position to know? She has lived with him all her life.”
Mary raised her brows. “Who indeed? His mother would know. I will ask him to take me to visit her. It is best to know the truth, even if it is painful.”
Jane embraced her. “I will go with you as a chaperone. Perhaps you should go down to him now and make arrangements for the visit.”
Mary felt a surge of hope. In her heart, she already believed him to be a good man and that he would treat her well, but speaking with his mother would either confirm or disprove that belief. She stood.
“I will go to him now, and I will tell you when we are to visit.”
Darcy sat on the edge of Elizabeth’s bed, her hand enclosed in his. “I hate to leave you, my darling, but I see no other way. I must ensure Wickham is transported to Australia and out of our lives. I will not rest until I know he is no longer a threat to you or Georgiana.”
She pressed his hand. “I will be well, Fitzwilliam. I only want a little sleep to set me to rights. How long will you be away?”
“No longer than a fortnight. Once I have arranged the transport, I need not remain in London. My solicitor will see to the rest and will be on the dock when the ship sails.”
“You need not worry for Georgiana or me. The three men will remain with us, is that not so?”
“Yes. I have spoken with them, and they have agreed to stay, even though their host will be gone.”
“They are all practically family to us now, Fitzwilliam. Do not be troubled about proprieties. Jane and Mr. Bingley will continue to visit the estates that are for sale, so it is no burden for Mr. Bingley to remain. Perhaps Mary will be wed by the time you return. Mr. Lewis is eating humble pie and is suffering a great deal.”
Darcy chuckled. “Is Miss Mary still refusing to come down?”
“She is. What do you know of Mr. Lewis? Should I be concerned about this match?”
“No, my dear. Lewis is a good man. This matter with Miss Ashbrook affected us all. I did not know that all these years Lewis believed it was Richard who had ruined her. I can imagine how I would feel if Georgiana had married Wickham. That is the same light in which Lewis viewed Richard. We cannot hold his loyalty to his sister against him. He is generally a quiet and well-behaved man. He is a little restive, but not to a fault. I would allow my sister to marry him if he asked.”
“Oh, well then, I will tell Mary, for she suffers deeply, and her future appears dark to her now. I am glad to know that there is every possibility of her making a happy match.”
Darcy bent down to kiss her once more. “Elizabeth, are you certain you are well? That incident would cause anyone to feel overwrought or fearful.”
“I am well, only exhausted. I will spend time with Georgiana to be sure she is well. I am not feeling overcome, because we faced Mr. Wickham together. I felt anger more than fear.”
He pressed her hand. “I am glad to know that. Go to sleep now, darling. I will return as soon as I can.” He left the room, and her eyes lingered on the closed door. Mr. Darcy loved her, and shefound that deeply comforting. She rolled onto her side, closed her eyes, and was soon asleep.
Elizabeth did share Darcy’s remarks about his childhood friend with Mary. “My dear, he even went so far as to say he would consent to a marriage between him and Georgiana.”
Mary threw herself upon Elizabeth’s neck. “I am gratified to hear he has a good opinion of Mr. Lewis. I have set my heart to accept him.”
The visit to Mrs. Lewis was made, and Mary was further encouraged by the esteem in which the mother held her son. The end of the matter was that Mary accepted Mr. Lewis’s offer of marriage.
Mr. Lewis, on his part, was eager to be wed and asked his betrothed if she would consider marrying him upon Darcy’s return to Pemberley. “If you approve, my dear, I will send an express to your father with the marriage articles and a letter requesting his consent. A marriage license is easily obtained from the registry office in Matlock, and then all will be in order. We could be wed next week.”
Mary took the matter to her sisters.
“We could invite our parents to your wedding, my dear. They are welcome here at Pemberley.”
Mary frowned. “Mamma has always hated me, and though Papa spent time with me, you were his favorite. I was the lost child. Lizzy, it will be enough for me to have you and Jane present. I prefer to be spared Mamma and her hateful witticisms.”
And so it was that Miss Mary Bennet and Mr. James Lewis were united in holy matrimony on September 20, 1811. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth stood as witnesses and signed the registry. Jane andMr. Bingley were present in support of the match, and Elizabeth believed her sister had found love.
Chapter 47: Return to Hertfordshire
