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Two letters went forth from Rosings, penned by Mr Darcy with Lizzy’s able assistance: one to Mr Bennet, and one to Georgiana.
The first contained all the usual particulars a gentleman must ask of his beloved’s guardian and contained an addendum in Lizzy’s own hand.
Yes, Father, it is true. Had you asked me, before I came to Kent, whether I cared for Mr Darcy I would undoubtedly have thought you mad, and yet I now see that even in the midst of my denials I would have been deceiving myself. I believe I cared for him at Netherfield, though I certainly did not recognise it then. Now I know it to be true, and can only thank Providence that we were afforded a second chance, and the wisdom to seize hold of it. Be happy for me, Papa, and grant your consent. I cannot give you a reason other than that it would make me very happy indeed.
It preceded its sender, but only by a day, for Lizzy could not be prevailed upon to remain at Kent when there were all the particulars of a wedding to arrange. She bid a tearful farewell to Charlotte, whose life had improved immeasurably with her friend’s short visit, and the pair promised to reunite soon, for there would be another wedding recalling them all to Rosings, Mr Darcy assured them, once his aunt’s wounded sensibilities eased and she recognised the wisdom of the match between her daughter and nephew, albeit not the nephew she might have wished for.
Lizzy was welcomed home with open arms, for Mrs Bennet remarked that she had known from the very moment she first laid eyes upon that charming Mr Darcy that he would marry one of her daughters, and Lizzy being the favourite for the match. The only pain that remained to tarnish Mrs Bennet’s complete and total happiness at this wonderful news was the knowledge that poor Jane languished, still, heartbroken and alone in London.
Of this, Lizzy said little, but a mischievous smile played about her lips for a week that could not be solely attributed to the joy of her growing affection for her affianced, or the excitement of planning a wedding. In fact, the wedding itself began to take shape only in the vaguest of forms, for Elizabeth was hoping it would provide not one but two happy unions. She took to racing to the window whenever a letter arrived and examining all the post for news from London, although she would not explain why, however strongly her mother pressed.
She said nothing of Rosings’ third letter, sent in two parts to two recipients. Elizabeth told Jane her happy news but implored her to remain in London one week more, before returning to Hertfordshire to rejoice with her in person. She remained cryptic on her reasoning but trusted that Jane, with the obedience owed to a bride in advance of her wedding, would do this one thing her sister asked of her and remain, a little while longer in Gracechurch Street. The second part, Mr Darcy delivered in person, arriving at the entrance of Mr Bingley’s house with a spring that had not been seen in his step this many a month. It was the smile that adorned his usually grim features that quite unnerved Charles Bingley, who received him, and understood only too well the cause for his friend’s delight when Darcy explained all that had happened in Kent.
It was then that Darcy urged his friend to take a walk to a particular part of London in which lodged at present a certain person he took a fancy to call upon, and wagered Charles would be eager to accompany him. For having changed his opinion of one Bennet sister it was only natural that Darcy should also change his opinion of the other, and having secured his own heart’s happiness he could do little but want the same for his friend.
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The End