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Elizabeth returned home to Longbourn with such joy in her heart that she felt as if she could not stop laughing.

Mr. Darcy… Will, she corrected herself with a smile, would come to her in a fortnight’s time, less if he could manage it.

They had parted at Pemberley assured of their mutual respect and affection.

He had remained to complete as much business as possible so that he might then be in Hertfordshire for the weeks leading up to their wedding without interruption.

At the end of the month, Darcy and his sister would travel to their uncle’s estate in southern Derbyshire to celebrate the Earl of Matlock’s sixtieth birthday and at that gathering Fitzwilliam would inform his mother’s family of his engagement.

Although he had not spoken with Elizabeth’s father, he had the Gardiners’ approval and Mr. Bennet’s letter; Lizzy knew her father’s mind well enough to assure her fiancé that he would approve of their plan.

She did wish that she could be there to support him as he addressed the Fitzwilliams but was reassured that Richard and Georgiana would do just that.

The Darcys and Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived at Matlock on a sunny afternoon in July, several days before the Earl’s birthday.

That evening after dinner, the family party gathered in the Countess’ favorite drawing room.

The de Bourghs had not yet arrived and, after discussing it with Richard, Darcy had decided that the best strategy would be to introduce his plans to these more sensible relations before facing down his Aunt Catherine.

Of his six Fitzwilliam cousins, only Richard and his quiet sister, Olivia, accompanied by her equally quiet husband, were present.

The Viscount Ashbourne and that man’s wife, Lady Alameda, had arrived at mid-day but both sent word that they would be staying in their rooms.

Knowing that this was his best opportunity, Darcy searched for a way to introduce the topic.

Luckily for him, his sister provided an ideal opening.

With Elizabeth’s help, Georgiana had worked on several pieces for pianoforte that she felt capable of playing in company; her aunt and uncle were both very pleased when she offered to entertain them.

“That was delightful, my dear!” applauded Lady Eleanor when the final notes trailed off. “Your brother has always praised your ability to the skies, but truly, you play with both technique and heart—a rare combination and a genuine pleasure to hear.”

Georgiana’s cheeks flushed pink as she moved to sit by her aunt but she still managed to accept the compliment with a level of poise that her guardians would not have thought possible even six months ago.

“Thank you, Aunt. I love to play but I’ve always been afraid to exhibit—I felt as if people would focus on every little mistake, every slur.

I made a new friend this summer and, after practicing with her, she helped me understand that technical perfection isn’t what truly makes a performance enjoyable. ”

The Countess nodded with obvious approval and Darcy felt his chest swell with pride for both his sister and his beloved.

“We had a small dinner party at Pemberley for some of the neighboring families and Georgiana impressed everyone with her playing, in addition to being an excellent hostess,” he offered.

Matlock was pleased at these signs that his shy niece and quiet nephew were emerging from their seclusion.

It seemed to him that Pemberley had been in mourning for longer than he could recall.

After questioning Darcy on the families that had attended, he noted a name he did not recognize.

“Who are these Gardiners? Are they the family that leased the old Holloway estate?”

Too preoccupied with choosing his words, Darcy missed the intent look in his sister’s eyes and the Colonel straightening his shoulders.

“No, Uncle. I met them in London this spring through their niece, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Mrs. Gardiner’s father was the rector at Lambton before Mr. Jessop.

With the exception of Mrs. Gardiner, the entire family died in the same epidemic as my own mother. ”

The party was silent for some moments, remembering the many lives lost when disease had swept through Derbyshire and plundered its population.

After a moment, Darcy continued, “The Gardiners and their niece stayed at Pemberley for a month with us this summer.

It was the first time Mrs. Gardiner had returned to Derbyshire since the death of her parents and siblings.

Olivia quietly expressed sympathy they all felt. “The poor woman; I hope that the visit was healing.”

Darcy nodded. “Indeed. Cathartic even, I would say. We spent a great deal of time exchanging remembrances… and they were even able to find a trunk stored in the attic with some of her family’s mementos.

The Gardiners traveled with their four young children and to them it was quite an adventure.

I suppose their enthusiasm kept the rest of us from becoming too maudlin. ”

Despite the serious subject, Georgiana was as close to bouncing in her seat as a well-bred young lady could be. “Mrs. Gardiner was able to tell me some wonderful stories about my mother—I feel as though I know her a little better. And it was so much fun to have the children and Elizabeth there.”

Lady Eleanor caught the scent of something intriguing. “Elizabeth? That was the Gardiners’ niece?”

Darcy responded first. “Yes, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I made the Bennet family’s acquaintance last autumn when I was visiting my friend, Charles Bingley, in Hertfordshire.”

The Earl tightened his brows in thought. “Bennet? Any relation to the Duke of Grafton Bennets?”

Darcy had decided to be explicit on the Bennets’ lack of significant wealth and connections from the beginning.

“I’m not certain but it seems unlikely. Mr. Bennet keeps his family in the country—he is a quiet, intelligent man with little liking for town or Society.

They have a modest estate, called Longbourn, near the village of Meryton. ”

“And the mother?”

“Mr. Gardiner’s younger sister.” Darcy felt that for now, the less said about Mrs. Bennet, the better. “Unfortunately, the estate is entailed to a cousin because the Bennets have five daughters but no sons.”

“Poor woman—living in fear of losing her home the instant her husband dies cannot be easy,” mused Lady Eleanor aloud.

She suspected that she had correctly summarized the situation when Darcy looked startled.

Clearly something was up. Her normally tight-lipped nephew was practically gossiping about this unknown family and her shy niece seemed fit to burst.

“Five sisters, can you imagine? We are to visit them this autumn. I can hardly wait! Elizabeth has told me such stories that I feel as if I already know them all. We stopped there for a few days on the way north to Derbyshire… oh, it’s such a warm house…

that sounds silly but I just can’t describe it,” bubbled Georgiana.

There was an expectant pause and Darcy looked up to see all eyes on him, his uncle suspicious and his aunt expectant.

He sipped the last of the wine from his glass and carefully placed it on the side table before he rose to his full height.

To quell the nerves roiling in his stomach, he pictured Elizabeth for a moment; smiling at him with all the love he could ever desire beaming from her beautiful eyes.

“Aunt, Uncle, cousins,” he turned to each in turn. “I have an announcement to make which I hope does not take attention away from his Lordship’s birthday celebrations. ”

Thinking that a bit of levity was needed, Richard interjected, “It might be a good thing to distract everyone from counting all the candles on the cake!” He received a baleful look from his father as the rest of the family chuckled.

Darcy rolled his eyes before continuing, “I’m happy to say that Miss Elizabeth Bennet has done me the very great honor of accepting my offer of marriage.

We have not set a date yet but I hope you will all be able to travel to Hertfordshire this autumn for our wedding.

” He took a deep breath, having neglected to do so during his little speech.

Most of the family rose to their feet and Darcy was quickly engulfed with hugs and handshakes from his cousins and sister.

His aunt was more sedate but her congratulations were sincere, if laced with curiosity.

It was his uncle’s reaction that most concerned him.

However, Richard had arranged for champagne to be brought in and Matlock kept quiet as long as the servants were moving among them.

Then, just as he was about to speak, Lady Eleanor began peppering Darcy with questions, knowing from long experience that her husband would not be tactful in his demands for information about the unknown miss.

Georgiana and Richard spoke as often as Darcy, both exuberant in their praise of Elizabeth.

As a result, it was some time before the Earl was able to insert a question. “Do I understand correctly that this girl has no significant connections?” He spoke with a solemnity that instantly quelled the general good cheer in the room.

“Yes, sir,” replied Darcy with equal gravitas. Elizabeth had requested that he respect Mrs. Gardiner’s preference to keep her de Bourgh connection quiet if at all possible.

“And her dowry?”

“Negligible,” answered the younger man stiffly.

The Countess intervened smoothly before her husband managed to thoroughly offend their nephew.

She loved Henry Fitzwilliam but he disliked surprises, particularly in his personal life, and could be exceptionally heavy-handed when confronted with them.

“You make her sound like quite the paragon, Darcy. Are you certain that you are good enough for her?”