“Like what?”
“Things that matter, Bingley! If you want to marry the woman, do you know if she wants to remain at Netherfield permanently? Does she want children? What does she imagine for your future? Does she prefer to live in the country or in town? Does she want the same things out of life as you? What interests do you share? Does she like to ride, to read, to knit? What do you know about her?” Darcy fired off questions as he stared at his confused friend. Even though Elizabeth had not always loved him—had not even liked him for much of their acquaintance—they had discussed quite a few topics, and he knew they shared many ideas and beliefs in common. He knew how he felt about Elizabeth and little would have kept him apart from her, especially now that he knew she returned his love.
Bingley just sat and blinked at his friend. “You have spoken to Miss Elizabeth about all of that?”
Darcy blushed a little. “No, not about all of those, though we have discussed our common interests and things that matter most to us. Of course, her father’s stubborn refusal to see reason made our courtship more difficult, but it has forced us to look at matters differently. Nonetheless, we know we are well suited to each other and will do well together in our marriage.”
“How do you know?”
Darcy thought for a moment. “I simply know. We share many of the same values and ideals, and while our social status may not be the same, I believe Elizabeth will benefit me far more than I will her. Her ease of manner will temper my unease in society. You know I am not at my best in social situations—I am just aslikely to offend as I am anything else—but Elizabeth can speak to everyone effortlessly and naturally. My knowledge of the world may benefit her, but truly, it is I who will need to prove myself to be worthy of her. She is by far the superior creature. While she may struggle initially to be accepted by the ton, eventually, she will win them all over with her humour and wit. She is an exceptional woman and I cannot wait to make her my bride.”
Bingley stared at his friend. “Never in my life would I have expected to hear you speak thus.”
“Bingley, since I came of age, I have been responsible for hundreds of people under my care. Not only that, but countless women of the ton have pursued me and encouraged me to think well of myself. Elizabeth has encouraged me to think of matters differently, and I admire her for it. I love her, Bingley, and I do not feel complete without her. I need her. Think about that before you decide what to do about Miss Bennet.”
Frustrated, Darcy stalked from the room, not looking back to see how his friend accepted his words.
Chapter Twenty
When Elizabeth peeked outside the next morning, she found two rather large men stationed outside the kitchen door. They introduced themselves as two of the guards hired by Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam and gave Elizabeth the correct information to identify themselves. With that assurance, Elizabeth set out on her walk with both men accompanying her and soon reached the summit of Oakham Mount, where Darcy and Fitzwilliam waited.
“Good morning, gentlemen,” she greeted them as she approached timidly. As much as she would have liked to approach Darcy as she had on a previous morning, she held back because so many others were watching.
It was apparent Darcy felt similarly. “Good morning, Elizabeth,” he replied, looking equally unsure of himself.
Fitzwilliam merely grinned. “I think my greeting is superfluous, so I will stand over here, with my back to the both of you as I speak to your guards. Just pretend we are not even here.” He winked at his cousin, causing Darcy’s cheeks to flush. Although not directed at her, Elizabeth noted the wink and blushed at theimplication of the colonel’s words, and she slowed her approach toward Mr. Darcy.
After a moment, his whispered “Elizabeth” broke the spell, and they both took the remaining steps that separated them and immediately embraced the other. Their kiss was brief and far more chaste than those on previous meetings, since both remained keenly aware of the men standing nearby.
“How are you, dearest?” he asked after several moments. Reluctantly, he released her, although they still stood closer than might have been appropriate otherwise.
“I am well. My father was forced to tell my family about Colonel Forster’s warning yesterday after Mama heard the gossip of Wickham’s escape at church. She took to her bed in hysterics, and my father retreated to his study. My sisters and I spent the day in my room, discussing matters and enjoying each other’s company. We have not done that in many years, and where I might have been inclined to believe otherwise, I think Kitty and Lydia might be able to be improved with a little attention paid to them. Like my father, I was inclined to view them as silly and to avoid them. However, yesterday has shown me that I was wrong.”
Darcy smiled gently at Elizabeth. “I have noticed you no longer refer to your father as ‘Papa.’”
She sighed heavily. “I cannot view him in the same way as I did before. Not after I realised he was willing to circumvent any chance at happiness for me by forcing me to always remain at Longbourn. He will not even attempt to get to know you; he has accused you of being the worst sort of cad who only wants to take advantage of me, yet has allowed my sisters to flirt with every officer they encounter. I have been somewhat valued as acompanion to him, but more so because I took over his role as the manager of the estate, enabling him more time to spend with his books.”
He pulled her back into his arms. “I am sorry, Elizabeth. As you know, my relationship with my father was injured by his preference for Wickham, and he often took his side over mine. They are different situations, but I understand your disappointment now that you recognise his true nature.”
Elizabeth shivered as the wind picked up around them and snuggled deeper into Darcy’s chest. Darcy chuckled slightly and opened his coat, bringing it around to cover Elizabeth as he held her more tightly to himself. “I love you, William,” she whispered.
He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “As I love you, Elizabeth. Now, what else did you and your sisters discuss yesterday?”
Her voice was slightly muffled. “Lydia joked that we should all travel to Pemberley, and you and I can marry from there. She thought one of my uncles could be persuaded to accompany us as chaperones until the banns could be called. You can also protect us until Mr. Wickham is caught.” She paused and laughed. “She suggested we escape the house before dawn and meet your carriages in Meryton, which was a bit much, though I confess that I did like her plan, however improbable it might be.”
She felt his chest move as he chuckled. “It might not be. I wonder what Phillips would say if I suggested it, and then your other uncle might arrive as early as this afternoon. Will you be surprised to learn we dined with your Aunt and Uncle Phillips yesterday evening?”
“I adore my uncle, but Aunt Phillips is much like Mama. I hope it was a pleasant meal.”
“It was. Bingley spoke mostly to your aunt while your uncle kept Fitzwilliam and me well occupied. He also suggested taking you girls away from Hertfordshire, so he may be willing to travel to Derbyshire.”
He felt Elizabeth burrow deeper into him as she said, “Have I mentioned that my Aunt Gardiner is from that area of the country? She grew up in a town called Lambton. Do you know it?”
He pulled back to look at her. “Then she will certainly want to accompany her nieces to Pemberley, as it is merely five miles from Lambton.”
“Truly?” At his nod, she continued. “Then that will be a good reason for us all to go. Perhaps if my aunt and uncle offered to convey us to Lambton without mentioning Pemberley, my father would not even bother to protest. We can make it seem as though this trip has nothing to do with you. Once we are there, he will not stir himself to come and collect us.”
When he agreed to her plan, her face transformed into one of pleased surprise. “You mean to convey us all to your home, sir? All five Bennet daughters, with or without their parents’ permission?”
