Page 25 of An Interrupted Proposal
Thomas’s eyes grew large, and he nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes.” He slid out of Darcy’s arms and stepped between the couple, taking a hand on each side.
Darcy looked longingly at Elizabeth but accepted the separation––for now.
***********
Bingley, Miss Bennet, Miss Gardiner, Georgiana, and Miss Lucas joined the others, and they made their way back to Gracechurch Street in time for tea. Darcy noted Bingley and Miss Bennet were more distracted than normal, and they both wore expressions of excessive joy. He glanced at Elizabeth, who was also watching the couple, and they shared a nod of understanding. Therefore, it was not surprising when Bingley asked to speak to Mr. Gardiner just before the party was expected to leave.
As the two men left the room, Darcy lowered his head and said in a soft voice, “Should I speak to your uncle as well?”
Elizabeth tipped her head to the side, clearly considering the ramifications. “I think you should wait to speak to my father, sir.We are only to remain in London until Friday, and I would not want to steal attention from Jane.” She lifted her gaze to his, her eyes growing slightly larger. “You are intending to accompany Mr. Bingley when he returns to Netherfield Park, are you not?”
“I am, though I must return to Pemberley at some point in time.” He smiled. “Bingley was invited to Pemberley this summer. Perhaps you could accompany his party.”
“I am to tour the Lake District with my aunt and uncle this summer.”
“Then you must stay at Pemberley on your way there and on the return. I am in great anticipation of your thoughts on my home. It may have more walks than even you could explore in a brief visit.”
Her smile grew. “Then I must return often or stay longer.”
“Stay.” Darcy could not look away from her. She was everything he had ever desired.
A shy look came over her, and her gaze fell to her lap, though her lips were still curled upward in a soft smile, and she nibbled on the corner of her lip. Before any more could be said, Bingley and Mr. Gardiner returned to announce the couple as engaged pending Mr. Bennet’s approval.
Debate then pursued over whether an express should be sent to Mr. Bennet, Bingley should ride to Longbourn, or they should wait until the party travelled to Hertfordshire for Bingley to seek Mr. Bennet’s permission.
“Certainly, if an express is sent or Mr. Bingley rides to Longbourn to speak to our father, our mother will insist we remain in London to purchase your trousseau, Jane.”
“Lizzy, you assume your father will tell your mother of the betrothal,” Mrs. Gardiner said with a glance towards her husband. “I fear it would amuse him to keep such news to himself and have her be surprised when the couple arrives at Longbourn.”
With a heavy sigh, Elizabeth acknowledged it to be true.
“What would she say if you had completed much of your shopping before returning?” Philip asked.
“That is an excellent suggestion, Colonel,” Elizabeth replied, “but then Mamma would not be able to give her advice.”
Jane nodded. “And she would then dislike everything even if it is something she would have chosen had she been here.”
“Would it be so terrible to extend your stay in London?” Darcy asked.
Elizabeth laughed. “No, but shopping in London with our mother would be torturous.”
“Oh, Lizzy, she is not so bad.” Mrs. Gardiner said with an impish smirk. “You simply do not have the same passion for lace that your mother possesses. But this would be for Jane’s benefit, not yours.”
“Perhaps I should have allowed Sir William to tell Mrs. Bennet that Bingley was courting her daughter.” Darcy’s brows pulled together. “I suggested he wait for Miss Bennet to write to her mother.”
Elizabeth turned to her sister. “Did you, Jane? Did you write to Mamma and tell her that Mr. Bingley had been to see you?”
“I did. The letter I posted yesterday to assure her of your safe arrival. I told her the letter was short as we were expecting guests for dinner and named those who were to attend.”
“Then all will be well.” Elizabeth smiled, laughing when no one understood her pleasure. “Do you not see? When Mr. Bingley arrives to ask Papa’s permission to marry Jane, Mamma will be anticipating him. She will not allow Jane’s beau to leave until he takes tea with her and she is able to learn all she can of his time in London. As Papa would not dare to refuse him––though I fear he will have fun with Mr. Bingley for a time until he loses interest––Mamma will see their visitor’s pleasure and know at once that the couple is engaged and will ask Mr. Bingleyto bring Jane a list regarding her trousseau.” She drew breath and smiled at Bingley. “Have no fear that you will have to wait for the list, sir. Mamma has been writing it since Jane came out, making corrections from time to time, and, as she will have already received Jane’s letter, she will have prepared a fresh copy.”
Mr. Gardiner shook his head and turned to his wife. “I believe she is correct. We must simply allow enough time for the letter to arrive at Longbourn before Bingley travels there.”
“But how long would that be?” Bingley asked.
Mrs. Gardiner’s eyes narrowed, and she rose from her chair and left the room. A few minutes later, she returned. “The letter was posted early Saturday afternoon. I suspect it will be delivered sometime tomorrow, as long as there are no unforeseen circumstances.”
“Then Bingley should travel to Longbourn on Tuesday, at the earliest.” Darcy looked at his friend. “We are to go to the theatre on Wednesday. Have you any other business which must be conducted on Tuesday?”
