Page 18 of I Thee Wed (Pride And Prejudice Variation #2)

The next day, Darcy, Richard, and Georgiana called at Longbourn to pay their respects.

Mr. Bennet made apologies for Mrs. Bennet, who was confined to her bed with a head cold.

The gentlemen paid their respects to the Bennets with polite civility, and Darcy asked Mr. Bennet how he had enjoyed the ball.

He and Richard kept Mr. Bennet engaged so that Georgiana might speak with Elizabeth.

The two young ladies sat together upon a small couch in the corner, speaking in low tones while Mary and Kitty listened to the men.

“Miss Elizabeth,” Georgiana asked, “may I write to you? I should be most unhappy if this were truly goodbye.”

Elizabeth smiled at the young girl. “Yes, of course. I should like that very much.”

Georgiana sighed. “I am sorry to leave so soon. I have been so happy here in Hertfordshire. The town is charming, and I have especially loved spending time with you.”

Elizabeth leaned a little nearer and said, “We expect my cousin, the heir to Longbourn, next week. He is coming to look us over, hoping to marry one of us, since my father’s estate is entailed away from the female line.

Our cousin wishes to make amends through marriage.

I only pray that he is sensible and moderately good-looking, for one of us must marry him.

Do not be melancholy. I will write all about it, and it will be as if you were here with us. ”

Georgiana’s eyes widened, and Elizabeth laughed softly at her expression. “So you see, we shall continue to be friends if your brother allows us to correspond.”

Georgiana pressed Elizabeth’s hand. “Oh, he will let us write to each other. My brother says you are a model of what a woman should be.” Elizabeth’s gaze flickered to Darcy, and she saw that he was watching her.

A spark of resentment rose in Elizabeth as she watched him turn back to her father, composed and entirely at ease in society, the very picture of a gentleman, though he had not scrupled to speak of her family in company.

When the time came for farewells, Darcy stepped forward.

He explained briefly, “Mr. Bingley has already departed to attend to business with his attorney.” He did not add that Netherfield would be closed by the end of the week and that Bingley had no intention of returning.

That disclosure he had left to Caroline.

He spoke his farewells to her father and then moved to where she and Georgiana had been sitting.

Elizabeth stood up when the men rose to leave, and she waited quietly, looking at the floor. Her heart was so full of emotions that her throat tightened and tears threatened to fall.

“Good-bye, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy said quietly.

She did not look at him. “Good-bye, Mr. Darcy.”

It was an awkward moment that was broken when Georgiana leaned in and embraced her. Elizabeth’s arms wrapped around the young girl, and they held one another fast for several moments.

“This is not farewell, Georgiana,” Elizabeth whispered. “It is only au revoir. We shall write, and it will be fun.”

Georgiana blinked back tears, but Elizabeth pressed her hand firmly. The promise of friendship steadied them both.

Richard stepped closer and took Elizabeth’s hand with affectionate warmth. “It has been a true pleasure to know you, Miss Elizabeth. I am ordered to the Continent for the next two years, so there is little chance we shall meet again soon. I wish you all the best.”

Elizabeth looked up at the colonel and smiled. “It has been my pleasure to know you as well, Colonel. I shall pray that God will be with you on the Continent.”

He bowed over her hand, wishing he could say more, wishing there could be more between them.

The visitors then excused themselves, and soon after, the sound of carriage wheels faded down the lane. The Darcys and Colonel Fitzwilliam left Meryton behind, perhaps forever.