-1Chapter 10 - You Cannot Leave.
Jane Bennet was elated, there was nothing else to note. She had finally been asked by Mr Bingley for her hand in marriage. After succumbing to the idea that she would never be matched to the gentleman she loved, Jane had about given up hope. Yet when Elizabeth wrote with the invitation to Pemberley where Mr Bingley would no doubt be present, Jane had to be a little elated. Even the prospect of seeing Mr Bingley again made Jane happy. Yet when she was greeted with a cooler response from the gentleman concerned than usual, she was prepared to spend the remainder of her life as a spinster. Yet in a moment everything changed. Without any knowledge that he continued his regard, Mr Bingley came upon her in the drawing room. There, in the most gentlemanly manner and with the utmost decorum, he had asked for her hand in marriage. For a moment, Jane Bennet knew not what to say. As her smile broadened, he noted all of the reasons why he had been a fool, his departure from Netherfield being one of them. After a brief but emotional apology, Jane had accepted.
Mr Bingley immediately made his departure to Hertfordshire in the hope of securing Jane's hand with the consent of her Father. In the meantime however, he left a bemused Darcy at Pemberley, wondering if his confession to Bingley was the reason why he departed. But Mr Darcy did not know that his confession provoked Charles Bingley into asking for the young lady's hand. Mr Darcy, it had to be said, was downhearted.
"Lizzy!" Elizabeth turned at the sound of her name. Her Aunt Gardiner had joined her in the drawing room, a smile apparent on her countenance. She had obviously been told the news. "What glorious news! Jane engaged!"
"It is wonderful news, Aunt."
"I now feel that we must make our apologies and return to Hertfordshire. I imagine that Mrs Bennet would like Jane returned home, especially when Mr Bingley is taking up residence at Netherfield." Elizabeth nodded solemnly. "Why so downhearted, Lizzy?"
"I must confess that I have become quite attracted to Pemberley, Aunt."
"Or it's Master?" Mrs Gardiner said with concern yet Elizabeth's rosy complexion made it apparent.
"Are you intending to leave, Mrs Gardiner?" Georgiana Darcy muttered solemnly as she entered the drawing room, taking a seat opposite the couple.
"I fear that we must, Miss Darcy. Mrs Bennet would require her daughter returned to her upon this happy news. Yet I fear that we may have overstayed our welcome here." Georgiana Darcy shook her head firmly.
"You and your family are welcome to Pemberley, you could never stay long enough. I fear that the house will be quiet now that you are leaving. But what of your happy news?"
"Mr Bingley has made his addresses to my sister, Jane." Elizabeth said with a smile. "He did not depart for London, quite the contrary."
"This is joyous news! You must allow me to give your sister my congratulations. They are such a well suited match." Elizabeth nodded slightly before watching Georgiana Darcy depart the room in search of Jane Bennet.
Georgiana Darcy however, did not depart in search of Jane Bennet, instead she wandered the wide corridors of Pemberley toward her brother's study. She found him there, the door open, his elbows resting on his desk and his face in his hands.
"Brother, are you well?" Georgiana said from the doorway. He looked up immediately with a look of sorrow.
"I am well, Georgiana. Do come in." He held his hand out to the chair in front of his desk. She took the seat, gazing across the table to her handsome brother who's heart was yearning.
"I fear that I bring sorrowful news, Fitzwilliam." She paused slightly. "The Gardiner party is departing Pemberley for Hertfordshire, along with Elizabeth." Darcy sighed slightly.
"When do they leave?"
"I know not, they will most certainly remain the night and journey on at first light."
"So Mr Bingley has made his addresses." Georgiana nodded. "I thought it would be so, how I envy him."
"You may still have an opportunity brother." Darcy shook his head.
"No Georgiana, she is lost to me. She will return to Hertfordshire and I will never see her again."
"Travel onto Netherfield, join Mr Bingley."
"He will not wish for my company, I insulted his character and he will never forgive me."
"Mr Bingley is a kind hearted man who will always believe in friendship before his character." Darcy remained silent, gazing at the wood of his desk. "He has been our friend for many years, and he will remain to be. You will see, Fitzwilliam, all will be well." He watched his sister leave the study, her intelligence far exceeded her years and he knew that she was correct. An apology to Mr Bingley had already been offered and rejected yet Mr Darcy was stern in his approach. As he took out a sheet of paper from his desk he smiled slightly, he had lost Elizabeth, he would not loose his friend too.
Elizabeth was rather surprised to find Mr Darcy absent for the remainder of the afternoon. He was not even present at the dining table that evening, Miss Darcy taking the role of hostess. She of course offered apologies for her brother claiming he had urgent business yet even she was not aware of his location nor the reason for his absence. Dinner, however continued as usual with a happy atmosphere at the recent engagement of Jane Bennet. Compliments were passed around the table multiple times with raised glasses yet still Mr Darcy remained absent.
Elizabeth retired to her room that evening with dissatisfaction, she intended to see Mr Darcy in order to bid him farewell and thank him for his assistance. How she longed to see him, for him to make her heart flutter like it had for the past days. Yet she could not. As she dressed for bed she thought of the life she could have led at Pemberley, as its mistress. But that should all be forgotten, he would never renew his addresses and Elizabeth had to resign herself to the fact. She had finally come to admit to herself that she wanted, no longed, for him to renew those addresses but it was now all to be in vain.
A small knock from the door brought her from her thoughts, smiling slightly she pulled a shawl around her shoulders.
"Come in, Jane." She said happily as she raced to the door and pulled it open. She could only open her heart to Jane and she felt like tonight would be an extended conversation. She was surprised however, to find not Jane, but Mr Darcy.
He stood silently for a moment at the doorway of her room, dressed in nothing but his shirt and breeches, the top of his shirt revealing skin that made Elizabeth's heart race.
"Miss Elizabeth," He said nervously. "Please, you cannot leave."