Page 86 of The Crown’s Gift

"In Derbyshire? The roads are dreadful."

"You have never travelled them."

"Then I am unbiased."

Darcy said solemnly, "I shall order repairs before your first visit."

Lady Bennet looked at him, uncertain whether he joked, and began to laugh.

Sir Thomas waited in the library. Darcy and Elizabeth entered together.

"Papa," Elizabeth said, "Mr Darcy has asked me to marry him."

"Has he? How unexpected."

"You are a terrible man."

Sir Thomas stood. His humor faded as he looked at their joined hands.

"And you are happy?"

"Very."

He opened his arms. Elizabeth went to him.

"Then I am happy too," he said into her hair.

Darcy looked away to grant them privacy, though emotion tightened his own face.

Sir Thomas released Elizabeth and held out his hand to Darcy.

"Welcome to the family."

Darcy took it. "Thank you, sir."

"You may call me Sir Thomas until after the wedding. I must preserve one advantage."

Elizabeth laughed through her tears.

That evening, when the household finally quieted, Sir Thomas answered the Queen's letter.

He wrote of Jane's coming marriage, Mary's successful presentation, Kitty's drawing, Lydia's useful observation, and Elizabeth's engagement. He wrote that Netherfield prospered.

Then he added one final line.

Your Majesty asked whether I made good use of your gift. I have tried. The estate secured my family, but the obligation taught me to know them. Whatever good followed began in the breath you recovered and the life I understood I had neglected.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The News Travels

Meryton learned of the engagement before the ink dried on Sir Thomas's letter to the Queen.

Lydia told Aunt Phillips under a pledge of secrecy. Aunt Phillips told Mrs Long under a stricter pledge. Mrs Long informed her nieces because family could not be counted as society. By noon, Mr Lucas called at Netherfield to express astonishment at news no one had officially announced.

"My dear Sir Thomas, what an alliance! Pemberley, Derbyshire, Lady Catherine's nephew—"

"And Elizabeth," Sir Thomas said.