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“He has made me so happy,” Jack said.
“He is nothing but a delight,” Bingley confided.
“I am certainly the most fortunate creature that ever existed!” Jack insisted.
“My happiness could have no equal,” Bingley said.
Elliot heard it all, was beyond pleased for them, but when he was by himself, walking in the dawn, or even the dusk along the riverbanks, his thoughts were entirely on Darcy.
When would he return?
When would he come to Longbourn?
How soon might they be alone?
“Elliot, if could but see you as happy! If there were but such another man for you!” Jack said after supper one evening.
And yet there was such a man, but he had yet to return to Netherfield, and he had yet to make known his feelings or repeat the sentiments that Elliot had once refused.
Elliot smiled across at him. “If you were to give me forty such men, I never could be so happy as you. Till I have your disposition, your goodness, I never can have your happiness. But perhaps, if I have very good luck, I may meet with another Mr. Collins in time!”
The situation of affairs in the Longbourn family could not be long a secret. Mrs. Bennet was privileged to whisper it to Mrs. Phillips, and she ventured, without any permission, to do the same by all her neighbours in Meryton. The Bennets were speedily pronounced to be the luckiest family in the world, though only a few weeks before, when Louis had first run away, they had been generally proved to be marked out for misfortune. Such was the way of it, though of course, the residents of Hertfordshire could have no notion of what was to come next…
Fifty-Eight
Darcy arrived back at Netherfield almost a week thereafter but this time he was not alone. He brought with him Georgiana for it was not London at all that he had visited but back to Derbyshire and thus why the journey had taken longer than he had planned.
It had come to him at the dinner in Longbourn as he had said goodbye to Elliot. Georgiana should be with him to share in the happiness which he dearly anticipated, and so his mind made up, he had set out the very next morning to collect her and bring her down.
She was of course quite delighted by the turn of events as she had been petitioning to visit Netherfield ever since Charles had taken the lease. Caroline Bingley and the Hursts, Darcy left at Pemberley, and they did not argue against it, likely as they enjoyed having the run of the estate without interference, though Darcy was confident that Mrs. Reynolds would constrain them where needed. Fitzwilliam had reluctantly returned to Rosings after their dealings with Wickham but an express letter, quickly dispatched, and their good friend was also on his way to Hertfordshire and was installed in Netherfield the evening before Darcy and Georgiana arrived.
Darcy had set an easy pace for the journey down but as they approached Longbourn anticipation and eagerness filled him, and they arrived at Netherfield very early in the morning. The housekeeper quickly arranged an opportunity for them to refresh themselves before directing them to a room that overlooked an excellent view of the park where Charles and Fitzwilliam were taking an early breakfast. The Darcys joined them as soon as they were able and not just because they were hungry, but also because they were keen to hear the news of all the happenings since Darcy had left for Pemberley.
The room was filled with a charming early morning sun, radiating directly on to where Charles and Fitzwilliam were seated. They were both in high spirits, and Charles in particular looked quite flushed with delight, making him even more handsome than usual.
“I see congratulations are in order!” Darcy said as he entered the room, Georgiana beside him, smiling too.
Fitzwilliam abandoned the egg he had been chasing around his plate and stood up. “Indeed they are!” he said.
“I am engaged!” Charles added also standing.
They quickly embraced one another, sharing in Charles’ delight. Georgiana was particularly pleased as she was well aware of Darcy’s intentions and so it was aligning quite nicely for her. Georgiana liked order, hence her skill at the pianoforte, and to see her dearly beloved’s lives begin to have clear direction pleased her immensely.
“Sit, sit,” Charles said. “Have something to eat. There is tea, though we have cantered through it. Shall we order more tea, some cake, Georgiana? Or perhaps some fruit, look we have plums and apricots.”
Georgiana patted his hand as she took a seat and served herself both tea and cake, a reflection of the easy sisterly like affection she had always held Charles in. Darcy quickly followed suit though he replaced the cake with an ample serving of ham and eggs.
“Tell us of the proposal, if you will,” Georgiana said. “And leave nothing out. I wish to know the whole of it.”
Charles did just that, his fork poised somewhere between his plate and his mouth as he described his visits to the Bennets, their conversations, and then eventually Mrs. Bennet’s machinations to ensure that he and Jack were left entirely alone.
“I was quite grateful for her interference,” he said. “For though my intentions were there, I thought it unlikely I would manage the thing otherwise!” He looked over at Darcy. “And Elliot clearly approved, as he left us alone also.”
Georgiana sighed. “It sounds very exciting.”
“I was more satisfied than excited,” Charles replied. “Pleased I think to come to the end of this and have it concluded!”
“It is hardly concluded, friend, your lives together are beginning!” Fitzwilliam said as he finished up his eggs.
