Page 54 of Saved By Mr. Darcy
“Mr Bingley was glad to see you when he arrived, was he not?”
“Do not change the subject!” Jane protested, her cheeks flushing a bright pink. “He looks well, I think.”
“Very well,” Lizzy agreed. “And still very single, I believe. I should like to see you share a dance later.”
“Lizzy! Do not tease me so. It is pity Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst were unable to attend.”
“A pity indeed,” Lizzy grinned.
“Oh hush! You are terrible. Are you excited? You cannot stop smiling!”
“I am.”
“I still cannot believe it! You and Mr Darcy. I thought you loathed him so! Now I have seen you here with him, I wonder how I did not see it before.”
“If you had told me some months ago that I would be preparing to marry him this morning, I would have laughed in your face!” Lizzy said with a laugh. “I cannot pretend to understand love, or how it comes to be.”
“I am glad that you have found such happiness. I will miss you so. I will be sorry indeed to leave you when the wedding is over.”
“Must you go?”
“I would hardly interfere with a newly married couple!” Jane laughed. “I am sure your husband will not wish your sister to be here at such a time.”
“Georgiana will be here,” Lizzy countered. “You would not intrude.”
Jane shook her head, stroking her sister’s hair fondly.
“I shall let you find your place as Mistress of Pemberley and Mrs Darcy. I will come and visit soon. Perhaps for the spring, if you are settled.”
“Spring is a long time away. So much could happen in all that time! Perhaps Mr Bingley will take up Netherfield again and I shall not be able to draw you from Hertfordshire.”
“Lizzy!” Jane gave her shoulder a gentle shove. “I am sure I do not know what you mean! Now, if you have finished, we have work to do. How will you wear your hair?”
“Up, in a twist I think. I have a pretty new hair pin given to me by Fitzwi- Darcy.”
Lizzy reached for the pretty silver jewellery box he had also bought her some weeks ago. He seemed to give her constant trinkets – she was unsure how he acquired such pretty things for he never left Pemberley for more than two hours or so. She protested each time he quietly offered her another wrapped parcel, but he simply silenced her with a kiss or a squeeze to her hand. She had never felt so cherished in all her life.
“What fine workmanship. He certainly has been generous with his gifts.”
“And I have told him I require none of them,” she smiled. “He does so insist.”
“I am sure women have had worse complaints about their betrothed.”
There was a sharp knock at the door. Penny bustled to open it, and Mrs Bennet pushed past her to enter. Lizzy and Jane looked towards her, blinking at the unexpected intrusion of their mother.
“Good morning girls! Jane, go and get ready with your sister. I must speak with Lizzy alone.”
“Jane is helping me!” Lizzy protested.
“Away with you, Jane!” their mother continued, paying no mind to Lizzy’s protests. “Now!”
Jane glanced at Lizzy, who merely shrugged. Jane reluctantly walked towards the door.
“I will go and make sure that Kitty and Mary are ready,” Jane said. “I will come back in fifteen minutes.”
The door clicked closed, and Lizzy and her mother were left alone.
“Mother, what is the meaning of this?”
