Page 22 of To Love And To Cherish (Pride And Prejudice Variation #3)

The sun shone brightly that Sunday morning, casting warmth over the churchyard as the congregation filed out in quiet pairs and clusters. Elizabeth, lingering near the lychgate with her sisters, turned and stepped forward to meet Mr. Darcy and Georgiana as they approached.

"Miss Bennet," said Mr. Darcy, bowing. "Might we have a word?"

Elizabeth curtsied. "Certainly, sir."

She turned to Georgiana, who immediately took her hand. "Elizabeth, I wish to know everything. I have scarcely had the pleasure of speaking with you since you left Netherfield."

Elizabeth smiled. "We have been rather busy at Longbourn, I confess. We have been altering several gowns for Mary, adjusting them to suit her figure and height." She glanced at Mr. Darcy and flushed. "Forgive me, sir. I spoke too freely; my remarks were ill-suited to mixed company."

Darcy looked down at Elizabeth, amusement flickering in his eyes. “No need to apologize, Miss Elizabeth. I have long been resigned to the knowledge that my feelings and opinions hold little sway with you.”

She laughed softly, then turned to face Georgiana, who squeezed her hand affectionately. "You are my friend, Elizabeth. This is the sort of conversation I have longed for all my life."

They turned together to glance at Mary, who stood with an air of composure beside their mother.

"Your sister does look lovely," said Georgiana. "There is something different about her, though I cannot quite determine what it is."

Elizabeth chuckled. "She has put off her spectacles. They are only for reading, yet she had taken to wearing them always. Her features are much more becoming without them."

Elizabeth composed herself. "I have not yet spoken of my other plans."

Before she could continue, Miss Bingley approached and possessively took Mr. Darcy’s arm. She cast Elizabeth a glance which Elizabeth could not mistake: he is mine.

Mr. Darcy removed himself with quiet firmness. "I must speak with Bingley," he said, and walked away. Caroline followed him.

Georgiana remained. "What were you about to say, Elizabeth? Were you speaking of Scotland?"

"Yes," Elizabeth replied. "I am to leave Longbourn. Tomorrow, I move to Mrs. Talbot’s.

I will assist Mary King with her preparations.

A week later, Miss King and I shall depart for Cambridge, and from there to Scotland.

Georgiana, I am so eager to be away, to see something of the world at last. And to be free of my mother, who cannot abide me. "

Elizabeth’s eyes filled with unshed tears, and she turned slightly, dabbing at them with quiet discretion."

Georgiana’s eyes softened. "I always thought being motherless a sorrow. But having a mother who despises you must be far worse. I am sorry, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth forced a smile. "My father loves me; that must suffice. It is only that everything is changing so quickly. My future may lie in Scotland. Perhaps I shall even settle there."

Unbeknownst to her, Mr. Darcy had returned and heard her last remark. He halted, momentarily discomposed.

Before he could speak, Mary approached. "Lizzy, Mamma is calling. We are going home."

Elizabeth turned to the Darcys and curtsied. "Farewell, Georgianna. We may never meet again."

Georgiana clasped her hand. "Will you write to me?"

Mr. Darcy interjected. "Miss Elizabeth, my sister and I will call at Longbourn this afternoon, along with Mr. Bingley. It would afford Georgiana the chance to take proper leave."

Elizabeth met his gaze. "Thank you, sir. That is very kind."

At four o’clock, the Bingley carriage arrived. Elizabeth watched from the parlor window as Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, and Georgiana descended. There was no sign of Miss Bingley, a fact Elizabeth did not regret.

When they were seated and tea served, Mr. Darcy turned to Mrs. Bennet. "May I inquire when your cousin, the rector, is expected?"

"He has accepted our invitation," said Mrs. Bennet. "Lady Catherine has approved a six-week stay beginning Wednesday."

Mr. Darcy nodded. "That is good news. I informed Mr. Bingley, and he has agreed to host a welcome dinner."

Mr. Bingley added, "It shall be small, as you requested. Once the marriage is settled, we may host a larger celebration."

Mrs. Bennet clasped her hands over her chest. "That is very good of you, sir. I take it as a compliment to my daughter, Mary."

Mary, seated beside her, flushed deeply. Jane, seated next to Mr. Bingley, gently laid her hand upon his arm. "Thank you for this honor," she murmured.

Kitty entered, having returned from Lucas Lodge. Elizabeth brought her to the attention of the Darcys, and introductions were made.

Mr. Darcy rose. “Miss Catherine, pray be seated beside my sister. Miss Elizabeth expressed a hope that you might become acquainted."

The two young ladies were soon in animated conversation. Kitty invited Georgiana to walk in the garden the following morning.

Mr. Bingley turned to Jane. "Miss Bennet, will you walk with me? Your rose garden is delightful."

Mr. Darcy then addressed Elizabeth. "Miss Elizabeth, will you step out with us? I understand you are soon departing."

"Yes, sir. Tomorrow I move to Mrs. Talbot’s, and next week I travel to Cambridge with Miss King. From there, we continue to Scotland."

"Then let us walk."

They set out. Jane and Mr. Bingley drifted away. Elizabeth guided the Darcys toward the hermitage.

Once beyond hearing, Elizabeth turned. "Mr. Darcy, I have a request. I fear it may be improper."

He looked at her steadily. "Pray, continue."

"You know Mr. Bingley is fond of Jane. What you may not know is that she returns his regard. Jane is reserved and modest; she would never wear her heart on her sleeve as the saying goes, but it is engaged, sir."

Elizabeth took a breath. "I ask only that you not oppose their growing attachment.

You hold Mr. Bingley in great esteem. I know you wish what is best for him.

I ask you to consider Jane without prejudice.

Though she lacks fortune, she possesses beauty, goodness, and a gentle spirit.

She is a gentlewoman; therefore, her social standing is somewhat higher than his, and she brings that advantage to the marriage as well.

My sister would make him an admirable wife. "

Darcy held Elizabeth’s gaze. “May I ask, Miss Elizabeth, why you bring this to me?”

“Why, sir,” she replied, “because you hold great influence over Mr. Bingley, and I believe he would do whatever you advised, perhaps even without question. Is that not so?”

She hesitated. "Sir, I am calling in a debt. There is no earthly reason you should do this for me, and yet I ask it. If you will grant my request, I shall consider your past insults both forgiven and forgotten. Should you have any desire to make amends, this is what I ask of you."

Georgiana gasped. "Fitzwilliam? Miss Bingley spoke of an insult, but I did not know it was against Elizabeth."

Mr. Darcy flushed. "I regret to say it is true. I was ungenerous at the Meryton assembly."

He turned to Elizabeth. "Miss Elizabeth, I have long wished to apologize. My remarks were ill-judged. I have since considered you among the handsomest women I know."

To his sister, he added, "My conduct was unworthy. I would not allow a man to speak so of you, Georgiana, and I should not have spoken thus of Miss Elizabeth."

He looked at Elizabeth again. "I also regret the slight offered at Netherfield. I have no excuse. Will you forgive me?"

Elizabeth met his eyes. The anger she had held melted away. "Yes, Mr. Darcy. I accept your apology." Elizabeth was grateful she had not burned his letters or his likeness drawn so many years ago.

He inclined his head. "Then I shall speak to Mr. Bingley in your sister's favor. If I hear any disparagement from his family, I shall oppose it."

Georgiana took Elizabeth’s hand. "And I shall speak up as well."

Tears slipped down Elizabeth's cheeks, but she laughed softly. "Thank you. Jane deserves this happiness."

Georgiana handed her a folded paper. "You said we would write. These are our addresses in London and Derbyshire."

Elizabeth accepted the note. "I shall write often."

Mr. Darcy took her hand then, bowing slightly, pressed a kiss to her glove.

She felt it through the fabric, straight to her heart.

He had made his way back into her good graces.