Smiling brightly up at him, she added, “Thank you for loaning him to me. I may just keep him on.”
“What is mine is yours, love. However, I should warn you. Mr Reynolds is attached to a Derbyshire woman and may desire to settle near her family.”
“Oh,” she appeared crestfallen. “How nice for him. Perhaps she too will wish to travel at least in the beginning. Before the children arrive.Wecan always train up another man to replace him.” Her eyebrow arched.
“Do not arch your brow at me, woman, not when we are in public and I cannot kiss you as I should like.” Darcy’s look was heated, causing her pulse to race.
“In that case, sir. You may wish to temperyourlook, as it quite inflamesme.”
Both now feeling they were in some danger, they separated to better regulate themselves. When they spoke again it was to focus on Alex and bring his attention to the wonders of nature.
Pink cheeked and refreshed, Elizabeth entered the parlour to find Jane in tears.
“What is going on here? Jane?” Elizabeth bustled over, glaring at Bingley.
“Lizzy, I am well. Only distraught by the information Mr Bingley shared.”
Still Elizabeth would not surrender her glare on Bingley.
“I say Darcy, might you call off your betrothed?” He swallowed audibly.
Darcy placed a calming hand on Elizabeth’s shoulder. “Be at ease, love. Bingley would not purposely hurt your sister.”
“Truly, Lizzy. I am well.” Jane nodded to the maid to hurry tea. “Pray let us sit. Bingley shared the story of his last few years. They were not happy ones. And…” seeing her sister was going to interject, “that is all I will say on the subject.”
Elizabeth’s eyes darted from Jane to Darcy back to Jane and then to Bingley. Seeing Jane calm, she relaxed, willing to let the topic rest.
When Bingley departed with Darcy at the end of the visit, he complained to his friend. “Your betrothed has a hint of the Valkyrie in her, Darce. Remind me to never be on her wrong side.”
“She is magnificent is she not?” To which Bingley just shook his head, glad he was not required to marry such a formidable woman.
~ / ~
On learning of the engagement between his second daughter and the man who rescued her months ago, Bennet agreed to visit Town, bringing Kitty with him. She was overjoyed to see her family again. He took himself off to whichever library was nearest but always made a point of speaking to Darcy in an effort to get to know his future son better.
“He is a good man, Lizzy. That was evident from the day of Alex’s birth. I am more impressed with his admiration and love for you. And for Alex. He will treat you like the jewel you are and raise your son as his own. I could not have wanted anything more for you.”
“Thank you, Papa.” She dithered, wishing to broach another subject. “Papa, Fitzwilliam and I were discussing all sorts of ideas.You need not decide on anything now, but how would you feel about relocating to Derbyshire? You may either lease Longbourn or give it over to the Collinses for a yearly stipend. Charlotte will be closer to her family, and it would give Mr Collins the benefit of your knowledge of the estate. I know you are concerned about his management of it after you are gone.”
She hesitated and continued, “I plan on asking Kitty to join us when we travel north. She is getting on so well with Georgiana and it will do them both good to have sisterly female companionship. Mrs Annesley will remain to further their social education. Her presence will be a great relief to me as I learn my duties at Pemberley.”
“You and your betrothed are good at settling everyone to your liking, it seems.”
“They are only ideas. I am loath to think of you all alone at Longbourn.”
“You would leave Mary alone, if we all hie off to the north.”
Elizabeth huffed. “She will be near the Gardiners. They like her husband. But, Papa, she has made no effort to see any of us during the time we have been in London.”
Mr Bennet patted her hand. “I imagine Mary likes the freedom of not being compared to her more attractive sisters.”
“Jane and I never thought such-”
“I know, my dear, I know.” Bennet sighed, “She has, I believe, borne the scandals worse than all of you. Your sister embraced a devout life, and to have been disgraced with the whole family struck her severely”
“If only Mama had not spoiled Lydia so. Why did you let her, Papa?”
He lifted sad eyes to his daughter, “Your papa is a weak man, Lizzy.” His words seemed to encompass the only explanation he was capable of giving.
