Page 53 of To Love And To Cherish
That evening, Georgiana was too shaken to dine below. A tray was sent up to her room, and Kitty, unwilling to face her mother’s inevitable questions, accepted Mr. Bingley’s invitation to dine at Netherfield. He sent his carriage to collect her and Jane, and upon arriving, Kitty went straight to Georgiana’s room. There, the two friends dined together from trays, speaking in low voices as they quietly rehearsed all that had transpired that day.
By day’s end, Wickham had been detained and would remain in detention until Darcy presented Colonel Forster with the debt papers and court order from London. The commanding officer acted swiftly. Three days later, Wickham was escorted to London, where he would be placed aboard the next ship bound for Australia.
Georgiana sat with her brother the evening after Wickham’s departure. They faced the fire in quiet relief.
"He’s gone," she said quietly.
Darcy nodded. "For good, this time."
"Thank you, Fitzwilliam. I don’t know what would have happened if not for you."
"You did well. You and Kitty both."
She was quiet for a moment, then said, "Will we return to London soon?"
"After Bingley’s wedding. Then you’ll go to Matlock House. Aunt Helen will be glad to have you."
"And you?"
He smiled faintly. "I shall begin my search."
"For a wife?"
He looked over at her, eyes grave. "Yes. It's past time."
She leaned her head against his shoulder. "She will have to be very special."
He gazed into the fire, his expression distant. “I must fulfill my duty. The woman I choose will have rank and fortune, but affection is unlikely. Aunt Helen has five ladies in mind whom she insists I meet; she expects me to choose a wife from among them.”
They sat together in the fading light, quiet and reflective. Though grateful for the day’s outcome, a shared sadness lingered between them, for both were thinking of Elizabeth.
Chapter 28: The Perfect Union
Darcy stood beside his dearest friend, Charles Bingley, on a lovely morning in May, watching as Miss Jane Bennet walked with graceful composure up the nave of the small stone church in Meryton. She was radiant, her golden hair gleaming in the purple-hued light cast by the stained-glass windows. She walked with poise and quiet joy on the arm of her father, her eyes fixed solely on the man who waited for her at the altar.
Bingley looked transfixed, as if he was breathing rarified air. Darcy glanced at his friend and was struck by the openness of his expression, adoration, wonder, and a trace of disbelief that such a woman belonged to him.
She was indeed beautiful, but more than that, she was serene, gracious, and good. A true gentlewoman. Darcy’s thoughts strayed to the week before, when all had nearly come undone. Caroline Bingley had returned from her banishment in Scarborough with no notice, traveling in a post-chaise, with two footmen, and an unparalleled capacity for drama.
Darcy's cheeks warmed at the memory. She had stormed into the Netherfield drawing room, shrieking like a fishwife.
“Charles! Louisa wrote to me! She said you’ve made an offer of marriage to Jane Bennet, that country nobody, her uncles are tradesmen! How dare you! Don’t you care for my future? How am I to make a good match with such low connections clinging to your name?”
Charles had frozen, speechless in his own home, seated beside Jane while her family, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Kitty, and severalguests looked on in shock. Darcy and Georgiana had occupied chairs near the hearth.
Jane had turned her angelic gaze from Caroline to Charles, her eyes searching his.
Darcy, sensing catastrophe, had risen slowly and approached Caroline. Only when he stood before her did her words cease.
At last, she blinked and took in the room. Her face flushed scarlet with shame, though she would never admit it. Her spine stiffened, and she pivoted smartly, disappearing up the stairs.
Darcy had hoped she would remain there.
He turned to Jane, bowing slightly.
"Miss Bennet, may I offer you more tea? Or perhaps some wine to calm your nerves?"
She looked up at him gratefully. "Yes. Wine would be most welcome."
