“We shall see,” was all he said, but he held her hand all the way back to the house, and, like Anne, listened without interruption as Elizabeth made suggestions for the redemption of Manfred, and the development of a backbone for Theodosia.
47
ADIEUS
From her perch in Netherfield’s large drawing room, Elizabeth watched the carriages pull up the drive with a combination of uneasiness and excitement. They would be travelling to London first, before their final destination of Pemberley. Darcy usually spent the coldest of the winter months in his Mayfair home, he said, simply because it was so much easier to heat. However, he had agreed that they would go to Derbyshire much earlier this year, before leaving on their wedding trip in June. The Matlock and de Bourgh carriages were in line to leave as well; they would all travel together as far as London. Lady Catherine had not made as much progress in her efforts to repair her relationship with Darcy, and Anne had made but little, but Elizabeth was satisfied that all would, eventually, be resolved.
As for herself, her whole life was changing, radically. Taking everything into account, she was ready for it.
“Excuse me…Elizabeth.”
It was the first time Georgiana had called her by her given name, despite being invited to do so. Elizabeth turned to face her young sister-in-law.
“Good morning, Georgiana. We are fortunate—it appears as though the weather will be fine for travelling.”
“Um…yes.” She stood there, nervously twisting a handkerchief between her fingers.
Elizabeth could not tell what might be causing her tension—the girl was the shyest creature she had ever known. She could not imagine her raging at Darcy, telling him of her hatred, since she seemed hardly able string a sentence together, at least when Elizabeth was in the room. She tried to ease her worry.
“I hope you know that Darcy and I would love for you to come home with us, but we understand if it is too big of a change. We only wish you to be peaceful with whatever decision you make, as do Lord and Lady Matlock. I do not feel that you can make a mistake, for we are all committed to your happiness.”
“I-I would like to come home,” she managed. “If…if my brother will allow it.”
“Of course he will,” Elizabeth assured.
“Th-thank you,” Georgiana said, before leaving the room as quickly as possible.
Shaking her head at the timidity of the girl, Elizabeth had decided to go to Darcy with the news that Georgiana would be joining them, when Mrs Miles entered the drawing room.
“Excuse me, Mrs Darcy, but an express has just arrived for you, sent over from Longbourn.”
Elizabeth took the letter from the housekeeper,recognising her uncle’s handwriting, and wondering what news was so urgent that it required an express. She had written to her aunt and uncle, explaining her egression from Stoke to Longbourn, and announcing her engagement to Darcy. She had not had time, since her hasty marriage, to tell them of the wedding’s accomplishment—she had planned to invite them to Darcy House upon arriving in London. Carefully, she opened it; it was dated only one day previous.
Dearest Lizzy,
Your aunt and I received the news of your forthcoming wedding with pleasure—your aunt especially, being acquainted with your bridegroom’s reputation due to her early years spent in a neighbouring village to his family’s estate. Naturally I trust your sensible nature, and I am certain—now that the choice is truly yours—that you would select an honourable husband. However, I could not help worrying, just a bit, that perhaps the loss of your savings in the perilous venture in which we mutually participated, contributed somewhat to this decision to remarry. Therefore, upon receiving news only today in regards to that scheme, I determined to send word by the hastiest means possible. I suppose it unlikely to produce any effect upon your judgment in this matter, but regardless, you ought to know of it expeditiously.
It seems, dear Lizzy, that the ship we thought lost is not only returned safe in harbour, but contains a cargo more valuable than that for which we had originally hoped. I would estimate your share of the proceeds at a worth of nearly twenty thousand, based upon my initial assessments.
I would have come to you myself with this good news, but as I am sorting the sale of the goods, I believe I serve you best by applying my ablest efforts here in town.
I remain,
Your fondest relation,
Edw. Gardiner
“What?” she cried, unable to believe what she had read. Darcy, just entering the drawing room in search of his wife, hurried to her.
“What has happened?”
Having no words, she handed the letter to him. Quickly, he studied it before handing it back. She noticed his serious expression. “You are not simply an heiress, but a great heiress, it appears.”
She shook her head, smiling at him, still dazed. “I assume that whatever it brings in is yours, now.”
“Ours, not mine. My lawyers are even now creating a settlement for you that will ensure you will never live in poverty again, but this sum will be added to it, along with any wishes you have for its disbursement. If Ashwood ever pays his debt of honour to you, that will be added as well.” She blinked in surprise, not having expected this, and he smiled back at last, before adding, “Perhaps we ought to add Austria and Switzerland to our trip?”
“I think the trip must wait—Georgiana told me this morning that she wishes to reside with us. I would hate to abandon her within a few months of joining us.”
