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“For me as well,” she replied truthfully. Her spirits soared as Mr. Darcy’s face lit up brighter than the lamp. “I suppose I should be pleased. I am, after all, receiving the better part of this bargain.” Mr. Darcy shook his head and squeezed her hand.
“I doubt that, Miss Elizabeth,” the colonel said gallantly, though Elizabeth could see they had made him uncomfortable. He cleared his throat. “I do have news.”
“News?” Mr. Darcy asked.
The colonel nodded. “I had a note awaiting me here. I am instructed to escort Miss Elizabeth to my mother’s home tonight.”
“May I ask why?” Elizabeth asked, glancing at Mr. Darcy when she realized he had asked the same question.
“Because she would like to have you wed from her house,” the colonel replied. “We should perhaps also invite your relations from town.”
“What?” Elizabeth asked, her voice growing faint. She had only agreed to be wed scant moments before. Was there to be no time at all to grow used to the idea? She pressed her eyelids shut. Foolish girl. Of course not. She had been living in Mr. Darcy’s home for more than a week, unchaperoned. Hiding that fact was essential. She must be practical.
Colonel Fitzwilliam was not distressed by her lack of enthusiasm. “My mother is adept at managing gossip, Miss Elizabeth. She plans to use your father’s explanation—that you were called away to stay with your relations—to have a laugh at Darcy’s well-known dislike of gossip. Apparently, that is the story Darcy told Mr. Bennet to circulate. The truth is”—and here the colonel winked—"Darcy has been quietly courting you since just after Michaelmas when he arrived in Meryton. Neither of you wished for the society wedding my mother has been longing to plan. She has been arguing with him over the matter for some weeks. To placate her, you have now both agreed to be wed from her house.” He snorted as he reread the missive. “According to her, it is the least you and my unfeeling cousin can do.”
“The groom’s family does not plan or host weddings,” Elizabeth reminded him. “Why would your mother have such expectations?”
Mr. Darcy chuckled. “I am afraid that part of the story is true. Henry, Fitz, Anne, and I have all proven rather resistant to matrimony. My sister Georgiana will not come out for another year or two. My aunt is growing rather desperate. Her friends know this.”
Elizabeth tried not to feel overwhelmed. She considered the story and the plan. “Her very influential friends? Who will happily spread this story?”
Both men nodded.
“When, precisely, is the wedding to take place?” Elizabeth asked, bracing herself for the answer.
“Mother says, ‘The sooner the better,’” the colonel said. He turned his attention to Mr. Darcy. “She wishes Miss Elizabeth to have some family around her so it appears this was planned. Mother would have preferred tomorrow.” He handed the letter to Mr. Darcy. “However, the day after will do.” He grinned at Elizabeth. “Perhaps she is afraid you will change your mind.”
Elizabeth felt a little numb. She watched Mr. Darcy as he read the note. He smiled just a little at the end, and then handed it to Elizabeth.
She opened it to read the message. It was as the colonel had explained, but the warmth of the closing reassured her. Tell William I anticipate his marriage with great joy. Certainly his aunt would support them, even if only for Mr. Darcy’s sake.
Elizabeth held the note out, and the colonel tucked it away.
“You did not mention your mother’s involvement before now,” Mr. Darcy grumbled at his cousin.
“There was no need to mention it before today,” Colonel Fitzwilliam replied calmly, and Mr. Darcy gave him what Elizabeth thought was a grudging nod.
“What does your father say?” Mr. Darcy asked.
Colonel Fitzwilliam shrugged. “You know he trusts Mother’s instincts.”
Something occurred to Elizabeth. “Miss Bingley mentioned that you have an uncle who is an earl. Is that the man of whom you speak?”
Mr. Darcy nodded. “The earldom itself is a young one, and Fitz’s father is certainly not of the same ilk as Lady Catherine, but I cannot say how well he will accept . . .” His voice trailed away, and Elizabeth knew he did not wish to offend her.
“How well he will accept your choice of a wife?” she finished for him.
“Elizabeth, I have no qualms about my choice,” Mr. Darcy told her firmly.
“I do not doubt that.” Elizabeth tried to exude confidence though she was uncharacteristically anxious. She was entitled, she thought. Today she had spent hours locked in a trunk, only to be released and offered a proposal of marriage, followed immediately by wedding plans. It was enough to topple even her own vaunted composure. Add to the mixture the acceptance of a countess but the disapprobation of an earl, and Elizabeth was in some danger of running mad.
She touched two fingers to her temple to rub away the ache. “It is important, however, to account for those in your family who may not understand your marriage to a girl without exalted connections or any fortune to speak of.”
She felt Mr. Darcy touch her hand. He was so close she could feel his warmth. “Are you well?” he asked.
Elizabeth took a deep breath and nodded.
“My father does expect those things in a marriage, Miss Elizabeth,” the colonel told her bluntly. “However, he also believes there must be mutual admiration and respect between a man and the woman he takes to wife. He may resist Darcy’s decision initially, but I do not believe he will be obstinate.” He glanced around the room. “It does not appear that you will have an issue with your packing.”
