Chapter 48

It had been two days since Elizabeth, the Bingleys, and Darcy returned to town. At present, Darcy was doing his best not to pace near the front door of his London house. He was as nervous awaiting Elizabeth’s arrival that morning as he had been the day he took Georgiana to Lambton to meet her for the first time. She was coming with the express purpose of seeing his sister.

Georgiana was waiting in the green drawing room, refreshments already laid out. A part of him thought he should have stayed with his sister, but he did not want his own anxiety to affect her. While she said she was well and only a little worried about seeing Elizabeth for the first time since Derbyshire, he suspected she felt it more deeply than that.

At last, he heard a carriage pull to a stop and, peeking out of the window, saw that it was Bingley’s. The butler opened the door as Darcy approached it, and he was out of the house in time to hand Elizabeth down. She gave him a smile he was beginning to recognise as one conveying her love and pleasure at being with him. He adored it as much as he did the smiles she gave him when she was in a teasing mood or those when she was amused; then there were the ones she wore when she was simply happy… In truth, he simply rejoiced whenever she smiled.

They greeted each other and stepped into the house. When her lovely eyes took in the entryway as she removed her hat, he said, “I forgot. You have not been here before, have you?”

“I have not. I have been anticipating this visit for that reason, in addition to seeing you and Miss Darcy. After all, it will be my home.”

“Not soon enough,” he whispered as he led the way to the drawing room.

“Patience, my love. I am certain we shall be rewarded for waiting.”

The reward in this case would be commencing their marriage knowing all their family rejoiced with them.

When they entered the drawing room, Georgiana was standing by the sofa, her hands clasped in front of her and her head lowered. Elizabeth offered Darcy a reassuring smile—another in her repertoire of expressions he loved—and stepped towards his sister.

“Miss Darcy, I am very glad to see you again.”

Georgiana glanced at her, and Darcy saw that her eyes were bright with tears. Alarm shot through him. “Georg—” he began.

Elizabeth quickly closed the distance between herself and his sister, saying, “My dear, there is no need for that.”

She took Georgiana’s hand, and they sat side-by-side on the sofa. Georgiana buried her head on Elizabeth’s shoulder, and she wrapped an arm around his sister’s back. Darcy stood close enough to hear Georgiana’s muffled words.

“I am so embarrassed. I have been dreadful to you, and I am sorry, and you have been so kind to me always. I hope that in time you can forgive me.”

“I already have, though in truth, I do not feel I am owed any apology. You have done only what you needed to in order to be well.”

Georgiana gave a single sob, and Elizabeth murmured soothing sounds. Although Darcy was mostly concerned with the present, he saw before him proof of what an excellent, caring mother she would be to their children. In some ways, Georgiana was his child; his responsibility to her had been that of a parent since she was ten years old.

“I cannot tell you how glad I was to receive your letter,” Elizabeth said. “I had thought of you often, many times each day, praying that you were beginning to feel stronger. It was such a relief to read that you were, and now, I have the great pleasure of seeing it with my own eyes.”

Georgiana sat up, sniffed, and wiped her nose with a hastily retrieved handkerchief. “Despite me making a fool of myself as soon as I saw you?” She accompanied her words with a bashful chuckle.

Elizabeth gave her a teasing smile. “Yes, despite that. Shall we speak of something else? I would like to hear what you have been doing since arriving in town. Your brother mentioned you have a new music master. What have you been learning?”

The conversation became more comfortable the longer it proceeded, and Darcy could have kissed Elizabeth—not only because he very, very much enjoyed doing so but because his love for her grew the more he watched her draw out his sister and help her set aside her worries for a time. He was not stupid; he knew that as wonderful as his Elizabeth was, she was not the cure to what ailed Georgiana, but he was absolutely convinced she was part of what his sister needed. Elizabeth was already demonstrating that she would fight for Georgiana, let her cry when she needed to, and hold her hand when she was most lost to melancholia, but she would also help to pull her away from her darker thoughts and remind her that she could be happy.

They drank tea and ate sweet tarts, then Darcy and Georgiana took Elizabeth on a leisurely tour of the house. Soon after that, Elizabeth announced that she should depart.

“Jane will be expecting me. Bingley’s sisters and Mr Hurst are coming to dinner.”

“Do they know you and my brother are engaged?” Georgiana asked.

“Bingley intends to tell them, though whether he has yet, I do not know,” Darcy said. “There is no immediate need, given the wedding is not until spring.”

“Is that for my sake?”

“That is part of it,” Elizabeth told her. “I do not want you to feel as though everything is changing too quickly, and I shall ask you to promise that if it is, you will tell me or your brother or the colonel. There is also Jane to consider, with the removal to Larch Lane and her happy expectations. She will require my assistance, and naturally, I wish to give it.”

Georgiana nodded. “Will you see Mr and Mrs Gardiner soon?” She addressed her question as much to Darcy as Elizabeth.

“I hope to see them both before long,” Darcy said. “Why do you ask?”

Georgiana’s cheeks turned light pink, and her tone was diffident when she admitted, “I liked them both very much when we met last summer. When it is convenient, I would be happy to see them again.”

Elizabeth met his gaze, and he saw the same satisfaction in hers that he felt. She understood what a remarkable step this was for his sister. It was also Georgiana’s way of recognising their connexion to the Gardiners.

“They would be most pleased to see you. We shall arrange something.” Elizabeth briefly clasped Georgiana’s hand.

His sister nodded and, after a polite farewell, left them alone.

At once, Darcy had both of Elizabeth’s hands in his and was kissing her. She made a noise of pleasure, and he anticipated hearing a great many of them in the future.

“That went better than I expected it would,” she said.

“Are you generally dissatisfied with the manner in which I kiss you?” He was not certain his attempt at teasing her would succeed, but fortunately, she laughed.

“That is exactly what I meant, my darling Darcy.” She tugged on his hands until he bent over enough for her to kiss him.

“To be serious, I agree,” he said afterwards. “Georgiana has been acting resolute and brave, for lack of another way to describe it, but I have not known how much is an act rather than what she truly feels.”

“I think she is as hopeful as we are.” Elizabeth caressed his cheek with the tips of her fingers. “I am very happy. Incredibly so.” He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, she laughed and continued. “To be clear, I meant to be here with you, not just that your sister is doing so well. Upon occasion, we are allowed to think of ourselves, be selfish, and set aside consideration of everyone else.”

“Such as my cousin or the Hursts and Miss Bingley? I shall be thinking of you, your sister, and Bingley this evening and hoping his family behaves themselves.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Is it wrong that I am preparing myself for them to be disagreeable? But I shall leave my brother to manage them. I also intend not to think of seeing the earl and countess tomorrow.”

“Are you nervous?”

“A little, and we are doing it again—speaking of other people when I would rather use the last minute we have together today to think only of us.”

“Oh?” he said as he lowered his head towards hers once again.

Elizabeth was warmly welcomed by the earl and countess when she, Jane, and Bingley dined with them.

“Georgiana told us what you did for her. I thank God for guiding her to you that day,” the countess said, embracing her.

“We all thank you,” the earl added. “You may not know it, but our niece, nephew, and sons have been singing your praises, as has my future daughter-in-law.”

“The day we met in the park, I had the impression you were a kind, sensible young lady. I wish I had begun to reconsider the situation then, but everything has turned out as it should, and my husband and I are very pleased for Darcy and Georgiana, and for you, of course.” Lady Romsley took her hand and led her to a sofa, where she insisted Elizabeth sit next to her.

Jane was not forgotten in their greeting, and for the hours they were together, the Romsleys and Colonel Fitzwilliam asked many questions about the Bennets, Longbourn, and Larch Lane. Lord Bramwell had fewer enquiries, but he was happy to speak to Elizabeth of Rebecca and once said, “I am glad all that fuss is finally behind us.”

Talk naturally turned to plans for the coming months.

“Georgiana and I shall return to Pemberley in early November,” Darcy said. The doctor whose advice had proved so helpful to Miss Darcy would be in town at the end of October; he and the colonel wanted Miss Darcy to see him in person once again. Elizabeth had insisted he remain in London until everything was properly completed.

“And you, Mrs Bingley, when do you expect to depart?” Lady Romsley asked.

“Sooner than Mr and Miss Darcy but only by a week or two.”

Elizabeth knew this was because her sister and Bingley were anxious to commence the task of making Larch Lane their home.

“Have you and my cousin discussed when you would like to marry?” Colonel Fitzwilliam asked Elizabeth.

“We do not have an exact date yet because it depends on when my family can make the journey to Derbyshire without worrying about winter weather. It will be in the early spring.”

“You will marry from Larch Lane?” Bramwell asked.

Elizabeth’s cheeks warmed slightly. Explaining why required sharing news she was uncertain whether her sister was prepared to announce yet.

Bingley rescued her. “Jane and I hope there will be an addition to the family in the late winter, and Lizzy and Darcy cannot possibly be married unless I am there to witness it!” He laughed.

There were the usual congratulations, which made Jane blush.

Lord Bramwell pointed at Darcy and gave a bark of laughter. “I shall be a married man before you are.” He and Rebecca would marry in December. They would go to Romsley Hall soon after.

“As though that makes you my superior,” Darcy muttered.

The countess expressed a hope that they would see the Bingleys and Elizabeth over Christmas at either Romsley Hall or Larch Lane, depending on Jane’s health and her willingness to travel.

During the separation of the sexes after dinner, Elizabeth sat with Miss Darcy. She said, “We have months before the wedding, and you do not have to make a decision immediately, but if you are agreeable, I would like you to be my bridesmaid.”

“Would you?” Miss Darcy stared at her, her blue eyes opened wide.

“I would. We shall be sisters. Mary and Kitty were Jane’s bridesmaids, and they will understand why I have asked you instead of them. But, if you decide you would not like to do it, I shall understand. There will be other ways you can assist with planning the wedding. I do not anticipate it being very large. Your family, my parents, Mary, Kitty, Jane and Bingley, naturally, and your brother might have a few friends or other relations he wishes to invite.” Elizabeth’s words were awkward, but she wanted to make it clear that Lydia and Wickham would not be present. It ought not to be necessary, but she knew Miss Darcy was prone to think less rationally of matters that made her uneasy at times.

“Thank you,” Miss Darcy said, her voice little above a whisper.

Elizabeth decided to avoid further serious topics and spoke of music and novels until the gentlemen joined them a quarter of an hour later.

The next few weeks were a whirlwind of activity for Elizabeth. She and Rebecca met, and the Bingleys, Darcys, and Elizabeth saw the Gardiners several times.

After much shopping and many amusements, Jane, Bingley, and Elizabeth began the trip north in the third week of October. Everything at Larch Lane was proceeding well, and Elizabeth spent the next weeks assisting Jane with ensuring the inside of the house was how she wanted it, while Bingley took to his duties as the new owner with great enthusiasm.

The Darcys followed them to Derbyshire a fortnight later, and over the coming weeks, the residents of Larch Lane and Pemberley were often together. Miss Darcy even spent a week at Larch Lane without Darcy. Nothing convinced Elizabeth that Miss Darcy had no reservations about her brother’s forthcoming marriage more than her calm—at times even happy—demeanour throughout that visit.