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“Do you love her?” the colonel asked hesitantly, aware of how difficult such a question was for Darcy.

“Yes, with all my heart and mind.”

“If Lady Catherine makes the codicil public, you will suffer. Of that I am certain.”

“I have already asked her to be my wife once, and I did it disastrously. The second time, I ought to tell her that I love her, rather than ask her to marry me because of this threat. Would that not be wrong again?”

“No!” the colonel replied. “Things have changed, and this time honesty might work wonders.”

Darcy made his way home late that night. The darkness of the streets seldom troubled him. Still, with thunder rumbling in the distance and lightning illuminating the sky, he felt a growing uneasiness. At first, he had not taken his aunt’s scheme seriously, believing the document to be a forgery. Now, as he approached his house, he began to understand the gravity of the situation. His uncle had been right; Lady Catherine could damage his reputation and expose the woman he married to unpleasant accusations. Those who believed her might consider him dishonourable and an unworthy son.

∞∞∞

The following day, Darcy went to the vicar of the neighbouring church and told him what had happened, hoping to hear that he could disregard the codicil, but the vicar shook his head.

“Mr Darcy, I cannot advise you to disregard your mother’s wishes while there is still a possibility that she signed this document.”

“But I never gave my consent! Must I marry Anne because my aunt says I promised to do so? I love another woman!”

“Then speak to your aunt and cousin before you marry her. You say there was no promise, but the document says there was. Until that is explained, I cannot approve.”

Darcy left angry, for speaking to Lady Catherine would accomplish nothing; she would never give up her claim. He wanted to confront her, but it was better that she did not yet know he had read the codicil. At Pemberley, at least, he could speak to a vicar who knew him well, though first he would seek another solicitor’s opinion.

Lady Catherine’s interference had disturbed his peace of mind. Whatever course he chose, he knew that her threat would influence his decision. He wanted to marry Elizabeth, but now he must consider an early marriage, declare his love and ask for her help. He was not accustomed to resolving a difficulty of such importance by confiding in another person.

“Prepare to depart, Georgiana,” he declared. “We are returning to Pemberley.”

Chapter 7

Their departure was approaching when a letter from Jane arrived by express. She wrote that she and the family were well and that Netherfield was being opened again, but she had heard nothing of Mr Bingley himself.

Elizabeth replied with a joyful letter, telling her sister she had met Mr Bingley and that he intended to visit them very soon.

Meanwhile, time passed as luggage was packed and repacked, and excitement and plans grew.

Though she did not confess it, Elizabeth was delighted at the prospect of visiting Derbyshire. The Lakes, which had once held her heart, had now lost their charm.

“Shall we be stopping in Derbyshire?” Elizabeth asked her aunt.

“Of course, my dear. The invitation we received to visit Pemberley is not something to be ignored. Besides, now that we know happiness has returned to Longbourn, there is no need to hurry back!”

During his visit, Mr Bingley had declared that he intended to reopen Netherfield. To their joy, his words were followed by action. His admission that he had known nothing of Jane’s presence in Town restored their good opinion of him, making him worthy of Jane’s affection. Although he did not clearly express his intentions towards Jane, his emotion and constant embarrassment throughout the visit gave them hope for a happy ending.

With her worries about her sister relieved, Elizabeth’s thoughts turned to her past and future. She had not yet fully admitted it to herself, but her meetings with Mr Darcy were the most important events of the journey. For the moment, she had to be cautious under her aunt’s enquiring gaze. Mrs Gardiner had already asked several questions and dropped hints about Mr Darcy’s particular attention to her.

Her aunt and uncle were considerate, well-bred people who did not press her to confide in them. Still, there was no doubt that his behaviour could be neither ignored nor mistaken for anything but interest.

The Gardiners found it clear that their niece and Mr Darcy were more than mere acquaintances, though the nature of their relationship remained unclear. Mr Darcy’s admiration for Elizabeth was astonishing, given his position in society and the numerous eligible ladies who sought his attention. Elizabeth’s feelings were less evident. She had previously disliked Mr Darcy because of his offensive manners, but the Gardiners observed that her attitude had lately become more favourable.

Mr Gardiner teased his wife about the Fitzwilliam gentlemen’s preference for the ladies in his family. Amused by her husband’s jests, she decided to wait until their journey to Derbyshire before asking Elizabeth further questions, and their departure was approaching quickly.

Elizabeth had behaved much as usual during the days before their departure. Still, on the morning they entered the carriage, she revealed the full extent of her feelings. Her impatience was so evident that Mr and Mrs Gardiner exchanged amused glances, finally a little more certain of her feelings, since they were travelling towards Pemberley, where Mr Darcy awaited them.

Elizabeth and the Gardiners spent a week travelling to Derbyshire, visiting gardens, country houses, and old churches along the way, sometimes staying an extra night in a town that pleased them. They stopped to admire the gardens at Stowe and the ruins of Kenilworth Castle, where Elizabeth almost lost her way in a neighbouring wood that reminded her of Longbourn. Although she had at first thought seven days too long to wait before reaching Derbyshire, she later came to appreciate the interlude, which gave her time to reflect and put her thoughts and feelings in order. Each day raised her spirits, filling her heart with joy and admiration and making it lighter.

Then one day, while walking alone along a shady avenue before a castle they had just visited, she thought the gentleman approaching from a distance was Darcy. The impression lasted only a moment, but it was enough for her to close her eyes once she was back in the carriage and accept that what she felt was more than admiration, and when she ceased to struggle against it and acknowledged her longing to see Mr Darcy again, a wonderful peace filled her heart.

Her thoughts, finally free, turned more and more often towards the gentleman, leaving her nights sleepless and her days restless. The feeling was powerful, strange, delightful and yet a little painful. She had never known such emotions. She had waited for love, never imagining that it would be closer to a storm than to a warm rain.