By this time, neither of the two young ladies who were to benefit from the companion took any notice of such talk, so inured to it were they. As was their wont, they sat in Georgiana’s company with Mary, speaking animatedly about the next time they would meet. To Lydia’s credit, it appeared she only made afew comments about her vexation at Mary’s invitation. Mary did not reply, proving her maturity, though she did not scruple to avoid a smug smile at the girl whenever she mentioned it.
“It is now time for us to part, Elizabeth,” said Anne, pulling Elizabeth into an embrace. “Once again, I must take this opportunity to thank you for persuading me against Mr. Wickham’s mad schemes. I will forever be in your debt.”
“Not at all, Anne,” replied Elizabeth, returning her new friend’s embrace fiercely. “I am only grateful I was able to help.”
“Those who find themselves in such positions often do nothing,” replied Anne. “I shall look forward to your coming to Pemberley, for when you arrive, we shall walk the grounds together from morning until night!”
Elizabeth laughed at Anne’s reference to her reluctance to walk to Longbourn the day they had met in Meryton. “It will displease your mother if I presume to drag you about Pemberley at all hours of the day and night.”
“Darcy will not be happy either,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam, nudging his cousin’s elbow. “I hope you realize Darcy hasotherreasons for inviting Miss Elizabeth to his estate.”
“Darcy can wait his turn,” said Anne, affecting a haughty demeanor.
They all laughed at the banter, and Elizabeth turned on the colonel with some asperity. “Do you mean to go to Pemberley too, or do you have some other destination in mind?”
“Fortunately for us all,” interjected Mr. Darcy, “Fitzwilliam must return to London and his duties. I have no notion how the army failed to instill him with discipline, but given his penchant for humorless jesting, it is indisputable.”
“Do not concern yourself, Miss Elizabeth,” said the colonel. “I shall be underfoot when you least expect it. Darcy here is always happy to have me.”
The look of disbelief Darcy sent him returned them all totheir laughter. They sat together for some time, engaged in conversation typical to those who were about to be sundered from each other’s company. Mr. Darcy spoke of some attractions she might see on her way north and said something of his party’s journey, which he had undertaken many times. Anne assured Elizabeth that she was eager to see Pemberley again, as she had not been there in several years, while Colonel Fitzwilliam restrained his comments for his upcoming duties with his regiment. While the act of parting was still not welcome, Elizabeth treasured these last few moments in their company, even knowing they would reunite soon.
When the time came, the visitors rose and with many expressions of pleasure, said their farewells. The Bennets returned their fondness in equal measure, and many comments of their desire to return to each other’s company passed between them. There was even enough time for Mrs. Bennet to insert her foot firmly in her mouth.
“How happy we have been to welcome you all!” exclaimed she, her excitement getting the better of what sense she possessed. “And you too, Mr. Darcy! Why, I dare say you improve substantially with acquaintance!”
It was all Elizabeth could do not to groan, though most of Mr. Darcy’s party appeared amused—the exception was, of course, Lady Catherine, who regarded Mrs. Bennet as if trying to determine how to reform her. Mr. Bennet’s grin at his wife’s lack of tact mirrored that of most of the gentleman’s family. Yet Mr. Darcy, the subject of her faux pas, contented himself with smiling at the Bennet matron and indicating his pleasure.
“Thank you, Mrs. Bennet. As you can see, I had more than enough reason to improve myself. I am gratified that I have achieved some measure of success.”
“It appears you have, sir,” chimed in Mr. Bennet. “If no one else, my daughter appears to approve.”
Elizabeth glared at her father, but he took no notice, of course. The rest of the company all appeared to take great pleasure in her embarrassment, for she was the subject of gently teasing comments for a few moments after. When they all made their way from the room, Mr. Darcy held her back, clearly wishing to speak to her in private. When they were alone, he turned to her.
“It shall seem like an age until you finally come, Miss Elizabeth. I hope you will excuse me if I express the hope that your uncle will decide to proceed directly to Pemberley and eschew the sights along the road.”
“Perhaps we shall,” replied Elizabeth. “It would be agreeable to my aunt.”
“Yes, I well understand her affinity for Derbyshire, for I love my home.”
Mr. Darcy looked at her intently for a moment and reached down to grasp her hand. “Dare I hope, Miss Elizabeth, that you will find some measure of longing in your heart for my company?”
Sensing his entreaty was at least as serious as it was humorous, Elizabeth refrained from laughing. “I might,” said she. “Will you miss me?”
Mr. Darcy felt no need to curb his laughter. “Always. But I shall endure it, for our separation will be of short duration.”
“I can safely say, Mr. Darcy,” replied Elizabeth, “that I shall miss our conversations. I am eager to see your home, for if it is as wondrous as you all suggest, I dare say I shall find no better in all the land.”
“It is the bestfor me,” replied Mr. Darcy. “I am confident you will echo my opinion.”
With those words, they stepped out of the house to the rest of the company waiting for them. Unsurprisingly, a few more light-hearted jests met their exit.
“Miss Mary,” said Anne, “you will need to take yourchaperonage duties seriously at Pemberley. If they can get lost in the short distance from the sitting-room to the door, I have no notion of what mischief they will find in a house the size of Pemberley!”
“Oh, I shall,” said Mary, completely seriously.
“I promise I shall not give you trouble,” said Mr. Darcy, bowing over Mary’s hand and setting her to blushing. “Or not much, anyway.”
The company laughed, and Mr. Bennet affected a stern demeanor when he said: “Do not make me call you out, Darcy. I would not survive the experience.”
