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“Because she has the power to prevent our marriage and even change your mind—”
“No! No, Elizabeth! Nothing could change my mind. You are the woman I wish to marry, and as I told you at Pemberley, I am prepared to give up friends and family to be with you.”
And now it was her turn to interrupt. “No!”
But Darcy refused to let her continue. He silenced her with a fiery kiss, drawing her into his arms, consumed by longing and desperation.
“Pray, tell me the truth!” she implored.
“We must find out whether the codicil is genuine. My uncle has persuaded Lady Catherine to wait two months before making it public, and when we last spoke, he agreed that we should marry before she produces it—”
“They did not know of…your proposal,” she said, her face flushed with shame at the memory of her rejection.
“The colonel knows about Kent. Nobody else in that part of the family knows about Pemberley, though the colonel has his suspicions.”
“Your family will not be pleased with the lady you have chosen to marry.”
“I suppose so. They want me to marry someone from their own circle.”
“And Lydia has only made matters worse!”
Darcy merely nodded in agreement.
He wondered why love had to be so complicated, almost at the same moment as she did.
“I have always regarded Romeo and Juliet as merely a tale,” Elizabeth remarked. “I thought the feud between their families a senseless plot.”
“Stop,” he interrupted, his eyes smiling. “We shall be happy at Pemberley or here, among those who welcome and love us. And…I doubt I could ever get your father and uncle out of my library!”
“Do not jest. I know very well that our situation is not simple.”
“I have asked a solicitor to discover everything he can about that codicil, supposedly signed by Mama. I expect him to tell us what he has found very soon. Meanwhile, we shall continue with our plans. A wedding at Pemberley!”
Chapter 16
At long last, the day of Lydia’s wedding arrived! Dressed in satin and delicate lace, the youngest Miss Bennet stood with great pride and joy, leaning on her betrothed’s arm. Her father and Elizabeth were present, along with the Gardiners and Darcy himself; though reluctant, he watched the entire ceremony closely. Afterwards, Darcy politely declined the Gardiners’ invitation to the wedding breakfast, making it clear that he wished to avoid Wickham’s company—and nobody blamed him.
The time had come for them to return to Hertfordshire—Lydia and Wickham to visit the family before heading north, and Elizabeth to accompany her father home. With one wedding concluded, preparations could begin for the other two, which promised far greater happiness.
Darcy intended to join them after a few days and stay at Netherfield until the banns had been read for the third time in Meryton church; then they would leave for Pemberley.
“Once we reach Pemberley, nothing more can happen!” he declared. “And if Charles and your sister wish to join us, we might have a double wedding.”
It was an excellent idea, yet his words troubled Elizabeth, prompting her to ask in an unsteady voice, “Do you think something could happen…?”
“I shall not lie to you. I am worried about my family. At first, they encouraged me to marry without imposing any conditions, but now, after the unfortunate affair involving Miss Lydia…well…”
“You fear your uncle will do more than simply disapprove of our marriage.”
“Indeed! He may even support Lady Catherine’s false claim that Mama wanted me to marry Cousin Anne.”
∞∞∞
The day before their departure, Elizabeth and Mrs Gardiner spent a quiet morning at home, while Mr Bennet and Mr Gardiner were out on business. Lydia and Mr Wickham were busy preparing for their journey north, showing little regard for their limited means. Elizabeth declined to accompany them, preferring to stay quietly in her room and rest.
Shortly after noon, an elegant carriage stopped before the house. Reading by a window overlooking the busy street, Elizabeth was the first to see it. She did not recognise it, but its elegance suggested it might be connected to Darcy. She hastily made herself ready and went downstairs, only to hear a voice from the drawing room that was not the one she expected.
To her astonishment, she recognised Lord Matlock’s eldest son, Viscount Wellford, speaking familiarly with her aunt. Hesitant to enter, she lingered near the half-open door, listening and hoping to know whether her presence would be welcome.
