Page 123 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

“I am truly happy for you, Lizzy. It wants only this, and I believe I too shall soon be a happy bride.”

Elizabeth held her sister close.

A knock sounded, and Aunt Maddie entered.

“There you are. I might have known I would find the two of you together.”

“Come and sit with us, Aunt Maddie,” Elizabeth said. “Jane has been telling me about Charles.”

Jane patted her eyes with her handkerchief as Aunt Maddie came farther into the room.

* * *

Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived at Pemberley shortly before noon the same day. The Bingleys arrived later that afternoon.

The following morning, Mr. Darcy brought his guests to Ashcroft.

Elizabeth had expected Mr. Bingley to greet Jane first. Instead, he made a determined effort to greet Mr. and Mrs. Radcliff, Dr. Wynn, the Gardiners, and Elizabeth in proper order before at last reaching her sister.

Jane had watched his progress across the room. When Bingley finally stood before her, his face brightened.

“Miss Bennet. I have been looking forward to seeing you again.”

“Mr. Bingley, I am so pleased you were able to come.”

He took her hand and held it in his, his gaze lingering on her face. Jane’s fingers closed gently around his.

Colonel Fitzwilliam greeted Elizabeth with considerable warmth.

“So, you are the woman who has finally brought my cousin to his knees. I have known Darcy all my life, Miss Elizabeth, and I cannot remember ever seeing him so pleased with the world. I am very glad to meet the woman responsible for it.”

Mr. Darcy gave his cousin a look.

Elizabeth liked this handsome cousin, whose affection for Darcy was evident in every word.

“I shall endeavor to keep him so, Colonel.”

Darcy put Elizabeth’s hand through his arm. “Darling, do not encourage him.”

Miss Bingley had waited while they spoke. When Elizabeth turned to her, the handsome woman she remembered from London took her hands, her green eyes warm with pleasure.

“Eliza.”

Elizabeth drew near and kissed her friend. “Caroline. I am very glad you could come.”

“I confess I was astonished when Charles told me of the marriage. I had not even known you had met.”

Caroline glanced at Darcy, who still had Elizabeth’s hand resting upon his arm.

“I see how much I missed.”

Elizabeth laughed. “We fell in love over books.”

“Not the books you purchased at Hatchard’s that day Charles took us shopping.”

“Yes, those very books. Mr. Darcy even helped me with my studies.”

Little Edward entered the drawing room with his nurse and stopped when he saw Caroline.