“A wise decision, and I am certain we shall follow the same rule ourselves.”
“I have other good news. Yesterday, the duchess told me that she wishes us to become the masters of this house. She asked us not to purchase another residence but to consider this one our own.”
“Ours as in the Bennets, or ours as in the Bingleys?”
“The Bingleys, my dear. Naturally, our sisters may remain here or at Netherfield until they marry, or even for life if they wish it. Yet we are to inherit this house and continue its traditions. She even whispered that she would attempt to obtain a title for Mr Bingley, as she enjoys excellent relations with the Regent.”
“And is that truly what you both want?”
“Yes, absolutely. I love the idea of continuing the duchess’s work and preserving all that she has created here.”
“Then, my dear, I wish you happiness with all my heart as the new duchess.”
“A symbolic duchess,” Jane replied.
“Symbolic or not, you are the only one amongst us who could fulfil such a role. Poor Mama,” Elizabeth added playfully, “she wanted to be mistress of this house—”
A knock at the door made them jump, just as they had done throughout all those years at Longbourn whenever their endless conversations threatened to make them late for breakfast or dinner.
“Miss Bennet, your mother sent me to help you dress!” called the maid.
They laughed like the little girls they would always remain in their mother’s eyes.
“Hurry up, miss! Mr Darcy and Miss Darcy are coming to breakfast, and you are still in your nightgown,” Jane said in Mrs Bennet’s voice, and they burst into laughter once more.
∞∞∞
Elizabeth reached the landing just as Darcy and his sister entered the house, and whilst Georgiana hurried away with Kitty and Lydia, delighted to be together again, Darcy remained where he was, simply admiring Elizabeth. She was a miracle in his life, and seeing her on the morning after their betrothal, he found himself reflecting once more upon how fortunate he was. She possessed beauty, yet also some miraculous quality that had transformed a proud, arrogant, and conceited man into one filled with love and a sincere desire to share his happiness with everyone around him. He was now certain that he would regain the sense of family he had lost with his parents’ deaths, and he stood ready to become the husband and father that this princess descending the staircase deserved.
For the first time in her life, Elizabeth did not run down the stairs. She descended slowly instead, enjoying every step that brought her closer to the man she loved. That morning, no doubts remained, and no questions troubled her. He was the man of her life, and love flowed through her veins merely at the sight of him from a distance. He was elegant and handsome. Very handsome indeed, and she marvelled that she had failed to see it sooner.
He offered her his hand, and together they entered the dining room.
“I have so much news for you,” she murmured.
“Do not tell me that you are ready to—”
“Fitzwilliam!” she exclaimed.
The reproach existed only upon the surface of her words, as nothing would have pleased her more than finding herself in his arms in the bedroom they would choose on the night of their wedding.
“Have you made up your mind, madam, about—”
“The gown for my wedding?” Elizabeth interrupted hastily, fearing that someone might overhear their conversation.
“No.”
The answer came at once, and she blushed in front of her family, all of whom seemed determined to observe them together.
“Where is Mr Kendall?” Kitty asked, her eyes searching, as always, for the young gentleman.
Thomas and Mr Bennet exchanged a glance. They had already decided that the wisest course would be for him to return to Scotland and gradually fade from everyone’s thoughts. When Sophia eventually came to England, the matter would have been forgotten, and no explanation would be required.
“Do not worry,” said the duchess. “Once the season begins, there will be many gentlemen ready to admire our ladies.”
When the silence lingered a little too long, the duchess finally answered Kitty’s question.
“He has returned to his home and family in Scotland.”
