Page 131 of The Engagement at Longbourn

“You will be welcome.” Elizabeth drew back from her father.

His eyes were wet.

She kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Papa.”

“For what?”

“For letting me decide.”

Mr. Bennet looked at Darcy. “I am glad you decided as you did.”

“So am I.”

The younger sisters came next. Mary hugged Elizabeth carefully, then Jane.

Kitty cried without restraint. Lydia cried and talked at the same time. “La, Lizzy, you must write everything about Pemberley, and Georgiana says there is a pond, and if you do not invite me by summer I shall come anyway, and Jane, I shall be at Netherfield constantly, so you cannot miss me—”

“An excellent threat,” Bingley said.

Lydia hugged him too. Then she went to Darcy. For one second both looked uncertain. Lydia solved it by throwing her arms around him. Darcy staggered half a step.

“Leg!” Elizabeth cried.

“Oh!” Lydia released him. “I forgot.”

“I noticed.”

“Did I hurt you?”

“No.”

She looked up at him. “You kept the fox?”

“Yes.”

“Truly?”

“It is in my luggage.”

Lydia beamed. Darcy touched her shoulder. “Write to Georgiana.”

“I will.”

“And listen to your father.”

Her face fell.

“And your mother.”

“Must I?”

“Yes.”

“La, marriage has made you bossier.”

Elizabeth said, “That was not marriage.”

Everyone laughed. Outside, the late sun gilded the wet road. The first carriage belonged to Bingley. He handed Jane in, then turned to wave at the crowd before climbing after her. Caroline stood near the steps.