“Pray, re-enlighten me!”
“It is the Fibonacci Sequence. I calculated its numbers in my head to calm myself in Hunsford.”
The reminder of Hunsford left the mood slightly altered, but Darcy said, “None of that! Hunsford was our turning point. All is as it should be. I am sorry we had to cause each other so much anguish, but I believe we both emerged stronger, and the anguish was necessary for our growth. I will always remember Hunsford fondly.”
“I as well. Shall I continue?”
“Certainly.”
“It is an interesting sequence that shows up quite often in mathematics and nature. It seems related to everything from branching in trees, to the shape of spirals, to the Golden Ratio in painting. Each number is the sum of the previous 2, so the beginning goes 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 18,21, 34, 55, 89, 1444.”
“Unless I want to wait 13 years, I suppose I am stuck with you.”
“Where did you get 13? Father might have been thinking of 16 or 18 years, since he has two more daughters.”
Darcy feigned horror, while she laughed gaily.
At last, Elizabeth sighed. “That was diverting. I suppose we should discuss arrangements.”
“The wedding is traditionally the purview of the bride, so what do you suggest?”
“I suppose driving straight to Lambton, buying a common licence, and marrying with Mrs Reynolds and Mr Newton as witnesses might send the wrong message. It is too late today anyway.”
“It is funny you picked those two in particular.”
“Oh?”
“Kep is ready to be first coachman, and I planned to lure the elder away from Bingley.”
“For what purpose?”
“To be your coachman, of course. I suspect he has courting Mrs Reynolds in mind, but it is not my business.”
“What leads you to think I need my own coachman?”
“Perhaps we should put off the wedding arrangements a little longer, and speak of what follows. You are aware that Pemberley has been without a mistress for well over 15 years?”
A sinking feeling took her, but she nodded.
“Our position in society has eroded, and it will be up to us to correct it. Some of that repair must fall to us together, but I fear a certain amount will fall to the mistress. That is the way of it. I assume this is no surprise to you?”
“No, I considered it… briefly.”
“You will have a great deal of visiting and shopping to do both here and in town. I will shield you from what I can, but —”
“Do not concern yourself. I know what I am getting into.”
“I should also mention that the Oakley estate is but 40 miles away.”
Elizabeth laughed openly. “Mr Newton will have his work cut out for him.”
“I should also mention that the Langston estate—” He pause and pulled out his watch. “We must wait 5 minutes before I can complete that sentence.”
Puzzled, Elizabeth decided that if they had a few minutes to spare, they might as well employ them to advantage; she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him within an inch of his life. The time came and went, with neither party the wiser.
After some time, Darcy said, “I hope you are not inclined towards a long engagement.”
“Not for the world, but let us finish one sentence before we start another.”
