Page 41 of To Love And To Cherish
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.
Chapter 21: Bound for Scotland
Mr. Bennet called for the carriage, and he, with Jane, Mary, and Kitty in tow, accompanied Elizabeth to Meryton to deliver her into Mrs. Talbot’s care. Mrs. Talbot received them most graciously, pressing them to stay for tea. While the young ladies conversed pleasantly, Mr. Bennet inquired after his old acquaintance, Giles Trent. After a quarter hour of cordial exchange, the Bennets made their farewells, leaving Elizabeth and Miss King to their domestic preparations.
The two young ladies ascended at once to Mary’s chamber and commenced sorting her belongings. Gowns were divided into three categories: those fit for use, those to be gifted to her maid, and those only fit for the rag bag. This task, thorough and not without sentiment, consumed several hours. Thereafter, they turned their attentions to her linens, and finally to the trinkets and childhood keepsakes that adorned every surface of the room, from window ledges to drawer bottoms. Most were relics of youth, easily relinquished. Elizabeth suggested the tenant children at Longbourn would delight in such treasures, calling them perhaps the prettiest things those children had ever owned.
When Mrs. Talbot discovered the four canvas bags stacked neatly by the door, she threatened to consign the lot to the burn pile. To prevent such a fate, Elizabeth offered to remove them to Longbourn herself. She was grateful for the errand; the day had kept her indoors far too long, and she welcomed the mile’s walk.
