Once inside the house, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth were congratulated by Mrs. Bennet and Mary. Mrs. Bennet was not as easy with Mr. Darcy as she had been with Mr. Bingley; she found his more formal comportment rather forbidding in comparison with Mr. Bingley’s relaxed, friendly manner. But she understood that he was a very eligible suitor, so she was genuinely happy to welcome him to the family.
Mary was very happy for her sister. But she also understood Mr. Darcy to be cousin to Colonel Fitzwilliam; having Lizzy marriedto him meant that she might be permitted to see the Colonel from time to time. That fact made her congratulations to Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth particularly warm.
Kitty and Lydia were delighted to think that they would soon be Georgiana’s sisters, and they were perhaps a touch overly excited by this fact. Mrs. Bennet finally had to ask them to keep their voices down.
Only Mr. Bennet remained sour on the subject, and he refused to be coaxed into a better humour.
Chapter Sixty-Two
Netherfield Park
Upon Mr. Darcy’s return to Netherfield, he was immediately accosted by his sister. “Well?”
“Well what?” he asked, teasing her.
“She said yes, did she not?”
“Well…” he replied, drawing out the word. But seeing her sudden look of concern, he smiled at her and said, “I apologise for teasing you, Georgiana. I am now betrothed to Miss Elizabeth.”
“Oh! Oh! I am the happiest girl in the world!”
Mr. Darcy chuckled. “Kitty and Lydia are vying for that title. It seems this is a match that suits everyone.”
As he spoke, he wondered if this was actually the case. Would his aunt and uncle, the Earl and Countess of Matlock, be as pleased as the Darcys and the Bennets? His aunt had specifically told him to marry, but he suspected that she had hoped he would marry…well, better. In his mind, there was no one better than Elizabeth Bennet; but his society-minded aunt and uncle might not agree.
It would be best that he tell her at once.
Dear Aunt Ellen,
I have taken your advice to heart, and have engaged myself to a Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Miss Elizabeth is the second of five daughters. Hers is the family that has been so very kind to Georgiana.
Elizabeth has no connections and no dowry to speak of, but her birth is unexceptional. More importantly, she is utterly captivating. She is lovely, intelligent, warm-hearted; she is more than I ever imagined a woman could be! Georgiana is completely delighted at the idea of being Elizabeth’s sister.
I could go on and on, but I suspect you would rather that I did not. We will wed on the fourteenth of January, in a double ceremony with Bingley and Elizabeth’s elder sister, Jane. I very much hope that you and Uncle Henry will attend.
We will then proceed to London with Georgiana to participate in the Season. I can only hope that your idea will bear fruit, but I will be happily married either way.
Your affectionate nephew,
Darcy
***
Richard,
I am to marry Miss Elizabeth Bennet on the fourteenth of January. I hope – nay, I expect! – you to stand up with me.
Darcy
P.S.No doubt Miss Mary would enjoy thanking you in person for your gifts.
***
At dinner that night, Mr. Bingley stood up and announced Mr. Darcy’s engagement to Elizabeth Bennet, adding that there would be a double wedding on the fourteenth of January.
“Will we go home to Pemberley after that?” Georgiana asked.
“No; we will go to London.” Seeing her look of first shock and then concern, he added, “We will talk about it later, Georgiana.”
