Page 87 of To Go Against Her Heart
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The few days Elizabeth had planned to spend in town passed more swiftly than she had anticipated, and everything had been nothing short of magical from the moment they arrived at her uncle’s house. From the instant she announced her engagement to her family, she was met with pure joy—especially from Jane, her aunt, and uncle. The Gardiners felt grateful that she finally found the love she deserved. As for Jane, she was ecstatic to understand what Darcy had done to secure her sister’s hand.
“I knew it, Lizzy, I was certain that if at all anyone had the means to make you realize your own heart, it was Mr. Darcy, and I am so glad to have him as my brother,” Jane exclaimed.
“At last, my dear, you have found a man who truly deserves you. I always knew that, however uncertain you were of the future, true love would never forsake you. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness,” her aunt said warmly.
As for Darcy, he experienced a similar sort of welcome from Georgiana and the Matlocks. Above all, Georgiana was delighted beyond measure, for her long-cherished wish of having Elizabeth as a sister was now fulfilled; yet it was Mr. Bingley’s reaction that afforded Darcy the greatest amusement.
“Good Lord! How long were you in love with her? I suspected that you admired her, but never thought you would be so deeply attached,” Mr. Bingley had exclaimed in surprise and quite honestly troubled that his friend never discussed his feelings with him.
“Trust me, Bingley, our journey to happiness has been as rocky as yours, but I am heartily glad that we have come into our felicity, just as you and Miss Bennet have done,” Darcy said. Even before he could speak further, Mr. Bingley insisted they wed on the same day, and Darcy confessed he was inclined to the same notion.
After enduring months of longing and torment, Darcy did not want to delay matters anymore.
The families had met frequently at both Mr. Bingley’s and Darcy’s homes, however, it was challenging for Elizabeth and Darcy to have a private moment between themselves, apart from a few conversations he stole with her here and there. While the ladies were occupied with their shopping excursions, Darcy and Mr. Bingley frequently found themselves in the company of Richard, who took great delight in teasing them without cause.
The wedding date was fixed within a few weeks, and Mrs. Bennet was unable to conceal her joy at the fortunate settlement of both her daughters—Elizabeth’s match being something she never imagined in her wildest dreams.
The news of Darcy’s marriage spread through the ton like wildfire, and most of those present at the ball were far from surprised as all who had observed the pair that evening had long anticipated such an announcement. And when the news reached Mr. Harrington’s ears, he sighed deeply, fully aware of how recklessly he had lost a life with a woman such as Elizabeth. His personal life had become a living nightmare since the day of the ball, and his wife was no longer on cordial terms with him. She pressed him relentlessly to confess whom he had favored before her, but he dared not risk his entire life by revealing the truth. As for Mrs. Harrington, she grew uneasy over her exclusion, along with the Kingstons, from Lady Matlock’s customary dinner invites. In truth, Richard and Darcy had confided to Lady Matlock the nature of Mr. Harrington’s faulty character at the ball, though they withheld the particulars as to whom he made his shameful advances to.
Lady Matlock, livid with anger, took swift action. Though she was close to the Kingston family, she deemed it necessary to exclude them from her invitations, thus justifying Mrs. Harrington’s growing concern and unease.
It struck her that the series of events had transpired since the ball, and she pondered whether her husband’s past, his quarrel with his friend, and Lady Matlock’s sudden distance were somehow connected, however, Mrs. Harrington was resolved to get to the bottom of her husband’s secret.
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A day before the Bennets were to leave town, Darcy paced his study impatient to spend time with Elizabeth before her departure. He was resolved to speak with her in private andarrived at her uncle’s house mid-morning. Though the entire family was present, he boldly asked her father’s leave to converse with Elizabeth in private.
“Mr. Darcy, you just met her last night at your aunt’s house during supper; I wonder what it is that you forgot to discuss with her in such a short time,” Mr. Bennet said with a fake disapproving look, and Jane could not help but suppress a smile.
Mrs. Bennet, as always, did not understand her husband’s humor and was appalled that Darcy might feel offended.
“Mr. Bennet, surely Mr. Darcy would like to say something to her in private,” she cried in horror.
“She is in the library; you can see her, but please keep the conversation short,” Mr. Bennet said, and Darcy was finally relieved to leave the teasing man and walked to the library as fast as he could. He expected Elizabeth to be seated on the couch, quite absorbed in her favorite occupation, reading. But to his surprise, as he opened the door, she stood by the window serenely gazing at the sunlight that adorned the April morning sky. She was oblivious to his presence, and Darcy wished he possessed the talent to draw, as he longed to capture the beautiful likeness he beheld.
He was torn between breaking her trance and calling out to her; however, as he took a few steps forward, Elizabeth turned around in surprise.
“Fitzwilliam!” she exclaimed, shocked by his sudden appearance. Darcy smiled at her, relishing how she had addressed him, for it was the first time she had done so, though he had pleaded for it on many occasions.
“At last, you have bestowed upon me the honor of addressing me by my given name,” he said, stepping forward to take her hand.
“Your appearance took me by surprise, and I assure you I will be more careful next time, Mr. Darcy,” she said teasingly.
“I cannot believe you have been here a whole week, and yet I have scarcely had the opportunity to spend any time with you,” he said, his voice tinged with irritation.
“It is surprising you would feel so, for we have met almost every day in the past week except for Thursday.”
“Meeting you in a room filled with our families is quite different from standing this close to you, with only us present,” he said with feeling.
“I assume my father gave you permission to meet me now.”
“He did and wanted me to make it short-lived,” he said, caressing her cheek.
“Why did you wish to see me? We were to meet you for supper.”
“We are to wed in three weeks, and yet it feels like an eternity. You returning to Longbourn tomorrow only adds to my pain,” he said.
