Page 51 of Unwillingly Mrs. Darcy
Hand in hand, they left the study together, the arrival of their guests barely registering as her thoughts lingered on all she had yet to tell him—and all she had finally begun to admit to herself.
Chapter 30
Darcy
Darcy felt a pang of vexation as Mrs Reynolds departed. He had been so close—closer than ever before—to hearing Elizabeth say in unequivocal terms what he had long suspected but dared not assume. He had waited for this moment with the kind of patience that had tested the limits of his self-control. Now, it had slipped away, at least for the time being, and he could not help the surge of frustration that gripped him.
Still, there was no time to dwell on it, as the hurried footsteps of their returning family echoed through the halls. The parlour door burst open, and Mary stormed past them with neither a greeting nor a glance. Her posture was stiff, her face set in a pinched expression, and she marched towards the stairs with a purposeful air. Darcy exchanged a bemused look with Elizabeth, who merely sighed.
“Mary has always been determined to make an impression, though perhaps not always the most favourable one,” Elizabeth murmured.
In contrast, Kitty and Georgiana were all smiles as they appeared, their arms looped through one another’s. Seeing Elizabeth, Kitty exclaimed, “Oh, Lizzy, how delightful it is to be back! Pemberley feels like home already, does it not?”
Georgiana nodded fervently, her cheeks flushed with happiness. “We missed it terribly,” she said. “The journey toMatlock was pleasant enough, but I daresay the air is sweeter here.”
Elizabeth smiled warmly at them both. “It is good to have you all back,” she said, noting with affection how Georgiana’s disposition had grown livelier since their first meeting.
Darcy stepped forward to greet the girls, offering them a rare smile of genuine fondness. “You’re both settled, I trust?”
“We are,” Georgiana replied. “Though we have much to tell you about our visit to Matlock. And—oh! Colonel Fitzwilliam is just behind us. He arrived only a day ago with Cousin Anne. They are engaged! Did you know? Oh, there was rather a fuss at Matlock, that is why we were sent back and—”
“Do not exhaust yourself, Georgie, I shall tell it,” Richard said as he entered, his bearing as jaunty and self-assured as ever. His red military coat seemed a shade brighter against the muted tones of Pemberley’s entrance hall, and his easy grin lit up the room.
“Darcy!” he exclaimed, his voice resonating with warmth. “Good to see you again.”
Darcy inclined his head. “And you, Richard. Welcome back to Pemberley.”
His cousin’s gaze shifted, fixing on Elizabeth with interest. Stepping forward, he took her hand and offered a slight bow. “And this,” he said with a touch of mischief in his tone, “must be your new wife. Mrs Darcy?”
Elizabeth curtsied lightly, a polite smile on her lips. “Indeed, Colonel Fitzwilliam. It is a pleasure to meet you again.”
He straightened, his expression one of open admiration. “The pleasure is entirely mine, Mrs Darcy.”
Darcy, who had been watching this exchange with reserved amusement, added, “Rightly so.” His gaze went to Elizabeth, and he saw her cheeks flush faintly at the compliment.
Richard, ever attuned to such subtleties, smirked faintly but refrained from comment. “It’s good to see Pemberley so lively,” he said. “It suits you, Darcy.”
Elizabeth caught Darcy’s eye, and they shared a fleeting but meaningful look before the sounds of bustling servants and the prospect of further conversation drew them back to the present.
***
At dinner that evening, Darcy looked around the table. It was good to be reunited with his sister and cousin, as well as Elizabeth’s sisters. However, Mary had not come down to dine, having instead requested that a tray be brought to her room.
“I do regret that Miss Mary did not enjoy her stay at Matlock more,” Richard said, drawing Darcy’s attention just as they sat down. He blinked, surprised Richard would choose to first speak of Miss Bennet rather than the more dominant news of the day—his engagement to Anne. He’d known it was coming, of course, but he hadn’t expected to happen in so rapid a fashion.
“That is a shame,” Darcy replied. “The trip was primarily arranged to help her overcome her sadness. She has been rather despondent for some time.”
“That certainly continued at Matlock,” Richard added. “Although I think the upheaval was perhaps not conducive to any sort of relaxation.”
“I assure you, cousin, we hardly noticed it,” Georgiana said. “Kitty and I had a magnificent time, even though it was brief.”
“Why did you all return early? Is it to do with your happy news?” Elizabeth asked. She was seated to Darcy’s left, and when he turned to her, their eyes met briefly. A smile touched her lips, which he mirrored at once.
“Well, dear cousin—May I call you cousin now?” Richard asked. Elizabeth nodded. “The truth is, I was sent here to collect Darcy.”
Darcy straightened in his seat. “Collect me? Whatever for?”
“For a family meeting at Matlock. Aunt Catherine has been summoned. My father intended to send an invitation, but I suggested it would be best to call upon you in person.”
