He stood and caught her into his arms, embracing her to him, and then, briefly, oh, so briefly, touched his lips to hers.
“How soon can we marry?” he asked, suddenly impatient, as he released her.
She laughed. “Let us go speak to my aunt and uncle and make what plans we can. We can send an express to my family this afternoon if you would like.”
Chapter Two
Elizabeth and Darcy returned to the drawing room where her aunt and uncle were waiting. “How did you find the library?” Mrs. Gardiner asked, turning toward the couple as they entered. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy were both grinning widely, and there was a glow in Elizabeth’s face that had not been there before.
“Mr. Gardiner, might we speak for a moment?” Darcy asked upon entering the room.
The two men stepped out of the room, leaving Elizabeth alone with her aunt, who stared at her in amazement.
“Oh, Aunt, he has asked me to marry him,” Elizabeth said, coming to sit next to her on the settee.
Mrs. Gardiner was taken aback. She had observed the stolen glances between the two, but the rapid development between them surprised her.
“What exactly happened in the library, Lizzy?” she enquired sternly.
“We spoke—do you remember when I told you we had met again in Kent?” she explained. “We argued there, but he explained what I misunderstood, and I have been coming to think better of him for some months now. He loves me, and I must admit that I have come to love him in return. It has been several months since I have believed he was the man most suited to me, and when he asked me to marry him again, I could not help but agree.”
“Again?” Mrs. Gardiner asked.
Elizabeth winced, not meaning to mention the first proposal. “He asked once before in Kent, which led to a rather heated argument where neither of us behaved well. I was misinformed on some points, and he was judgmental, but we, uh, met again the next day, and he explained the accusations I had levelled against him. Then we did not see each other again until today, and we spoke again, much more calmly. He is a good man, aunt, and I will admit, Mrs. Reynolds’ words about him played a role in helping me to see that as well.”
“When will you marry?” Mrs. Gardiner asked.
“We have not discussed that yet, except I think he would like it to happen soon,” Elizabeth said. “But, oh, I dread Mama’s reaction to this news and fighting with her over the wedding plans. I hate the idea of being dragged to teas and parties and arguing with Mama about the amount of lace on my wedding clothes. Mr. Darcy will despise it. We are close to Scotland, Aunt …” Elizabeth let the sentence hang and grinned at her aunt.
Mrs. Gardiner started at that comment but saw her niece’s teasing grin. She reflected for a moment before speaking, “Let us write your father a letter tonight and suggest you come back with us to London to obtain your trousseau before you go backto Longbourn. You can give yourself a month or two to get to know Mr. Darcy better before you marry—I do not doubt your commitment to your choice, but I also do not want you to rush into things. If Mr. Darcy has guests arriving tomorrow, they will not want to rush back to London immediately, and we know that Mr. Darcy will be in town in September. Perhaps you can take attend some events with Mr. Darcy before the wedding to become accustomed to his society.”
“We will discuss it, aunt, but I do not think that Mr. Darcy is fond of participating in society, at least not balls and parties,” Elizabeth said, hesitating on behalf of her intended.
The gentlemen came back into the room just then. Mr. Gardiner looked at his wife, and she nodded, the two silently communicating as happily married couples frequently do.
“Well, Elizabeth,” Mr. Gardiner began. “Mr. Darcy says he has asked for your hand, and I have given my tentative permission until he can meet with your father. I know you do not need my consent, for you are of age, or even your father’s, for that matter. However, I will say that I wholeheartedly support the match and will convey my thoughts in a letter to your father to accompany the one I imagine you will send, as will your young man. From what little I have seen so far, I believe the two of you are well suited to each other.
“This evening, I plan to write a letter requesting his permission, and tomorrow we can send the packet of letters by express. I can come to the inn in the morning to arrange to send the letters to Longbourn,” Mr. Darcy offered. “I have a courier who can make the trip easily enough.”
Mr. Gardiner agreed to the plan readily.
“Might I make one other request?” Mr. Darcy began again. “If I understood Miss Elizabeth correctly, you will stay another week in Lambton?” Mr. Gardiner nodded, so Darcy continued. “I would be very pleased if you would relocate here to Pemberley instead of staying in the inn for the remainder of your stay in Derbyshire. My other guests will arrive tomorrow, so we have plenty of chaperones about, and I think Georgiana would enjoy Elizabeth’s company as well. This would allow them to get to know one another and allow Elizabeth to meet with the staff and discuss any changes she would like to make to the house before she takes over as its mistress. Of course, you do not have to, but I would like to offer my hospitality if you permit me to do so.”
The Gardiners looked at each other in that same silent exchange. Then, at a brief nod from Madeline, Mr. Gardiner agreed. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. We would be delighted to stay here beginning tomorrow. We have dinner plans for the night in Lambton, but we would be happy to join you here at Pemberley tomorrow morning for the rest of our stay. My wife has several visits and tours planned, but she can easily accomplish them from Pemberley as easily as from Lambton, if you do not mind.
“Wonderful,” Darcy replied cheerfully. “I will call in the morning for your letters to Longbourn and send them with my messenger. Perhaps I could escort Miss Elizabeth on a walk through Lambton as well. My other company will arrive in the afternoon, but you are welcome to come to Pemberley as early or as late as you would like.”
The Gardiners thanked Mr. Darcy for his hospitality and soon called for their carriage. Darcy held out his arm to escort Elizabeth and placed his free hand over hers where it rested.
He hesitated a moment as they approached the door and bent to kiss her lips again. “How soon can we marry, my love?” he askedquietly as they began walking again. “Did you speak of it with your aunt?”
“Yes, a little. She has suggested I return to London with them when we leave here to shop for my trousseau,” Elizabeth answered. “She has also recommended that we attend some social events around town before our wedding,” Elizabeth answered. “I dread Mama’s ideas of wedding planning and all she will deem necessary and am wondering how to avoid it as much as I can for both myself and for you. Like you, I would prefer a shorter engagement with less fuss made for the ceremony and wedding breakfast, certainly far less than Mama will desire.”
As they approached the carriage, he patted the hand on his arm. “We can discuss it in greater detail tomorrow. I find I am less opposed to the idea of attending social events with you by my side, but I would prefer to introduce you as my wife. Naturally, I will defer to your wishes and those of your family.” Kissing her hands once more, he escorted her into the carriage.
“I will call on you in the morning at the inn,” he said, bowing slightly.
Once in the carriage, the Gardiners congratulated Elizabeth once again. Mr. Gardiner began, “I confess I was surprised when he asked for my permission to marry you, Lizzy, and I was even more so when he said you had agreed. He seems an amiable enough fellow, if a bit reticent, and it appears you like him. He will provide for you well enough, judging from his estate.”
