“My dear madam, I doubt Darcy would allow just anyone near him and Georgiana. Regardless, he does not need either our approval or blessing.”
Darcy listened to the conversation without interfering. He had expected opposition from his uncle and was surprised to be proved wrong. In fact, the earl did not look surprised either, so it was likely that Geoffrey had revealed pieces of the story to him already.
“I do not need it, but I would like to have your blessing nevertheless,” he finally replied. “However, I shall say again and again, we are only discussing my intentions, my wishes, with no notion of Miss Bennet’s opinions and feelings.”
“Do not be naïve, Darcy. No woman would reject you, especially not one in such a disadvantageous situation in life,” Lady Matlock said spitefully.
“You would be surprised, Aunt. Trust me on this,” Darcy concluded, unable to conceal his smile. The earl continued to drink, gazing at Darcy with apparent interest.
“I must leave you now,” Darcy eventually said. “I hope and pray that we shall meet again soon without further pointless quarrels.”
***
Three days passed after the day of the scandal in the Matlocks’ house.
Darcy received the news that Lady Catherine had returned to Kent without any discussion with anyone in the family.
Anne remained with the Matlocks, and Georgiana visited her daily, but Darcy attended to other affairs.
He reflected for many hours upon his quarrel with Lady Matlock, wondering about Lord Matlock’s calm demeanour. Talking to the colonel, Darcy had the confirmation that his cousin had mentioned Elizabeth to his father several times andsuggested Darcy’s admiration for her. So, unlike his wife, the earl had been prepared.
As planned, Mr. Gardiner visited and confessed that his wife had revealed to Elizabeth the truth of Darcy’s involvement in the Wickhams’ marriage.
“Mr. Darcy, I beg your forgiveness, sir. I take all the blame for betraying your secret, but Lizzy is the only one who knows all the facts. Lydia mentioned your presence at the wedding, and Elizabeth suspected something, so she questioned my wife. We had no choice but to either tell her the truth or invent a lie. But I assure you, Elizabeth is as grateful to you as we all are, and she will take the first opportunity to thank you!”
“Mr. Gardiner, I requested secrecy precisely because I did not want anyone — especially Miss Elizabeth — to feel the need to thank me. I did what I believed was right, and I handled Wickham’s debts in a manner convenient for me. That is all. I would rather forget about this whole affair and not mention it again.”
“My wife and I shall do as you request, Mr. Darcy. And we shall never speak of this matter again, either to you or to anyone else.”
As true as that might have been, Darcy’s main concern remained Elizabeth’s response, and the more the moment of their meeting approached, the more nervous he became.
Eventually, the day before his planned departure, Darcy paid another visit to the Matlocks. Lady Matlock was seemingly in her room with a headache, and she did not receive him. The earl, his eldest son the viscount, and the colonel invited him for a drink. They spent an hour together and talked about Bingley’s upcoming wedding, but none of them mentioned Elizabeth again.
Despite her initial plan, Georgiana chose to remain at home with Mrs. Annesley and to continue to visit Anne daily. Darcyheartily approved of her decision; he found it to the benefit of both his sister and his cousin and — selfishly — he preferred to have all his attention upon Elizabeth, without any concern for Georgiana’s comfort.
***
On a cold October morning, before the sun had even fully risen, Darcy left London to return to Hertfordshire, the place where his life had completely altered a year ago. It was only one year but so full of events, of unexpected changes, that it felt as long as ten.
The journey was uneventful; he had already taken that road several times, so it looked familiar to him, but his feelings were different. Every time he had seen Elizabeth, his feelings for her were different. Sometimes stronger, sometimes repressed, sometimes confused. Never the same.
On that trip, his feelings were deeper, more steady, clearer. He knew his heart and his mind very well; he knew his wishes, and he believed he knew the right way not only towards her house but also towards her heart.
He was content and relieved for everything that had occurred within his family. Things were clear there too, and whatever happened between him and Elizabeth, any news he would send to his relatives, they would not be surprised.
The journey lasted a few hours, and when he was close to Meryton, his nervousness, his uncertainties, and his doubts returned and troubled his peace.
The carriage rode through Meryton, and he saw several familiar faces. When the horses turned towards Longbourn, his heart raced faster than the carriage. Then suddenly he heard the coachman’s voice, and the horses stopped abruptly, neighing.
He looked out of the window, ready to scold the coachman for not paying attention. Instantly, he forgot to breathe, andhis heart forgot to beat when his gaze was immediately drawn towards a pair of fine eyes, shining in a beautiful face, red from the exercise.
A most enchanting smile twisted her lips, and she whispered with apparent surprise, “Mr. Darcy!”
“Miss Bennet!”
He jumped from the carriage, and she took a step back, as though putting some distance between them, but her smile remained, on her lips and in her eyes.
“We expected you today, sir. I mean, Mr. Bingley expected you. And my father… I am happy you arrived safely.”
