She looked down to hide her tears and said softly, “You are right, Fitzwilliam. I do not understand. How you could be married without telling me?”
Darcy calmly and deliberately explained to Georgiana how everything came about.
At length, she did recover; her tears ceased, and she was able to view this announcement with joy. She was able to understand a little more as they discussed it, and she asked questions of how all had come about.
Darcy then redirected the conversation back to the theft. “Whoever broke in stole some items of minimal value. Nothing that cannot be replaced. But there was something in the room that I had not thought to look for. I am not sure if he found it, but if he did, I cannot even grasp what he is doing with it.”
“What is it?” asked Georgiana.
“Elizabeth’s and my wedding certificate.”
***
At Longbourn the following day, two events of great import took place.
The first occurred when Bingley came for a visit for the third day in a row. Elizabeth readily noticed the nervousness with which Jane greeted him this day and wondered if she was anticipating that this would be day he might make her an offer.
As they sat and visited in the sitting room, nervous expectation seemed to quell everyone’s ability to converse in a rational manner except for Mrs. Bennet, who seemed to be propelled into mindless chatter by the quiet that overtook the others.
Elizabeth finally suggested that they venture out for a walk, and then tarried to give Jane and Bingley some privacy.
They were soon out of her sight, and Elizabeth paused just a little longer. She thought Mr. Bingley better be making good use of this time alone or she might do something impulsive to propel him along.
She began walking again, and at length, she caught up with the couple. Jane greeted Elizabeth with such an abundance of joy that Elizabeth could only assume he had asked for her hand and she had accepted. She hugged her sister warmly.
“Oh, I am so happy, Lizzy! Charles and I are to be married!”
Elizabeth pulled away from Jane and looked at Bingley. “I am so happy for you both!”
“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. I believe we are quite happy as well.”
As they walked back toward the house, they talked of their wedding. Jane had such a look of contentment on her face that Elizabeth was quite confident they would be happy all their lives. She was also grateful that this announcement would finally draw her mother’s negative attention from herself and transfer it to Jane in a most positive way.
As was to be expected, Mrs. Bennet wailed with glee. The sisters were all in support of this, and Mr. Bennet, although not visibly exhibiting much emotion, met the occasion with great pleasure, knowing that his family should now be well taken care of.
While one marital announcement was taking place, another offer was being made. Mr. Collins made an offer to Charlotte, who readily accepted. When it was announced to the Bennets, Mrs. Bennet reminded Elizabeth that this announcement might have been hers and that now the Lucases must be already viewing Longbourn as belonging to them. However, her distress was diffused greatly in light of the joy and elation she experienced in Jane’s engagement.
The Bennet daughters were all completely in shock at Charlotte’s acceptance, particularly Elizabeth, who felt that her friend was making a very foolish mistake. And with a sarcastic chuckle, Mr. Bennet was convinced that Mr. Lucas would, without a doubt, proudly boast of his fine new son-in-law.
***
After the excitement of the previous day, Elizabeth found herself alone late in the morning. Everyone had errands to run or visits to pay. Mr. Collins was making final arrangements with the Lucases before he left for Hunsford. Jane was paying a visit to Bingley and his sisters at Netherfield to talk of their wedding plans. Her parents, along with Mary and Kitty, had set out to Meryton on errands and to visit the Phillipses, and Lydia had been invited to spend the day with Colonel Forster’s wife. She was grateful for the solitude, as a letter from her aunt arrived after everyone had left.
She eagerly retreated to her room, closing the door behind her, and carefully opened the sealed missive. Flinging herself onto her bed, she began reading.
My Dear Niece,
I know you have been expecting this letter, and I hope it finds you well. I must say that I began writing three other times and resorted to tearing up each letter, as I was not satisfied with any. So I shall devote this whole morning to formulating a letter that, hopefully, expresses your uncle’s and my sentiments. You know that Edmund and I hold you in the highest esteem and I treasure our familial relationship as well as our close friendship.
You might suspect, dearest Elizabeth, that Mr. Darcy’s appearance at our doorstep when he was in London was quite unexpected and astounding. But what he went on to tell us, dear one, could not have taken us more by surprise. That you and he are married! Oh, how confused we were to hear that!
As he went on to explain how this came to be, I thought back to our visit to Derbyshire and Pemberley, and suddenly, I understood your extreme nervousness in viewing Pemberley and wishing to visit only with the certainty that Mr. Darcy, who we thought had merely been a fellow passenger on the ship, was not at home. I thought back to the little sampler he had on his mantel, remembering the verse that you so often quote. Did you, indeed, do the stitchery yourself? And then there was, of course, your melancholy countenance upon arriving in America.
Oh, Elizabeth, suddenly everything made sense and how I wished that you had felt secure enough in our love to tell us! But do not be mistaken, I do understand. Mr. Darcy acquainted us with all the circumstances surrounding your decision to marry, how it was to be annulled, and how, upon your meeting back in Hertfordshire, you both very strongly desired to keep your marriage intact.
Elizabeth, may I say that Mr. Darcy loves you a great deal? I know that this secret marriage will be difficult for your father to understand. His love for you is most protective, and we have advised Mr. Darcy to take some time getting to know him before he tells him of your marriage.
I know this means that the two of you will have to continue in secrecy, but we think it will be best. We do hope that when you do inform your family and friends (and we are quite sure your mother will be thrilled and can only hope that she learns to appreciate the man and not just his wealth) that everyone will understand.
Edmund and I will make every effort to come to Longbourn should you feel the need for some additional support! I would take this opportunity to say how much we like and approve of him. His behaviour was, in every respect, very pleasing and honourable. Edmund and I can certainly put in some very good words for Mr. Darcy to your father, if need be.
Have peace, Elizabeth, in all this.
Yours, very sincerely,
Madlyn Gardiner
Elizabeth, may I discreetly tell you how greatly I look forward to visiting Pemberley again when you are settled in as its Mistress?
Elizabeth read and reread the letter several times and was stirred from her reverie as she heard the sound of a carriage come up the drive to the front of the house. She pulled herself up out of her bed and walked over to the window and gasped at the sight of the opulent carriage that stopped. She watched as an older woman was helped out of the carriage and brought to the door. She had never seen the woman before in her life.
Assuming it was someone paying a visit to her mother, Elizabeth stayed in her room. She was quite surprised, then, when there was a knock on her door and Hill walked in nervously.