“I love you, Fitzwilliam Darcy, and nothing will bring me more joy than to be your wife.”
Darcy rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes for a brief moment before kissing her and saying, “I love you, Elizabeth Bennet, and nothing would make me happier than to be your husband.”
With one more kiss, they resumed their walk.
“Now, I do have a condition. Or it might be more properly considered a related series of stipulations,” she said.
He encouraged her to continue, knowing he would agree to whatever she had decided was necessary or appropriate.
“The most important one is that I believe we should delay actually getting married for a short while.”
“You do?” If she felt it was necessary to wait, he would, though he would like to understand why.
“I do,” she repeated. “While part of me would like nothing more than to march to the church this minute and demand the vicar marry us, I believe it would be wrong. I should spend more time with your sister. The more she becomes familiar with me, the easier she will be, and, truthfully, I shall worry less that she will…perhaps not change her opinion but be uncomfortable with me, and I do not wish that. It would make all three of us unhappy. There is the matter of your other relations, but that is not as significant. Except for Colonel Fitzwilliam, given how close he and Miss Darcy are.”
“He feels terrible for how he acted. We had a long conversation two days ago, and he fully supports our marriage. He asked me to tell you that he intends to apologise when next you see each other. As for Lord and Lady Romsley, they will love you.”
“I hope you are correct. I even believe that you are, but I shall be far more confident entering into my new life as your wifeafterwe have an opportunity to know each other better. Besides, another couple will soon be married, and it is enough to have one wedding in a family at a time. I am very happy for Rebecca and Lord Bramwell.”
“As am I. You do know that Bramwell already likes you, do you not?”
“I like him too, and I am delighted he will be my cousin. Do not tell him, but I am even more pleased that Rebecca will be.”
“Oh, I certainly shall ensure he knows that you prefer Rebecca to him. Bramwell needs taking down a peg or two, though he is so enamoured of my cousin, he might simply agree with you and spend the following hour explaining all the reasons he admires her. He forgets sometimes that I have known her since she was an infant.”
“Ah, but he is in love. I shall be offended if you do not send at least one person to sleep by sermonising on my finer qualities.” They both chuckled, and she continued. “Does what I propose sound reasonable? I really would like to be married as soon as it can be arranged, but when I think of the situation rationally, waiting makes more sense.”
“With some regret, I agree. It would give me great pleasure to take you to Pemberley this winter as my wife and to celebrate Christmas there as a family. But, yes, given the circumstances, it is better to wait.”
Having settled this point, they spoke of other matters and made arrangements to partake of several amusements while they remained in town before returning to the manor.
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Jane had already agreed to Mrs Bennet’s request that they go to Longbourn that afternoon; they would stay until after dinner. Bingley had sent a note before breakfast asking whether Darcy would also be welcome, and the response had been that he was. Elizabeth had suggested he speak to Mr Bennet as soon as possible and warned him that her father might scowl, look at Darcy as though he were mad, and demand to speak to her at once. She did not want her betrothed to be taken aback, and most of all, she did not want anything to mar how happy they were that day.
Soon enough, they were at Longbourn. After greeting her mother and sisters, Darcy surreptitiously left to seek out Mr Bennet. In less than ten minutes, he was whispering to Elizabeth that her father wanted to talk to her.
When she entered the book-room, she watched her father with arched eyebrows until he spoke.
“So, you wish to marry Mr Darcy. That was a surprise.”
“If it makes you feel better about not knowing that he and Ilove each other, I truly did not expect there would ever be an occasion for us to have this conversation.” Elizabeth sat in a worn armchair across the desk from Mr Bennet.
“Love, is it? I recall your young man mentioning the word, but to hear it from you as well… I suppose there is no need for me to ask whether you are certain you wish to have him as your husband?”
“No, Papa, there is no need at all. Mr Darcy and I have had a rather tumultuous history—why is not important—but our affection for each other has endured. I absolutely, completely, utterly know that marrying him is what I want and what will bring me the most satisfaction in my life.” He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, she held up a restraining finger. “Before you ask, the reasons we did not come to an agreement sooner have all been resolved. At first, it was because we misunderstood each other, and after that, I cannot tell you because it involves someone else.”
“And you wish to protect their privacy?”
“I shall always protect them as best I can.”
Her father made an expression that seemed to accept defeat and concession. “If you expect me to say that I am glad you and Jane will both be settled in Derbyshire, you are mistaken. When you have a moment, pity me. Now, dearest daughter, Mr Darcy mentioned you waiting until next spring to marry?”
Elizabeth confirmed that was their preference. “I prefer not to tell my mother and sisters today. I shall do so before we go to town. What do you think?”
He laughed. “Knowing how thrilled your mother will be to have another daughter married to a rich gentleman, you wish to postpone exposing him to her…excesses? I hope your young man is made of stronger stuff than that implies.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “She will wish to discuss nothingother than the wedding all day, and Mr Darcy and I have not had much opportunity to decide what we want. I would like to speak to him about it first. Then, I shall explain it all to my mother.”
