Page 57 of Elizabeth in Scotland (Elizabeth and Darcy Abroad #2)

“Darcy, you are not even trying, are you?” Bingley asked as he went around the billiard table and prepared to take his next shot. “I must say, your being in love has made you so distracted as to be a blessing to me.”

“Forgive me, Bingley. I suppose I am a little distracted. I cannot think straight when Elizabeth is in the house.”

“Well, that is a pity, because you cannot think straight when she is not in the house, either. But do not think I mind. It is quite amusing, actually. I never thought to see you lose focus or act like a besotted schoolboy.” Bingley took his shot and sank the last ball he needed to win the game.

He gave a proud smile. “There, you see? It has worked to my advantage.”

Just then, the door opened with a knock, and Georgiana peeked her head inside.

“Forgive the intrusion, gentlemen. May I?” she asked.

She came in without being invited, though neither gentleman was likely to mind.

Far from it. Darcy was always happy to see his sister, and to judge from his expression, Bingley was half besotted himself.

“Of course, Miss Darcy, you know you are always welcome,” Bingley said. “But where is Miss Elizabeth? Did she not arrive some time ago?”

“She did. But I wondered if I might have a moment to speak to my brother in confidence?” She smiled sweetly at Bingley.

“Certainly. Call me when you are finished. Perhaps we can join you and Miss Elizabeth in the parlour for tea?”

“Yes, please do.”

With a friendly nod, Bingley left them. Darcy looked at his sister with pride not unmixed with surprise.

Georgiana had indeed grown in charm and social ability.

Before her lessons with Elizabeth, she would never have dreamed of interrupting them, nor of speaking to Bingley with such openness and ease.

When Georgiana turned to him, his smile vanished. Georgiana’s expression was worryingly grave. “What is the matter?” Darcy asked urgently.

“I am worried for Elizabeth,” Georgiana said quietly.

Darcy was immediately put on the alert. “Why so? Does she seem to be falling ill?”

“No. She is not sick. That is, I do not believe she is in any danger concerning her health. I mean only that she seems heartsick. She is not her usual self,” Georgiana splayed her hands. “I know she continues to have trouble at home with Miss Bennet, but —”

“Has she said this to you?” Darcy asked. There had been signs each time he had visited the Bennets and on the few occasions the whole family had been invited to Longbourn, but he had seen nothing to make him suspect an escalation.

“She would never complain. But when I questioned her, she confessed Jane has continued to be unkind to her, in passing, of course. I believe being at Longbourn is very trying for her.” She gave a frustrated sigh.

“Not to mention, Mr Collins is still there. I assume you have been informed of the engagement between Mr Collins and Miss Bennet?”

“I have.” He and Bingley had talked at length about the strange coupling. He had not been kind in his estimation of how much happiness the pair was likely to enjoy, or how much peace.

“I suspect that Mr Collins’s presence and Jane’s meanness of spirit have made life at Longbourn all but unbearable for her. I would go to her —”

Before Georgiana could finish speaking, Darcy was headed toward the billiards room door.

He could not bear to think of his Elizabeth in distress.

When he arrived at the parlour, he stopped for a moment, seeing Elizabeth sitting at the tea table.

She looked up a moment later, as if she sensed someone watching her, and a small smile spread across her lips.

He stepped into the room, then held out his hands to her. “Come here,” he said gently.

Elizabeth came to him without hesitation. He enfolded her in her arms, holding her gently.

Restrain yourself, Darcy. However much you have longed to hold her, this must be for comfort only — nothing more.

That the comfort was badly needed was all too obvious. Elizabeth was shuddering in his arms, suppressing her sobs. “Georgiana sent me,” Darcy said after a long moment. “She says you are not yourself today. What is this I hear about your sister being unkind?”

Elizabeth shook her head but did not move away. Instead, she leaned her cheek against his chest. “She should not have made anything of it. I am fine.”

“No, you are not fine. And that must not be so, my love. You must allow me to help you, if it is at all within my power. Please, you must at least tell me what is wrong,” he replied.

She wiped at her eyes, taking a long, shuddering breath.

Retrieving a fresh handkerchief from his pocket, he offered it to her.

Elizabeth took it with a nod of thanks. “I do not know if there is anything you can do to help. I have tried everything to reach her, Fitzwilliam, and she refuses to forgive me.”

“What has she said you have done?” Darcy found it difficult to believe Elizabeth could have done anything seriously wrong. But obviously, there was a severe breach between the sisters. And if he could do anything to help mend it, he would.

“I hardly know,” Elizabeth said, her frustration clear in her voice.

“She has said she was angry that I was asked to come to Scotland with Papa instead of her, even though I know she would have hated the journey. Jane has never wished to travel before.” Elizabeth shook her head.

“Maybe I should have asked her if she wanted to go before jumping at the chance as I did.”

“Thank goodness you did not,” Darcy said softly. “For I would not have missed meeting you for the world.”

Her eyes brimmed with tears again. “Nor I, you. But I did not think there was any discord between us until then.”

“Do you think she would have gone to Scotland if you had deferred to her?”

“That is just the thing,” Elizabeth said.

She moved away from him, wrapping her arms around her middle, as if to protect herself.

He placed his hands on her shoulders, and she turned back to him.

“It is as if she is holding onto a grudge for the sake of playing the victim. I do not know —” She shook her head again. “I am just being silly, I know.”

“No. You have every right to be upset,” Darcy said. He released her, took her hand, and led her over to the sitting area. “Perhaps there is a solution?”

“Of course, there is.” She pressed his hand and gave a brave smile. “When we are married, it will all be over. And it will have been a drop of loneliness and heartache in an ocean of joy.”

“You are goodness itself,” Darcy said. “But no, that is not what I was thinking. What is to stop us from getting a common license and marrying at once?”

Elizabeth looked stunned. “Can we do that? What would people think?” she asked. “I would not put our reputations in jeopardy for anything.”

“We can say that I have business to attend to back at Pemberley and could not bear to be separated from you. What do you say, my love?”

She beamed up at him. “Well, I say yes! I was wondering how I would ever make it through the remaining days. Really, it is torturous being away from you for even a few moments.”

“Very well, it is settled. I will speak with your father to get his approval, of course. And then I will go on to London to get the license. I suppose the bishop must have a surrogate even nearer, but I should like to inform my aunt and uncle of the change in our plans in any case. We can be married within the week.”

Elizabeth’s cheeks flushed. “I hope my dress is done in time. It would be a shame not to wear it, particularly after you took all the trouble of having material sent from London.”

“Perhaps I ought to speak to the dressmaker,” Darcy mused.

“If I pay her for her trouble, I am sure she will see to it that your gown is completed in time. I believe everything else has been arranged. We can have the wedding breakfast at Netherfield Park in the grand salon — that will prevent any difficulties with the preparations.”

“But what about the fee? I am afraid this will all cost an exorbitant amount,” Elizabeth said.

Darcy chuckled. “My dear, you are a treasure. Even now, you refuse to take advantage. Do not fret about the fee; I will take care of everything.”

“Very well, it seems it is settled,” Elizabeth agreed.

Looking at her, Darcy was glad that Georgiana had come to get him.

The prospect of leaving Longbourn without delay seemed to have been an enormous relief.

Her smile was brighter, her eyes more sparkling, her spirit obviously unburdened; she was entirely the Elizabeth who had stolen his heart in Scotland.

Better still, they need not wait to belong to each other forever. Looking at the love shining from Elizabeth’s eyes, Darcy resolved to journey to London, obtain the license, and return to Netherfield Park for his bride as quickly as possible.

A few minutes later, Georgiana poked her head into the parlour. “Is all well?” she asked.

“Yes, come in, Georgiana. Bingley! You as well!” Darcy rose, but kept hold of Elizabeth’s hand. “All is well, in answer to your question. We have decided to apply for a common licence. We shall be married by the end of the week!”

There was much rejoicing as Georgiana and Bingley sat down and asked about the particulars.

“Would you like to stay with me until the wedding?” Georgiana asked seriously. “I would have suggested it earlier if I had known the extent of what you had been suffering.”

“No, I am well,” Elizabeth said. “Besides, it would be unseemly in the eyes of some. I would rather not attract any more attention than we already will by getting a common license instead of waiting for the banns to be read. The only thing I am worried about is the talk that will ensue.”