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She wondered as Lord Anderson had chosen to stay in London.

Once the ceremony was over, the party headed to Netherfield for the wedding breakfast, as none of them wanted it to be hosted in Longbourn.

Miss Bingley and her sister were hostile towards the rest of them, but breakfast was a happy affair anyway. Elizabeth could see the visible change in Lydia and Kitty within a few weeks. They spoke less and appeared to be conscious of their behavior. But Jane still did not say a word to Elizabeth.

Georgiana had formed a strong bond with Mary in a short period, and she expressed her wish to see the Bingley couple soon in Derbyshire for her brother’s wedding.

Soon after breakfast, Darcy, Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Charlotte’s family returned to town. Darcy had made plans to return to Derbyshire in a few days.

Elizabeth felt emotional to part from Mary, but Mr. Bingley promised they would travel to Derbyshire as soon as possible.

“I promise you, Miss Elizabeth, that once Darcy confirms your wedding date, we will start packing our trunks,” Mr. Bingley said, and Darcy nodded.

Elizabeth bid farewell to Hertfordshire, and in her heart, she somehow knew she would not have a reason to return there as she had heard from Darcy that Mr. Bingley was keen on purchasing an estate in Derbyshire and settling down there.

***

The days before their travel to Derbyshire were busy ones for Elizabeth, as she had made several shopping trips for her wedding.

Charlotte and her aunt had helped her select dresses that befitted her new station in life.

To his irritation, Darcy could not spend time in privacy with her, and he was impatient to leave for Pemberley.

He finally had a chance to spend a few moments alone with her while he took her to the Hatchards bookstore along with Georgiana.

“This place is wonderful; it is almost like a paradise,” Elizabeth exclaimed with excitement.

“It is. Georgiana, and I love spending time here. I assure you we will stop here whenever we are in town,” he said.

Darcy looked at what she had selected and was impressed with her choice. They recollected the heated argument they had at the bookstore in Lambton many months ago, and both smiled at the memory.

“Are you going to steal my book today as well, Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth asked playfully.

“I assure you; I have every intention of doing it,” he said seriously.

“I still cannot believe you behaved so arrogantly with me that day, and now, instead of apologizing, you dare to tell me you intend to do the same again. Am I to educate Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy about the punishments one would get for stealing something?”

“Was that called stealing?”

“Yes, it was. You took something that belonged to me without my permission.”

“A crime of such caliber is unpardonable indeed. But before accusing me, you must know you are guilty of the same.”

“What? How could I be… Pray tell me, what have I ever stolen?”

He took a few steps forward, and Elizabeth was surprised by how close he stood to her. She trembled at the intensity of his passionate gaze. Then he bent down to whisper something into her ear, and Elizabeth could feel his cheek brush against hers.

“My heart,” he said and moved away upon seeing Georgiana. Elizabeth finally understood why Lady Martha firmly insisted on a chaperone for them.

Meanwhile, Lord Anderson was tired of staying at the Darcy house. He wanted to spend time with his daughter and felt lost considering his future.

She assumes I will leave for Scotland and never see her again, and I am certain that is what she wants. I can never be away from her life though. She need not forgive me, but she can at least understand me.

Everyone around him had accepted Lord Anderson as Elizabeth’s father, but it did not matter to him as Elizabeth still resented him. He had insisted on paying for her trousseau and would not take no for an answer, and Mr. Gardiner had finally agreed.

“Elizabeth will never agree to this,” Mr. Gardiner said.

“She need not know; let her assume that it was you. You would have taken care of it anyway if not for me. But please let me do this for my daughter,” Lord Anderson had requested.

He had also bought her some jewelry, hoping she would accept it as his wedding gift.

Finally, the day of travel arrived, and Elizabeth arrived at the Darcy house along with Charlotte and her husband. Lord Anderson had not seen her for many days, and he felt a deep sense of happiness and peace as he set eyes on her and saw that she was well.

Elizabeth merely nodded at him as Darcy welcomed them that morning.

She was appalled to understand that everyone had accepted him as her father and wondered how they could forgive him.

They broke their fast, and the carriages were ready for their journey.

The Gardiners came to bid farewell and promised to arrive for the wedding soon.

Elizabeth was happy to see that Lydia and Kitty had accompanied them.

Finally, as the party started their journey to Derbyshire, everyone felt a sense of closure after the many distressing weeks.

But the same did not apply to Elizabeth and Lord Anderson as each sat in separate carriages, battling feelings of despair and agony.

While Lord Anderson wanted nothing but happiness for Elizabeth in the future, Elizabeth mentally prepared herself to have one last conversation with him before reaching Derbyshire— a conversation in which she would ask him to leave her life forever.