“They must be guarding Lydia,” Kitty burst out resentfully.
Elizabeth looked at her in vain, attempting to calm her, but Darcy stopped her by taking her hand.
“It is not something we shall be able to conceal.” Turning to Georgiana, he said in a tone intended to be calm, “Miss Lydia, Miss Bennet’s youngest sister, is to marry Wickham.”
Georgiana gave a small “Oh!” which none of them quite knew how to interpret. But Elizabeth immediately saved the situation and restored the peace, “We shall amply speak of that, but not today,” whilst Mrs Cooper reinforced her words with a smile directed towards the young lady, who appeared genuinely bewildered.
“Today we only celebrate this engagement, nothing else,” declared the colonel. “And it appears we shall soon need a schedule, for weddings in this family are becoming increasingly numerous.”
His cheerful tone failed to make everyone happy, for Kitty spoke in a tragic voice, “I have vacated the day. Someone else may have it.”
In an instant, both Elizabeth and Mrs Cooper were beside her.
“Do not talk nonsense,” said Elizabeth firmly. “It is only a delay. After Lydia’s wedding, yours shall follow.”
But Kitty no longer believed it, and the happiness surrounding her only increased her regrets.
“Miss Kitty, pray look at me,” said Darcy.
Kitty raised her face whilst Elizabeth gently wiped away her tears.
“This is how it shall be. In a few days, Miss Lydia’s licence will be issued. They will marry and then travel to take leave of Mrs Bennet, for Wickham must rejoin his regiment in Scotland immediately afterwards. And I am confident we shall hear nothing of them for quite some time.”
Elizabeth looked at him in surprise. These were details she had not known; he made a small indifferent gesture and shrugged slightly. She understood at once that everything had been arranged and that the matter of Lydia and Wickham was now closed. Nothing would be permitted to overshadow that day or those that were to follow.
“It is a matter of only a week,” he continued. “I promise you.”
“Just enough time to finish the trousseau,” said Mrs Cooper.
Darcy nodded.
“Then we shall all travel to Meryton to announce our engagement.”
He looked at Elizabeth, whose gaze rested upon him with such trust that he took her hand and placed it upon his arm, where it belonged from that moment forward.
“Now let us review recent events. Your family resides at Netherfield. Your youngest sister, to be married in less than a week, is departing northwards with her husband. Your eldest sister is to marry a wealthy gentleman from London. And this young lady beside me, your sister Elizabeth, is to marry me, the nephew of Lord Matlock—”
“And let us not forget Pemberley,” interrupted Elizabeth in the same playful tone her fiancé had adopted.
“And let us not forget that the second son of Lord Matlock is marrying this beautiful lady, who is a sort of aunt to all the girls—”
“And who manages rather well in the midst of Derby’s business affairs,” continued Mrs Cooper.
Everyone burst into laughter.
“Does nobody intend to say anything about me?” cried Georgiana.
The colonel immediately approached her, took her hand, and began her introduction. “Miss Darcy, granddaughter of an earl, wealthy heiress—”
“We shall all dine with Sir William,” Elizabeth concluded, “and you know perfectly well how great a snob he is. I assure you he will be so overwhelmed by this noble family we have suddenly become that he will beg you to marry James.”
A small smile appeared on Kitty’s face.
“Do you truly think so?”
“We are certain of it,” said Georgiana, taking Kitty’s arm and leading her towards the dining room, whilst the colonel offered his arm to Mrs Cooper.
Elizabeth and Darcy remained behind, for they needed a moment alone. They had not kissed for far too long. The kiss was brief, however, for Elizabeth pushed him gently away and, looking deeply into his eyes, said, “Do not worry. You need not ask Mama for my hand.”
