Colonel Fitzwilliam grinned. “A private study of garden architecture, I assume.”
“Precisely,” Elizabeth said, recovering herself as well as she could. “Mr. Darcy was admiring the hedge.”
“A most admirable hedge,” Darcy said gravely.
Bingley looked from one to the other, then broke into such a smile that his whole face lit. “Then may I offer congratulations?”
Darcy looked at Elizabeth.
She nodded.
“Yes,” Darcy said, and the word held so much joy that Elizabeth’s throat tightened. “You may.”
The next moment she was surrounded. Jane embraced her first, careful and tender, whispering, “Oh, Lizzy, I am so happy for you.” Kitty and Lydia followed with less restraint, Lydia demanding to know every particular and Kitty asking whether she would have new gowns. Georgiana stood a little apart at first, shy even in happiness, but Elizabeth reached for her hand.
“I hope you are pleased,” Elizabeth said softly.
Georgiana’s smile trembled. “Very pleased. I hoped you would say yes.”
“So did I,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said. “For Darcy’s sake, certainly, but also because I had begun to fear he would become impossible to live with if obliged to wait much longer.”
Darcy gave him a look. “I am standing here.”
“Yes, and looking alarmingly happy. I hardly know what to do with you.”
Bingley laughed and clapped Darcy on the shoulder. “I know what to do. I shall host a congratulatory dinner at Netherfield in a few days’ time. We must celebrate properly.”
“With excellent food,” Colonel Fitzwilliam added.
“And music,” Georgiana said, then blushed when everyone turned to her.
“And dancing if we can contrive it,” Lydia cried.
Jane smiled at Mr. Bingley. “That is very kind of you.”
“It is entirely selfish,” Mr. Bingley said, looking at her with open warmth. “I like nothing better than seeing my friends happy.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam leaned toward Darcy. “You hear that? Bingley will feed us because you have finally done something sensible. We are all beneficiaries of your improved judgment.”
Darcy’s mouth curved. “Then I shall try to be sensible more often.”
“Do not overstrain yourself.”
Elizabeth laughed, and Darcy’s eyes found hers at once, warm and certain.
A moment later he leaned nearer, his voice low enough for her alone. “I must speak to your father.”
“Yes.” Elizabeth drew a breath, suddenly aware that acceptance, kisses, hedges, and laughter were only the beginning. “And I should tell my mother.”
His expression held a flash of sympathy. “Courage.”
“I shall need it more than you.”
“I doubt that.”
They exchanged one last smile before Darcy turned toward the house, Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam falling in beside him with enough teasing remarks to carry any gentleman to execution. Georgiana remained with Elizabeth and her sisters, her face bright with shy delight.
Elizabeth looked toward Longbourn, where Mrs. Bennet waited within, entirely unaware that all her hopes, nerves, schemes, and exclamations were about to be gratified beyond anything even she had dared imagine.
