Georgiana silently nodded.
Darcy looked at Elizabeth with a smile that warmed Mr Bennet’s heart. He was sorry about the circumstances but proud of his daughter. It was an excellent decision to be near her future husband and a bold one, but Lizzy was a young woman who knew herself. She was neither a disoriented lamb like Lydia nor a beautiful girl living in the clouds like Jane. She was a person of trust and courage who could assume her destiny, and she always put the well-being of those she loved above any social conventions or personal gain.
“Thank you, Elizabeth,” Darcy said. “We shall also ask Miss Bennet to stay here as our guest if it is not inconvenient for her.”
Jane was so happy that she wanted to jump from her seat and dance; instead, she looked at Darcy with a smiling mien and responded quietly. “I shall stay as long as you need me, and I think Papa will agree.”
“Well,” Mr Bennet said, “in that case, I shall extend my stay, but permit me to remain at the Gardiners’ house even though it is so far away in Gracechurch Street…”
His voice and words were so sarcastic that everybody broke out in laughter. Even Bingley was laughing, yet his cheeks were again red, remembering his sisters’ wickedness. He could not change them but intended not to see them untiltheychanged their attitude. Ignoring them would be a suitable punishment.
Darcy smiled for the first time that morning, kissing Elizabeth’s hand, he looked around the table. He harboured a secret displeasure in the past, thinking he would be associated with Wickham as brother-in-law. Still, Mr Bennet dispelled his worries with his unconditional and generous support.
Breakfast continued in a more serene atmosphere. The ladies were engaged in quiet talk about gowns and weddings while the gentlemen were discussing horses and shooting when Darcy’s butler entered with the silver correspondence tray and whispered in his master’s ear.
It was obviously something important, Georgiana knew instantly. Parker had perfect manners and never would disturb her brother during a meal unless…
Darcy coloured and took the letter in an evident state of emotion.
“I beg your pardon,” he said. “I must read this letter; the messenger awaits my answer.”
He hesitated a moment with the letter in his hand, unsure of sharing the identity of the sender with the whole party, butthen he said rather determinedly, “This is from the Duke of Blandford.”
An exclamation of astonishment circled the table; Bingley and Georgiana were astounded, the others only curious, but Darcy understood it was too late to conceal the contents from them, so he read in a somewhat uncertain voice:
Mr Darcy,
It was a pleasure to meet you at the opera and become acquainted with your lovely lady. Please oblige me by joining me on Wednesday at our club to discuss important matters. I shall be present that morning until one o’clock. Please meet me during that time.
William Fitzroy, Duke of Blandford
The short message did not indicate the subject the duke wished to discuss, but the polite words showed it was a request, not an order.
“Wednesday is tomorrow,” Darcy said with all eyes fixed on him.
It was undoubtedly an important message, and Elizabeth received it with even more anxiety than the others did. She was equally curious, interested, and distressed, as the Duke of Blandford had just become a real person and not merely an imaginary character living among royalty.
Her future life with Fitzwilliam would be unlike anything she had experienced at Longbourn. Being mistress of Pemberley meant assuming many duties, some substantially different from her mother’s daily work, but being his wife meant even more. Tomorrow, he would meet a duke, and she would have to face this new world beside him. Unfortunately, that world had proven hostile towards her becoming Mrs Darcy. But then she remembered the duke, his imposing posture and gentle smile,and she decided the situation might not be as dark as they imagined.
Still and silent with the duke’s letter in his hand, Fitzwilliam was staring at her, and Elizabeth felt he knew every thought in her mind. She would need him to be near her, to support her, even teach her. But she was ready to be his wife no matter what anybody else thought.
She smiled, and her face was the support he needed in that long and distressing morning. Darcy longed for her; he wanted to be alone with her and take her in his arms. With a simple gesture, he ended the breakfast and invited Georgiana and his guests to retire to the parlour.
“I think we need this day to recover,” Darcy said. “I had some plans for this morning, but all are postponed until tomorrow.” He glanced at Elizabeth, who slightly blushed, remembering their conversation, his decision to obtain a marriage licence, her refusal to marry in haste, and…his lips opening hers in a kiss that set her entire body on fire.
All but Bingley observed the emotion between them. With a smile on his face, he announced that he intended to take Mr Bennet and Jane on a trip outside London the next day to show them a property he might buy in the future.
“I intend to have an excursion for you every day.”
He was so enthusiastic that everybody laughed, while Darcy looked at him with gratitude as he yearned to be alone with Elizabeth.
Chapter 8
His adored betrothed astonished him once again. Only two nights before, she refused to marry him in haste, only to decide the following day to stay at his house unmarried just to face the world.
Her attitude made him easier about the strange appointment he was about to have. For perhaps the hundredth time in the last hours, he wondered what the duke might want from him. He remembered Blandford from various gatherings, but they had never had a near encounter other than the short meeting at the opera. He did not recall sharing more than a respectful greeting or being closer than ten feet from the duke.
One of the things he loathed the most was the scandal around him—any scandal. Even when he crossed some lines with his youth friends, he always tried to find a solution that avoided malicious gossip. His misadventures were still looked upon as dares: admired and not condemned. And now he had toface this circumstance of enduring London’s villainous mouth. He suspected there would be those who thought his decision could be influenced by pressure from his family to marry his cousin.
