Chapter Seventeen.

As the sunshine and showers of April made way for the colourful blooms of May, Elizabeth found herself missing the long chats she used to have with her eldest sister. Bingley was now a daily visitor to Longbourn; coming frequently before breakfast and always remaining till after supper, unless he had received an invitation he felt obliged to accept. Whenever he was present, Jane had no attention to spare for anyone else; even her dearest sister.

Elizabeth watched the two of them in the drawing room, holding a whispered conversation; no doubt sharing thoughts and memories of their past, or perhaps hopes for their future. She tried her best to be a tolerant chaperone; after all, she considered, Bingley will be Jane's husband, and Elizabeth thought it important that Jane should know as much about his character as she could before their wedding day.

On the rare occasions when Mrs Bennet required Jane's attendance, Elizabeth kept Bingley company, and during those times, Jane was a popular topic of conversation between them. He spoke so fondly of his betrothed, that she had no doubt that he would make her a very happy woman. Later in the evening, after Bingley had returned to Netherfield, she provided the same relief for her sister.

"Bingley mentioned this afternoon that he will have to go to town sometime during the next two weeks for a short visit; just two or three days. He plans on bringing the Hursts and Miss Bingley with him when he returns."

"Could he not put off his trip a little while longer?" Elizabeth pleaded. She would have preferred Caroline Bingley not to attend the wedding at all, although as sister to the groom she appreciated that her wish was unlikely to come true.

"No, Lizzy. He wants his sisters at Netherfield so that he may entertain before our wedding."

"Might he not bring just the Hursts, then? If I were you, I would not want either near Netherfield after they went to such pains to separate you from their brother."

"I will admit that I am not looking forward to their arrival, Lizzy, especially after the way Caroline acted towards me in town, but once they see how happy their brother is, surely they will be content with his decision? Although I cannot bring myself to be as friendly as I once was—the pain of their treatment is still too fresh—I hope over time we shall grow to be on good terms. They will be family, after all."

"Oh, Jane! You are more forgiving than I could be. I suppose, as you have captured the heart of your Mr. Bingley, you can afford to be magnanimous with his sisters. Knowing them as you now do, they surely cannot do any further damage."

 

~~*~~

 

Later that week, while Jane and Bingley were walking together in the garden and Elizabeth was nearby, obtrusively cutting early blooms for a display in the dining room, Kitty and Lydia returned from a visit to Lucas Lodge. They all but ran across the grass to tell their sisters the latest news.

"The Militia are leaving in a fortnight … for Brighton!" Lydia cried. "While we were visiting Maria, we overheard Colonel Forster telling Lady Lucas. They are going to be encamped there all summer."

Not to be left out, Kitty added, "I do hope Papa agrees to take us there. I would love to see the sea."

"Oh yes!" Lydia agreed with a laugh, "It would be such a delicious scheme!"

Elizabeth was mindful that if the Militia were leaving that would mean Wickham would also be quitting the neighbourhood, and she could not be sorry about that. She doubted very much whether Mr. Bennet would consider allowing his daughters anywhere near Brighton for exactly the same reason.

"You know, Kitty and I should have attended Mrs Forster's little dance last night, if Papa had not been so stuffy as to forbid us from going. We had to get all the news from Maria instead. Mrs. Foster is such a good friend of mine! I am sure she must have been so disappointed that I was unable to attend."

Kitty then took up the tale. "… and Maria told us that she and Pen Harrington dressed Chamberlayne up in women's clothes! Apparently, he looked rather well in them, and when two or three of the men came in, they didn't know him in the least! That must have been a sight to see," she sighed wistfully.

"And there wasn't even any reason to keep us home," Lydia interrupted with a disgruntled huff. "Wickham was not even at the Forster's last night; for he had been placed in charge of the guard on duty back at the camp, and was not able to attend."

All the better for Pen Harrington and Maria Lucas, thought Elizabeth, as she followed her younger sisters into the house.

If Lydia and Kitty hoped to talk their mother into visiting Brighton during the summer, they were to be sorely disappointed, for Mrs. Bennet could think of nothing but her eldest daughter's upcoming wedding.

"Brighton? What a ridiculous idea, Lydia! I am far too busy to go traipsing off to the sea-side. I have so much to do to make sure my Jane is well married. Her wedding will be the talk of the neighbourhood; Charlotte Lucas's will be nothing to it. I know not how I am to manage it all in time!"

"Peace, Mama! Calm yourself. Aunt Gardiner will be here soon and she will surely be of some assistance," Elizabeth tried to reassure her mother.

"Yes, I am sure you are right, Lizzy. But there are so many arrangements still to make. No one knows what this is doing to my nerves; I will be a wreck on the day, and I will not be able to enjoy it at all; I just know I won't!"

When Bingley reluctantly left Hertfordshire for town the following week, he promised to return at the earliest opportunity. Elizabeth sighed as she watched her sister and Mr. Bingley speaking quietly together before the separation they knew must occur. Standing by the front door, he took Jane's hands and kissed them both lightly. After a final whispered question, which she answered with a slight nod and a brave smile, he climbed into his carriage and departed for London.

The couple had barely spent a full day apart since the day of his proposal, and Jane found it very difficult to be separated from him, even though she knew it would only be for a short duration. Elizabeth tried to keep her mind occupied during their time apart, but Jane missed him terribly; remembering perhaps too well what had happened the last time Bingley left Netherfield.

In these circumstances, Mrs Bennet proved an unwitting ally, as she demanded Jane's opinion on every detail of the wedding and her trousseau, which kept her mind occupied during the days while she waited for his return.

It was the first time Elizabeth could remember that her mother's nerves had been truly useful.

 

~~*~~

 

As promised, Bingley returned to Longbourn on the third day following his departure. Elizabeth was surprised to discover that he had travelled directly from town, not even stopping at Netherfield first. His sisters and brother-in-law were following in the Hursts coach, and he planned to see them later at home.

Once Bingley was back in Jane's company, all the tension seemed to drain from him, and he relaxed with a tired but happy smile. He then began to relate everything he had achieved during his time in town. "After I called at my solicitor's, I visited Grosvenor Street to accept the good wishes of my sisters and Hurst."

"I would imagine Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley were overjoyed at your news, sir," Mrs Bennet said. "Who would not be pleased to have my Jane as a new sister?"

Elizabeth turned to Jane and rolled her eyes. They both knew exactly what Mr. Bingley's sisters truly thought of the alliance, but neither wanted to be the one to break the news to their proud mother.

"And I also called on my good friend, Mr. Darcy, who has agreed to be groomsman. He should arrive a few days before the wedding date."

"I am so looking forward to making that gentleman's acquaintance again," Mrs Bennet crooned happily. Since Mr. Bennet had made his family aware of Wickham's lies and duplicity, Mr. Darcy had again risen in her mother's estimation and was once more included in her list of eligible and very welcome bachelors.

After a short time speaking with the ladies, Bingley visited Mr. Bennet in his library to obtain his final approval of the settlement documents that had been drawn up, prior to signing. After the gentleman had been shut away for almost two hours, Elizabeth noticed that Jane seemed apprehensive. She spent more time watching the door, and less on the embroidery hoop that she held in her hands. When it looked as though her sister could bear the suspense no longer, Elizabeth drew her to one side, away from her mother.

"Jane, whatever is the matter?"

"I thought that Papa was only looking over the papers, but they have been in there for hours. What has gone wrong? Surely they cannot be arguing over the terms of the settlement now?"

"Of course not." Elizabeth tried to reassure her sister. "They are probably just talking; you know what Papa is like sometimes. He does enjoy Mr. Bingley's company. Let me see what I can find out." She entered the room to find both men enjoying a glass of her father's favourite port, as Mr. Bennet showed Bingley some of the books in his small collection.

"Ah, Lizzy! Just the girl I wanted to see," Mr. Bennet called cheerfully. "Bingley here wanted my advice on improving the library at Netherfield. I told him that you could probably suggest some books he could add to his collection."

"Mr. Bingley must be tired after his journey, and I think Jane was hoping for his company this evening. Is that what you were drinking to?" Elizabeth asked her father.

"No, we were celebrating the satisfactory conclusion of the settlement. All it requires to complete it is the signatures." Her father removed his watch from his waistcoat pocket and stared at it a moment. "Goodness me! Is that the time already? I had no idea we had been in here so long." Turning to Bingley he said, "You better get back to my daughter, sir, or she will never let me hear the end of it!"

Elizabeth smiled at her brother-in-law as he silently mouthed his gratitude as he passed her to be reunited with his betrothed.

The evening after Bingley's homecoming, the Bennet family were invited to Netherfield for dinner. Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley stood next to their brother, waiting to greet the guests as they arrived. Mrs Bennet immediately gushed over the two women, telling them how wonderful it was to be back at Netherfield again, and admiring their elegant attire. Jane and Elizabeth, who stood patiently behind their mother, saw through the false smiles and insincere pleasantries of the two sisters immediately.

"Ah, Mrs Bennet. What a pleasure to meet you again." Miss Bingley sneered, as she observed Lydia and Kitty run past them, giggling, to explore the house. "I was only saying to Louisa the other day how much we had missed your company, was I not, Louisa?"

"Yes, and all your delightful daughters," Mrs Hurst replied with a fixed smile, before she appeared to notice Jane for the first time. "Jane! My dear! How wonderful to see you again." They both rushed towards Jane and took one arm each; effectively cutting her off from Elizabeth, Mary and Mr. Bennet, who followed behind.

"I cannot tell you how delighted we were to hear Charles's news," Elizabeth overheard Miss Bingley say to Jane, as they walked together into the drawing room.

"Yes ... most wonderful news," Mrs Hurst agreed fervently. 

Mr. Bennet came to Elizabeth's side and escorted his two remaining daughters into the room. Elizabeth took a seat near Jane, while Mr. Bennet moved to the large window overlooking Netherfield's landscaped gardens, where he gave the appearance of being completely entranced by the view. Only Elizabeth noticed the occasional twitch of his lips or wry smile as he listened to Bingley's sisters expounding their superior opinions on every subject.

"You must be very satisfied, Mrs Bennet," Miss Bingley remarked, hardly bothering to disguise her acidic tone. "Your remaining daughters will surely meet most suitable gentlemen through their association with my brother."

"Oh my, yes; it will be so pleasant to be able to consign my daughters into Jane's care. They will have little trouble attracting suitors when Mr. Bingley takes them to town."

Elizabeth watched as Mr. Bingley barely hid his surprise at Mrs Bennet's announcement, before he drew Jane away to the other end of the room, where they stood by the window talking softly. Miss Bingley took the seat that Jane had vacated.

"And are you now recovered from your ordeal in Kent, Miss Eliza?"

"Yes; I thank you."

"And is it true you have no memory of what happened before your accident?"

"That is true, although the physician did say it could return one day," Elizabeth explained patiently.

"That must be absolutely shocking for you; to lose ones memory in that way. Anything could have occurred during those missing hours. You were alone, were you not? I would be mortified if it happened to me."

Elizabeth noticed absently that Miss Bingley's bright smile seemed incongruous with her sympathetic words. "You are fortunate then that it was my fate, and not yours."

"Fortunate? Yes, I suppose you could say that." If anything, her smile grew even wider at that thought. Miss Bingley then turned to speak to her brother. "Charles, have you told Jane of your proposed visit to Scarborough?"

"Yes, Caroline. She loves the idea."

Jane nodded. "Your Aunt sounds lovely. I think I would enjoy visiting the coast."

"Perhaps you can take Miss Eliza as well? There were a good number of presentable gentlemen at the last assembly we attended in the town. Aunt Dorothy is well known in the area and could introduce you to all the right sort of families. I am sure you would have no problems meeting any number of suitable gentlemen." Caroline moved across the room to sit near her sister.

"Oh! Yes, Elizabeth, you must go with your sister and Mr. Bingley. It is your turn next you know," her mother cried eagerly.

"What a shame that I will not be able to go," Elizabeth said. "I have already arranged to go to the Lake District with my Aunt and Uncle."

"Ah, that is unfortunate." Miss Bingley, now facing Elizabeth, seemed uncharacteristically disappointed by her words. "Well, never mind; you will have other opportunities. Louisa and I are both determined to find you a perfect suitor before the year is out. After all, you are almost family, and we feel it is our duty to see you well married."

Elizabeth watched as Caroline leaned closer to her sister, and spoke in a low voice. Had she doubted the subject of their whispered conversation, Mrs Hurst's tinkling laughter and glance in her direction was suspicion enough. She knew that Caroline Bingley had never been overly friendly with any member of her family, but since returning to Hertfordshire, she had sensed something else from Mr. Bingley's sisters that she could not account for.

To Elizabeth's surprise, dinner passed without incident, although she found some amusement in watching Mrs Bennet attempting to ingratiate herself with Caroline, who rebuffed her endeavours at every turn. By the end of the evening, she was more than grateful to return to her home.

 

~~*~~

 

The Gardiners arrival at Longbourn unfortunately coincided with Lydia receiving an invitation from the Colonel and Mrs Forster for her to accompany them to Brighton, as Mrs Forster's particular friend. Mr. and Mrs Gardiner were left unattended at the door as a storm of protest raged around them in the hallway.

"… And I wanted to dance with all the officers, and Mrs Forster and I were to go sea-bathing," cried Lydia in anguish.

Elizabeth attempted to explain why it was not possible, but Lydia's misery was extreme, and she could not comprehend the hard-heartedness of her sister.

"But Mrs Forster needs me to attend her. She will know no one else there!"

Jane tried to calm her with reasonable argument. "Lydia, do you not see that it is impossible for you to leave Longbourn at this time?"

"No, Jane, I do not see!" Lydia stamped her foot in frustration. "You are all jealous that I have been invited to accompany the regiment instead of you."

Kitty had little sympathy for her sister. "I do not see why you should go to Brighton when I cannot!"

"Girls, girls." Aunt Gardiner captured their attention and gathered them around her. "What is this commotion?"

Elizabeth explained to her aunt that Lydia had received the invitation but had not been allowed to go. Mrs Bennet had rejected Lydia's appeal to be a companion for her friend because she wanted all her family at home for Jane's wedding. Elizabeth then mentioned, in a quieter tone, that Mr. Bennet had also refused his permission—when petitioned for it—because it would put his youngest daughter into the continued company of Mr. Wickham, a thought that was not to be borne under any circumstance.

Sympathising with her situation, Mrs Gardiner asked her gently, "Lydia? Are you not looking forward to Jane's wedding?" Shaking her head vehemently, the stubborn girl would not accept her aunt's comfort, and continued to grumble about her mistreatment.

"I remember five and twenty years ago when Colonel Millar's regiment went away," Mr. Gardiner commented wryly from near the door. "Your mother cried for two days non-stop, and told everyone that her heart was broken." He grinned as he whispered quietly to Lizzy, who stood nearby. "Of course, she almost drove us all deaf in the meantime."

Lydia, who had only overheard her uncle's first remark, cried dramatically, "I am sure my heart is broken quite in two!" before running up the stairs to shut herself away in her room.

Flinching slightly as the door banged above, Mr. Gardiner grumbled, "Yes, very much like her mother!"

 

~~*~~

 

Over the next week, Mrs Gardiner took her sister-in-law in hand, along with all the wedding preparations. With her eye for detail and elegant taste the plans for the day—which included an elaborate wedding breakfast for the family guests—were completed ahead of time. Mrs Bennet never tired of worrying over the arrangements, but the fact that everything was being dealt with made for an unusually relaxed environment at Longbourn in the week before the wedding.

Mr. Gardiner, meanwhile, explained to Elizabeth that because he had taken time away from his business concerns to attend Jane's wedding, the proposed visit to the lakes would have to be postponed until mid-July. Elizabeth happily accepted the change in plans. Now that Jane would no longer be at Longbourn, she could not imagine spending the whole of the summer at home with only her younger sisters for company and she was grateful that their trip to Ambleside and Keswick would still go ahead.

The day before the Militia was due to leave the area, Colonel Forster paid a visit to Longbourn to bid the Bennets goodbye. He wished Jane and Mr. Bingley well for the future and thanked Mr. and Mrs Bennet, and their lovely daughters, for their company while the regiment had been quartered in the area.

Kitty and Lydia simpered and smiled at his compliments, and Lydia gave the Colonel a letter to pass onto his wife.

Turning back to Mr. and Mrs Bennet, Colonel Forster said, "Alas, not all our officers seem willing to move to the coast. I am sorry to say that one has chosen to desert his duty. He absconded from camp two nights ago and has not been heard of since. It is a shame that some of these young men have so little honour."

"How disappointing. Is it anyone we know?" Mrs Bennet asked.

Before the Colonel could reply, Mr. Bennet interrupted him. "Would it happen to be Lieutenant Wickham, by any chance?"

"Yes! How did you know?"

"I was aware that he owed some money to a few of the tradesmen in town. I understand they were pressing him for payment."

"Ah, that would explain the matter. I wish you had mentioned it to me before. Unfortunately, he also owed debts of honour within the regiment … to those who had considered him a friend. Wickham running off like this is a very bad business indeed." Colonel Forster shook his head sadly.

Mr. Bennet nodded in agreement. "We were all taken in by his appearance."

"Yes, it has certainly made me see the scoundrel in a new light," the Colonel agreed. "He has proven himself to be imprudent and extravagant at best. If I did not have to set an example for the other young officers, I am not even sure I would want to find him. I think the regiment is far better off without him, wherever he is."



~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~

 

Chapter Eighteen.

 

Miss Bingley's fawning welcome greeted Darcy as he entered Netherfield's reception hall. "And Georgiana, what a pleasant surprise! I was just saying to Louisa how I hoped you would be able to attend, was I not, Louisa?" Her sister smiled and agreed that Georgiana's presence was indeed imperative to their happiness.

Darcy inwardly shuddered. If anything, the behaviour of Bingley's sisters seemed worse than usual, and he hoped that Georgiana would not have cause to regret her decision to join him in Hertfordshire.

After they had been shown to their rooms and rested from their journey, Darcy joined Bingley in the room he had recently turned into a study. Papers were strewn over the table—overflowing onto the chair—and he wondered how his friend could find anything under these conditions. As it turned out, he could not, and Bingley spent the next ten minutes sifting through a mound of paper until he came to the document that needed his friend's attention.

"Bingley, this should be the work of your steward. Where is he?"

"I had to send him up with some papers for my agent in Sheffield. He has been away for two days already and should be back tomorrow."

"You managed to turn this room into disarray in two days? It looks more like he has been gone for weeks. Did you have to send him away just before your wedding?"

He shrugged. "It was either that, or go myself."

Darcy rolled his eyes as he turned his attention to the matter in hand. Once everything was dealt with to his satisfaction, Bingley returned to the subject of his wedding, which was now less than two days away.

"Are you still happy to stand up with me?"

"Certainly, my friend, you know I am honoured to do that service." Darcy walked across to the window to survey the view. The undulating fields rolled away in the direction of Longbourn. He could see the top of the church spire above the trees in the distance. No doubt that was the reason his friend had chosen this room to work in. "I assume you must be a regular visitor at Longbourn now," he asked casually.

"Yes, almost everyday, unless I receive an invitation which cannot be declined."

"And will you be visiting Miss Bennet today?"

He shook his head. "No, not again. Knowing that you and Miss Darcy were arriving this afternoon, I called to see the Bennet's just after breakfast. This evening, I am completely at your disposal."

Darcy felt an irrational stab of disappointment. Although he had not expected to see Elizabeth before the wedding, he had held out a small hope that he might have been invited to accompany Bingley. That appeared not to be the case.

"But tomorrow Mr. Bennet has offered to take me down to the river for a spot of fishing. You are more than welcome to attend. Hurst is going, and Jane's uncle, Mr. Gardiner, will complete our party."

"I thought you had no patience for the sport?"

"None whatsoever," Bingley replied cheerfully, "but if it gets me out of the house and away from Caroline, then I am hardly going to turn down any opportunity!"

Early the following morning, Darcy joined Bingley and Mr. Hurst as they rode to Longbourn. Although he had mentally prepared himself to see Mrs Bennet and her daughters, the ladies of the house were yet to make an appearance downstairs. Mr. Bennet seemed pleased to be able to renew their acquaintance, and he introduced Darcy to his brother-in-law.

To Darcy's surprise, Mr. Gardiner turned out to be a very friendly, gentlemanlike man, who appeared to be about ten years younger than Mr. Bennet. His easy manner of conversing with the party as they walked down to the river appeared in stark contrast with Mr. Bennet's more cautious and sceptical personality.

Mr. Gardiner impressed Darcy with his intelligence, taste and good manners during their time by the riverbank, not to mention his skill with rod and line. The two men took their places upstream, as the rest of the party separated out along the bank downstream, finding their own spots. Darcy could clearly hear Bingley and Hurst complaining loudly that they had fouled their lines and Mr. Bennet calmly explaining how to deal with the problem. However, Mr. Gardiner appeared to be a consummate angler; happy to stand quietly for as long as necessary; re-casting with skill until he could tempt the fish to take the bait.

Mr. Gardiner seemed also to identify a fellow angler in Darcy and, after a short conversation about his preferred method of tying the flies, he asked how often he took up his rods.

"I am sorry to say that since my father died I do not have the opportunities I would wish for. My estate in Derbyshire has a lake stocked with carp and pike, but I will admit that my perfect day is spent quietly by the stream where the trout are plentiful."

"That does sound wonderful. I am surprised you spend so much time away from your home, Mr. Darcy. The area around Pemberley is indeed beautiful."

Darcy was surprised. "You know Derbyshire well?"

"Certainly that part of it. My wife spent her early years at Lambton."

"Really? Well, if you are ever in the vicinity you should come and try your luck in the stream. I think you would find it sufficiently challenging. I would be happy to provide rods and tackle, and my man could show you the best spots."

Mr. Gardiner thanked him for his offer as he returned his attention to the fish.

When it was time to return, Mr. Bennet enquired whether they were looking forward to dinner that evening. "If the quality of the food is in proportion to the apprehension suffered by my wife over the arrangements, then it will be quite exceptional," he added with a sly smile.

When Darcy gave his friend a questioning glance, Bingley explained that Mrs Bennet was hosting an eve of wedding dinner at Longbourn, to which they were all invited. He scarcely heard his own reply. That the meeting he both dreaded and hoped for would occur this evening took up all of his thoughts.

As they walked through the fields back to the house, he overheard Mr. Bennet's conversation with Bingley.

"You do realise that by marrying my daughter you will be relinquishing the bachelor life you have enjoyed up 'till now?" Murmurs of agreement came from Mr. Gardiner and even Mr. Hurst, as Mr. Bennet continued his teasing. "You will not even be able to leave the house without accounting to your wife first."

"Yes, sir, but I imagine the advantages must outweigh any disadvantages."

"There speaks a man with no experience of marriage." Darcy was surprised to hear Mr. Hurst contribute to the conversation.

"It will come to him in time," Mr. Gardiner observed sagely. "Although in the short period of our acquaintance I have noticed a similarity of temperament between Bingley here and our Jane."

"Yes, their tempers are by no means unalike," Mr. Bennet concurred. "They are each so complying that nothing will ever be resolved upon, and so easy that every servant will cheat them!"

Bingley's grin was infectious as he tolerated their good-natured comments amiably.

Darcy was not surprised that Bingley had managed to make himself so comfortable with his new relations. He acted as if he had known them all his life, and they treated him with a warmth and acceptance that Darcy envied. It was obvious that he was in the minority, as the only bachelor in the party. He irrationally felt like they were members in a private club; one to which he was unable to gain admittance, although it was not for the want of trying on his part.

Mr. Gardiner startled him with his next question. "And what about you, Mr. Darcy? Are you married?"

"Have you not heard your sister telling everyone what an eligible bachelor he is? Mr. Darcy is far too sensible a man to be caught in that trap," Mr. Bennet explained before he had the chance to reply.

Darcy turned to Mr. Gardiner to answer for himself. "No, I am not married, but I have always accepted that it would happen one day." He surprised himself by speaking about a subject he would normally eschew. "My parents set an excellent example with their happy union, but that does mean that I have high expectations of any future bride."

Mr. Gardiner nodded his head. "Yes, of course. She will be from one of the best families, I imagine."

"Not necessarily. I have recently come to realise that the qualities of the lady are more important than her social standing."

"Qualities of the lady?" Mr. Bennet snorted. "Well, that dashes my wife's hope of interesting you in one of my remaining daughters." Laughing at his own joke, he added, "I could hardly imagine my Lydia as Mistress of Pemberley."

"Nor I!" Mr. Gardiner laughingly agreed. "Kitty will make someone a good wife one day, when she settles down and comes out from Lydia's shadow."

"What about Mary? Perhaps she would suit you, Mr. Darcy?" Mr. Bennet was obviously enjoying making fun of his guest. "She loves to read, you know, so you would have plenty to talk about."

"I would be surprised if you could get her head out of a book long enough to take any interest in a man, let alone marry. No, brother, I think your Mary will be keeping you company when you reach your dotage."

"Ah, well. I did try." Mr Bennet sighed. "Mrs Bennet always complains that I do not assist her in finding husbands for our daughters. I hope you will all bear witness that I made an effort for her today."

Darcy noticed that Mr. Bennet had not yet suggested Elizabeth as a suitable wife for him, and wondered why. He was relieved when Bingley asked the question he did not dare to voice himself.

"What about Miss Elizabeth?"

Mr. Bennet sighed; his humour quickly fled. "I doubt that Elizabeth will be with me for much longer, once Jane has gone. I will have to resign myself to losing her to another. She is far too sensible to stay at Longbourn, and far too beautiful to remain unwed."

"Perhaps Mr. Darcy here will take her off your hands, brother. She is very pretty and quite the most intelligent of your girls."

Mr. Bennet laughed aloud at Mr. Gardiner's suggestion. "Knowing both Mr. Darcy's and Elizabeth's opinion on the subject, I doubt Mr. Darcy would find Elizabeth's qualities appropriate to his station."

He was surprised by Mr. Bennet's vehement insistence that Darcy would not be interested his daughter. Frowning, he said, "I have always found Miss Elizabeth to be most charming."

The older man moved closer to him as they continued their walk back to Longbourn. "But not tolerable enough to tempt you, eh, Mr. Darcy?"

Darcy's shock at Mr. Bennet's deceptively quiet words caused him to stumble on the uneven ground. He looked up at the older man, and saw the mischievous grin on his face. "But ... how?"

"Many things can be overheard at an assembly if you speak loudly enough." Mr. Bennet chuckled and Darcy wondered what his current bewildered expression was giving away. "I remember that Lizzy found your statement to be rather amusing at the time. She can give her opinions rather decidedly when provoked, but if she has not already taken you to task over your comments, you need not fear her now."

"From the very beginning, from the first moment I may almost say, of my acquaintance with you..." Darcy groaned inwardly as the words were instinctively recalled. She had already taken him to task over his insult, and at the time he had not even realised the significance of her words.

Would that day haunt him forever?

 

~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~

 

Rosings, Hunsford, Nr. Westerham, Kent

25th May, 1812

 

Dear Elizabeth,

I received your letter this morning, and could not rest until I was able to come upstairs and read it out of my Mother's presence. She wondered why Georgiana would be writing to me so often, but I could not tell her it was from you, as I am sure I would not hear the end of it.

No, my Mother will still not hear of Dr. Hall's recommendations being followed. I cannot put down on paper some of the epithets she used for the poor man, but Dr. Chester suggested him to be a charlatan—no doubt saying what he thought my Mother most wanted to hear on the subject. I cannot blame him, as his only other course would be to admit his own diagnosis as being faulty, but it does make me angry to hear Dr. Hall spoken of in that manner.

I have tried to follow Dr. Hall's advice, and recently began to walk in the grounds near the house. However, your cousin, Mr. Collins, observed one of my walks, and informed Mother immediately. I was looking forward to seeing the grove you told me of, but as it is too close to the Parsonage, my visit there will have to wait. 

After a suggestion from Georgiana, and with reluctant assistance from Mrs Jenkinson, I have begun journeying out in the phaeton—until I am away from the house—then taking a short walk before returning to the carriage for the ride home. I will admit that, at first, I could hardly walk more than twenty steps before getting out of breath, but I can feel an improvement in my stamina, even after a relatively short time. I can tell that Mrs Jenkinson disapproves of my furtive actions, but I believe she will keep my secret for now.

I do hope your sister's wedding is an enjoyable event. I will be thinking of you while I am in company with Mother and Mr Collins! Georgiana has already written to tell me that she will be attending, and that she is looking forward to being introduced to you. I should say that my young cousin can be a little quiet in unfamiliar company—her brother has told me so on a number of occasions—although she is not looking forward to the attentions of Miss Bingley, so I hope you will be as kind to her as you were to me.

Since beginning this letter, a surprising thing has happened. My uncle, Earl Matlock, arrived at Rosings this morning. He has heard of Dr. Hall's diagnoses—presumably from one of my cousins—and has come to take me to town! Mother sent me up to my room immediately, but instead I hid at the top of the stairs. Even with the door closed, I could hear my Uncle's voice shouting. I do not expect that she would allow me to go.

One of the servants has just been sent to pack my things! I will be going to town tomorrow, and possibly even to their house in Derbyshire! I will finish this letter now so it can go in the post before I leave. I will write again when I am settled.

 

Your friend

Anne

 

Elizabeth folded the letter carefully, and returned it to the wooden box in which she kept all her correspondence. The arrival of Anne's letter the previous week had been perfectly timed; she would meet Miss Darcy this evening when the Netherfield party were invited for dinner. Elizabeth wondered what sort of girl Miss Darcy would be. Mr. Wickham had described Mr. Darcy's young sister as 'very proud', but knowing now what sort of person Wickham was made Elizabeth doubt his description. Anne had nothing but good to say of her young cousin, but as they were family it was only to be expected.

Mrs Bennet called all her daughters downstairs early so they would be ready to welcome the guests as they arrived. Once they were all seated, Elizabeth tried to distract herself with a book while she waited for the carriages from Netherfield, but after ten minutes staring at the same page, she found that the words had made no impression on her at all. She wondered why she was so nervous; it was certainly not because of Mr. Bingley or his relatives.

No, Elizabeth's discomfort came from the impending arrival of Miss Darcy and her brother. Since hearing about Mr. Wickham's lies from her father, Elizabeth had striven to put the whole matter out of her mind, for she had little expectation of meeting either man again. However, Mr. Darcy was due to arrive at any time and her current opinions of him were now undetermined.

It had been so easy for her to dislike Mr. Darcy. His disagreeable manners and disdainful glances, combined with his hurtful comments at the assembly—now long forgotten—had joined with Mr. Wickham's false testimony to encourage a genuine antipathy towards him, which would accept no good report of him at all. However, she could no longer ignore his acts of kindness, which had been testified to by Jane and her father among others, or the gratitude she personally owed for his generosity after her accident at Rosings. However, these thoughts soon recalled another, more delicate matter. Not only had he arranged and paid for a doctor to treat her; Mr. Darcy was also the man who, according to Charlotte, had carried her in his arms across the park to Rosings while she was unconscious. She felt her face grow warm at the thought of his arms around her; lifting her; supporting her. The mortification at his actions returned. How am I ever to face him?

Mr. Bingley entered the room first and, searching out Jane, he moved resolutely in her direction. His sisters came in behind him; the dissatisfaction with their surroundings evident in their features. They captured Mr. Hurst as he wandered in, and the three of them retreated to the corner of the room, where they looked on in dismay as Mrs Bennet played the part of genial host most enthusiastically.

Elizabeth held her breath as the gentleman she had been thinking about entered the room. At first glance, Mr. Darcy looked very much as Elizabeth remembered him, but on closer inspection there was something different in his countenance that she could not immediately identify. After a brief inspection of the room, he stepped to one side to admit the young girl who stood quietly behind him, and his features softened as he gently encouraged her to enter.

Miss Darcy looked about the same age as Lydia, although she was fair where her sister was dark. The young visitor was slightly taller than Elizabeth, but with a graceful, almost stately appearance. Elizabeth's initial impression was that she did indeed look rather proud, but on watching her behaviour for a few minutes she realised that she was—as Anne had rightly suggested—only exceedingly shy.

Mr. Gardiner moved eagerly towards Mr. Darcy and introduced his wife. Across the room, Elizabeth watched the exchange with interest and was surprised to see how warmly the usually distant and taciturn gentleman greeted them; at one point Mr. Gardiner even laughed aloud at a comment made by Mr. Darcy. She was surprised to see the Master of Pemberley welcoming the acquaintance and courting the good opinion of people she had always assumed he would look down upon with disdain.

Mrs Gardiner then attempted to draw Miss Darcy into conversation, although she rarely answered with more than a nod or a smile. Elizabeth observed her looking nervously to her brother whenever she did not feel equal to answering Mrs Gardiner's gentle questions, at which time Mr. Darcy would often furnish the reply on his sister's behalf.

Elizabeth recalled Wickham telling her that he was a kind and careful guardian of his sister, but even that praise could not do justice to the behaviour she was now witnessing; hovering protectively nearby in case he was needed. She had never heard him speak with such gentleness and never imagined—from their time spent together at Netherfield—that he could be so solicitous to the happiness of others.

As Elizabeth watched the conversation across the room, Mr. Darcy looked across and caught her eye. She could only hold his stare for a few brief seconds before turning away in embarrassment, heat rising in her face. How was she to get through the wedding tomorrow when just looking at him reminded her of his part in her rescue?

"Miss Bennet?"

His voice disturbed her reverie and his sudden appearance at her side perturbed her. She quickly attempted to compose herself. "Mr. Darcy, I ..."

"Are you well, Miss Bennet? I ... I understood from Dr. Hall that you had been ill while in town."

"I thank you, sir. Yes," she replied, following the pattern of the rug under their feet with her eyes. She felt as though she should be thanking him for his kindness, but her voice betrayed her and she could not think of the words to say.

"Miss Bennet?" He paused, looking at her curiously. Just when she thought he would remain silent, he spoke abruptly. "I wonder, Miss Bennet ... will you allow me to introduce my sister to your acquaintance?"

The surprise of so modest an application from such a man as Mr. Darcy was great indeed. However, the shock was quickly dispelled as Elizabeth discerned an uncertainty in Mr. Darcy's manner that astonished her. She had no time to consider the strangeness of his behaviour before Miss Darcy chose that moment to join them. After the introductions were effected, Elizabeth said, "It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Darcy. I have heard so much about you from your cousin, Miss de Bourgh."

"And I about you." Miss Darcy barely spoke above a whisper, but her gentle smile showed how happy she was with the meeting.

"Your cousin Anne tells me you are fond of music?"

"Oh yes, very much so. Do you play any instrument, Miss Bennet?"

"Only the piano and very ill indeed. Anne tells me that your skill on the harp is excellent."

"She is too kind," Georgiana whispered, with a small smile. "I could not wish for a kinder cousin."

Elizabeth smiled as she saw Miss Bingley speaking animatedly with Mr. Darcy, as she tried to encourage him to leave his sister and take a walk in the gardens. His brisk refusal, and disdainful glance, showed Elizabeth that, in some ways, he was very much as she remembered. Meanwhile, Mrs Gardiner, who had crossed the room to join the conversation, explained that she and Miss Darcy had earlier been speaking of Derbyshire. 

"I have heard from my aunt that it is a fascinating part of the country. She has told me such stories of her life in Lambton; the area sounds beautiful."

"It is. I think Derbyshire is the most wonderful place in the whole world, and I know my brother agrees."

She looked expectantly at him, waiting for him to endorse her statement. After a short pause, Mr. Darcy turned quickly to his sister, as though his attention had been elsewhere. "Yes ... yes, I do feel very much at home there, obviously, although ... I am also finding that Hertfordshire improves with each visit."

Surprised by both his opinion, and the fact that he admitted to it, Elizabeth would have asked him to elaborate, had not Mrs Bennet called for everyone's attention, as she asked her guests to move to the dining room. Unfortunately, Elizabeth was disappointed to realise that she was separated from Miss Darcy by almost the full length of the table, but she did enjoy her aunt and uncle's company during the meal.

"Well, Elizabeth, how do you like Miss Darcy?"

She looked down the table, where the lady in question sat with her eyes cast down. "She is delightful. Not at all how I thought she would be. I look forward to speaking with her further tomorrow."

Mr. Gardiner then entertained them with information about their morning's fishing at the river, and Mr. Darcy's offer to fish at his estate. He admitted being surprised by that gentleman's easy manners and pleasant company, especially after everything his niece had told them of Mr. Darcy's previous behaviour in her company. "But perhaps he may be a little whimsical in his civilities—great men often are—and therefore I shall not take him at his word about the fishing, as he might change his mind another day, and warn me off his grounds.

"No, my dear," Mrs Gardiner entreated her husband. "You have always been an excellent judge of character, and I do not believe your senses have deserted you in this instance. I was never more surprised than by his behaviour to us this evening. It was more than civil; it was really attentive. He gave every appearance of pleasure that we should meet his sister." She then turned to Elizabeth. "I certainly found Mr. Darcy much different from what you gave me to expect, Lizzy. You told us how proud he was, but I have seen nothing of it yet. There is something a little stately in him to be sure, but it is confined to his air, and is not unbecoming. On the contrary, there is something pleasing about his mouth when he smiles."

"Mr. Darcy, smile?" Elizabeth laughed. "Surely you must be imagining things, Aunt. Mr. Darcy never smiles. He is one of the most serious men I know."

"Certainly, when he is speaking with his sister, although I also saw it on one or two other occasions as well. I was sure that you had been watching him, Lizzy. How could you have failed to notice?"

Elizabeth looked to the end of the table, where Mr. Darcy appeared to be patently listening to her father. He was not smiling; in fact, his brow was furrowed with concern. As she was wondering at his expression, he turned to speak to his sister, glancing briefly in her direction. Their eyes connected for barely a moment before he returned his attention to Mr. Bennet.  

No, she thought, there is no smile. In fact, he does not look happy at all.

 

~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~

 

Chapter Nineteen.

 

Darcy moved swiftly from the warm sunlight, through the arched doorway, and into the cool, quiet interior of the church. Many people from around the parish and beyond had gathered outside in the churchyard, drawn by the novelty of a wedding involving some of the principal inhabitants of the area. Women stood respectfully in their Sunday best, waiting to see the happy couple and wish them well, while young children ran excitedly around the headstones, clutching bunches of bedraggled wildflowers.

Turning to his right, Darcy walked nervously down the length of the stone-flagged nave, passing the rows of wooden pews, to join Bingley in front of the choir screen, where the Vicar also waited. Looking around at the congregation, he saw Mrs Bennet with her three youngest daughters, chatting noisily together, their bonnets dipping up and down like ducks on a pond. He saluted Mr. and Mrs Gardiner with a brief bow while other relatives and close friends of the Bennet family filled the third pew on the far side.

On the other side of the aisle, behind Darcy, the numbers were fewer. One pew was more than enough to hold Georgiana and Bingley's sisters, with Hurst propped inelegantly at the end. Darcy returned his sister's strained smile as her eyes drifted warily to Miss Bingley, who sat close beside her, whispering. Darcy assumed from her furtive glances across the other side of the church, that her comments would be less than flattering of the Bennet family.

At that moment, Mr. Bennet appeared at the entrance with his daughter, and they both began a slow pace towards the waiting bridegroom. Mr. Bennet looked content, even to the point of smiling at the assembled guests, before he reached the end of their procession, where he came to a halt; his expression turning more solemn.

Elizabeth turned her head towards Darcy and favoured him with a brief smile. She looked as beautiful as he had ever seen her, and for a moment, his breath caught in his throat, and his heart beat wildly. He was only a few steps away from her now. It would be so easy for him to take her in his arms and smother that sweet smile with the gentlest of kisses. 

The bridesmaid whispered briefly to her sister, wishing her luck, before sitting next to Mrs Bennet. Bingley then took his rightful place next to his bride, while Darcy moved to stand just a little behind him. He sighed, casting one lingering look towards Elizabeth before reluctantly turning his attention to the front of the church.

Gathering the attention of the congregation with a sweep of his eyes, the Vicar took a deep breath and began to intone the words that would join the couple as husband and wife.

"Dearly beloved. We are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this Man and this Woman in Holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee; and is commended of Saint Paul to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained."

Darcy's eyes wandered to one of the nearest windows, set in the outer wall of the south aisle, which depicted the Ascension of Christ in a riot of delicate coloured glass. He marvelled at the detail in the picture, and the glorious tints and hues creating the scene, before his attention was recaptured as he heard the Vicar ask, "Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?"
Mr. Bennet stepped forward at that time, taking his daughter's hand and passing it across to the minister before retreating to sit with his wife. The Vicar, in his turn, joined her hand solemnly with Bingley's own.

He listened carefully to Bingley, echoing the Vicar's words as he made his solemn vow. "I, Charles, take thee, Elizabeth, to my wedded Wife..."

"NO!" Darcy lurched violently as he woke, his heart thumping hard in his chest, the perspiration already cooling on his brow.
As he lay on his back, staring into the inky darkness of the bed canopy, he breathed deeply to calm his anxiety. It was only a dream; a ridiculous dream, no doubt brought on by his meeting with Elizabeth Bennet the previous evening at Longbourn.
Jumping out of bed with an energy he did not feel, he pulled back the drapes to reveal a barely perceptible lightening of the sky across the horizon. It was just before dawn. Bingley and Jane Bennet were to be married later that morning. He left the window and returned to his bed, collapsing on top of the sheets with a heavy sigh.

As he closed his eyes, his mind wandered to the previous evening at Longbourn. He had needed to be supportive for Georgiana's sake, as he knew how difficult she would find it to walk into a crowded drawing room full of strangers. In fact, he was sure that only the knowledge that she would be meeting Anne's friend, whom she had heard so much about, had stopped his sister from asking to remain behind at Netherfield.

Stepping into the room had been almost as difficult for him as it had been for Georgiana. After weeks of trying to forget her, the mere presence of Elizabeth Bennet in the same room, warmed him like the brightest sun, and he had found his gaze irresistibly drawn to her. Forcing himself to appear composed, he schooled his expression into one of polite interest and tried his utmost not to stare in her direction. Mr. Gardiner had easily sensed his discomfort but had thankfully put it down to Mrs Bennet's effusive welcome and officious attention.

Darcy had been pleasantly surprised by Mrs Gardiner, who had graciously taken Georgiana under her wing; sensing her nervousness and gently coaxing her into conversation. Wife of a tradesman she may have been, but she showed all the grace and kindness he usually associated with his own aunt, Lady Eleanor, and he found himself utterly grateful for her presence.
His internal struggles had been in vain. He had not been able to stop himself from searching her out. When his gaze found Elizabeth, he was startled; he had not expected to see her staring back at him, those sparkling eyes shining with ... what? In those few seconds, he had found himself wondering what she was thinking. She had looked away quickly, the colour rising in her cheeks. What was her opinion of him now? Was she embarrassed, or annoyed that he had returned to Hertfordshire?
Darcy shrugged. He could not trust himself to read her feelings.

Her response to him in Kent had proven just how much he lacked the talent for it.

Almost without thought, he had found himself across the room, standing in front of her. When he addressed her and asked after her health, she appeared confused and uncomfortable in his presence, which only served to make him feel more apprehensive still. Instead of speaking in his usual assured tone, he inelegantly blurted out her name. He had wanted to say so much. He was desperate to know whether her poor opinion of him remained, and whether any of her memories had returned; but his mouth and brain conspired to betray him, and made him feel like a half-wit. Spurring himself to action, he had done the only thing he could think of at the time; he introduced his sister.

Stepping back slightly, he watched in fascination as Georgiana and Elizabeth Bennet began speaking together. Although his sister's responses were muted, he could tell that she had been pleased by what she saw of Elizabeth. Miss Bingley chose that moment to attempt to entice him out into the garden. What on earth was that woman thinking? Her manner towards him was almost desperate. For some reason she felt it necessary to remove him from the Bennet's drawing room, but he had absolutely no intention of straying from his sister's side. Returning his attention to Elizabeth, he sighed as he saw the smile that she bestowed on Georgiana. He was wondering whether she would ever smile at him in that way, when he belatedly realised that Georgiana had addressed him, and quickly responded as best he could.

Mrs Bennet had chosen that moment to announce dinner, and Darcy had been somewhat disappointed to find himself seated at the other end of the table from Elizabeth, between Mr. Bennet and Georgiana. As he expected, Elizabeth's father made for an interesting dinner companion. Unfortunately, the same could not be said of Miss Bingley, who had been placed opposite Georgiana, and insisted in sharing their discussion, speaking to both men in the most impertinent fashion imaginable. Surprisingly, while Darcy had found it increasingly difficult to remain polite, Mr. Bennet had not appeared at all perturbed by her inane comments. Darcy and Georgiana had both been entertained by the host's sly wit as he poked fun at Miss Bingley, in such a way that she was totally oblivious to his veiled criticisms of her manners and behaviour.

At one point during dinner, Miss Bingley had made an enigmatic reference to Mr. Wickham's departure, and the disappointment felt by Mr. Bennet's daughters. Darcy had immediately turned his attention to his sister, wondering whether she had overheard the comment, but Georgiana's attention had been fixed on another conversation between Bingley and Jane, and she had fortunately missed the remark. Even a brief glance down the table, towards Elizabeth and the Gardiners, could not cheer him from his ill humour for the remainder of the meal.

After dinner, Darcy had followed the other gentlemen into the library, where Mr. Bennet drew him to one corner and thanked him again for the information he had disclosed about Wickham while at Rosings. He went on to explain his actions since returning to Hertfordshire, and how the unfortunate Lieutenant's activities in the town had been curtailed. It was obvious from the description of the debts that Darcy's timely admission to Mr. Bennet had saved many of the local tradesmen from further financial deprivation.

A letter from Bingley, prior to his arrival, had already told him that the Militia were leaving for the Sussex coast before the wedding. However, he had been distressed to learn how Wickham had absented himself from the regiment prior to their departure, and even more discomforted when he had found out from Mr. Bennet that his whereabouts were currently unknown.
Bringing his mind back to the present, he closed his eyes and thought about Elizabeth's reaction to him during the previous evening. Could her discomfort in his presence have anything to do with her new-found knowledge of Wickham? After hearing her original opinions of his supposed cruel behaviour towards Wickham—even if she did not remember voicing them—Darcy could imagine that, knowing the truth now, she might feel uneasy in his company. He hoped he would have the opportunity, and the courage, to set her mind at ease before he returned to town.

The sound of the cockerel, serenading the rising sun, distracted him from his study. It was still very early, but he knew that he would not be able to return to sleep now.

Darcy occupied himself listening to the comforting sound of the dawn chorus, and the muted noises of the household waking, as the servants of Netherfield prepared for their Master's wedding day. Marriott slipped into the room to wake his master at seven o'clock, as he had been instructed, and was surprised to find him reading a book by the window.

"Good morning, sir."

"Ah, good morning, Marriott. On time, as usual, I see."

"Yes, sir." Marriott surveyed the room critically, and appeared to form his own opinion on how long his master had been awake. "May I suggest your blue coat for this morning, sir?"

Once his valet was satisfied with his appearance, he was able to wander downstairs to the breakfast room, to partake of his usual morning coffee. He was more than a little surprised to find Bingley already there, standing in front of the window. He very much doubted that his friend was entranced by the view."Good morning. You are up and about earlier than I expected."

Bingley had not heard him enter the room, and his surprise at being addressed was clear. "Oh, Darcy! There you are. I thought I was going to be going to the church by myself this morning," his friend snapped, with uncharacteristic acerbity.

"No, that will not be necessary," he replied in a calming tone. "I am here now, and I will be ready to leave as soon as I have had my coffee." Darcy helped himself from the sideboard, and took a seat at the table, placing the steaming cup by his side.

After a few minutes of silence, Bingley turned and walked towards the table, but instead of taking the chair opposite his friend, he stood behind it, gripping the back firmly for support. "Darcy, if I ask you a question, will you tell me the truth?"

With no small concern for what his friend might ask, Darcy nodded his acquiescence.

"I know you did not initially regard Jane or her family in a favourable light when we were here last November. Do you still doubt my choice of bride?"

"No, Bingley, I do not," he replied seriously. "My original misgivings were based on my failure to discern Miss Bennet's true feelings towards you. I should never have interfered."

"Then ... I have your blessing?"

Darcy smiled at his friend. "You hardly need my blessing, Bingley."

"Yes, I am aware of that. Nevertheless, I would like to know that my marriage will not stop you coming to visit whenever you like. You know my house will always be open to you."

"Thank you. I would be glad to, as long as your wife has no objections to you maintaining our acquaintance."

"Jane? Why would she object to you? I told her that you were responsible for alerting me to her presence in Town. She has long thought you the very best of men."

Darcy was surprised that his friend would have divulged such delicate information to his betrothed. However, his thoughts soon moved on to more personal concerns, such as whether Miss Bennet's opinion of him had been shared with her sister, and, if so, what she felt about his actions. 

His musings were interrupted as Bingley cleared his throat, anxiously. "Are you still planning to return to Town after the wedding breakfast?"

"I believe so. I am sure that Georgiana and I would only be in the way here." He glanced meaningfully at his friend.

"You mean you want to get away from Caroline as quickly as possible."

"No, although I will not deny that is a consideration. However, what I meant was you will want to spend some time with your new wife, and the fewer guests in the house, the better."

A blush spread over Bingley's face and he changed the subject. "Are you not even a little nervous?"

"Why should I be nervous? I am not the one who is getting married in..."—he stole a brief glance at his pocket watch—"... an hour and twenty minutes. You, on the other hand, have all the reason in the world to be concerned. I understand this anxiety is quite normal on your wedding day, Bingley. I am sure that I would be the same in your position."

"You? I doubt it, Darcy. If you ever get married I am sure you will cope with everything much better than I."

Gratified by his friend's faith in his abilities, but doubtful of the truth of his assertion, he said, "Perhaps you should have a glass of wine to steady those nerves, or perhaps something stronger?"

Bingley agreed to the wine, which had mellowed him sufficiently when the time came to travel to church. Greeting the Gardiners in the doorway of St. Leonard's, Darcy found himself trembling slightly as he escorted his friend and Georgiana down the length of the nave. It was not the church in his dream, of course, but there were more similarities between them than he would have liked.

He was settling Georgiana behind them just as Mrs Bennet arrived in the church, fussing around her three youngest daughters and complaining bitterly about her husband missing the ceremony.

"I knew something would go wrong, today of all days!" Mrs Bennet bemoaned, wringing her hands.

"Now, Mary, calm yourself," Mr. Gardiner spoke soothingly to his sister. "Take your seat and everything will be well."

Throwing Mr. Gardiner a questioning glance, the older man explained to Darcy that the father of the bride would be a few minutes late, as he was looking over a package which had been delivered by express rider shortly before they were due to leave.

With a shrug, Darcy returned his attention to Bingley, who was now pacing nervously up and down the south aisle.

"How do I look, Darcy?"

"Very much as you did when you asked me five minutes ago," he answered, with a calming smile for his friend.  

"I wonder where Jane is. You do not think...?"

"No, I do not. Mr. Gardiner has just explained that his brother had been delayed at Longbourn. You would not expect the bride to arrive without her father?"

"No, of course ... of course, you are correct."

He managed to steer Bingley back to the front of the church, where he calmed his nerves by discussing an upcoming Cricket match at the Lords ground. The three-day match would be held between Lord Frederick Beauclerk's eleven and the team headed by their mutual friend, George Osbaldeston. Darcy spoke of his plans to attend at least the last two days of play, and his hopes of a win for their friend. However, even the opportunity to discuss the relative merits of their best bowlers held no interest for Bingley, and he soon resumed walking back and forth over the worn stone flags until a disturbance by the door signalled the arrival of the bride and her father.

The bride's dress, of the palest blue, was simple but elegant, and Darcy was impressed by Miss Bennet's graceful beauty as she walked down the aisle on the arm of an unusually solemn Mr. Bennet. Standing by his side, Bingley silently fixed on her procession down the nave until she took her place beside him, at which point she smiled sweetly and his face broke into a relieved grin. Following slightly behind, Elizabeth's attention was resolutely focussed ahead of her as she walked between the rows of pews. Reaching the end of the procession, she glanced across to her right and, realising that Darcy was watching her, she quickly looked away; her expression remaining impassive.

The Rector of Longbourn began the ceremony as soon as everyone was settled, and once Darcy had satisfied himself that Charles Bingley was indeed marrying the correct Miss Bennet, he allowed his thoughts, and eyes, to wander. Steadfastly avoiding the other side of the church, his gaze travelled across to the closest window in the south aisle, where he was able to study a colourful scene depicting the moment of Christ's resurrection and appearance to Mary Magdalene, until the minister indicated that it was time to sign the register.

Bingley solicitously ushered his new wife towards the vestry, and Darcy was not at all surprised that the new Mrs Bingley had chosen her sister Elizabeth to join them in recording her presence at the ceremony. He held out his arm to her, which she tentatively accepted with a brief smile. Her touch was warm through the cloth of his coat, and he barely resisted the temptation of covering her delicate fingers with his other hand; he felt bereft when she left his support to walk in front of him through the narrow doorway.

He watched as she smiled indulgently at her sister and her new husband as they both signed under the entry in the calf-bound book. It was then the turn of the witnesses, and Darcy watched, entranced, as she signed her full name in a neat hand, before turning to him with a smile.

"There you are, Mr. Darcy," she said, holding out the pen towards him with a mischievous smile. "It is your turn now. Would you like me to stay and admire the evenness of your writing, as another lady once did?"

Finally, here was the Elizabeth he remembered so well from Netherfield! He was so surprised that she had spoken to him directly, and of her own volition, that he was momentarily at a loss what to say. "If you wish to stay, Miss Bennet, I certainly would have no objection to any comments you may wish to make." 

Accepting the pen as she offered it, he took his seat at the battered desk and signed his own name underneath hers; warmed by her presence near his right shoulder. His eyes lingered on their names—together on the page—for a brief moment, and he wondered at the series of unfortunate circumstances which had deprived him of his own felicitous union.

Once the service was concluded, the guests took a short stroll through the churchyard and down the lane towards the gates of Longbourn, where the wedding breakfast was being served. Darcy's walk with his sister was interrupted when Miss Bingley claimed his other arm possessively.

"Well, it is done!" she sighed dramatically. "We cannot escape the connection now."

Darcy glanced in front of him, where Mr. and Mrs Bennet were walking only a few paces ahead, but they did not appear to have heard Miss Bingley's acidic comment. He responded to her in a lowered voice. "Your brother has made a sensible match. He also has the benefit of being very much attached to his new wife. I would suggest, Miss Bingley, that you would do well to be a little more circumspect in your comments."

"Well, I know that you and I are of like mind, at least," she whispered, obviously relishing the fact that she had to lean closer to make herself heard. "When this day is over, at least you will not have to spend any more time with this family."

He clamped his teeth to hold back the response that he wanted to make. Her smile at his mute response was one of satisfaction. No doubt she took his silence as a vindication of her opinion. However, he did not regret his decision. It would do him no good, in his present circumstance, to rise to her challenge.

As Georgiana stumbled slightly on the uneven surface, Darcy took the opportunity to remove his arm from Miss Bingley's grasp; ostensibly to assist his sister, but also wishing to send a strong signal that he did not condone any of her opinions.

He certainly would not tell Miss Bingley just how much he envied her brother today.

 

~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~


Chapter Twenty.

Later that morning, after the meal was over, the party broke into smaller groups. The younger Bennet daughters decided on an impromptu dance in the morning room — where they prevailed upon their sister Mary to accompany them in a jig — while Mrs Bennet relived the wedding over for some of her nearest neighbours who had called to give their congratulations. Darcy leant stiffly against the doorway leading to the grounds, watching a smiling Charles and his new wife as they talked with Elizabeth and Georgiana in the rose garden.

"You must be a very good friend to endure all this silliness on Bingley's behalf." Darcy turned to see Mr. Bennet looking past him into the garden, also watching the group.

"It was no hardship, sir. In fact, the day has been rather pleasant."

"Yes, it has been quite warm for early June."

They both turned as the sound of raucous laughter and shouting from somewhere in the house heralded the arrival of Miss Kitty and Miss Lydia, who were enjoying themselves in their own inimitable way. They pushed past the two men, and ran outside towards Jane and Bingley.

Frowning at the spectacle, Mr. Bennet asked whether Darcy would like to withdraw to the more peaceful environment of the library. "I have a rather fine bottle of French Brandy I have been saving for just such an occasion."

Looking back out into the garden, Darcy observed his sister and her new friend, talking enthusiastically. At that moment, Georgiana smiled brightly at something Elizabeth said to her and she nodded in agreement. His sister looked almost as relaxed as she would have been with some of her closest family, and far more comfortable than she would ever be in Lady Catherine's presence.

Agreeing to the scheme, the two men retired into the library, where the promised libation was generously distributed. While Mr. Bennet had little interest in the minutiae of the Peninsular action, he was comfortable discussing the long-term effects of the continental blockade, using his brandy and port bottles to clarify his points regarding the French and Portuguese positions in the conflict. His poignant toast to 'departed friends' was interrupted when Mr. Gardiner joined them.

"Ah, Edward. Take a seat. I have been extolling the rare virtues of the French and Mr. Darcy has been kind enough to listen to my nonsense with a great deal of patience. It is a shame you live so distant, Mr. Darcy. I have so very little opportunity for intelligent conversation." 

"I would be happy to join you, brother, but I am afraid I have an unpleasant task to perform. Mr. Darcy, my wife has requested your presence in the drawing room. She tells me that Miss Darcy feels unwell."

Returning to the room, Darcy's eyes immediately sought out his sister. She was clearly distressed, and being comforted by Mrs Gardiner and Elizabeth on the settee. What had gone wrong? He had been gone less than twenty minutes. Heedless of the rest of the company, he moved swiftly across to kneel in front of her. Taking her hand in his, he asked Georgiana to tell him what had troubled her.

She looked at him through reddened eyes with a mixture of pain and mortification, but pursed her lips and shook her head. Mrs Gardiner enquired gently whether she would prefer to take a turn in the garden. When the young girl nodded gratefully, Darcy helped her to stand and the four of them walked outside; Mrs Gardiner talking quietly to Miss Darcy while Elizabeth fell in behind with her brother.

They wandered for a few minutes among the flowerbeds, allowing Mrs Gardiner and Georgiana to move ahead. When there was some distance between them, Elizabeth sighed as she turned towards him. "Mr. Darcy, I am so sorry. Your sister was disturbed by a thoughtless comment made by my sister Lydia ... about Mr. Wickham." Elizabeth looked up quickly to see where her Aunt was, before continuing. "It is all my fault. Mr. Wickham told me that he knew your sister when she was younger, but I had forgotten all about his comment. I did not realise that Lydia's cruel allusion to him in conversation would upset her as it did."
For a moment, Darcy was mute; torn between comforting his sister and remaining near to Elizabeth. Looking ahead to where Georgiana and Mrs Gardiner were talking together, he made his decision. His habitual reserve had served him ill in his dealings with Elizabeth Bennet. Perhaps she would understand Georgiana's behaviour better if he explained all the circumstances. In the back of his mind, he grudgingly admitted that he hoped she might understand him a little better too.

"There is no fault attached to you at all, Miss Bennet. Please do not blame yourself." Taking a deep breath, he continued. "I know your father has already told you of the conversation we had while he was at Rosings."

"Y...yes," she stumbled on the path, no longer attending where she was walking, and he caught her elbow in his firm grasp to prevent her falling.

Once she was steady, he reluctantly removed his hand. "I believe he also explained the history that Mr. Wickham and I regrettably share?"

She blushed as she looked down at the ground, nodding her head. "Yes, Mr. Darcy. My father told me all."

"No ... not all. Although I described much of Wickham's history with my family, I could not tell Mr. Bennet the whole of it. No one outside my own family—and very few of them—know the full extent of that man's offences against me and, more importantly, my sister. It is a circumstance I would much rather forget, but as you have seen, my sister still suffers from the pain of his actions."

"Poor Georgiana!" Elizabeth whispered. A moment later, he was surprised to feel Elizabeth's hand rest briefly on his arm. It was a purely sympathetic gesture, he knew she meant nothing by it, but his heart still soared at her touch. "I do not expect you to betray a secret, Mr. Darcy, but if I can be of any help to your sister, please be assured that you can trust in my discretion." 
"You have already been more of a help than you could know, Miss Bennet. My sister is rarely comfortable with strangers, but you and Mrs Gardiner seem to have nurtured her confidence these last two days. I have been most grateful for the friendship you have so kindly shown towards Georgiana, and I hesitate to ask more of you after you have shared such a short acquaintance."

Her tinkling laugh surprised him, and the shock must have shown on his face, because when she looked at him she stopped laughing. "Oh, Mr. Darcy, I am sorry! It is true that I only met your sister yesterday, but I had already heard so much about her from Anne's letters that I felt as though I knew her so well."

"Anne? Anne de Bourgh?"

"Yes, sir."

Why was he so surprised? He was the one who had encouraged Anne to visit Elizabeth while she was recovering from her accident. Was it so strange that they had struck up a friendship? What would it be like if she became such a good friend to Georgiana? He hardly dared to hope. "Perhaps if I explain the reason for my sister's unhappiness, you may be able to help her cope with the sadness ... in a way that a much older brother cannot." He motioned to the nearby bench, and Elizabeth sat at one end, leaving room for him to sit next to her, but he preferred to stand. He knew that his brain would never function in such close proximity to Elizabeth and today he could not afford to make any mistakes. Darcy paused for a moment, deciding how to frame his words.

"When my father died, Colonel Fitzwilliam and I were named as Georgiana's legal guardians." He stopped again, suddenly doubting the wisdom of his decision. With a heavy sigh, he explained, "It is difficult to admit that I have sometimes found the responsibility of a sister twelve years my junior to be somewhat ... challenging." He looked up at her and she nodded her understanding, her eyes full of compassion.

"Last summer my sister expressed a wish to spend some time at Ramsgate with her then companion, Mrs Younge. We thought it an excellent idea, and arranged a house for her in a good area. Unfortunately, I was unaware that Mrs Younge had previously been acquainted with Mr. Wickham. With her connivance, he travelled to Ramsgate and insinuated himself into Georgiana's company, playing on her fond remembrances of him from her childhood. After only a few short weeks, he had convinced her to believe herself in love with him, and she consented to an elopement. She was then but fifteen years old."

Elizabeth's hand went to her mouth, a look of horror on her face. "I cannot believe even he would dare do such a thing. Please tell me they did not marry! What happened to your sister?"

"My brother saved me, Miss Bennet."

They both turned to see Georgiana Darcy standing behind them, clutching a handkerchief tightly in both hands, her knuckles white. Mrs Gardiner was nowhere to be seen. The shy smile his sister directed towards him was tinged with her relief that the worst had already been revealed. Darcy was grateful that there was no recrimination in her face. She was relieved rather than unhappy that he had told her secret.

Indicating that she would like to continue her walk around the garden, Elizabeth took her arm, and together they made their way towards an area to one side of the park, which Darcy noticed was less tidily kept than the rest. As he wandered behind them through the wilderness, he listened to their conversation as Georgiana took up her own painful tale.

"Mr. Wickham encouraged me in the idea that we should elope. He told me that Fitzwilliam would not understand the feelings we had from each other, and would try to separate us. He said that he could not bear to be parted from me again, and we must marry before my brother had the opportunity to come between us. He was so sincere, his countenance so honest. It never occurred to me that he would be less than trustworthy."

"I can well attest to him having the appearance of goodness, for I believed it myself. But how were you saved from such a terrible scheme?"

"My brother arrived unexpectedly just a few days before we were due to leave Ramsgate. As soon as I saw him, I knew I could not keep the secret from him. He has been both a brother and a father to me; in fact, I could not imagine having a more caring brother. I only wanted him to be happy for me, so I told him of our intentions."

Georgiana turned to Darcy and stretched out her hand to him. He took it and gave a gentle squeeze of reassurance—something he often did when she was feeling nervous—before releasing it so she could continue her walk. Darcy noticed Elizabeth smile as she watched the gesture between brother and sister. Had he been able to take her hand at that moment, he knew that he could never let her go.

"Naturally, when I acknowledged the whole thing to him I expected him to be angry with me. However, he was far kinder than I ever deserved. Rather than being angry with me, he reserved his ire for Mr. Wickham. Mrs Younge managed to get a message to him at his lodgings, and he  left before Fitzwilliam could reach him. My brother had to be satisfied with sending him a letter. Until that time, I thought his affection for me was sincere, but now I know better." Looking down at her feet, she finally whispered, "I came so close to losing everything. My family, my honour; the only thing he was truly interested in me for was my money."

"Not only that, Georgie. By winning you out from under my nose, his revenge on me would have been complete. That must have been a great inducement to him."

"Revenge on you?" Elizabeth asked, surprised.

"Yes; for refusing him the living at Kympton when he returned to claim it for a second time."

"Oh!" Elizabeth blushed as she nodded her head in understanding, and he sensed that she was recollecting whatever story Wickham had concocted for her benefit. "I am sorry that I ever believed a word of his accusations," she whispered, her attention firmly on the path below her feet.

Darcy was not completely sure whether she addressed him, or was speaking her regrets aloud, until she stopped walking and turned to face him.

"I am heartily ashamed of the way I spoke to you during the ball at Netherfield last year, Mr. Darcy. I cannot think of it without abhorrence. I was so angry with you after all Mr. Wickham had told me, yet I never took the time to verify the truth of his tale. You have every right to hate me for my disgraceful behaviour, but I hope you will accept my humble apology."

Hate you? If you could only remember the truth! He thought back to that night, when she had mentioned Wickham during their dance together. Although he had been irritated that the subject had been raised at such a time, he did not remember the conversation with any particular rancour; only annoyance that they had parted on such ill terms. Obviously, Elizabeth had meant more by her words at the time than he had appreciated.

"Miss Bennet, please be assured that I cannot hold any of your previous opinions against you." He looked down at her face and saw her eyes close and her brow furrow. The last thing he wanted was for her memories of this day to be painful ones. "There was no way you could have known what sort of man he truly was. His success is not to be wondered at, ignorant as you previously were of every thing concerning my family. Detection could not be in your power and suspicion certainly not in your inclination."

"I think you are being more than generous, sir. Would that I could find it so easy to forgive myself," she said, smiling weakly at him.

"I also hope ... that is to say, I would like to think that you no longer consider me capable of the actions suggested by Mr. Wickham."

"Oh no!" Elizabeth replied quickly. "I think I have learned my lesson, Mr. Darcy. It obviously does not do to believe someone of such limited acquaintance so implicitly. I will endeavour to check myself before accepting such tales so wholeheartedly in the future."

"I am pleased to hear it."

Elizabeth then turned her attention back to Georgiana, who had taken a few steps away from them. "I am sorry that my sister spoke so thoughtlessly. Lydia thinks so little of other people."

"Your sister was not at fault. The mention of his name came upon me unawares, that is all. I find all your sisters to be delightful. As much as I love my brother dearly, I should have liked to have a sister."

Darcy watched with great satisfaction as Elizabeth took his sister by the arm, leading her towards the house.

"Yes, but you are fortunate to have a very kind brother."

Georgiana turned her head to smile at him. "Yes, I could not imagine a better or a kinder one."

"Are you feeling well enough to return to the house for some refreshment?" Miss Bennet asked.

"Yes, thank you, I feel much better now."

Darcy followed Georgiana and Elizabeth back to the house, where he watched over them both protectively as they spoke about their many shared interests. Just being able to stand nearby and listen to their light-hearted conversation brought him a great deal of satisfaction. Mrs Gardiner then joined them, and soon the three were chatting happily together.

Later that afternoon, when the carriage arrived from Netherfield to transport Darcy and Georgiana back to town, Elizabeth escorted her new friend outside, where she gave her promise to be a diligent correspondent. Georgiana was obviously delighted.

"I do wish you could visit us at Pemberley during the summer, Elizabeth. I am sure my brother would not object to you keeping me company while he is busy with estate matters."

Darcy held his breath, waiting and hoping for a favourable answer.

"Would that I could, Georgiana, but my plan to visit the Lake District with my uncle and aunt is of long standing, and I would not wish to disappoint them."

Moving closer to them, Darcy addressed his sister, although he spoke to them both. "Perhaps Mr. and Mrs Gardiner could be persuaded to stop at Pemberley on their way home?" He watched Elizabeth's countenance carefully, hoping to see some pleasure at his suggestion, but her expression showed only her surprise at his offer.

As the two young women bid each other farewell, Darcy looked on with a degree of complacence he had not felt since his arrival in the country. Almost instinctively, he recalled the words he had spoken on that fateful day in April—Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your connections?—How arrogant that sounded now. His time spent with the Bennets and Gardiners over the last two days had shown him just how wrong his opinions had been. Her reproofs had been quite correct, even though it had taken some time for him to appreciate the truth of them.

Just before he was about to leave, he said his own goodbye to Elizabeth. While he was surprised by her parting words, he was also gratified to see a hint of blush on her cheeks. As the coach pulled away down the sweep, he watched Elizabeth Bennet turn and walk slowly into the house.

Resting his head against the cushions, he was relieved that things had gone so well. Not only had he been able to spend some time with Elizabeth, but he also felt confident that much of her poor opinion of him, most of it provided by Wickham, had been countered. It looked as though she might become a valuable friend to Georgiana, and he was more than happy to encourage their friendship.  

Darcy felt confident that he would have other opportunities to meet her again. He did not doubt that Mrs Bingley would maintain a regular contact with her sister, and might even invite Elizabeth to spend some time with them in town before the end of the season. If not, he would happily take advantage of his friend's hospitality and return to Netherfield before many more weeks had passed.

As the Hertfordshire countryside sped past the window, he smiled as he thought about their afternoon spent together. Darcy knew that he wanted nothing more than to see her again, as soon as may be; his affections and wishes had not changed. However, being thought of as Georgiana's older brother was just not enough. He hoped that, over time, she would come to think of him as much more than that.

 

~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~

 

The long day was finally over, and Elizabeth stared at her bedroom ceiling as she tried to calm her perturbed thoughts. So much had happened today; such a lot of changes in her own life and that of her family. Now that Jane was gone, she could not imagine her life at Longbourn ever being the same again.

Thinking of her sister, spending the first night of her married life at Netherfield with Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth coloured as she realised where her attention had wandered. Of course, she knew enough of animal husbandry to understand roughly how things happened, but she allowed herself only a brief moment of curiosity, wondering how Jane fared, before her acute embarrassment caused her to search for a safer topic on which to dwell.

She smiled fondly as she recalled her time spent with Georgiana. The young girl had been as delightful as Anne had described, with a sweet manner and tender heart beneath her shyness. She could not be more different from Elizabeth's own insensitive younger sister. Had Georgiana been her sister, she would truly not feel so alone at Longbourn at this time.

As the Darcys were leaving Longbourn, the young girl had hugged her fiercely and made Elizabeth promise to write; something she had been happy to agree with. Mr. Darcy had then graciously thanked her for her kindness to his sister. She vividly remembered their conversation just before he joined Georgiana in their carriage.

"Miss Bennet, I know that even though your acquaintance has been short, my sister considers you a friend, and I would like to hope that the sentiment is reciprocated."

"Yes, sir. I have found Miss Darcy to be a fascinating companion. You have every right to be proud of her."

"Thank you, I am." She saw it then; the elusive smile that Aunt Gardiner had mentioned. Elizabeth was surprised that he did not smile more often. It seemed to soften his features and make him somehow less ... distant and forbidding. He obviously cared very deeply for his young sister if she could evoke such a reaction in him. Taking a deep breath, he looked at her earnestly as he said goodbye.

"Goodbye, Mr. Darcy." Watching him turn back to the carriage, Elizabeth had not intended to say anything further but, realising at the last moment that she may not have another opportunity, she cried out "Mr. Darcy?"

He immediately stopped and turned towards her, an unspoken query in his expression.

"Please forgive me for being so remiss in my gratitude. I can no longer help thanking you for the unexampled kindness you showed me in Kent. Although I am not in a position to recall it myself, Mrs Collins was kind enough to acquaint me with your actions, both before and ... and after I was found. I am most indebted to you, sir." She could feel herself growing warm from the humiliation; speaking of something she would much rather forget.

A frown creased his brow for a moment, but was soon gone. "Your gratitude is not necessary. Given the same situation I would have done nothing different." He paused briefly, and she had thought he was about to speak again, but then, with a brief bow, he had returned to the carriage.

As Elizabeth walked back to the house, she had found all of her previous opinions of Mr. Darcy to be thoroughly overturned in the past two days. How different her thoughts of him now were, compared to her opinions of the man while she was in Kent. Elizabeth had been truly horrified by the story the Darcys had unfolded about Wickham's ruthless behaviour the previous year, but almost more surprised that Mr. Darcy had chosen to explain the circumstances to her, of all people.

He had spoken so kindly with her own family, tolerating Mrs Bennet's deferential attentions with good grace, and showing a genuine interest in Mr. Gardiner's opinions and thoughts. His behaviour was so strikingly altered from their previous encounters at Netherfield and Hunsford; what could it mean? Never in her life had she seen his manners so little dignified; never had she seen a brother treating a younger sister with such gentleness. Georgiana had spoken so warmly of her brother during their conversations that Elizabeth had grown almost jealous of her new friend's good fortune. If only I had been blessed with such a brother. How different might my life have been?

Closing the door behind her, Elizabeth could not stop the blush that rose in her face as she considered how fortunate she was that she had never been placed in the position of telling Mr. Darcy exactly what she had thought of him. 

 

 

End of part one

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