His thumb brushed lightly over her fingers as his voice steadied. “You have promised to be my wife, Elizabeth, and I intend to hold you to that promise—not from pride or anything so foolish, but from my complete devotion to you. If you wish, I shall send to London for a special licence, and we may be married the moment it is secured. Or, should you prefer, I will write to the rector at Lambton or Meryton toobtain a common licence, and we shall be married within the se’nnight. The particulars are of no consequence to me—the time or the place—so long as the end is the same, with you as my wife, my dearest girl.”
“But what of Lydia?” Elizabeth whispered, unable to look away from him, her voice trembling between hope and dread.
“That, too, we shall face together,” he replied without hesitation. “Do you not think that the news of our marriage will do much to soften the consequences of Miss Lydia’s supposed poor conduct? Your neighbours know your family well. They may yet be persuaded that Mrs Bennet’s account was coloured by alarm rather than strict truth. Surely they could be persuaded that she misbehaved, but that she did not act in a scandalous manner. Besides, we do not know yet whatdidhappen.”
Her fingers tightened in his. “But what if she allowed that man liberties?” Elizabeth whispered. “What if she is with child?”
Darcy’s expression did not falter. “Then we shall deal with that when we know it to be true,” he said firmly. Rising, he drew Elizabeth with him and folded her into his arms, heedless of her aunt and uncle’s presence. “Do not carry this alone, my dearest. Allow me to stand with you in it.”
Mrs Gardiner, watching them, pressed a hand briefly to her lips, her eyes glistening as relief softened her features. She turned away a moment later, as though to grant them privacy, though she did not move far.
Meanwhile, Mr Gardiner studied Darcy with a measured, thoughtful gaze. At last, he inclined his head, the tension in his expression easing. The gentleman said nothing, but his quiet approval was unmistakable.
Elizabeth leant into Darcy’s embrace, the warmth of it easing the tightness in her chest. After a moment, she drew back just enough to meet his eyes. “Very well, sir,” she said, a faint echo of her former teasing in her voice, even as her eyes still shone with unshed tears. “Write to the rector in Meryton, and we shall marry once we arrive there. Perhaps your own rector might send his endorsement as well, which may ease the obtaining of a common licence. I wish Jane to stand beside me—along with my aunt and uncle, and the rest of my family.”
Darcy agreed readily with her plan, and the four spoke together for several minutes longer until each turned to the tasks that could no longer be delayed. Within moments, Darcy had summoned a messenger from the inn and dispatched him to Pemberley with precise instructions: his trunks were to be made ready at once, and his largest and finest carriage prepared for immediate travel.
While Mrs Gardiner and Elizabeth set about packing what little was required, Mr Gardiner seated himself at the small writing table, Jane’s letter laid beside him as he composed several notes. These, too, were entrusted to the same messenger Darcy intended to send ahead of their carriage, ensuring that word would reach Hertfordshire before they themselves arrived.
Before long, the time came for Darcy to take his leave. “I must first speak with Georgiana,” he said, his tone gentle but resolute. “She deserves to know my reasons for departing so abruptly. Since Wickham is presently in Brighton, I shall ask her to join us in Hertfordshire if you have no objection. It will require my sending the Bingleys away from Pemberley, but I wish my sister to be with me for my wedding.”
“Of course,” Elizabeth replied without hesitation.
“Your uncle’s carriage will depart shortly,” Darcy continued, “but we shall follow within a few hours. By this evening, we shall all be together again at the Old Bell in Derby, and tomorrow, if you are willing, I hope you will ride in my carriage with Georgiana and me.”
Elizabeth smiled, relief softening her features. “I should like that very much,” she said. “Your sister is delightful.” Then her expression faltered, a sudden trepidation overtaking her. “But what will you tell her about our hasty departure? Will she not be distressed by the mention of… of him?”
Darcy’s smile gentled further. Taking Elizabeth’s hand, he raised it to his lips. “I will speak to her myself,” he said quietly. “She is stronger now, and she will feel only compassion for Miss Lydia.”
“And where will you stay in Hertfordshire?” Elizabeth asked, the practical concerns returning as she regained her equanimity. “Are you quitecertain it is wise for you to follow so soon? With my aunt and uncle there with their children, Longbourn will scarcely have room for you and your sister. The inn is hardly suitable, and I know of no other lodgings in the area.”
“I shall have my man make enquiries at once,” Darcy replied, already considering the matter. “I will also speak with Mr Bingley about the possibility of our staying at Netherfield.” A faint wryness entered his expression. “My only hesitation is that he will insist upon accompanying me—and where Mr Bingley goes, his sisters are sure to follow. Miss Bingley, I fear, would render everyone unhappy, whatever the circumstances of our arrival. Whatever happened is surely to be deemed worse than it actually is with her present.”
Three
Elizabeth stood abruptly, the unease she had been holding at bay no longer contained. She crossed the room once, then again, Mr Darcy’s words echoing far too clearly in her mind.
“Oh, please do not say anything to Mr Bingley if it can be prevented,” Elizabeth cried, stopping short in her pacing. “It is shameful enough that you should know of Lydia’s behaviour and her potential ruin, but do not tell Mr Bingley—at least not yet. If Miss Bingley were to discover what has happened, she would spread the story to every acquaintance she has in London, and the consequences would be beyond imagining.”
“Then I shall keep silent,” Darcy replied without hesitation. “I will say only that urgent business calls me to London and that Georgiana is needed to accompany me.” His tone was steady, as though the decision required no sacrifice on his part at all.
That he would so readily set aside his friend for her sake warmed Elizabeth’s heart more than she could express properly at that moment. She hated that he must witness yet another example of her family’s lack of propriety, and the shame of it pressed heavily upon her. Yet his willingness to endure it all, without complaint or judgement, only deepened her gratitude and made her care for him that much more.
“My brother Philips is, as you know, the solicitor in Meryton and oversees the leases for several properties in the area,” Mr Gardiner interjected. “I can write to him at once and request that he prepare one for you and your sister, should it be needed.”
“But what if our sudden marriage only serves to worsen the scandal?” Elizabeth asked, turning once more to Darcy, her brow drawn tight with worry, her thoughts racing ahead of her words. “If Lydia has acted in the manner we fear, what is to prevent our neighbours from believing that I have behaved in much the same way—that I am no better than she?”
“Elizabeth,” Darcy said gently, a placating note entering his voice. Then, to the surprise of everyone present, a faint, amused chuckle escaped him. “This may be the one occasion in which the haughty demeanour you so disliked will prove to be an advantage. Surely no one would believe that the man who conducted himself as I did last autumn could be coerced into a marriage against his will. You have scolded me for making a poor impression in the neighbourhood, and that most there consider me insufferably proud. If any whispers should arise, I shall not hesitate to say that it was I who laboured—most earnestly—to persuade you to accept my hand.”
Almost against her will, Elizabeth felt her lips curve into a smile, which soon gave way to laughter. After observing her for a moment, the Gardiners—and then Darcy himself—joined in, and for a brief interval, the weight of their fears eased, allowing them all to take comfort in the shared levity.
Elizabeth sat beside her intended and placed her hand in his. Darcy’s fingers closed around hers in a quiet, reassuring squeeze, and when she glanced up, she found his gaze fixed upon her with steady warmth.
“Then, on this occasion, I must condone your arrogance being put to our advantage. But perhaps we ought to delay our wedding a little, to allow people time to grow accustomed to the idea of our marriage. If we proceed as though this business with Lydia is not nearly so dreadful as some might suppose and conduct a brief courtship in full view of Meryton, they may be persuaded that anything worse was merely the product of Mama’s fanciful imaginings.”
“Elizabeth, we may speculate without end,” her aunt interjected, “but until we reach Longbourn and learn precisely what has been said or done, all this is of little use. Allow Mr Darcy to make his preparations so that he may join us this evening at the inn. Once the Darcys have caught up with us, we shall travel as swiftly as possible to Longbourn. It is possible that a letter may intercept us and provide more information regarding the matter, but for now, let us begin our journey. Nothing need be decided at this moment.”
“Very well,” Elizabeth agreed. “Although I am loath to part from you so soon, Mr Darcy, I shall anxiously await your arrival at the inn this evening. I beg you to dispatch your business with all possible speed, and then to take care in reaching me. I shall be very glad if Georgiana is able to accompany you, but I will understand if she cannot, given the haste of your journey—and, of course, the claims of your guests at Pemberley.”
