“Except Miss Lydia, as I have not yet met her,” Georgiana said.
“My mother wrote to tell me of her rescue; is she returning to Longbourn?”
“She has already done so,” Mr. Darcy said. “We will go to Longbourn tomorrow to see her. But, Richard, I suspect there is yet another motive behind your visit.” He stared hard at his cousin. “Your mother already told me that she wants to meet Elizabeth before we become engaged. I do not, however, intend to delay my betrothal for another minute longer. Does she not understand that we have waited long enough?”
The Colonel looked a little uncomfortable, but quickly said, “I am certain Miss Elizabeth will charm Mother into setting aside any doubts she has about you marrying an unknown country miss rather than one of the great heiresses she had in mind for you.”
Chapter Fifty-Five
The next morning, Jane and Elizabeth sat in the parlour, awaiting their visitors. Kitty was in her room; Mary was at the pianoforte; Lydia was sitting with Mr. Bennet in his study, beginning her lessons.
“Will Mr. Darcy propose to you now, Lizzy?” Jane asked, quietly.
“I hope so!” Elizabeth said, laughing. “We have waited quite long enough, I think.”
“Will we have our double wedding, as we always hoped?” Jane said.
“I have discussed no details with Mr. Darcy, things being so uncertain; but I think he will have no objection. Mr. Bingley is his best friend, after all.”
“Might his aunt and uncle not wish for a big society wedding?”
“I think not. I suspect I am not the bride of their dreams for their nephew.” Elizabeth made a face.
“Oh, they thought he would marry some society miss, of course,” Jane said.
“Mr. Darcy thinks so, yes. But that will not deter him from marrying me!”
Their guests were announced. Miss Darcy, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley and – heavens! – Colonel Fitzwilliam!
“Colonel!” Elizabeth said, smiling widely. “What a pleasure it is to see you again!”
He bowed, replying, “I could not miss the opportunity to see you, Miss Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth introduced Jane, prompting the Colonel to bow again and say, “I now understand Mr. Bingley’s urgency to wed!”
“Very nice, Colonel,” Jane replied, laughing. “Lizzy told me a good deal about you, but she did not mention your honeyed tongue.”
“Did she not? Well, she doubtless had her head full of Darcy here when we were all in Kent.”
“Hardly,” Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy said together, and then laughed at each other.
Jane invited everyone to sit, and she rang for a tea tray.
“I understand we shall see Miss Lydia today,” the Colonel said, a teacup in one hand and a tart in the other.
“She is in Papa’s study, beginning her studies,” Elizabeth said.
“Studies? You surprise me,” Mr. Darcy said.
“We are rather surprised as well,” Elizabeth agreed. “This is to be Lydia’s punishment: she is to study with Papa all the things that she did not learn before. Mathematics, French, geography, history, and so on.”
“Is she willing?” Mr. Bingley enquired.
“Just now, she seems quite willing,” Mary said from the doorway. “We shall see how long that willingness lasts.” Mary came in and sat near the window.
“I shall fetch her.” Jane rose and left the room. She returned just a few minutes later with Lydia and Mr. Bennet.
Lydia exclaimed, “Oh, Mr. Darcy! How nice to see you again!”
