Page 37 of A Different Impression

“I have missed you, William. Your sister is charming, but I found myself wishing you could have accompanied us to the shops,” she told him.

“It will not be long, my love, before we shall never need be separated,” he told her. “Are you ready for dinner with my family tonight?”

“I already know your uncle, and your sister is precious. I like her so much, William,” she enthused. “You are right, she is very shy, but between Kitty and me, we were able to draw her out considerably while we were shopping. Although I will say she is quite stubborn and, between her and my aunt, we ordered far more than I would have done on my own. Surely, William, I do not need so much. We are immediately going to Pemberley and will not even be in company very often.”

“I am pleased to hear it,” William said. “She was always shy, but she has been considerably more withdrawn since the summer. She formed an attachment to someone she believed cared for her, only to discover that his feelings were not what she thought them to be. The experience left her rather heartbroken, and she has found it difficult to trust new acquaintances since.”

He went on to tell her how the son of his late father’s steward, a man Georgiana had known since childhood, had gained her confidence and attempted to persuade her to elope with him.

Elizabeth’s expression softened. “Poor Georgiana. To believe herself loved and then discover she had been deceived so terribly—and at only fifteen. No wonder she has found it difficult to trust others.”

“I fear it was rather worse than an ordinary disappointment,” he said quietly. “There is more to the matter, but it is Georgiana’s story as much as mine, and I would rather not speak of it without necessity.”

“Of course,” Elizabeth said at once. “You need say no more.”

He smiled at her and lightly kissed her. “I am glad that you like my sister, and she is correct that you need much more than you are used to having. Derbyshire is much colder than Hertfordshire and London, and there will be many things you need there you did not need before. Now, let us sit and review the settlement, which I am sure you will find reasons to object to as well.” He sighed dramatically and laughed at the face she made as he led her to a settee in the corner of the room.

Once they were settled, he handed her the documents. She immediately began to read over the document and barely made it through the first page when she first looked up at him. “William,” she began slowly, “exactly how wealthy are you?”

He laughed before answering, and the two spent the next half hour in a spirited conversation about the settlements, his wealth, his estates, and the partnership he envisioned with her once they married. When Mr Gardiner joined them, Elizabeth shared a few of the suggestions they had discussed regarding the marriage settlement. Her uncle agreed, and the three continued to discuss the marriage settlements and investments until it was time for Elizabeth to dress for dinner at Darcy House.

As Darcy escorted Georgiana home, he found himself anticipating the evening ahead. Before it ended, his family would know that Elizabeth had agreed to become Mrs Darcy—and he could only hope they would see as clearly as he did how perfectly she suited him.

CHAPTER 16

Much Ado in London

Darcy had scarcely finished dressing when the Gardiner carriage arrived at Darcy House. As planned, they were the first of his guests to appear.

“You are precisely on time,” he told Elizabeth after greeting her and the rest of her relations.

“Only through the combined efforts of my aunt and two exceedingly capable maids,” she replied. “Kitty and I had very little time to prepare after you and Georgiana departed, but we managed, and I think we are turned out well.”

Her pert comment made Darcy pause for a moment. “You are turned out extremely well, my dear, but surely you know that you never need to ply me for compliments. You, my Elizabeth, are the handsomest woman of my acquaintance, and no one will ever compare to you.”

While they were talking, Miss Kitty had joined Georgiana and Mrs Annesley in the drawing room. Darcy showed Elizabeth and the Gardiners through the principal rooms on the first floor. He saved the library for last, anticipating Elizabeth’s reaction. The delight that spread across her face as she entered did not disappoint him. She turned slowly, attempting to take in the shelves that lined the walls and the gallery above. The room occupied nearly as much space as the ballroom on the floor above, and her expression suggested she would gladly have remained there for the rest of the evening.

“Elizabeth,” Darcy called, unable to keep the amusement from his voice.

“It is wonderful, William,” she exulted. Then her expression turned teasing. “If I did not already love you, I think I could fall in love with you for this room alone.”

“I am thankful you fell in love with me first, although, had I known you would react this way, I would have brought you here much earlier in our courtship. Perhaps your father as well, for had he visited this room, he would not have made me wait the month.”

Her laughter—already one of his favourite sounds—filled the room.

The Gardiners were out of sight for the moment, and he pulled her into his embrace. “I adore you, Elizabeth,” he whispered, leaning down to lightly kiss her.

“And I, you, William,” she replied quietly. “Your home is stunning; I wonder if I will be able to live up to the expectations of it.”

“I assure you, dearest, the house has no expectations of you,” he replied. “And as for me, you more than meet any expectation I may have ever had for my wife. You make me happier than I have ever been. Rest assured, there is no one else I have ever wanted for my wife. In truth, you exceed all my expectations.”

She sighed against him. “Thank you, William, although I confess you may have to remind me of that occasionally, especially when I feel intimidated by all this elegance before me.”

A sound at the door caused them to draw apart. The butler announced that the Earl and Countess of Matlock and their son, Colonel Fitzwilliam, had arrived and were waiting in the drawing room.

Rejoining the Gardiners, Darcy and Elizabeth entered the drawing room. Introductions were made between those who were unfamiliar with each other. Lord Matlock greeted Gardiner and Elizabeth enthusiastically.

“Gardiner,” Lord Matlock greeted the man. “I confess that I am rather surprised to find you here tonight. And Miss Bennet, I am pleased to see you here. I did not know you knew Darcy and Georgiana.”