Page 67

“Because, my dear sister, it is my country home, and it has remained unoccupied for far too long. Why are you complaining now? I recall the last time we travelled to Hertfordshire; you were beside yourself with joy!”

“The last time we travelled to Hertfordshire, we had the pleasure of Mr. Darcy’s company. I shall never consider it the same without him there.”

“You speak as though he is not a newly-wedded husband. Even if he were in attendance, he would have little to do with either of us.”

“Still, it would be a magnanimous gesture on your part to extend an invitation to him and his new family to join us, especially given the proximity to his new in-laws.” She barely contained her smile at the prospect.

“Indeed. For once, I find myself in complete agreement with you. I shall write to him at once.”

Bingley set about his task with thoughts of the last time he had seen his friend. True to his word, Bingley had indeed gone to Cheapside in search of Miss Bennet. What he discovered, he had not discussed with anyone. His friend had spoken the truth. Miss Bennet had an admirer. Bingley had observed them from afar and saw in Jane’s eyes the same warmth he had believed reserved solely for him, bestowed upon someone else. He was too late. She had given her heart to another. Bingley could blame no one but himself for his loss.

Caroline’s motives in inviting the Darcys for a visit at Netherfield were simple. Of course, it would be wonderfully entertaining to observe Mr. Darcy amongst his lowly Meryton relatives. The added prospect of future invitations to Pemberley was further inducement. Caroline, too, commenced writing a letter addressed to Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy with the purpose of paying off all arrears of civility.

As for Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, all the way across town, both suffered elation over the marriage of their niece to Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Mr. Gardiner was in receipt of a heartfelt letter from Elizabeth, forgiving him, not just for the ill-considered investment scheme, but for any financial considerations, as well. More than anything, she wanted to see the Gardiners as financially whole once more. It was so much the better, if the complete discharge of any further liability to her might help.

Mrs. Gardiner was delighted, having received an invitation to Pemberley for the following summer, not only because she spent the better part of her youth in the neighbouring town of Lambton, but also because she had long marvelled at the sight and splendour of Pemberley. To her way of thinking, to be welcomed to the grand estate by her favourite niece, the new mistress, would indeed be something!

Geoffrey Collins sprang from his bed, strode over to the window, and drew the curtains open in welcome of the luminous, full moon’s ardent light. Its magnificence cast a romantic glow throughout the room. Having donned her silken gown, Jane sat up, and resting her head on her hand, watched in appreciation of her husband’s handsome physique as he returned to their bed.

He reached for her proffered hand and raised it to his lips. “How are you this evening, my beautiful, passionate, and wonderfully amenable, acquiescent bride?”

“Not so acquiescent,” Jane spoke as she assumed the dominant position and playfully tossed her flowing hair aside, bringing to his mind their amorous endeavours thus far that evening.

He reached up and fingered an errant lock. He inhaled its sweet scent deeply. “Indeed. You are perfect. You, my dear, are everything I would ever wish for in a wife.” He placed his hand behind her neck and pulled her gently towards him to brush her lips with his own. “You must remind me to write to the proud Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley to thank him for his interference in my life.”

Comfortably astride her husband, Jane sat up and regarded her husband intently.

Trailing his hands along the curves of her body, he continued. “His Highness shall have his hands filled with your impertinent sister and her unruly child.”

Jane placed a loving finger against his lips. “Whatever you may think of him,” she gently admonished, “that is my brother to whom you refer with such acrimony.”

“Indeed, and it is my sister to whom he is married,” he bemoaned.

Jane sacrificed her position and moved into her husband’s welcoming embrace. “Oh! How shall we meet again?” Jane inquired. “Seeing as how the circumstances turned out so advantageously for us all, I can hardly imagine the occasion as anything but a cause for joy. However, knowing my sister as I do, I can hardly imagine her as being very accepting of our marriage and my decision to find happiness with you.”

“Perhaps, then it is left to the two of us to extend an olive branch.” He kissed her on her temple. “After all, my misunderstanding of the truth of their acquaintance coloured your feelings towards your sister.”

“I do not blame you at all. Even I was convinced of the unseemliness of my sister’s association with Mr. Darcy.”

“Perhaps we were all mistaken. Nonetheless, the fact that they are married does not minimise the lack of propriety shown by either of them. However, we are all family now. For the sake of our family, it is incumbent upon us all to let bygones be bygones.”

Ben pushed the heavy door of Darcy’s study ajar and peeped inside. His mother had reminded him more than once that Mr. Darcy was not to be disturbed when in there with his steward, for they were attending to estate business. He was delighted to find him there, alone.

Darcy sat at his chair with his head buried in the paperwork before him. Ben raced to the desk and cajoled his way into Darcy’s lap.

“Good morning, Da!” Ben eagerly expressed.

“Good morning, son!” Darcy responded in kind, before regulating his tone. “Where have you been this morning? I looked for you in your room. You were not there. The servants were unable to account for your whereabouts.”

“I waited for you for as long as I could bear, Da. Any way, you do not rise nearly as early as when we first arrived at Pemberley.”

Darcy thought of his increasing reluctance to leave his bride’s side each morning. “Indeed.”

Ben regarded Darcy’s far-away gaze curiously. “May we commence our riding lessons now? I am eager to see my new pony.”

“I have no doubt of that. Unfortunately, I expect my steward to arrive any minute. We have much to discuss before I am free to accompany you to the stables.”

Ben looked about Darcy’s desk. “What are you working on? Perhaps, I might be of service.”