Chapter 35

Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy was sitting at the desk in his study much as he had done several months before. He buried himself in the work of his estate. But this time he was not trying to avoid life by working hard; instead he was hurrying through work so that he could leave Pemberley behind again. Down the hall in the music room Georgiana was playing cheerful tunes, and the whole estate seemed to abound with joy.

Darcy was pleased to find that the estate had flourished under the capable hands of Mr. Robins. Although there was much work that required the master's attention, there was nothing of significance that had been neglected in his absence.

A few days after his return from London, Darcy received a letter from Mr. Bingley.

Dear Darcy,

I hope your travels to Pemberley went well. I am now settled at Netherfield. Mr. Bennet has granted me permission to marry Miss Bennet, and I am so delighted and relieved. Our wedding will take place in three months time. I would have liked for it to be sooner, but Miss Lydia Bennet will be travelling for several weeks to Brighton, and Miss Bennet would like for all of her sisters to be in attendance for the wedding.

The militia which have been quartered here are being transferred to Brighton in about a week's time. Miss Lydia Bennet will be accompanying them as a special guest of the Colonel's wife. I understand many of the young ladies in the area are disappointed to see them leave, but I suspect that your Miss Elizabeth is very much relieved that they will be gone. Mr. Wickham is once again a frequent caller at Longbourn. The youngest Bennet sisters tell me that he was betrothed to a Miss Mary King, but her uncle took her away so that she would not marry him. He has been coming to Longbourn often since that engagement was broken. Since he was calling here while Miss Elizabeth was gone, I know she is not his entire reason for visiting. From my observation, she is the primary focus of his attention. She seems very much irritated with his attentions, and her insults seem to be becoming less veiled. I truly cannot fathom why he has not given up hope of her.

Do you know how soon you will be able to come to Netherfield? Are you interested in bringing your sister? Originally, I did not expect either of my sisters would be coming to Netherfield soon. However, when I went to call on them the day you left for Pemberley, they both asked if they could stay with me. Caroline was particularly insistent. She was most apologetic about her behavior and says that she would like to make amends to Miss Bennet. I am not sure how sincere she is, but I do think that it would behoove me for my sister and wife to be friends. I told her I would not decide the matter for certain until I had asked Miss Bennet. Today Miss Bennet informed me that she would very much welcome Caroline. I was once again amazed by Miss Bennet's selflessness and willingness to offer grace. In any case, since my sisters will be visiting, you would be more than welcome to bring your sister as well.

Good luck with finishing all your necessary business quickly.

Respectfully,

Charles Bingley

Darcy could not help but feel angry and jealous about George Wickham visiting Miss Elizabeth. He was glad to know that the militia would soon be leaving and that Wickham would be far away from her. Part of him wanted to have his horse saddled and immediately ride straight to Hertfordshire, but reason told him he needed to stay and finish his business matters. Darcy was at least pleased that he would be able to bring his sister to Netherfield. This way she would have a greater opportunity to become friends with Miss Elizabeth. She would also be able to spend time with Miss Bennet and Miss Lucas, with whom she had developed friendships already. He did wonder what Miss Bingley's true motives for coming to Hertfordshire again were, since he had heard her complain so many times. He hoped that her professed desire to make amends to Miss Bennet was indeed true. Whether or not her change of heart was real would not be discernible until she was in Hertfordshire.

Thinking about his upcoming trip to Hertfordshire filled Mr. Darcy with joy. Mr. Darcy's cheeriness and good humor were so manifest, that all of his staff and tenants noticed. While he had always been a good landlord and master, most of those under his care could not recall his being truly happy. Exactly how the rumor was started is uncertain, but before long it was whispered across Pemberley that the master would soon be taking a wife. When Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper, asked Miss Darcy about the rumors, she did not deny them.

Thus, before long all of Pemberley knew that Mr. Darcy would soon be wed. Everyone knew except for Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy himself.