He picked up his glass and sipped from it, barely suppressing a moan; his hand was still hurting, even worse than the previous day. He rubbed it to relieve the pain and noticed Elizabeth’s intense stare. She was looking at his hand with a little frown and an enquiring expression on her face. He attempted a smile, but her frown increased, then her eyebrow arched in a challenging, silent question.
“It is nothing. Just an unpleasant, annoying accident,” he explained, hoping nobody else would notice.
“I hope it is more annoying than painful,” she replied, her smile matching his.
“It is, I assure you,” he replied.
The first course was about to be served when Bingley requested everyone’s attention.
“Thank you all for being here. I am happy to be surrounded by family and friends. Before we enjoy our dinner, I wish to make an important announcement. I shall be brief and direct. Miss Jane Bennet has accepted my proposal of marriage, and we shall wed as soon as her father gives his blessing.”
Darcy immediately glanced at Elizabeth, and her serene expression proved she already knew. She smiled, then inclined her head slightly in a gesture of thanks.
Bingley took Miss Bennet’s hand and brought it to his lips, while the sound of a fork dropping onto a plate broke the silence.
“You are engaged? How? When did that happen? Why was it so sudden?” Miss Bingley asked, her face red, her breathing irregular.
“I proposed a few days ago, when we walked in the park,” Bingley answered with perfect composure. “It is not sudden at all. I should have proposed in November, had I not been a fool. And I should certainly have proposed sooner if you, Caroline, had not concealed Jane’s presence in town from me,” he continued, his voice growing loud and harsh.
Miss Bingley seemed tempted to reply, then suddenly she stood up and spoke.
“Please excuse me. I have a sudden headache and have lost my appetite. Please proceed without me.” Then she left the table and the room. Mrs Hurst remained for another moment, then excused herself too and followed her sister. Mr Hurst asked for another drink and began to eat as if nothing had happened.
From around the table, congratulations were offered, joyful and genuine.
“Congratulations, Bingley, you are truly a fortunate man,” Darcy said. “I wish nothing more than to see you as happy as you deserve — and now I am sure you will be. Miss Bennet, please accept my best wishes. All those who know and appreciate Bingley will admit that he could not find anyone more perfectly suited to him.”
“Thank you, Mr Darcy. Please know I am as grateful as Mr Bingley for your help in reuniting us. We both know we owe our present felicity to your involvement.”
“Not at all, I assure you, Miss Bennet. I have done little, and it is not worth mentioning. Let us speak of nothing else but your happy engagement,” Darcy said. He glanced at Elizabeth again, and his eyes met hers and locked briefly, while the tumult of joyful voices increased around them. The rest of the evening progressed in the same way. When dinner was almost over, a servant entered and slipped Darcy a note. He took it, looked at it briefly, then put it in his pocket. Once again, he noticed Elizabeth’s curious gaze on him.
“Good news, Darcy?” Colonel Fitzwilliam enquired.
“Yes,” he answered. “Indeed, this evening is filled with good news — I could not hope for anything better.” The discussion ended there as everyone left the table and moved to the drawing room. There was no separation, as the gentlemen preferred to remain with the ladies. The conversation was animated, and Darcy was happy to see Georgiana in the midst of it.
While he enjoyed his brandy, observing his companions, Darcy was astonished to see Elizabeth walking towards him.
“May I join you?” she asked, and, bewildered, he moved a little, inviting her to sit.
For a moment, there was only silence, as if she wished to say something but did not dare.
“I wish to thank you…” she began. “And to apologise.”
“Please do not,” he answered. “It is not needed, and I do not deserve either. Let us not mention any of it again. It is an evening of good news only.”
They were talking in low voices so they would not be overheard. Luckily, everyone was too busy with the happy couple to observe them.
“Did you receive more good news, other than that of the happy engagement?” Elizabeth asked.
“Yes. An urgent and distressing matter that has long needed concluding has finally been resolved.”
“About Mr Wickham?” she whispered. “Was he the one responsible for the family you took into your care?”
“You are very perceptive, Miss Elizabeth. Yes, about him.”
“He is a man with no scruples and no morals. He deserves to be punished.”
“We must not worry about him any longer. He has accepted an advantageous offer to move abroad. He will likely not return to England soon, if ever.”
Elizabeth looked at him intently until he gazed at her, and their eyes met again.
“An evening with only good news, indeed, Mr Darcy,” she said. Then she returned to her sister and Georgiana, while Darcy remained in place, enjoying his drink and the view: his sister and Elizabeth, close to each other, sharing smiles, engaged in conversation about the theatre and walking in the park.
At that very moment, he clearly understood his desires in regard to Elizabeth: despite their past, despite the dreadful failed proposal, despite her calling him the last man in the world, despite her refusal, he wanted her. Only her! He was ready to make any effort, to try the impossible, to pursue her for as long as necessary. He knew that she was worth any endeavour — that she was worth waiting for.
