Elizabeth walked about the grounds of Pemberley alone after Jane had left for Brambling Hall. Mr. Darcy remained with his mother, and as much as she longed for his presence she would not take him from Lady Anne’s side. There would be time for them to wander Pemberley in the months to come.
She walked for a time before recalling the letter from Longbourn in her pocket. She spied a log ahead and hurried to sit in the afternoon sun and read the news from her father.
Again she allowed her eyes to rest upon his handwriting before opening the missive. She dearly loved her family, even her sisters with their constant arguments over ribbons and redcoats. But the pang of loneliness for her father’s company grew sharp in her breast.
Brushing away a silly tear, she opened the paper and smoothed it across her lap. Mr. Bennet wished for her to return to Longbourn as soon as she might and perhaps persuade Jane and Bingley to accompany her. There was a pressing need for Lizzy’s presence but she could not imagine why that might be.
Her cousin, Mr. Collins, had visited recently and her father was relieved to know the man would return to his home soon. Her father’s words were clear and his humor was there to coax a smile or two as she sat in the agreeable rays of the sun as it slipped lower in the sky.
It was just as well, she supposed, for Mr. Darcy and his mother would be gone to London for a time and she had considered a trip home could be made before winter came upon them.
Still, she wished she might accompany the Darcy family on their trip to London. She reminded herself that mother and son had need of time spent alone together, to settle their grief and begin to build a life without Georgiana Darcy.
She returned to her letter and her heart lifted at the idea of sitting in her father’s study once more. They would stay but a few weeks and perhaps meet the Darcys in London before they all returned to Derbyshire again.
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Inside Pemberley, Mr. Darcy sat with his mother admiring the twinkle in her eyes. He’d feared he might lose her after Georgie’s death, but now he believed she might live to see her grandchildren roam the halls of this great house.
And he knew he wished for those children to be the ones from his marriage to Elizabeth Bennet. At this thought, he leaned across to his mother and kissed her on the cheek.
“Oh William, you do know how to make your mother feel special, but there is a conversation that must be had.”
He was not surprised at his mother’s frank and direct approach. She had been thus since he was a young boy. While his father was benevolent and doted upon his only son, Lady Anne required truth and virtue from him no matter the situation. As a young boy, he had not understood but now he was grateful for her firm hand.
“You must know I find Miss Bennet to be a suitable match and have decided I shall ask her father for her hand as soon as I might. My admiration for her has grown beyond our short acquaintance.”
Lady Anne patted her son’s hand. “There is no doubt of it William, and I have seen the stolen glances when she studies your profile and your eyes. The young lady feels as you do, I am certain. Would that we could take her to London with us.”
Mr. Darcy breathed a sigh of relief at his mother’s words and ran a hand through his chestnut hair. He would have been willing to persuade his mother had she reservations regarding the match. “Miss Elizabeth will likely travel to Longbourn with the Bingleys, mother. Did she not have a letter from her father?”
Lady Anne glanced to the window as Elizabeth’s shadow fell across the panes and clasped her hands. “She did and you are correct, my dear son. We must allow her to attend to her schedule whilst we are in London. Perhaps we might travel to Longbourn once we are through with Town and you may meet with her father then?”
Elizabeth entered the parlor and smiled at the two of them, so alike in their features. “I have news, Lady Anne. Father has requested my return to Longbourn. I shall visit him whilst you are in Town. Perhaps we might meet in London before we return to Derbyshire?”
Lady Anne nodded to Darcy and rose to take Elizabeth’s arm. “I was just advising my son we ought to go to Longbourn after we are done with Town. I know he wishes to see the countryside again and I would love to visit Netherfield Park while the Bingleys still hold the lease.”
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Jane returned to Pemberley after breakfast several days later to see Elizabeth home to Brambling Hall before they left for Longbourn.
Servants bustled about loading the carriage the Darcys would take to London and Jane hurried her pace to see Lady Anne for more than the brief moment at the carriage as the Darcys departed Pemberley.
Elizabeth stood in the entry with Mr. Darcy when Jane stepped inside. She was not surprised to find them alone, but Elizabeth moved away from Mr. Darcy’s side at the sound of her sister’s voice.
“Lizzy, where is Lady Anne? I would love to see her again before she leaves.”
Mr. Darcy smiled at Jane and went to stand beside her. “Mother will be down any moment. She returned to her rooms for a wrap in case the weather turns.”
Jane glanced at Elizabeth knowing the woman had likely left them alone for the purpose of a private farewell. Her maid would have gone quickly to her rooms had she a need.
Mr. Darcy’s mother must approve of a match between her son and Elizabeth. Jane was pleased at the thought but there was still the permission of their father to be sought. Elizabeth told her yesterday of Lady Anne’s mention of visiting Hertfordshire after their time in London.
Pemberley’s windows were shuttered and the maids busy in the downstairs rooms covering the furniture for the months the family would be away. Brambling Hall would soon be under the same transformation and Jane beckoned Lizzy to come stand with her and Mr. Darcy.
Lady Anne descended the stairs then with her maid at her side. She smiled warmly at the sight of the sisters awaiting her departure. “My dear Mrs. Bingley, how lovely you have come to see us off to London. As much as I enjoy the idea of Town, I am excited for the time William and I shall arrive in Hertfordshire.”
Jane nodded and accepted the woman’s embrace. “You must stay with us at Netherfield, Lady Anne. I shall have your rooms made ready if you will write to me from London of your plans.”
Mr. Darcy waited until his mother had embraced Elizabeth before he took her arm and the party stepped outside. “Mother and I would be happy to accept your hospitality, and I daresay Bingley would demand it. Netherfield is a lovely estate, but I am pleased to have you as close neighbors at Brambling Hall.”
He turned his gaze to Elizabeth then, the connection between them apparent to all present. Jane wondered about their conversation she had interrupted in the entry earlier and knew Elizabeth would tell her of it soon enough.
She held her sister’s hand as Mr. Darcy helped his mother into the carriage. Elizabeth waved to Lady Anne as the conveyance moved slowly away from Pemberley. She turned to Jane, willing her unshed tears away.
Jane embraced her before leading her slowly up the hill by the lake. “I do wonder why Papa has sent for you Lizzy. Surely nothing terrible has happened or he would have said.”
Elizabeth stopped to pick the wildflowers on the edge of the lake, careful with her balance, and stood offering her sister a small bouquet. “He is likely lonesome Jane. You recall he and I are quite close and the other girls vex him at every turn. It will be lovely to stay at Netherfield Park and perhaps throw a ball while we are there. That would certainly suit Lydia and Kitty and their redcoats.”
Jane laughed. “I imagine that would be a bit of fun, to watch them with the young officers. Certainly it improves mother’s nerves to see them so entertained.”
“Shall we leave on the morrow? Has Charles agreed?”
Jane switched her bouquet to her other hand and nodded at Lizzy. “He has. I admit he would rather stay here but with Darcy away it is easier for him to be persuaded. We shall only stay a few weeks at the most. I daresay we shall all be eager to return to the peace of Brambling Hall.”
Lizzy sighed as they lost sight of the Darcy equipage. Her heart longed to be sitting beside him on the way to London but she could not deny she wished to leave for Longbourn as soon as they might. “I must send father my reply before we leave Brambling.”
She picked up her pace and called for Jane to hurry. The sooner the maids packed their trunks the sooner they would be in Hertfordshire. Elizabeth smiled to think of her life; a delightful round of visiting well connected friends. Moving to Derbyshire with Jane and Charles had proven to be the beginning of her life, perhaps one that would include Mr. Darcy.
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William Collins left Longbourn that same morning with hopes of returning in a few weeks’ time to secure his cousin’s hand. Only Mrs. Bennet walked with him to the chaise awaiting his departure near the front door of Longbourn.
Mr. Bennet and his younger daughters were happy the man chose to leave and did not wish to suffer his company a moment longer than necessary. Mary watched from the door, for she alone would miss his readings and lectures. She had hoped he would offer for her hand, but Kitty assured her she was quite lucky the man had chosen Elizabeth.