Page 69 of To Go Against Her Heart
“You met me last evening, and you did not inform me of your intention to propose to her. This is very surprising,” Darcy exclaimed.
“I just took your advice to heart, Darcy, and acted upon my instincts. This time, I was confident in my own actions, and the result is the lifelong happiness Jane has given me. I am to return to Netherfield tomorrow and wish to speak with her father.”
“Forgive me, I should have said this before. I am thrilled with the news, and my congratulations to you on your engagement.”
“I cannot tell you how excited I am to finally claim her hand.”
“Is Miss Bennet leaving tomorrow?” he asked, his thoughts immediately circling towards Elizabeth.
“Of course she is,” Mr. Bingley said and smiled, seeing Darcy frown.
“But, her sister is not. I understand she is to attend a ball as your aunt’s guest, so do not frown so much,” he said with a laugh. Darcy’s heart was troubled with envy as he looked at his friend, for he had wished to declare his intentions to Elizabeth before the ball. Yet, now he found himself doubting whether it might appear too sudden, merely on account of Mr. Bingley’s engagement to his sister.
His friend took leave after conveying the news to Georgiana, who was equally surprised by the sudden development.
“Brother, this is all so very sudden, and does this mean Miss Elizabeth will return to Hertfordshire soon? I assume shewill want to spend every moment with her sister now,” she said, looking forlorn, not understanding that Darcy was equally tormented to part from Elizabeth.
“I understand she would leave after the ball; we can call on her tomorrow if you wish,” he said.
“Of course I was planning to as the ball is just two days away, and I wish she could stay at aunt’s house after it ends,” she said, continuing to express her wishes about not wanting to end her friendship with Elizabeth because of her departure from town.
That night, both Elizabeth and Darcy lay awake for a long time. Though equally happy for Jane and Mr. Bingley, their thoughts lingered on a similar moment in their own lives.
Elizabeth looked upon Jane, who slept peacefully beside her, and her heart swelled with joy at the sight of her sister’s happiness. Yet she could not banish the memory that crept upon her—for it was in the same room, a year ago, that they had shared a similar evening when Mr. Harrington had offered her his hand. To Elizabeth, the very thought of the man and his proposal disgusted her, as deep down in her heart she knew that someday Darcy would seek her out the same way, and she could never accept him without revealing that she was engaged to someone in the past.
Elizabeth had often wondered how he might respond to her confession, and in her heart, she knew that—despite all she had done to drive him away—she could still see the same love and admiration in his eyes as they beheld hers. She did not doubt that nothing would change in his heart once he became aware of the truth about her past, but what she feared was her own feelings. It had been a long time since Elizabeth understood that whatever she had felt for Mr. Harrington in the past was not even close to what she felt for Darcy now. In Mr. Harrington, she had once seen the very picture of a perfect gentleman—one who had won her heart with ease, by displaying every markof kindness and integrity—none of which, in the end, proved to be true. Darcy had, at first, done nothing but provoke her anger; yet, throughout their acquaintance, he had shown that his affection for her was sincere enough to temper his pride and amend his arrogance. Beneath the stern exterior he once wore, she could now discern all that she had ever wished to love and esteem in a gentleman. The only unease that lingered in her mind was whether she might ever bestow upon him the love he so truly deserved, unhindered by the ghosts of her past.
She closed her eyes in quiet agony, praying for the strength as Darcy’s face flashed through her mind. She could not help but wonder if his nights, too, were troubled by thoughts of her, as hers were alwaysfilledwith him.
Chapter 27
Jane’s departure from town the next day was emotional, as she never expected to return to Longbourn as an engaged woman. Unexpectedly, Darcy and Georgiana had arrived that morning and were present as Mr. Bingley, Jane, and Mr. Gardiner departed for Hertfordshire.
Elizabeth hugged Jane and assured her she would return soon after the ball. Darcy said very little as he was battling too many emotions inside; he hardly had a chance to converse with Elizabeth and was grateful when Mrs. Gardiner pressed them to have tea after Jane’s carriage departed.
“You must miss your sister already, Miss Elizabeth, don’t you?” Georgiana asked as they sat down in the parlor.
“I do; we have never been apart. Even when we travel to town, we always go together,” Elizabeth said, and finally looked at Darcy. She observed his countenance, which was thoughtful, but once he saw her look at him, his expression softened.
“Allow me to congratulate you on your sister’s engagement, if I may add, Bingley is a wonderful man, and from my observation, he considers himself very lucky,” he said, and Elizabeth thanked him.
“I shall miss you terribly after you leave,” Georgiana said, and Elizabeth felt truly sad to part from the young girl and invited her to Hertfordshire.
“I am not certain about the particulars, but I assume Jane would wish to get married at the Longbourn chapel. I hope you can join your brother for the wedding,” she said, looking at Darcy with hope.
“I do not see any reason why she should not be able to attend it. She would definitely be a part of the wedding,” he said, not diverting his gaze fixed on her face, and somehow, in his words, Elizabeth found some hidden meaning.
Once tea concluded, Darcy and Georgiana left, and Elizabeth headed to her room,where her aunt soon joined her for conversation.
“I hope your father will grant his consent, Lizzy, and after many months, our family will have something to rejoice about. I have not seen Jane this happy, and I am sure it will last for a lifetime.”
“She will be, I am certain as Mr. Bingley is a wonderful man, and I am happy to have him as a brother. I still cannot comprehend how his family welcomed the news.”
“They must have anticipated it, I am certain. Are you still worried that his sisters may cause trouble?”
“I do not think so, but it will not be easy for Jane to live in the same house as Miss Bingley, I hope she stays in town if Mr. Bingley decides to settle in Netherfield,” she said.
“Miss Darcy seems to be very fond of you, and it is a shame that your acquaintance would be short-lived.”
