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Elizabeth nodded, a soft smile playing on her lips. “Soon,” she agreed.

With one last shared look of love and anticipation, they reluctantly let go of each other’s hands and made their way to join the rest of the party in the blue drawing room.

* * *

Pemberley Entrance Hall - Georgiana

Georgiana couldn’t contain her excitement as she, Mr Bingley, and the Gardiners’ carriage arrived at Pemberley. Her brother and Elizabeth were nowhere to be seen, and she couldn’t help but wonder what was keeping them.

As they entered the house, Miss Bingley, the Hursts, and Mrs Annesley were all there to greet them, having been waiting for their arrival.

“Charles, at last,” Miss Bingley said, her voice carrying a hint of irritation. “We were beginning to wonder if you’d all lost your way. But where is Mr Darcy? And Miss Eliza?”

Mr Bingley, his attention mostly on Jane, replied distractedly, “Oh, Darcy took Lizzy on a tour of the grounds. I am sure they’ll join us shortly.”

Georgiana noticed a flicker of displeasure cross Miss Bingley’s face, but it was quickly replaced by a polite smile. Mr Hurst merely grunted in acknowledgment, while Mrs Hurst echoed her sister’s welcoming words with slightly more warmth.

As the party moved towards the drawing room, Georgiana found herself walking beside Jane. Mrs Annesley followed close behind, a gentle presence as always.

“I do hope your sister is enjoying her tour of Pemberley,” Georgiana said softly to Jane, unable to keep the hopeful note from her voice.

Jane smiled warmly. “I am sure she is. Your brother has been very kind, and Elizabeth has always loved exploring beautiful places.”

They had just settled into the drawing room when Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth finally joined them.

Georgiana couldn’t help but notice something different about them - a certain glow, a shared secret in their eyes.

But they said nothing out of the ordinary, merely apologising for their tardiness and joining in the general conversation.

Throughout the afternoon, Georgiana watched her brother and Elizabeth closely.

She noticed the way their eyes sought each other out across the room, the soft smiles they exchanged when they thought no one was looking.

Something had changed between them, she was sure of it.

But whatever it was, they were keeping it to themselves for now.

As the party dispersed to dress for dinner, Georgiana couldn’t contain her curiosity any longer. She hurried to her brother’s room and knocked softly. When Fitzwilliam opened the door, she could see a new light in his eyes.

“Georgiana? Is everything alright?” he asked, ushering her in.

“Fitzwilliam,” she began, her eyes sparkling with excitement, “did something happen between you and Elizabeth during your walk?”

Her brother’s smile widened, and he took her hands in his. “Your powers of observation serve you well, dear sister. Yes, something did happen. I’ve asked Elizabeth to marry me, and she has accepted.”

Georgiana let out a small squeal of delight and threw her arms around her brother. “Oh, Fitzwilliam! I am so happy for you both!”

As they embraced, Fitzwilliam added, “We’ve agreed not to make a formal announcement just yet. I plan to speak to Mr Gardiner after dinner, as Elizabeth’s guardian. We’d like to inform the rest of the family privately first.”

Georgiana nodded, understanding the need for discretion. “Of course. But I am so glad you told me. Elizabeth will make the most wonderful sister!”

* * *

Pemberley, Guest Room - Elizabeth

Elizabeth joined Jane in her room as soon as she was dressed. too excited to continue her joy to herself any longer. The excitement of the afternoon’s events still coursed through her veins, and she found herself unable to contain her joy any longer.

Jane was seated at the dressing table, arranging her hair for dinner. The soft glow of candles illuminated her face, reflecting off the polished surface of the mirror. She smiled warmly as Elizabeth entered, noting the unusual brightness in her sister’s eyes.

“Lizzy, you look positively radiant,” Jane remarked, turning to face her sister. “Your walk with Mr Darcy must have been quite invigorating.”

Elizabeth felt a blush creep up her cheeks. She closed the door behind her and crossed the room, perching on the edge of Jane’s bed. Her fingers toyed nervously with the fabric of her dress as she considered how to share her news.

Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth leaned in close to Jane’s ear and whispered, “He proposed, Jane. And I accepted.”

Jane’s eyes widened, a soft gasp escaping her lips. For a moment, she was speechless, her eyes filling with happy tears. Then, with a gentleness characteristic of her nature, she took Elizabeth’s hands in hers.

“Oh, Lizzy,” she said softly, her voice full of emotion. “My dear sister. Are you truly happy?”

Elizabeth felt her own eyes welling up at Jane’s heartfelt concern. “I am, Jane. More than I ever thought possible.”

Jane’s face broke into a radiant smile. “Then I am overjoyed for you, my dearest Lizzy. Mr Darcy is a good man, and I have seen how he looks at you. I believe you will bring out the best in each other.”

Elizabeth squeezed her sister’s hands, grateful for her understanding and support. “Thank you, Jane. Your happiness for me means everything.”

After a moment, Jane’s brow furrowed slightly. “But Lizzy, Pemberley is so far from Netherfield. We’ve never been separated by such a distance before.”

Elizabeth felt a pang at the thought. “I know, Jane. It will be a change for both of us. But we’ll write often, and you and Mr Bingley must visit us frequently.”

Jane nodded, her expression a mixture of happiness and wistfulness. “Of course we will. And you’ll come to Netherfield as well. We’ll find a way to see each other regularly, I am sure. ”

“Nothing could keep me away for long,” Elizabeth assured her, squeezing her sister’s hands. “Not even the wilds of Derbyshire.”

The sisters shared a quiet laugh, both contemplating the changes ahead but secure in the knowledge that their bond would remain as strong as ever, regardless of the distance between them.

* * *

Pemberley, Drawing Room - Darcy

As the party gathered in the drawing room before dinner, Darcy felt a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. He knew that he would make sure to escort Elizabeth into the dining room and made sure to be near her when the meal was announced.

His eyes sought out Elizabeth across the room, and when their gazes met, he felt a thrill of excitement. He noticed Jane leaning in to whisper something to her sister, and then rise to approach Bingley.

Darcy watched as Bingley’s face lit up with delight after a brief, hushed conversation with Jane. To his surprise, Bingley immediately made his way over to him.

“I say, Darcy, this is wonderful news!” Bingley said in a low voice, shaking Darcy’s hand vigorously. His eyes were filled with genuine joy.

Darcy felt a warmth spread through him at his friend’s support. “Thank you, Bingley,” he replied quietly.

Bingley then turned to address Elizabeth, giving her a knowing smile and a slight bow.

Darcy watched as Elizabeth thanked Bingley warmly, a becoming blush colouring her cheeks. He felt a surge of affection for both his friend and his soon-to-be-announced fiancée .

Before anyone else could comment on this exchange, Darcy made his way over to Elizabeth. As he reached her, the butler, Mr Parker, appeared at the drawing room door and announced, “Dinner is served, sir.”

Darcy offered one arm to Mrs Gardiner, and the other to Elizabeth. He felt a thrill as Elizabeth’s hand rested on his arm, and he had to remind himself to maintain decorum.

Behind them, Bingley escorted Jane and Mrs Hurst, while Mr Gardiner accompanied Miss Bingley and Georgiana. Mr Hurst brought up the rear with Mrs Annesley.

As they entered the dining room, Darcy was acutely aware of Elizabeth’s presence beside him.

He guided Mrs Gardiner to her seat at his left hand, then led Elizabeth to her place at his right.

As he pulled out her chair, their eyes met briefly, and Darcy felt his heart race at the secret smile she gave him.

Taking his own seat at the head of the table, Darcy’s eyes instinctively sought out Elizabeth again. The soft candlelight caught the auburn highlights in her hair, and he found himself mesmerised by the way her eyes sparkled as she engaged in conversation with those around her.

As the first course was served, Darcy found himself caught between his duties as a host and his desire to focus solely on Elizabeth. He engaged Mrs Gardiner in polite conversation about her connections in Derbyshire, all the while acutely aware of Elizabeth’s every movement beside him.

“I must say, Mr Darcy,” Caroline Bingley’s voice cut through his thoughts, “Pemberley is even more magnificent than I remembered. Don’t you agree, Louisa?”

Darcy nodded absently in acknowledgment, his attention caught by a soft laugh from Elizabeth.

He watched as she leaned in to whisper something to Georgiana, seated across from her.

The two shared a conspiratorial smile, and Darcy felt a surge of warmth seeing the easy rapport between his sister and his future wife.

“Mr Darcy?” Caroline’s voice was more insistent now. “I was just saying how lovely it would be to host a ball here at Pemberley. What do you think?”

“Perhaps,” Darcy replied non-committally, turning his attention back to his immediate dinner companions. “Though I believe we should focus on enjoying the current company before planning future events.”

As the second course was brought out, Darcy found himself in conversation with Mr Gardiner about the fishing prospects in the stream that ran through Pemberley’s grounds.

He participated in the discussion with genuine interest, but part of his mind was constantly aware of Elizabeth’s presence, the sound of her voice, the graceful movement of her hands as she spoke.