Page 45 of The Shades of Pemberley
R elief was among the many emotions that swelled in Darcy’s breast as he returned to Longbourn in the company of his new wife.
After all the delays, the struggles, a virago’s interference, the machinations of a woman for whom he cared little, Elizabeth was his wife.
The sensation of bliss accompanied by the reality of her small hand clutching his arm as they covered the short distance from the church to the house almost overwhelmed him.
Tonight, and for every night for the rest of their lives, they would not need to separate again.
At Longbourn, the servants at the estate, Mrs. Hill, the longtime housekeeper, John the footman, Sarah and Kate, the maids, the matronly cook, and even the stable hands and the elderly gardener gathered to offer their wishes of joy for the newlyweds.
These people, Darcy knew, had been part of Elizabeth’s life and upbringing; regardless of their standing in society, their congratulations were all that was sincere.
In the sitting-room, the servants had laid out a celebratory repast, little more than cakes and tea, given the sudden nature of the day’s events, but those present did not notice in the festive atmosphere of the moment.
Chief among those expressing their elation was Georgiana, for the girl, who had appeared shy as a mouse when first making her acquaintance, was now a positive font of excited comments, most of which centered on her acquisition of so many closer relations.
“I shall now have five sisters!” exclaimed the girl as she exchanged her excitement with the other younger girls. “How excellent it is, for I have always wanted to have a sister!”
“What a strange notion,” said Lydia; given the girl’s general excitement, Darcy could not tell whether she was dismissive, confused, or teasing. “Why, Mr. Darcy is not even your brother, even if you share the same surname.”
“Perhaps,” said Georgiana, offering Darcy a shy smile. “Yet I feel we have become so close these past months as to be akin to siblings. And William is my guardian now, which binds us even closer.”
“Even if you are not our sister,” said Kitty, “I claim you as an honorary Bennet. You are a sister in our hearts!”
This notion pleased Georgiana, as proven by her rapid nod, accompanied by a hint of tears at the corners of her eyes.
Darcy was no less than pleased, for a young girl who was now alone in the world had now gained a surrogate family who, while they could not replace the family she had lost, were determined to do everything they could to welcome her into their midst and fill the void.
“I see your friend has not lost his infatuation for my eldest daughter.”
Darcy turned to Bennet, with whom he was standing while the ladies congregated around Elizabeth and chattered about the events of the morning. The exception was Miss Bennet, who, as Bennet had noted, sat a little apart with Bingley, carrying on a conversation as lively as that shared by the ladies.
“He does seem rather pleased by her company,” said Darcy.
“Aye, that much is evident. Do you suppose his interest is sincere?”
Uncertain what his new father-in-law was trying to say, Darcy turned to him; his expression must have been enough of an invitation, for Bennet clarified at once.
“I consider myself an excellent judge of character, Darcy, but though your friend is a good sort, he strikes me as one who has not yet gained full maturity. As you are familiar with Jane’s character, you know she is capable, but that a husband must provide any visible confidence in a relationship.
In short, a man must care for Jane, and he must have the fortitude to take the lead, for Jane is self-effacing to a fault. ”
“Yes, I suppose you are correct,” agreed Darcy, not having thought of it in those terms. “As you noted, Bingley is not a tower of self-assurance, but he is capable. His more outgoing demeanor will serve them both well, and his sense of right and duty will do the rest.
“If you ask about his constancy,” added Darcy, “I know no harm of Bingley. In the past, he has been eager to admire ladies, but I have never known him to pay so much attention to them as he does to Jane.”
“Then that is all that a father wishes,” said Bennet, offering a complacent nod.
“I have had to concern myself for Jane’s happiness much more than I ever worried for Lizzy.
You have not hidden your intentions these past three years, which must account for Elizabeth, but my second daughter is also much more confident and determined than her elder sister. ”
“That is understandable,” murmured Darcy.
“Then tell me, Darcy,” said Bennet, changing the subject, “how shall you fare with others in the house when you return with my daughter for the first time as a married man?”
Only now did Darcy recognize the teasing note in Bennet’s tone, for Darcy had little attention to tear away from his wife.
Had he thought about it, he should have expected Bennet’s sportive comment, as it was an intrinsic part of his character.
Two could play that game, so Darcy turned a little of his wit on his father-in-law.
“Oh, I believe we shall do well, Bennet. After all, the moment we arrive at Netherfield, we may put two stout doors between ourselves and the rest of the house—I mean to make excellent use of them.”
Bennet laughed and put his hand out in surrender.
“I see you will not be teased, Darcy. It is something I should have realized. There is no need to speak further on the subject, for it is one that no father wishes to consider. There are things in the world that terrify even those men of the stoutest fiber—should you ever have daughters of your own, you will understand.”
Soon, the time arrived for them to depart, and they made their way out to the waiting carriage, the entire Bennet clan seeing them from the house.
As they prepared to board, Darcy was amused to see Mrs. Bennet turn from elation at having a daughter married to sudden consternation at the reality that Elizabeth would no longer live in her husband’s house.
“Oh, Lizzy!” cried she, showing the nerves that had long made her infamous in the neighborhood. “How I shall miss you, even though you shall only go three miles today. Thereafter, you will go to London, and then to Derbyshire, where we shall be cruelly bereft of your company!”
“My future has changed from what I thought it would be,” agreed Elizabeth, embracing her distressed mother, “but I dare say we shall all settle in when the time comes.”
“Perhaps you could join us in London for part of the season,” said Darcy. “Then you will keep Elizabeth’s company for a time, and perhaps even longer should you join us at Pemberley.”
“You are already such a wonderful son-in-law, William!” exclaimed Mrs. Bennet. “I should like that very well!”
“Then we shall discuss it before Elizabeth and I depart on our wedding tour.”
Elizabeth fixed him with a playful glare. “Thus far, I have heard nothing of this scheme.”
“That is because I thought of it only this minute,” jested Darcy. “Trust me, Elizabeth—it shall be to your liking.”
Though curious, Elizabeth made no further comment, turning her attention instead back to farewelling her family. A few more moments and those from Netherfield were back in the carriage, and it departed for the short three-mile journey to their home.
FROM WHAT WILLIAM HAD said of Miss Bingley’s behavior, provoking him to the day’s adventure—not that Elizabeth was complaining!
—she was curious to observe how Miss Bingley greeted them when they arrived back at Netherfield.
As Elizabeth was now the mistress of the estate, a curious truth, given Mrs. Darcy had always been in firm control of the house, they could not ignore the woman who was staying as a guest. Thus, though both she and Mr. Darcy might have preferred to escape to his chambers and concentrate on each other, good manners dictated they say a few words to Miss Bingley before sequestering themselves.
To her credit, Miss Bingley was not hiding in her bedchamber; instead, she awaited them in the sitting-room, Mrs. Younge keeping her company, though Elizabeth supposed neither woman was at all comfortable with the other.
Miss Bingley held herself like a queen, sitting erect and proud, her head back, projecting an air of supreme confidence.
What to make of those judgmental eyes, Elizabeth could not say, but she suspected that Miss Bingley, whatever obeisance she was about to make, considered Elizabeth an inferior raised to a status she did not deserve.
It was, to tell the truth, most amusing.
“Mrs. Darcy,” said she, rising when they all entered. Miss Bingley’s gaze, which had flitted to William for an instant, now returned to Elizabeth. “Charles informed me that you were to solemnize your marriage today. Then it is proper to address you as Mrs. Darcy?”
The woman was cool, Elizabeth noted, for the way she addressed Elizabeth with her married name contained no hint of acrimony that she could detect. As she was speaking with civility, Elizabeth returned the gesture in kind.
“Yes, Mr. Darcy and I have married. Until we attain a closer friendship, it is for the best that we keep to formality.”
Miss Bingley nodded as if the notion of familiarity had never occurred to her. “I beg your pardon, Mrs. Darcy, but I had understood you were to wed in another week’s time. This was so sudden that it caught me by surprise.”
“That is not difficult to understand,” said Elizabeth, turning a laughing gaze on William. “I had expected it myself. As there are certain... difficulties we face, and Mr. Darcy was most persuasive, I agreed to move our wedding date forward.”
“And the neighborhood . . .?”
“We have already delayed our wedding by several weeks, Miss Bingley,” said William, a warning note in his voice. “Given our engagement of more than a year’s duration, a minor change of a week is hardly significant.”