Page 220 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Darcy put aside his book and rose to shake his hand. “Congratulations, Charles.”

“Mr. Bennet consented to everything. Jane and I are to marry in September, and the wedding breakfast will be here with her family in attendance.”

“He agreed to September?”

“Mr. Bennet sees no reason for us to wait. We have not yet chosen the day, but Jane is happy with the arrangement.”

Darcy released his hand and crossed to the window.

Late September with Elizabeth beside him standing before the rector.

Bingley came to stand near him. “I owe you my thanks. I might have spent another month worrying over what Mr. Bennet would say instead of asking him. I find that I have very little patience where Jane is concerned.”

Darcy understood that better than Bingley could know.

He went to the desk and closed the ledger he had left there.

“Are you going somewhere?”

“To Longbourn.”

“Give Miss Elizabeth my regards,” Bingley said, laughing.

Darcy took up his gloves. “I expect to do considerably more than that.”

* * *

Darcy found Elizabeth in the Longbourn garden, gathering rosemary. When she saw him, she left the basket where it stood.

“Bingley tells me that your father has given them permission to marry in September.”

“Yes, he did.”

Darcy reached her and took her hands.

“Your father does not consider four months too little. Let us marry alongside Charles and Jane.”

Elizabeth pressed his hands. “You are thinking we might marry on the same day.”

“Yes, if they are willing. There need only be one wedding and one breakfast rather than two occasions within a few weeks. Bingley has already offered Netherfield for their wedding breakfast.”

“I should like to marry standing beside Jane, but would you?”

Darcy lifted her hand and kissed it. “Very much. It will spare us a delay. Since we are agreed, I shall speak to your father.”

Laughing, she moved nearer. “You had better make a good account of yourself. I am only twenty, and my father may be reluctant to part with me. I have always been his favorite daughter.”

Darcy covered her hand with his. “I will tell him I have no intention of going away without you.”

Elizabeth laughed again.

He bent and kissed her mouth. When he drew back, he remained close to her.

“You make it exceedingly difficult to behave as though I have not already been your husband.”

Her laughter softened.

“Then you had better speak to my father before you forget yourself entirely, sir.”