Chapter Forty-Two

Darcy

A s the constable’s footsteps faded down the hallway, a deep quiet settled over Pemberley’s drawing room. Darcy stood by the window, his gaze fixed somewhere far beyond the familiar grounds, lost in thought. He heard footsteps as Elizabeth moved closer.

“This is all so dreadful,” she murmured, her voice breaking the silence. “For Maggie to lose so much so young—and now to find her own aunt could betray her so cruelly.”

Darcy nodded, his jaw tight with anger. “It is a nightmare beyond reason. And yet she must know…” His voice trailed off, “Elizabeth, what can we possibly tell her?”

Elizabeth sighed, drawing her hands together. “I can’t bear to think of her knowing the whole truth. She’s only a child. If we tell her what her aunt has done, it could scar her forever.”

“Yes,” Darcy agreed, moving closer. “It would be too much. And yet, we cannot lie entirely. Perhaps, for now, we could tell her that her aunt has taken ill and is unable to come.”

Elizabeth looked up, Darcy could see the relief in her eyes. “That seems kinder. And we could say she will stay with us until her grandmother can arrive.”

“Exactly,” Darcy replied. “In fact, I will write to her grandmother post haste. It is clear now that Lady Buchanan never told her a thing.”

Elizabeth nodded. “But, what if…what if her grandmother does not wish to take her in?”

Darcy considered this possibility carefully. “Then Maggie will stay here. I will make her my ward.” He paused, his voice lowering. “Or perhaps, she might be more than that. She could be our daughter.”

At his words, he saw that Elizabeth’s face had softened with a smile that brought a sparkle to her eyes. “Our daughter. Yes, I think I would very much like that.”

For a moment, they simply looked at each other, a shared warmth between them that needed no words.

Darcy straightened, his voice laced with determination. “It will be several weeks, perhaps even longer, before her grandmother can receive the letter and return. In the meantime…” He hesitated, then continued, “perhaps we should consider travelling a little, now that we may leave the confines of Pemberley with our young charge. Your mother is coming here thinking she must bid farewell to Maggie in a few days’ time, but she will now learn we have much more time. Perhaps a lot more. We could perhaps accompany her back to Hertfordshire in a week or so, once she has rested.”

Elizabeth chuckled, shaking her head. “I cannot imagine you would truly want to stay at Longbourn. It can be rather crowded, and my sisters can be… well, very loud and very silly.”

Darcy laughed, surprising them both with the ease of it. “Perhaps not,” he admitted, a glint in his eye. “But I do know of an estate that may be available now that the last tenant has left for Town.”

Elizabeth’s brows arched with curiosity. “You don’t mean… Netherfield?”

“I do,” he replied, his gaze warm. “I am sure it can be arranged. I would like Georgiana and Mrs Annesley to join us, of course. And I have it on good authority—through Bingley’s last letter—that he is still visiting the area quite often, though staying at an inn in Meryton each time. I believe he might be happy to join us at Netherfield. As he and your sister will be arranging a wedding, it will be convenient for him to be close.”

Elizabeth’s lips quirked in a smile, and her gaze softened. “I would very much like that. All of us together again—and perhaps Jane and Mr Bingley might be willing to entertain the idea of a double wedding.”

Darcy smiled, moving to sit beside her, taking her hand in his. The warmth of her hand in his was comforting, grounding.

He looked at her, his tone growing serious. “Elizabeth, it is a grand idea,” he murmured, “besides there is one other reason we must go to Longbourn. I think it would be remiss of me not to present myself to your father. He ought to know my intentions as well, not only your mother once she arrives.”

Elizabeth’s cheeks flushed a soft pink, her eyes bright with unspoken joy. “I believe I have a very good idea of your intentions.”

He leaned closer, “And I believe you should have a very good idea.” His gaze dropped to her lips before lifting again to meet her eyes. “Perhaps,” he said, his voice softening even further, “I should show you after all.”

Without another word, he leaned forward, closing the distance between them. He kissed her, slowly and with a tenderness that suggested they had all the time in the world. It was a kiss that held a promise—a promise of a future neither of them had dared to imagine just weeks ago.

When they parted, Elizabeth’s face was radiant, a smile playing at her lips. “Then we shall go to Longbourn, once Mama has had time to rest.”

“Yes,” he replied, his thumb tracing small circles on the back of her hand. “We shall.”

***

A short time later, the sound of approaching carriage wheels interrupted the peaceful silence. Elizabeth immediately called for Maggie who came out of the adjacent music room where she had been practising her song.

“Mrs Bennet is here,” she said.

“Oh!” Maggie exclaimed and ran to the door at once. Elizabeth and Darcy followed and emerged just as the carriage door flew open and Mrs Bennet exited, her face lit with both relief and worry.

Maggie paused for a moment but then raced towards her.

“Maggie! My dear, dear girl!” Mrs Bennet cried, rushing towards Maggie with open arms. Maggie stood still for a moment but then wrapped her arms around Elizabeth’s mother. The bond between them was instantly restored, despite all that had happened.

“Oh, how I’ve missed you, my sweet, sweet child,” Mrs Bennet murmured, holding Maggie close. “I don’t know what I would have done without you. I’ve been so worried.”

Maggie’s eyes glistened, but she to her. “Mrs Bennet, I missed you,” she said.

Mrs Bennet took a step back and clasped her hands in front of her mouth. “Goodness, a voice like an angel. I always knew it! I am so pleased to hear it.” Then, she looked at Elizabeth. “Oh, Lizzy, how I have missed you! There is so much to tell you! I have been simply beside myself, wondering what had become of you. My nerves have been in such a state.” She embraced her daughter warmly, her voice filled with affection. “I was so happy to hear from you. And your father, it was all I could do to stop him from coming!”

“I’ve missed you too, Mama,” Elizabeth replied, holding her mother close. “There is so much to tell, we have news. So much news.”

“I am certain. And by we, I assume you mean Mr Darcy?” Mrs Bennet pulled back slightly, her expression changing to one of curiosity as she held on to Maggie who had her arms wrapped around her. “Have you tried to set your cap on Mr Darcy, Lizzy? You’ve spent so much time together—it’s quite improper, and I have heard the most ridiculous rumours that you are already married! But I assume it was a ruse?”

Elizabeth grinned, exchanging a knowing glance with Darcy, who gave her a small nod. “It was a ruse, Mama,” she said, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “But now, we are engaged.”

Mrs Bennet gasped, her hands clasping her cheeks in delight. “Engaged? Oh, my goodness! I knew it! I always knew it would all come to a happy ending. I just knew you would end up with him! How lucky you are, Lizzy! And Mr Darcy, my dear, I am so glad to have you as a son-in-law. Such a good match. I always said you were a fine man. Maggie, isn’t it a delight?”

“Yes, and I will be at the wedding,” she said.

“I should hope your dear aunt will allow it,” Mrs Bennet said, and Darcy realised there was still much they had to tell Mrs Bennet about the news they had received. But there would be time later. For now, he knew that Elizabeth wanted to reunite with her mother who she had missed terribly and enjoy her company without casting dark clouds over it.

“I am so happy for you both, and for dear Maggie too. It shall all be wonderful now. I knew it! I always knew you would all come through this, and now… just look at you!”

“I learned a song for you,” Maggie said, and Mrs Bennet looked down.

“My, what a remarkable change,” she said. “You will have to sing it to me. Shall we go inside? It is dreadfully cold. Oh, Mr Darcy, is it always so cold in Derbyshire? No wonder they say the northerners are buttoned up. You must be with this cold.” She chattered on and on as they made their way into the house. As they walked, Darcy smiled, his hand slipping gently into Elizabeth’s as they both stood, watching her mother revel in the happiness of the moment.

“Are you certain you will not mind having my family as your in-laws?” Elizabeth asked him quietly, though with a smile for she already knew the answer.

“I am entirely certain. In fact, it will be an honour,” he said and kissed her gloved hand before lowering it again.

As they moved towards the house, Mrs Bennet chattering with joy beside ahead of them, Darcy took Elizabeth’s hand, his fingers interlaced with hers.

“In fact, I venture to say that it will be a pleasure. I know there is still much we must do, but I truly think all will be well,” he murmured, his voice full of quiet satisfaction.

Elizabeth smiled up at him, her heart full. “Yes, will be well.”

And with that, they stepped into Pemberley, the place that he loved above all others, with the woman who would soon become his wife. This house had become Elizabeth’s home over the last few weeks, the place where she and Darcy had sought refuge and fought bandits.

And now, Darcy knew, it would be so much more than this. Elizabeth would become its mistress and breathe new life into the manor house. It would be their home, the place in which they would raise their family as generations of Darcys had done before. Indeed, the future, Darcy knew, would be bright and filled with happiness, joy, and contentment.