Page 28 of An Interrupted Proposal
His cousin turned and smiled. “Darcy and Miss Bennet. What a surprise.”
“Did my sister send you to find us?” Elizabeth asked.
He laughed before responding, “She mentioned my cousin was giving you a tour when I asked after him.”
“Yes, and we have only completed the first floor,” Darcy said as he slipped Elizabeth’s arm about his once again.
“If you continue in that manner, the tour will not finish before dinner, and I fear for Miss Bennet’s reputation.”
“Elizabeth will be my wife, and it will be my duty to protect her reputation.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam’s brows rose, and a smile broke across his countenance. “Congratulations!” He stepped forwards and claimed Elizabeth’s hand, bowing over it and pressing a kiss to the back of it. “Welcome to the family. May I call you Elizabeth? Though how my dolt of a cousin was able to secure you so quickly, I may never know.”
Darcy reclaimed Elizabeth’s hand from his cousin and led her from the room while the colonel trailed after them. “Please do not encourage him,” he begged her. “He believes himself to be quite a wit.”
Elizabeth laughed and wrapped her second hand over the first, leaning her head against his arm. “Is he frequently at your home?”
“Am I to be spoken of as though I am not here?” Colonel Fitzwilliam asked.
“When he is not at the barracks,” Darcy replied without acknowledging his cousin. “Though if it displeases you, I would gladly turn him away.”
“Darce!”
“No, he is amusing. I believe we can allow him to continue his stays here once we are wed.”
Darcy smiled so brightly; it was as though the sun were filling the room. “As you wish, my love.”
They made their way back to the drawing room, but before Darcy or Elizabeth could speak, the colonel announced to the room, “I found them in the library. They are engaged.” He turned back to them. “That was an engagement celebration I walked in upon, was it not?”
Elizabeth looked up at Darcy. “On second thought, we may have to limit his visits for at least a brief period.”
“You understand my pain now. I love him dearly, but . . .”
The colonel’s barking laughter interrupted their jesting, and they lifted their gaze to find the others grinning in their direction.
“Jane!” Miss Darcy cried, “How did you know it would be the library? I just knew he would ask her in his study.”
“If Mr. Darcy truly knows my sister, he would know it was books that would break down her last wall.” She grinned at her sister. “Congratulations, Lizzy! I am so happy for you.” She embraced Elizabeth before turning to Darcy. “Welcome to the family, Mr. Darcy. Will you be accompanying Charles to Longbourn tomorrow?"
CHAPTER SEVEN
Longbourn
Knowing the Bennets might be anticipating Bingley’s arrival due to Jane’s letter to her mother, the gentlemen decided to use his coach for their journey to Hertfordshire. Bingley had sent an express to Mrs. Nicholls on Monday asking her to open the house, but only to bring on a skeleton staff to see to the gentlemen’s needs for one evening; a light supper might be all that would be required on Tuesday and breakfast the following morning, should they decide to remain the night. Therefore, they travelled first to Netherfield to refresh themselves before travelling to Longbourn.
Though the Bennet estate was a smaller seat than Netherfield, the driveway was longer and passed through a small orchard before the house came into view. In their approach, Darcy noted a flash of colour amongst the trees and was unsurprised to see the youngest Bennet daughters rushing towards the house as the carriage drew to a stop before the main entrance. Pausing for a few minutes before descending from the equipage allowed the girls to enter the house before them, and they could hear the calls announcing their arrival.
The housekeeper opened the door as they approached, allowing Mrs. Bennet’s exclamations of “I knew he would come!” to reach them. The servant’s countenance stiffened but she greeted them with a guarded smile.
“Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy to see Mr. Bennet,” Bingley stated in a calm voice, though his fingers twitched at his side.
“I will see if he is at home to visitors,” she replied and left them standing in the hall while she went to consult with her master.
Before the servant had disappeared from view, Mrs. Bennet stepped out from a doorway to their left and feigned surprise at seeing them in her front hall. “Why Mr. Bingley, what a surprise." Her eyes widened. "And Mr. Darcy." Her gaze returned to Bingley. "It has been so long since we have met. Will you not come in?”
Bingley glanced at Darcy and then down the hall where the housekeeper had been. “I thank you, Mrs. Bennet. We are here to see Mr. Bennet but would enjoy greeting you and your daughters as well.”
The lady twittered like a young girl and motioned them into the parlour where the other Bennet ladies were seated. The two youngest were a bit flushed from their mad dash into the house and sat on a sofa whispering and giggling to one another. The middle sister was at a table, head bent over a book, scratching notes into a journal. She barely lifted her head to acknowledge their appearance before returning to her work.
