As everyone except Jane hurried to the window to look out, Elizabeth put a stop to it.
“Wait! You would not wish to embarrass me in front of my intended, do you?”
Four faces swiveled in her direction.
“Did you sayintended?” Mrs. Bennet’s grew wide as saucers. “Lizzy, are youengaged to be married?”
“I am,” she said, beaming. “I am engaged to Mr. Darcy,” she said, and braced for the reaction.
Mrs. Bennet squealed. “Oh, how could that be? You clever, clever girl! I always knew you would not let us down. I knew sending you away was the best way to secure a husband. I told Mr. Bennet. I insisted on it.”
Elizabeth could only hope that Mr. Darcy could not hear anything from outside. Her face burned with embarrassment.
Mrs. Bennet waved her handkerchief about, completely overcome. “You are engaged! To Mr. Darcy! A gentleman with a huge estate! Imagine the pin money you will have. And the carriages! Oh, I knew it! You did not want to go to London, but I told you. I told you if you went, you would marry a fine gentleman, and your sisters would all be provided for.” She gave a loud shriek. “Lizzy, we are saved! But is it really true? Has Mr. Bennet given his permission?”
“He has, Mama.” Elizabeth could not help smiling. Not even her mother’s caterwauling could put a dent in her happiness.
“I cannot believe it! Oh! Good gracious! My dearest Lizzy! How rich and how great you will be! But why is Mr. Darcy outside in the garden? Why do you not tell him to come in and be introduced to us? How could you be engaged to someone we do not even know? Call him in at once! I must see for myself what kind of husband you have found.”
“His clothes are very fashionable, Mama, and he has a very fine figure,” remarked Lydia, enviously. “Why did you not sendmeto London?”
“Never mind, Lydia. There are plenty of other gentlemen to choose from. I am sure Lizzy will introduce you to half a dozen as soon as she is married.”
Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet traveled to London the same day with Mr. Darcy in his carriage. There was no reason to delay. There were settlements to be signed and practical matters to attend to.
Her aunt and uncle were sitting at dinner when Elizabeth and her father arrived at their home. Everyone looked up in surprise and some alarm when they saw Mr. Bennet, but Elizabeth hurried to reassure them by immediately announcing the news of the engagement.
There were expressions of joy. Mrs. Gardiner jumped up and came to embrace Lizzy. “I am so glad things worked out. Your uncle has been feeling terrible about this, and so have I. It is a relief to know it all worked out in the end.”
Her uncle shook her hand enthusiastically and demanded an accounting of how that had happened. They sat down for dinner and were soon caught up with all that had occurred.
Darcy called on them later in the evening and was introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner and their children. Elizabeth soon discovered that there was an advantage to being engaged. They were allowed a certain degree of privacy so they could talk without being overheard.
“Now that you have met Mama and experienced what the rest of the Bennet family is like, are you certain you do not wish to reconsider our engagement?” said Elizabeth, archly.
“It is too late for that,” said Darcy, his eyes lingering on her with a tender light. “I could never let go of you, now that I have you. There is nothing you can do that will change my mind.”
His words blossomed through her like a bright flower. His affection was strong enough to withstand anything.
There was still one hurdle for them to overcome. Miss Darcy. “I cannot truly be happy until I have resolved everything. I would like to go to see your sister to make my apologies. I do not know how she will feel about the engagement.”
Mr. Darcy sighed. “I think it would be better for me to talk to her first, to prepare her. I do not know if she is still angry with you.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I would rather tell her my story myself.”
“Of course. I will leave that part to you. I just want to ensure she is ready to listen.”
“Very well. You know your sister best.”
“I am not sure whether that is the case, but I prefer to err on the side of caution.” He took out his pocket watch. “It is too late tonight. I will go in the morning. If Georgiana is receptive, you can expect a note from her.”
Darcy departed soon afterwards, leaving Elizabeth feeling more than a little anxious about the outcome of Mr. Darcy’s conversation with his sister.
Darcy made his way up the steps at Cavendish Square later than he would have liked, bearing in mind that his sister did not rise from bed until almost noon. He was relieved when the butler told him Miss Darcy was in the piano room.
He found Georgiana sitting at the piano, staring at the music without playing. She looked up when he came in and greeted him in a subdued manner.
“Have you started playing again?” he asked.
