Page 49 of Elizabeth in Scotland (Elizabeth and Darcy Abroad #2)
Ah, so it is ‘Georgiana’ now, is it? You do like her, my friend.
Mindful of his friend’s dignity, Darcy kept his amusement to himself.
“I know, Bingley. Your friendship is perfectly sincere — of that, I have no doubt. But perhaps you will allow me to say something of my own thoughts and hopes. If you were interested in Georgiana, I should not think you a fortune-hunter. Far from it. Nothing could delight me more than to receive my closest friend as a brother-in-law one day, for I do not know another man to whom I would rather entrust my sister.”
Bingley was silent for a moment, strong emotion moving over his face.
Though he obviously had not expected to receive such encouragement, Darcy could think of no one else he would rather give permission to court Georgiana.
His friend was young and inexperienced, but these qualities were nothing compared to his warm heart, good sense, and generous nature.
When the time came, Georgiana would be hard-pressed to find a man more worthy of her.
At last, Bingley spoke. “I am honoured you would even ask. She is still a little young, do not you think? She has only just come out in society.”
“Well, she has not even come out officially,” Darcy corrected. “But it will not be long, perhaps two years, when she turns eighteen.”
“I do not want to rush her. One should not be forced to grow up too quickly. But if we both feel the same way when she is eighteen, I will ask to court her.” He smiled at Darcy. “I do not know how to describe what I feel, Darcy, only that she makes me want to be a better man.”
“As a good woman should. Well, I heartily approve. If Georgiana wishes it, I will be delighted to have you court her when the time comes. Nothing would make me happier than to have my best friend as a brother-in-law one day. And there is no one to whom I would be so happy to give my beloved little sister. You would make her a good husband and cherish her all her life — of that, I am certain.”
“I would do my best to make her happy, it is true. Well, I shall not make the mistake of rushing in again. I need have no doubts of Georgiana’s character, but there is still the matter of how well we are suited to each other.
Two years is nothing when one has such a motive.
I am so struck by her, Darcy, but it is all nothing if she does not feel the same.
She ought to come out first, I expect, and see more gentlemen.
She ought to have a proper choice. But when she does, with your blessing, I shall do all I can to see that I am her choice.
” At his friend’s words, Darcy nodded. There was so much of good sense in them, so much of caution and respect.
It seemed that Georgiana and care for Georgiana was already adding a steadiness and caution to Bingley’s character.
He took the prospect of waiting with great equanimity.
Darcy knew that he himself could not have taken the prospect of waiting two years to court Elizabeth half so calmly —
With an effort, he forced himself to come back to the subject of Bingley and Georgiana.
“My sister has always known you, Bingley. It is not like I am giving my consent for a stranger to court her,” he said.
“Besides, you still have two years to get to know one another better before you get too serious.”
“It is true. Much can happen in two years,” Bingley agreed.
Leaning out of the saddle, he stuck out his hand so they could shake on it.
“I am deeply touched that you would trust me with your sister’s heart.
” He gave a mischievous smile. “And with that matter settled, should we not discuss your own happiness? You are much closer to your marital bliss than I. How will you propose to Miss Elizabeth?”
It was Darcy’s turn to be uncomfortable. “I do not know. I have no doubt of my own heart, but I remain uncertain of hers. She is everything to me, Bingley. I do not think I could bear it if she refused me. What if she does not feel as I do?” Darcy heaved a deep sigh.
“Let me assure you she does, my friend. Trust someone with an outside view.”
Darcy smiled crookedly. “You speak with great confidence.”
“I speak as I find,” Bingley replied, affecting a comic air of exaggerated assurance. “Really, Darcy, I think you have little to fear. If I ever saw love written on a woman’s face, I saw it on Miss Elizabeth. Do not doubt yourself so much — or perhaps I ought to say, do not doubt her.”
“Thank you,” Darcy breathed. There was something in that, to be sure. He would trust in Elizabeth’s great heart and sincerity, trust in everything he had felt between them. A great weight seemed to be lifted off his shoulders.
Bingley chuckled to see his smile. He turned his steed in the opposite direction and challenged him to a race. “Let us go back to the manor house and plan out how you will ask your fair maiden to be your wife.”
Darcy followed Bingley’s lead, and they galloped back to the house. All the while, he thought of how he might ask Elizabeth to marry him. Joy filled his heart.
And if he was not entirely free from nervousness at making such a monumental offer and at waiting to hear her answer, surely that was only natural.