“And have you looked through everything?”
“I could not,” Elizabeth admitted. “But now I shall.”
“You certainly must, because at the bottom of my box there is a letter Papa addressed simply, ‘To my son-in-law, Kitty’s husband.’”
Elizabeth looked from Kitty to Darcy, trying to understand, wondering whether such a letter lay hidden in her own box as well. Then she felt reassured. Their father had given each of his daughters the same treasures.
“And? Have you read it?”
“How could I read it, Lizzy?” Kitty replied. “It is from Papa to my future husband. He is the one who must read it.”
“Miss Kitty is quite right,” said Darcy. “And if such a letter exists in your box, I hope you will preserve the same discretion.”
The evening continued in that wonderful atmosphere of family affection and happiness, yet Elizabeth gradually became distracted. Perhaps she was overwhelmed by the emotions of the day, but Darcy sensed that something else was troubling her as well.
“You are eager to see your box, my dear.”
Elizabeth nodded, deciding that she would never again wonder how this man always seemed to know her thoughts.
“Then go and discover what your box contains…but please be a decent and honest lady and read only what is intended for you.”
Yet, looking at her, he doubted she would possess the strength not to open everything her father had left behind.
As soon as she arrived at her uncle's house, Elizabeth ran to her chamber in search of the box, leaving Kitty and Agnes to inform the Gardiners about her betrothal.
With trembling hands, she searched through the letters and at last found what she had been seeking.
They found her in tears, clutching a letter to her chest.
Gently, even before congratulating her on the engagement, Mrs Gardiner took the envelope upon which was written:
‘To my son-in-law, Mr Darcy.’
Chapter 39
Their departure for Kent was arranged for the day after Kitty moved to Darcy House, much to Mrs Gardiner’s satisfaction, for she hoped Kitty’s presence there would make Lydia easier to endure. Lydia’s insolence kept Kitty in a continual state of distress. She attacked her relentlessly, blaming her for her own unhappiness, whilst Lydia answered with the impudence she wielded so well. Everyone in the Gardiner household awaited her departure with impatience, but they were happiest of all for Kitty.
The division of the party between the carriages had proved difficult, for it was impossible to separate Kitty and Georgiana. When Mrs Annesley, Georgiana’s companion, proposed accompanying Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mrs Cooper, leaving the girls to travel with Elizabeth and Darcy, satisfaction became complete.
In both carriages, however, such merriment prevailed that one might have imagined they were setting off upon a grand adventure rather than travelling a mere thirty miles to visit Lady Catherine. Even Mrs Annesley, usually so reserved and respectful, was drawn into the colonel’s infectious good humour.He attempted to enlist her as an ally to secure their marriage at least a week earlier. Still, in a season crowded with weddings, it had become difficult to arrange their own.
“They ought at least to respect the order in which the ladies were proposed to,” he declared. Mrs Cooper immediately hid behind her fan to conceal her blushes, for the proposal itself had in truth been rendered almost unnecessary by a night of such happiness that marriage had seemed inevitable long before the words were spoken. Yet the proposal had come all the same, because the colonel proved unexpectedly traditional and wished their story to include every one of those cherished stages.
It had been decided that they would escort Kitty home themselves, whilst Elizabeth would remain in London until Lydia’s wedding, after which she would travel to Netherfield accompanied by Mr and Miss Darcy.
“Could I go to Netherfield as well, with Kitty and the colonel?” asked Georgiana.
Elizabeth and Darcy exchanged a glance. Wickham and Lydia were expected to pass through Netherfield, and it was not such a good idea to put Georgiana in the same house with those two. However, Darcy remained silent, suddenly relieved that certain decisions no longer rested entirely with him.
“What if Kitty remained in London until…after Lydia’s wedding?”
Georgiana looked gratefully at Elizabeth, though a slight blush soon rose to her cheeks, a sign that she had finally understood the delicacy behind the suggestion.
“But it depends upon Kitty,” Elizabeth continued, wondering whether Kitty had been more delighted by the prospect of marriage and removal to Longbourn than by the bridegroom himself.
Kitty, however, took Georgiana’s hand and whispered, “I should still like to return home.”
Georgiana attempted to conceal her disappointment behind a brave smile.
