“Richard,” Mr. Darcy said, but there was no real heat in it.
Miss Darcy’s approach was graceful but hesitant. “Miss Bennet, I am very pleased to meet you. William has written to me about you.”
“Has he?” Elizabeth said, surprised. She grinned at Mr. Darcy, who looked faintly embarrassed.
“Oh yes. He said you were clever and kind, and that you played the pianoforte very well.” Miss Darcy blushed. “I hope we might become friends.”
The sincerity in the girl’s voice touched Elizabeth deeply. “I would like that very much, Miss Darcy.”
Henderson announced dinner, and they proceeded to the dining room. Colonel Fitzwilliam entertained them with stories from his regiment, while Miss Darcy asked Elizabeth about her family and life in Hertfordshire.
Lady Matlock finally broached the subject they had all been avoiding. “Miss Bennet, I understand your birthday is on the seventeenth of December. That gives us less than three weeks to prepare for a wedding.”
“Yes, your Ladyship.”
“You will need a trousseau. We must arrange for the license. The ceremony itself should be small and private—just family.” Lady Matlock’s tone was businesslike. “We cannot risk word spreading before you reach your majority.”
Elizabeth listened to them discuss her wedding and felt panic rise in her chest. Everything was moving so quickly.
And her family would not be there.
She and Jane had promised each other, years ago, that they would stand up together at their weddings. And Mary would not see her sister become Mrs. Darcy, would not know her sacrifice had led to something good. Even her mother, silly as she was, loved weddings—all weddings—and would have wept with joy. And her father… She had always imagined he would give his blessing, would make some dry remark that made her laugh through her tears, would be proud of her.
Instead, she would marry surrounded by strangers who thought her unworthy.
Elizabeth’s throat tightened.
As if sensing her distress, Mr. Darcy’s hand found hers beneath the table, squeezing gently.
Elizabeth tilted her head toward his. “I may be in need of more reassurance, sir.”
He regarded her with an intensity that made her suddenly aware—most inconveniently—of how very handsome he was. “As you wish.”
When dinner concluded, Lady Matlock rose. “Miss Bennet and I have matters to discuss. Georgiana, you may join us.”
In a smaller sitting room, Lady Matlock came directly to the point. “What have you been taught?”
Elizabeth listed her accomplishments. “A little French, passable piano, singing, sketching, and household management at Longbourn, your Ladyship.”
Lady Matlock studied her. “What do you think, Georgiana? Will Miss Bennet suit your brother?”
“William loves her,” Georgiana answered without hesitation. “And I think she will make him happy. Is that not what matters most?”
To Elizabeth, Lady Matlock said, “Very well. I will help you prepare. You will learn household management on a much grander scale, proper forms of address, the art of entertaining. Georgiana will help with your music and French. We will visit my dressmaker for your wardrobe. It will be rigorous, Miss Bennet. I am not an easy taskmaster.”
“You will have my best effort,” Elizabeth promised.
“Good.” Lady Matlock rose. “Tomorrow morning, we begin.” The countess hesitated briefly. “Miss Bennet, my nephew is a good man. He does not express his feelings easily, and he has been hurt before. But he has chosen you. I hope you will prove worthy of that trust.”
“Lady Matlock, your nephew is not just a good man. He is thebestof men. He deserves nothing less than my best.”
Later, when the men entered the drawing room, Mr. Darcy came to her side. “Are you well?”
“I am.”
They moved to the windows overlooking the square. Across the way, Darcy House blazed with light.
“That will be your home soon,” Mr. Darcy said. “Our home. I hope you will be happy there.”
