Page 47 of Unwillingly Mrs. Darcy
“News?” Elizabeth asked.
“I think your sister had best explain it,” her aunt said with a smile.
“I am eager to hear,” Darcy said. “Though I have a feeling I know.”
“I hope you do not mind the suddenness of our visit,” Mr Bingley said cheerfully as he exchanged a handshake with Darcy.
“Mind?” Elizabeth repeated, her laughter light and incredulous. “Of course not. But Jane—” Her words faltered as she noticed the faint blush colouring her sister’s cheeks. She caught Jane’s hand in her own. “There’s something you haven’t told me.”
Jane glanced at Mr Bingley, her eyes bright. “Lizzy,” she said softly, her voice trembling with barely contained emotion, “he asked Papa for his blessing. And Papa—he gave it.”
Elizabeth’s breath caught, her lips parting as shock rippled through her. “Papa gave his blessing? Jane, are you saying—”
“Yes, Lizzy! Mr Bingley and I are officially engaged!” Jane interrupted unable to suppress her joy. “And Papa was able tospeak. Not much, and his words falter a little, but he can make himself understood.”
Emotion surged through Elizabeth, and she embraced her sister again, unable to contain her delight. “Jane, this is—this is everything I had hoped for you. I am so happy!”
Darcy’s calm voice broke through her joy, addressing Mr Bingley. “I am pleased for you both. Mr Bennet’s consent is encouraging—his health must be improving.”
Jane turned to Darcy with gratitude. “Yes. Papa’s health is much improved, though he still struggles. He cannot walk unaided yet, and his speech is slow and slurred, but we believe he will recover in time.”
Mrs Gardiner stepped forward, her expression warm as she added, “Your father has shown remarkable determination, Elizabeth. He insisted that the wedding wait until he is able to walk Jane down the aisle himself.”
Elizabeth’s heart ached with both pride and worry. “He truly said that?”
Jane smiled. “He did. He spoke slowly, but his meaning was clear. Mama was in tears.”
Elizabeth bit her lip, her joy mingling with concern for her father. “It gives me such hope to know he is improving.”
Darcy’s brows knit slightly, and he glanced at Mr Bingley. “If Mr Bennet is well enough to give his consent, why did you feel it necessary to come all this way to inform us? Surely a letter would have sufficed.”
Mr Bingley’s smile faltered only slightly before he responded, “I could not let Jane’s news pass without sharing it in person. Besides, we are on our way to Sheffield—my family is there, and I wanted to introduce Jane to them. Mrs Gardiner has been kind enough to serve as chaperone since her husband is away on business in Scotland.”
Elizabeth turned to her aunt with gratitude. “Thank you, Aunt. I can think of no one better suited to care for Jane on such a journey.”
Mrs Gardiner smiled happily. “It is my pleasure, dear. I also thought I could take this opportunity to catch up with some of my childhood friends in the area.”
Jane reached into her reticule and produced a folded letter. “Mama has written as well.”
Elizabeth took the letter and eagerly read her mother’s words. Her mother had not sounded this joyful in a very long time. The idea that both her daughters would be married to gentlemen—thought Mr Bingley was not a member of the landed gentry just yet, a fact conveniently ignored by her mother—delighted Mrs Bennet as did her husband’s progress. The only thing that continued to stretch her nerves was the entail. But with Darcy and Mr Bingley as part of the family, she was sure this too would be soon resolved.
Elizabeth’s cheeks warmed as she read the letter, her mother’s familiar effusions washing over her in waves. She spoke of her father and his progress, praising him in glowing tones she’d never used while he was well. She spoke of Lydia and her adventures in Brighton—which had come to an end but she’d been invited to return to the Forster’s London residence in November. Most of all, however, she spoke of Jane and thewonderful match she’d made. Not a single word was shared about Mrs Bennet’s previous ill regard for the man.
The postscript was particularly bold.
Mr Darcy has done wonders for Longbourn and the family. You chose wisely, my dearest Elizabeth. He is now one of us, and I cannot think of a better son-in-law and can only hope Mr Bingley lives up to Mr Darcy’s example!
Elizabeth let out a laugh, wondering how Darcy would feel to be classed as a Bennet in her mother’s eyes. His questioning glance suggested he was eager for an explanation, but she tucked the letter away, holding her thoughts close for now.
“We must celebrate,” Elizabeth said brightly, her eyes meeting Jane’s again.
“We must, but where are Mary and Kitty? I wanted to share the news with them as well.”
“Gone to visit my aunt at Matlock, I am afraid,” Darcy said. “Along with my sister. They will be back by week’s end.”
“Ah, we shall miss them then,” Jane said, sounding disappointed. “We will only be here two days at most as we are expected by Mr Bingley’s aunt.”
“We shall all celebrate another time then. When it is official and we are all at Longbourn, we will celebrate as a family,” Darcy said, surprising Elizabeth who hadn’t considered that he would want to come to Longbourn with her again. The idea was both terrifying and delightful. She had trouble picturing Mr Darcy at her parents’ table, breaking bread with his mother of whom he’d thought so little. But on the otherhand, the thought was also enticing. She knew Darcy and her father would get along wonderfully once they had a chance to be together, and once her father was recovered as much as he could.
