Lydia leant forward, her eyes alight with interest, entirely missing the gravity of the situation. Jane, on the other hand, straightened in her chair, her expression tightening with worry as she cast a warning glance at her youngest sister.
He hesitated, choosing his words carefully, his expression hardening as he remembered the encounter. “Nothing that I can repeat in present company,” he replied firmly. “I did not care to hear such remarks regardinganyof my sisters.” He paused, the intensity of his resolve filling the room. “The colonel and I set him straight. If he approaches you again, let Fitzwilliam know immediately. He will remain in Hertfordshire for several more weeks and can intervene if necessary.”
The Bennet sisters, unaccustomed to a man so earnestly defending their honour, blushed deeply at his protective words. Jane, always gentle and quiet, looked down shyly, visibly moved,while Kitty and Lydia exchanged quick glances, their eyes wide. Even Mary, usually silent and pensive, appeared a little taken aback by the depth of his chivalry.
Elizabeth noticed that Jane’s reaction was especially obvious, the delicate pink creeping over her cheeks as she absorbed Darcy’s words. Elizabeth mentally resolved to ask her husband later about what the colonel might have said to him, particularly regarding Jane. Darcy’s quiet but powerful defence had clearly made an impact, and Elizabeth could not help but wonder if the colonel’s intervention had more to do with an interest in protecting Lydia’s eldest sister rather than an affection for his cousin.
After the tensediscussion regarding Captain Carter, the remainder of their visit with the Bennet ladies went smoothly. Darcy and Elizabeth joined her family for breakfast, and though Mr. Bennet remained absent, none seemed to mind. Several times, Elizabeth gently urged her husband to return to Netherfield to visit his friend and relations, but Darcy steadfastly refused to leave his wife’s side. He had no intention of giving Mr. Bennet the chance to speak to her again, unwilling to risk even the slightest discomfort in a household full of women.
While Elizabeth shared his sentiments, feeling no desire to engage with her father any further, she could not help but smile indulgently at his protective resolve. Despite her own strength of will, she enjoyed his attentive presence—still feeling a thrill intheir closeness. In truth, he did not want him to leave her side, even if she had unselfishly tried to convince him to depart. They were still so newly wed that his constant devotion and desire to be near her warmed her heart. She relished that idea of being so dear to someone that he sought to protect her, even from the possibility of an unkind word from her father.
Such marked devotion did not go unnoticed by Mrs. Bennet, or by her sister, Mrs. Philips, who paid a brief call later that morning while the Darcys were still at Longbourn. The two sisters exchanged knowing glances and hushed whispers as they observed the way Darcy seemed unwilling to stray far from Elizabeth’s side. His quiet attentiveness, so at odds with Mrs. Bennet’s memories of the rather abrupt and aloof man from the night of the assembly, fascinated them both.
Mrs. Bennet clucked approvingly as she watched Darcy pull out Elizabeth’s chair and linger as she sat, his hand resting on the back of her chair for just a moment longer than strictly necessary. Mrs. Philips leant in to murmur, “Why, sister, I believe Mr. Darcy is quite besotted with our Lizzy. How did that come to be? I thought he spoke to no one at that first assembly.”
Mrs. Bennet gave a pleased hum, smoothing the folds of her dress with satisfaction. “Indeed, I was only saying to Lady Lucas just yesterday how fortunate we are to have such a man in the family! Lizzy seems quite taken with him in return. Of course, they must be besotted to have eloped as they did. It seems to have worked out so well between them. In truth, I have yet to hear the complete story. As I told you after they eloped, the pair met several years ago when Lizzy visited Derbyshire with our sister. Such devotion; to have loved each other from afar for so long.”
Turning to Mrs. Philips, Mrs. Bennet’s expression brightened further. “You know, I have been thinking—how wonderful it would be to visit Darcy House and Pemberley! I do not know much about either place, except that they have not had a mistress in the house since Mr. Darcy’s mother passed away many years ago. I am sure that will make Lizzy’s arrival all the more important, don’t you think? The house must be rather... cold without a woman’s touch. It could probably use a bit of redecorating. Lizzy will want to make some improvements once she is properly settled in. After all, a grand house like Pemberley should be as lovely as possible—do you not agree? Imagine how well we could make it look with the funds that Mr. Darcy possesses.”
Their observations grew bolder as the morning wore on. Mrs. Bennet noted how Elizabeth glanced up at her husband every so often, an unconscious smile softening her face. It was clear to both women that this marriage was not simply one of convenience or duty. They exchanged looks of approval, and Mrs. Bennet was already imagining future grandchildren, her delight growing with every small gesture she observed between the couple.
When it was finally time for the couple to depart—after multiple attempts delayed by Mrs. Bennet’s sudden fits of “the vapours”—Darcy briefly wondered if he might be obliged to carry her to her bed. In the end, Mrs. Bennet clung to Elizabeth, lamenting her departure with such fervour that Darcy struggled to suppress a bemused smile, while his wife attempted to restrain her frustration.
Meanwhile, the younger Bennet sisters crowded around Elizabeth, enveloping her in hugs and extracting promises for letters and gifts from Derbyshire. Lydia, in particular, beggedfor lace and ribbons, her eyes bright with anticipation. Elizabeth pressed her lips together, glancing at her husband as he coughed into his hand to hide his amusement at Lydia’s exuberance. Lydia appeared to have, at least temporarily, got over her pique at being made to attend school, prompting Elizabeth to sigh and shake her head with a faint smile.
At last, after many farewells and assurances, Darcy and Elizabeth made their way to the waiting carriage. Once they reached Netherfield, they rested briefly in their chambers before rejoining Bingley and the others for the evening meal. Elizabeth felt a little torn at leaving her family, knowing this time that their separation would likely be long. She took a little comfort in the idea that Jane would soon visit her at Pemberley, and while she would miss her other sisters, she was not as close to them as she was to Jane. The break with her father she had already mourned, having expected little else since she had learned of his treachery.
Chapter Thirty-Six
TUESDAY, 10 DECEMBER 1811
The leave-taking at Netherfield the following morning was far more subdued. Only Colonel Fitzwilliam rose early enough to see the three Darcys off, while Mr. and Mrs. Hargrove, who were not early risers, had said their goodbyes the night before. The Hargroves would depart later that same day, planning a night in London before continuing to Rosings.
During their farewells the night before, Anne extended an invitation for the Darcys to visit Rosings at Easter. Elizabeth hesitated slightly before agreeing that they would try to make the journey. If Darcy noticed this subtle change from what they had previously discussed, he kept his thoughts to himself and said nothing to his wife or cousin.
Just as the sun began to rise in the east, casting a soft light over the grounds, the three Darcys boarded their carriage. With the days growing shorter as it approached the winter solstice, they were eager to set off early and make full use of the daylight hours for their journey.
Unlike the journey south, the one headed northward was uneventful. It took a full four days to make the journey, mostly because of the limited daylight, and they arrived home on Friday.
As the carriage crested the final hill before Pemberley came into view, Elizabeth exhaled a contented sigh. “After the last few weeks in London and then Hertfordshire, I must admit, I amvery glad to be home once more,” she said, her voice warm with relief. “I have always longed to travel, and while I am certain family matters made this particular trip far more draining than most, I believe I could happily sleep for days and not set foot beyond Pemberley’s gates for quite some time.”
Darcy and Georgiana both laughed at the exaggerated look of weariness on her face. “It has indeed been more demanding than usual,” Darcy agreed, his tone laced with sympathy as he slid an arm around his wife’s shoulders. Drawing her closer, he leant down and murmured softly into her ear, “I would gladly see to it that you remained in bed for days, my love—if only for entirely selfish reasons.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks turned a becoming shade of pink at his words, and her eyes darted to Georgiana, who seemed preoccupied with the view out the window. Her hand shot up to swat his stomach, the gesture lacking any real force. “Behave yourself, sir,” she hissed under her breath, her embarrassment mingling with affection.
Darcy chuckled, clearly unrepentant, and kissed her temple. “As you wish, my dearest,” he replied, his amusement evident in the way his eyes sparkled.
Though she could not hear their words, Georgiana watched the pair of them, and upon seeing the smiles on their faces, could only grin in response. Her brother had not acted like this, so light and carefree, in many years, probably since the last time Elizabeth had been at Pemberley. She was delighted that he had found Elizabeth once again, both for him and for her.
Footmen and grooms were standing at the front of the house ready to meet the carriages. The second carriage carrying their trunks and servants went around to the back of the house to beunloaded while the Darcys descended from the carriage. Darcy helped down first his sister, then his wife, taking her by the arm to lead her up the stairs and into the great hall. “In the winter months, I have told Mrs. Reynolds to keep the servants inside, instead of greeting us outside as is so often done. It is too cold out here to keep so many standing waiting on our arrival.”
“That is wise of you, Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth agreed before turning to look at her sister. “It is rather late in the afternoon, Georgiana. Would you mind if I did not return downstairs for a formal meal, but instead requested a tray in my room?”
“You are tired, Elizabeth, so please, do not go to any trouble on my behalf. I will take my meal with Mrs. Annesley and will see you in the morning,” Georgiana replied.
After greeting Mrs. Reynolds and requesting a meal in their shared sitting room along with a bath, Elizabeth and Darcy slowly ascended the stairs to their chambers. Darcy’s hand rested warmly over hers as they walked, his concern evident in the gentle furrow of his brow. He studied her closely, his eyes tender and searching. “Are you certain you are well, my love? The confrontation with your father still seems to weigh heavily on you.”
Elizabeth glanced up at him, touched by his care, and gave him a gentle smile. “I am well, but I confess I am also rather weary. Worrying over my father has taken much of my strength these past weeks, and I am not accustomed to travelling so often. I believe a day or two of rest will restore me.”
