That evening Mrs Killion wrote to her counterpart at Pemberley, Mrs Reynolds, to tell her how impressed she had been by Mr Darcy’s affianced. It was a very good sign from a housekeeper’s perspective that the new mistress was not interested in making changes for change’s sake.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
In the days before they all departed for Hertfordshire—the Fitzwilliamses would be part of the party—there were a few times they all attended public events, including a ball, a musical at Lady Jersey’s house, a performance ofA Midsummer Night’s Dreamat the Drury Lane, an opera, and a visit to the British Museum at Montague House. Seeing that the notice announcing that the highly eligible and elusive Fitzwilliam Darcy had become betrothed to an unknown Miss Elizabeth Bennet, sister to the new Lady Hilldale, at any event they attended, whether private or public, there were stares and many comments made behind fans.
When word spread that Her Majesty had invited Miss Bennet to tea to convey her hearty congratulations for her engagement to Mr Darcy, negative comments, made by those jealous that they had not been his choice, ceased.
When the paper with the announcement of the engagement reached Hildebrand and John Bingley’s house in Scarborough, one Caroline Bingley was stoic when she read the page. Her delusions that Mr Darcy was hers were long dead. Her aunt and uncle were impressed with the calm way their niece reacted to the notice.
When it was time to return to Hertfordshire, the three Bennet ladies were more than ready to go home.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Jane!” Elizabeth called out as Andrew assisted her sister from the Hilldale travelling coach. “How I have missed you since we saw you just after Robby’s birth.”
“As I have missed you, Lizzy,” Jane said as they fell into one another’s arms.
Elizabeth had not noticed, but Andrew had reached back into the carriage and now held his son while a footman handed out Nurse. She did not miss the way her brother-in-law was beaming with pride or how much larger Robby was since she had last seen him a sennight after he had come into the world.
Fanny wanted nothing more than to take her grandson from his father, but she restrained herself until they were in the house. Instead, she greeted her eldest child effusively.
Bennet was waiting just inside the front door to see his grandson. As much as he wanted to hold the bonny lad, he deferred to his wife, who he could see was bursting to hold Robert. He watched as Fanny divested herself of her coat and held out her hands to their son-in-law. He did not miss the way his wife lit up with pleasure when the babe was placed in her hands.
The four youngest Bennets and Gigi were waiting in the drawing room. As soon as Fanny sat, she was surrounded by four young ladies—three aunts and a cousin—cooing over Robby. Tommy, who at six was beginning to learn how to behave like a gentleman, stood back to wait his turn to greet his nephew.
Darcy and Elizabeth stood watching the tableau, each, without the other knowing, thinking about when they would hold a child of their own.
Maddie also waited her turn to hold her great-nephew. She knew Eddy and Peter were impatient for Tommy to greet his nephew so they could continue thebattlethey had set up with their toy soldiers in the nursery.
Although they had fought the inclination to be at Longbourn when Jane, Andrew, and Robert arrived, the Fitzwilliam grandparents would arrive at Longbourn to seehim later that afternoon. They would be without Fitzwilliam, Charlotte, and Sarah, who were spending the day at Lucas Lodge with the Lucas grandparents, uncles, and aunt.
Leaving their son with their family, Jane and Andrew made their way up to their chamber to wash and change.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The Monday before the ball, Bingley arrived at Longbourn at precisely eleven in the morning. He requested an audience with Mr Bennet. It did not take long before he was shown into the study.
“Bingley, did we not have a conversation about when you may formalise a relationship with Mary?” Bennet asked, more sharply than he had intended.
“That is not why I am here,” Bingley clarified. “I would like to request two sets from Miss Mary for the ball on Wednesday and knowing that at the last ball you did not want me to do so, I felt that I must gain your permission before I approach your daughter.”
Bennet relaxed, pleased that his assumption had been wrong. He could tell that Mary welcomed the attentions from Bingley and that when they reached her next birthday, she would accept a courtship with him. “If Mary agrees, I do not object.”
“Thank you!” Bingley responded excitedly. He extended his hand and shook the one Bennet offered.
Mary agreed to dance the first and supper set with him. She told Bingley she would not accept anyone for the final two dances. She felt a twinge of envy that Lizzy was allowed to dance the three significant sets with William. She had not askedPapa, but Mary suspected he had embargoed Mr Bingley from declaring himself before she turned twenty.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Dancing the three significant sets with William at the pre-wedding ball had been everything Elizabeth had dreamed it would be; in fact, it had been wonderful. Elizabeth had relished each instant in William’s company, especially the last two dances which had been waltzes.
It was the day before their wedding, and Elizabeth was sitting on the flattened part of the boulder she claimed as her own personal seat. The footman was near the head of the path and Mrs Annesley was sitting and enjoying the unseasonably warm day for December.
Elizabeth sensed William’s presence before she heard or saw him. Thrilling frissons shot through her body when she heard him greet Mrs Annesley in his deep baritone voice. She turned and saw him striding toward her, causing her breath to catch and heart rate to increase. It seemed to be a common reaction the first time she saw him on any given day.
As much as he wanted to pull Elizabeth into his arms and thoroughly kiss her, Darcy knew he needed to fight that inclination. She would be his wife in less than a day and then they would be able to kiss and express their love whenever they had privacy.
He stood before her and bestowed lingering kisses on the under wrist of each hand as he took advantage of the gap between her gloves and sleeves. As he kept his body between them and Mrs Annesley, Darcy was certain he would not scandalise the companion.
