Page 101 of Regrets

Eyes filled with joy and anticipation, Mrs. Bennet agreed at once. Mr. Bennet grumbled, but his wife poked him, and he said, sighing, “Very well. But only because of the library!”

Two hours later, Mr. Darcy turned to his new wife and said, “Are you ready?”

“I suppose I am,” she said. “Oh, how I will miss them all!”

“I know; but they will be our guests at Pemberley as often as I can arrange it, dear Elizabeth. And, of course, you will have –“

“Me!” Georgiana crowed. She had been standing behind Elizabeth for the past minute.

Elizabeth laughed and turned to hug her new sister. “My fifth sister!” she said. “Very well, Fitzwilliam, I am ready.”

Her trunks were already strapped to the back of the Darcy carriage. Goodbyes were said again and again, hugs were exchanged, promises of correspondence were made, and finally – finally! – Mr. and Mrs. Darcy and Miss Darcy were on their way home.

Chapter Eighty-Nine

Weddings are usually the end of one story, and the beginning of another, and so it was in this case.

Mr. Darcy planned to take his new wife to London for a week or so before subjecting her to the discomfort of several days of travel north. He had written to Mrs. Layton, his housekeeper there, so that Darcy House would be ready to receive its new mistress.

To his surprise, Georgiana asked if she might spend that week with the Matlocks instead. She stammered through an explanation, saying that doubtless the newlyweds would want some privacy in their first week together.

Mr. Darcy looked to Elizabeth for her opinion; she turned to Georgiana and said, “I think you are telling me that you will be uncomfortable at Darcy House during this week. Is that right?”

Georgiana nodded vigorously, happy to be understood.

Elizabeth said, “Georgiana, I hope you understand that we would be happy to have you with us. There is no need, truly, for you to be anywhere else.”

Georgiana nodded, but said, “I would like to visit my aunt and uncle, please, Lizzy. I have not seen them in some time.”

Elizabeth looked at Mr. Darcy, who looked at his sister with a puzzled frown and said, “If that is what you wish…”

“It is, Brother.”

“Very well, Georgiana.”

The Matlocks had not attended the wedding, citing previous commitments that prevented them from traveling to Meryton, so this would be their first introduction to Elizabeth.

“I hope they are at home,” Mr. Darcy murmured.

The Earl was not, but the Countess was. “Darcy!” she exclaimed, when the three of them were announced. “And dear Georgiana! Oh, Mrs. Darcy! I am delighted to meet you! I cannot tell you how sorry I was to not be present at my nephew’s wedding.”

“We understood, of course, your ladyship,” Elizabeth replied at once, curtseying.

“No, no, none of that,” the Countess said, firmly. “It is Aunt Eleanor.”

“Thank you, your – Aunt Eleanor,” Elizabeth said, blushing slightly. “That is very kind. I am Elizabeth, or Lizzy.”

“How long are you staying in London?” the Countess asked.

Mr. Darcy replied, “About a week, Aunt Eleanor. We have not yet even arrived at Darcy House, because Georgiana just announced that she would rather spend the week with you. So we are here in the hopes that you are willing to host her for that time.’

“I would be delighted, of course,” the Countess said at once, though a surprised look crossed her face. She pulled a bell cord and instructed the maid to have the Blue Room readied for Miss Darcy immediately.

“Thank you, Aunt,” Georgiana said, quite evidently relieved.

Mr. Darcy said, “Come, Georgiana, show me which trunks are yours.”

Georgiana looked rather puzzled, as she did not think her brother required her help, but she obediently rose and followed him outside.