Darcy joined them later, settling into the room with the ease of a man who had been welcome at Gracechurch Street long enough that no announcement was necessary. Not long afterward Mr. Gardiner emerged from his office with the slightly dazed expression of a man surfacing from several hours of accounts.
He accepted his tea, made several observations about the weather, and then produced a letter.
"From Longbourn," he said, setting it beside Elizabeth's cup. "Mr. Bennet writes that Kitty will come to us for the winter. She is expected in October."
He paused.
"On the whole, he seemed rather pleased by the arrangement."
"I believe keeping Kitty will be considerably easier than keeping you."
"That may be because he sees little value in her. He always called her a silly girl."
"Then he has misjudged another daughter," said Darcy.
"She may yet surprise us all."
"I believe she already has," said Mrs. Gardiner quietly.
Elizabeth smiled.
"Yes. I believe she has."
"You should be back from Brinmouth well before October," Mrs. Gardiner observed with perfect innocence.
"Two months ought to be sufficient," Elizabeth said.
"I had been considering rather longer than that," said Darcy.
"How much longer?"
"A lifetime seemed reasonable."
Mr. Gardiner developed a sudden interest in his teacup. Mrs. Gardiner pressed her lips together very firmly. Elizabeth coloured and did not look at Darcy for a full minute.
At length her uncle cleared his throat and produced a second letter, observing as he handed it across that it had arrived with the first. It was in Jane's hand.
Elizabeth read it. The sentiments were warm and graceful and arranged with Jane's usual precision; full of dearest Lizzy and every happiness and the sisters they had always been and always would be. Mr. Bingley sent his warmest regards, and Jane looked forward to the day when every misunderstanding might be forgotten in the joy of their mutual felicity.
Elizabeth folded the letter and set it down.
"She writes very well," Darcy said.
"She always has."
She reached for her tea.
Mrs. Gardiner looked from the letter to Elizabeth and then to Darcy, and seemed perfectly content to let the facts speak for themselves.
The days remaining before the wedding proved far too full for dwelling on anything at all. Lady Ashford still considered several matters relating to Elizabeth's trousseau unfinished. Lady Matlock agreed with her. Mrs. Gardiner, though professing moderation, proved little better than the rest. Between themthey ensured that Elizabeth had very little leisure in which to regret anything.
The church in Grosvenor Square was warm with autumn light, and the company was everything Elizabeth had wished for, though there had been many years when she would never have dared wish for such a thing at all.
Lord Matlock appeared at her side and offered his arm.
"Shall we?" he asked.
She smiled and took it.
