The month of May passed rapidly; too rapidly, in some people's opinions. Suddenly it was early June and the end of Bingley's stay at Pemberley.
He and Jane had spent as much time together as they felt they properly could: riding when the weather permitted, and conversing among the others during meals and evening gatherings. Both were very conscious of her status as mourning widow and never alluded to the future, instead discussing more neutral subjects.
He told her of Netherfield, how he loved overseeing its care and how much he had learned since making it his home. She shared more about her son and her experience of motherhood, her personal interests she pursued at Pemberley, and her impression of Lady Catherine. Enough time had passed that she was able to view her earlier months under that woman's patronage with some humour, and Bingley enjoyed those stories very much as they matched his own impression from his one meeting with her.
He described his late parents and how he hoped he was realising their dreams for him in joining the landed gentry. She talked about her family, how proud she was of Elizabeth and Mary and her hopes for Kitty and Lydia who were finally showing signs of maturity.
Their feelings for the other grew apace over that month, and both could see the other's matching interest, though they could never speak of it.
Part of Jane lamented Mr Collins coming to Hertfordshire when he did and taking her away only weeks before she would have met Mr Bingley; but she loved her son too much, and he was too important to her beloved family's security, to regret the marriage that made him.
Part of Bingley rued the same, yet he knew he had not been ready at that time in his life to appreciate her as she deserved. Perhaps they would have met and married back then, but if, God willing, they married next year, he knew their lives would be better for having had these intervening years and life experiences.
The party of five all had breakfast together on the morning of Bingley's departure. He explained his plans to reside at Netherfield for the rest of the summer before heading to London sometime in September. He planned to invite a few friends as he did last year, adding with a grin, "For as long as there are unmarried ladies in Hertfordshire I will do my duty and provide bachelors to introduce to them."
As he made his farewells he approached Jane last. He gazed at her for a few moments, his eyes making a promise he could not put into words, willing her to understand what his heart longed to tell her. Finally he kissed her hand, simply saying, "Until we meet again."
The door to his carriage closed and he began to roll away. While Darcy and Georgiana walked inside Elizabeth looked anxiously at her sister. Jane, dear Jane, looked as composed as always, but Elizabeth knew better. Before she could ask how she was or what she needed, Jane told her she wanted to be with William and walked briskly to the nursery. Elizabeth knew they would talk when she felt ready.
#
The remaining members of the Bennet clan, excepting Mary and John, descended upon Pemberley at the beginning of July in anticipation of the birth of Elizabeth's child. Though it was now their third trip to the great estate, not one of them could help the same feelings of awe that had struck them the other two times.
One of the first evenings after dinner Darcy and Mr Bennet loitered over their port before rejoining the ladies. Both had grown quite fond of the other and appreciated the rare chance for male company.
"What are your thoughts on Kitty and Lydia these days, Darcy?" his father-in-law asked.
"They have come a long way this past year," he replied. "I do believe nary a thought of an officer has crossed their minds in some time."
"True, the regiment has long since departed and will hopefully never return," the older man chuckled. "Your sister is likely a good influence as well. They do look forward to her letters."
"Elizabeth tells me you have been having them assist with estate matters."
"'Tis true. I should have had them handling tenants years ago. Seeing the way others live who have not had their privileges has been quite eye-opening for them. And they finally seem to understand that they must comport themselves as ladies in order to attract gentlemen of the standing they would like; the problem is the dearth of gentlemen in the Meryton area. We cannot hope to get lucky a second time with Mr Bingley's friends." He glanced casually at Darcy.
His son-in-law immediately understood. "I would like to observe them here a while longer before agreeing to host them in London, if you do not mind."
"I would never press you, Darcy."
Darcy nodded thoughtfully. "I believe Lydia is now seventeen and Catherine nearly nineteen?" At Mr Bennet's nod, he continued: "They are old enough, and it would be convenient to have them presented at the same time as Georgiana this January. It would also ease Georgiana's nervousness considerably to have friends coming out with her."
He thought some more while Mr Bennet watched.
"They are now worth five thousand apiece, between your saving and my small contribution, is that correct?" Bennet nodded again. "And it would likely benefit all three of them to have a season together. I am starting to like this idea. I will certainly consider it, and discuss it with Elizabeth."
The other man smiled. "That is all I ask. I appreciate it."
They sat and drank in silence for a few minutes.
"I hear Mr Bingley had a recent visit here," Mr Bennet said.
"Indeed; for about a month."
"Since my first meeting with the man I thought he and Jane would suit, but of course she was already married when he first came to Hertfordshire."
Darcy stifled a smile. The man was as bad as his wife, if a little more subtle.
"An interesting thought," he replied.
"But now Jane is no longer married," Bennet pressed.
"Another astute observation," Darcy said.
Bennet chuckled. He would be forced to ask outright. "And how did they get on while he was here? He did not speak much of her when I saw him."
Darcy did not desire to offer his opinion. It was clear to him that the pair were rapidly falling in love, they did indeed suit, and his wife was in agreement on both points. However, Jane was a free and independent woman. She may be Bennet's daughter, and living in Darcy's house, but she was under neither of their guardianship. He did not want to discuss her as though she were.
"You will have to ask Jane," was all he said in reply.
#
Isabelle Anne Darcy was born on the twelfth of July. It was a grueling twenty hours of labour but Elizabeth had the support of Jane, Mrs Bennet, and an experienced midwife, and her husband had the support of Mr Bennet and a bottle of port.
Darcy was overjoyed by the arrival of his daughter. The first time he held her he knew he was lost; her beautiful eyes, so like his beloved wife's, captured his own and he pledged to give her the best life he could.
For the remainder of the Bennets' visit whenever the children were brought from the nursery to join the family for a period of time they all would squabble over whose turn it was to hold little Isabelle. Lydia and Kitty may have taken more than their fair share with their niece, but what everyone loved best was seeing the two infants interact together. At eight months old William was curious about his newborn cousin and it made everyone laugh to see him poking and patting her while she squirmed.
Elizabeth was correct that her husband was not amused by her jokes about Isabelle and William marrying. "You will cause them to rebel and marry others who are completely unsuitable," he objected one evening when the family of three were alone.
"I would say that outcome worked out quite well for you. Though perhaps you constantly pine for Rosings without my knowledge."
"I regret nothing," he said, as he held his wife and daughter close.
#
"Jane, are you certain you will not come to London with us? It is only for six weeks or so, and you need not attend any society events," Elizabeth pressed her sister in October.
Jane smiled. "William and I will be quite as content here as always, but I thank you."
"Well, a carriage will be at your disposal so you may change your mind, or even venture to Longbourn if you prefer. Kitty and Lydia will be with us for about half that time as all three girls commission their gowns and receive their tutoring for their presentation at Court."
"I will miss them, and I do miss the Gardiners dreadfully, but I am not ready to attempt London. I will join you after Christmas, I promise."
In truth, Jane was reluctant to be in a situation where she may see Mr Bingley again before she was completely free. They had not seen each other in four months, but she was willing to wait three more to avoid the constraints of their earlier non-courtship. It was too hard to see her dreams directly before her yet still out of reach.
She had met many men in her short life, had even been married, and she was certain that he was the one with whom she wanted to spend her life. He was kind, attentive, and fun. They had much in common and she felt happiness and peace whenever he was near. As time passed she grew more comfortable comparing him to Mr Collins, and Mr Bingley always appeared in a more favourable light by the exercise.
Where Collins had false humility, Bingley exhibited true modesty. Where Collins flattered, Bingley pleased. Where Collins coveted Longbourn, Bingley was content anywhere he had good company. Where Collins deferred to his patroness in all things, even to his own detriment, Bingley learned from his experiences and grew confident in himself - including taking his younger sister in hand, as Jane learned from Elizabeth.
Simply put, Mr Bingley was a man she could admire and love.
A few days after that conversation she held William as they waved off the four Darcys, then settled into a quiet morning. She debated internally whether she did the correct thing by staying. What if she spent seven months waiting for a man who was even now courting another? What if she pined for so long that when they did meet again she was disappointed - or he was? Would it not be better to know now if her wait would be for naught?
But no: Elizabeth would be in company with him. He would ask about her, or not, and he would be seen with other young ladies, or not. She could trust Elizabeth to tell her all, even if it were painful. She would have faith in her feelings, memories and hopes. She would have faith in his.
If only she knew how desperately he wished to see her again, she would have had nothing to fear.
#
The Darcys went to London in mid-October, and they returned to Pemberley at the beginning of December. As they did the previous year they hosted the Bennet family for Christmas and this time it was with the additions of the Gardiner family and Mary, John, and their newborn son Philip.
"What joy this is," cried Mrs Bennet as Christmas of 1813 was drawing to a close. "To have so many children for Christmas! Last year we had only William, and this year two more! Not to mention the young Gardiners who are growing so fast," she smiled affectionately at her four nieces and nephews.
Darcy looked around and beamed. There were nineteen people in this room. Less than three years ago he would not have believed he would have such a family, including a minor country squire and a tradesman with their numerous and boisterous offspring. Yet here they all were, polluting the shades of Pemberley as his aunt would say, and he was blissfully happy. Thanks to Elizabeth he had learned what was most important in life, and it was not strict adherence to duty, it was love.
He bounced his little Isabelle where he held her in his lap. "To continue the trend we must have three children born before next Christmas. Mary may have one, and unfortunately, Elizabeth, it falls to you to bear twins."
"Do not even joke about it," she laughed. "One at a time was quite enough."
"Well it will not be me," Mary interjected. "Philip is hardly two months old. Two more in less than a twelvemonth may kill me."
"There, Elizabeth, are you trying to kill your sister?" Darcy spoke with a serious expression but a gleam in his eye. "We must have twins. There is no other way."
"I know you desire a large family, but I shall oblige you with only one next year. I have made my final decision," she answered.
He sighed dramatically. "Mrs Bennet, I must apologise for my wife ruining next Christmas. I did my best, as you must have heard."
"Lizzy always did delight in vexing me," she declared, and everyone laughed.
"Wait a moment," Lydia burst in, "There are three of us having our London come-out in only a matter of weeks. Perhaps I will meet someone at my first ball, fall madly in love, and marry in time to have a child before December."
"Now that is too much," Mr Bennet interjected. "Darcy, if either of my daughters marries within a month of joining your household I will never trust you again."
"Georgiana may not attempt such a scheme either," Darcy nodded.
"Jane has been quiet this whole conversation," Kitty said. "She will re-enter society at the same time as we come out. She may surprise us all and have a brother or sister for William next year!"
Everyone laughed and Jane blushed brightly. Only Darcy, Elizabeth and Georgiana suspected that not only was Kitty's joke in the realm of possibilities, but also her cherished hope.
The party carried on in this lively manner for some time, until one by one people left for their beds. It was the best Christmas any could remember in a long time.