“What??”
“Mr. Darcy is betrothed to Miss Bennet; he cannot marry you, compromise or no.”
“But he tore my dress!”
Her brother sighed. “We all know who tore the dress, Caroline. You fooled no one.”
“You are my brother! You must force him to marry me!”
“I most certainly shall not.”
“But –“
“Leave Netherfield, Caroline. You have done enough damage here.”
“But my reputation!”
“I do not think anyone in this house will want to repeat the sorry tale of your torn bodice; you need have no fear that your friends in London will learn of it.” Mr. Bingley was exasperated.
Miss Bingley flounced out of the room, up the stairs and into her bedroom, where she ordered a weary Nancy to begin packing at once.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Despite Elizabeth’s desire for a lengthy betrothal, she was made to understand that Mr. Darcy had already been away from Pemberley for rather a long time, and needed to return as soon as possible.
“I left Pemberley mid-March in order to be at Rosings for Easter and it is now almost May,” Mr. Darcy said, apologetically, as they walked together.
“I understand, William,” Elizabeth said. “And by the time the banns are called…”
“I must journey to London in any case to have the marriage articles prepared; I could apply for a license,” Mr. Darcy said, quickly.
“I do not wish to give anyone reason to think that there is a necessity for haste,” Elizabeth objected.
“So you wish to wait for the banns to be called?”
“Yes; this will give Mama time to arrange the dress, the breakfast, and all the other necessities. I do understand that this further delays your return –ourreturn – to Pemberley.”
“But it does give me the opportunity to invite my relatives, the Earl and Countess of Matlock, to our wedding,” Mr. Darcy allowed.
“Will your relatives come?”
“I think so. Ihopeso.”
“An earl and a countess at our wedding! My mother will lose her mind.” Elizabeth smiled.
Mr. Darcy realised this was the first smile he had seen on her face all day. “Elizabeth!”
“Yes, William?”
“Elizabeth, are you unhappy with our betrothal?”
“Not unhappy, no; why do you ask?”
“This is the first smile I have seen from you this day.”
She stopped and turned to him. “I am sorry, William. No, I am not unhappy. You know I wished for more time, which Miss Bingley has made impossible, but I imagine we would have reached this point without her aid.”
“Elizabeth, do you at least care for me?” He was desperate for some indication that this was what she wanted.
