Page 96 of Regrets

“Lydia is no ordinary young lady!” Elizabeth laughed.

“I think none of the Bennet girls are ordinary,” he said, softly.

She coloured. “Do you know, Mr. Wickham might be part of the reason that you have more difficulty being as trusting and open as you might wish. To have a good friend turn into a monster! That would affect anyone, I think.”

“Perhaps; I had never considered that.” Mr. Darcy was surprised at the insight.

Elizabeth changed the subject. “Do you spend a good deal of time in London?”

He made a face. “I must go to London for at least part of the Season every year. There are important social connections that must be maintained; after all, Georgiana will have her come-out in a year or two, and she must have all the advantages that I can give her. I do not love being in Town, as I much prefer the country, but I do have family obligations.”

“You have a town house in London, I expect?”

“Of course.”

“Oh, of course,” she mocked him, teasing. “I suppose I would have to dress up and call on ladies and attend balls?”

“I will not lie to you, Elizabeth,” he said, turning to her and speaking very seriously. “There is a good deal of that sort of thing, and you would be required to help supervise Georgiana’s come-out, which will also entail a good deal of time. But there are other things in London – the theatre, opera, museums, and all sorts of amusements that I think you would enjoy!”

Suddenly, Elizabeth felt certain of her path. He had not lied to her, he had honoured his word that he would be honest with her. She could trust him. “I would enjoy them if you were by my side,” she said, looking up at him with an intensity he had not seen before.

“Elizabeth, are you saying –“

“Yes.”

“Yes?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, my dearest Elizabeth!” He swept her up in his arms, and it was only Mary tugging insistently on his coat sleeves that brought him to his senses.

Once back in the house, congratulations flowed.

“Now we can pick a date!” Jane said to Mr. Bingley, beaming.

“The sooner the better,” Mr. Bingley said, fervently.

It was agreed that the first of the banns would be called that very Sunday, and the weddings would take place on the sixth of January. Mrs. Bennet was in an immediate frenzy of wedding planning, with all the girls chattering excitedly.

***

That night, Elizabeth could hardly sleep for joy. She would always remember exactly where they were when she had agreed to marry him, and how his eyes had lit up and his entire face, usually so solemn and grave, had become alive with happiness. She would always remember the gown she had been wearing. She smiled to herself, thinking that when it became too old and worn to wear, she would remake it into a baby gown.

Chapter Eighty-Four

Despite the frenzy of joy that gripped the household, it soon became clear to everyone that Mary was in a bit of a daze. She spent a good deal of time in her room, seeming to only come out for meals. Jane and Elizabeth huddled together to talk about it, and concluded that Mary might be feeling rather blue; perhaps she feared that she herself would never marry, never be the center of attention in a whirlwind of planning, never have a rosy glow on her face from contemplating a future with a beloved husband!

What could they do? Jane and Elizabeth visited their father in his study. “Papa, would you consider making Mary the heir to Longbourn? This would be an alternative path to marriage, and a very respectable one at that,” Jane said.

“Mary will not be the heir to Longbourn,” Mr. Bennet said, firmly.

Chastened and a bit surprised, they crept away.

They tried to pay extra attention to their middle sister, but it was as if she did not hear them. She simply smiled, nodded to them, and walked away.

It was all quite disconcerting.

***