“Quiet girl,” Mrs. Bennet shushed her daughter with a wave of her hand while Kitty blushed from the needless censure. “Oh, my dears, how exciting this is! Think of it, Mr. Bennet; we will have both daughters married on the same day.They were always so close.”
Mr. Bennet looked at his two eldest daughters with a look of a heavy heart. “I will miss you, Jane. I will miss you, Lizzy. The house will seem empty without you.” Elizabeth reached out and squeezed her father’s hand and then looked at Darcy for support. He stroked the back of her free hand with his fingertips and smiled at her; she returned him a weak smile, which saidI hate to hurt my father.
Jane turned to Charles to take the lead on the next part of their shared news, realizing her mother would act out less if Mr. Bingley approached her. “Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Darcy and I decided to apply to the archbishop for a special license. None of us wish to have a large wedding; a fewselectfamily and friends will suffice for our tastes.”
“Oh, Mr. Bennet, did you hear—a special license? What an honor! Our daughters to be married under a special license! Mr. Darcy! Mr. Bingley! Jane! Lizzy! I am so happy—oh, Mr. Bennet!”
“I hear, Madam. I am sure the whole village has heard or will hear shortly.”
Darcy’s more formal manner of speaking brought everyone back to the conversation at hand. “Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth and Miss Bennet chose a date: Monday—a fortnight.We hope this is acceptable; your daughters express a desire to celebrate the Festive Season in their new homes.”
“Of course, Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Bennet began,“but that leaves very little time for settlements and marriage articles.”
“This is true, Mr. Bennet, but Mr. Bingley and I are capable of handling all the legal matters in a short period if you will give us some time with you after dinner. Charles and I can meet with youseparately or the three of us may address common concerns together.”
“Naturally, Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Bennet said reluctantly, knowing finalizing such plans would mean his two eldest daughters would soon be gone.
“But, Mr. Bennet,” his wife interrupted,“our daughters will be married by a special license! I did not know I could be so happy.”
Elizabeth added, “Mama, Jane and I only need a few new things for our wedding clothes.We should be able to manage with careful planning.”
“My only concern,” Bingley added, “is Jane will not have an opportunity to make all the changes she wishes to Netherfield before the wedding.”
“Charles, that is of little concern. The changes may be made after the wedding. We have time—all the time we need.” She sparkled with love.
“What of Pemberley, Elizabeth?” Kitty asked.
“I would not wish to change it at all.”
“What is it like?” Kitty continued. “Is it as beautiful as reported?”
Darcy turned to Elizabeth, interested in her description of his home. She stammered a bit at first, but her description reflected her vision of her future with Darcy. “Pemberley is perfection. It is a handsome, stone building backed by high woody hills. It sits on rising ground, and every detail of it reflects the natural beauty of the estate. I truly never saw such a place! The house reflects Fitzwilliam’s heritage but also his taste; the interior is simple sophistication.” Darcy’s smile could not be contained; Elizabeth saw Pemberley as he did; she did not speak of its wealth; she spoke of its natural beauty.
“Pemberley is magnificent,” Bingley added. “I hope some day Netherfield is a shadow of its splendor. Mr. Darcy’s family left him a great legacy; Miss Elizabeth will be living in what is considered to be one of England’s finest homes.”
Darcy acknowledged his friend’s accolades.“Netherfield has thepotential for greatness, Charles. No place happens overnight.”Then he turned to Elizabeth,“Do you not wish to change something in your new home?”
“Fitzwilliam, I would not be so presumptuous! Georgiana and I may choose little things once we all are settled and have time to know what we want. Pemberley is perfect the way it is.” Darcy gave her that look with which she was now so familiar and which created a tumultuous state in both of them.
When the gentlemen left that evening, Jane and Elizabeth walked out with them. Bingley and Darcy completed the settlements with Mr. Bennet, and plans for the ladies’ clothing needs were well underway. Jane and Bingley were to the side with their heads together when Elizabeth came forward and boldly wrapped her arms around Darcy’s waist. He enveloped her in his arms, both uncharacteristically brazen for a newly engaged couple.
“Elizabeth Bennet, you take my breath away,” he whispered down to her.“It is difficult for me to conceive we are finally going to be together.”
“Fitzwilliam, I can think of nothing but being your wife, but please, Love, do not fret so about the past.Any arbitrary turning we might take along the way would bring us to some place else and to someone else. The journey we made brought us to this time and this place.This is where we were always meant to be.”
“Do you know to what I look forward?” Darcy had a mischievous smile.
“Pray tell.” Elizabeth was just as vexing.
“Being able to kiss you whenever I choose to do so.”With that said, he leaned down and claimed her mouth with his.
The next day, Darcy and Bingley made their way from Netherfield to Longbourn to spend their time with their betrotheds. Being rainy, taking a long, leisurely walk was out of the question. Both couples found residence in their respective parts of the drawing room. Darcy and Elizabeth chose a secluded alcove, affording them some privacy although the other Bennet family members and thehousehold servants were in and out of the room. A holding of hands was the most passionate act allowed with so many about.
“Have you written to Georgiana?” Elizabeth asked. “If not, I wanted to add my own lines to the letter; I do look forward, Fitzwilliam, to having Georgiana in my life. I really did not know what to expect, but she is so much more than I conceived her to be; she has your same fine mind and quick wit; you two are very much alike.”
Her references to his sister pleased Darcy; he wanted them to be close.“Georgiana would enjoy hearing the news from you. Should we write the letter together?”
“I will get the paper,” Elizabeth scrambled to the desk. There they sat together.
