When Darcy returned to the wedding breakfast, many of the guests had already taken their leave. As the wedding had taken place before noon, the wedding breakfast was truly more of a luncheon. By this time, the winter sun was setting and many of the guests did not wish to travel in darkness, lest they be preyed upon in their travels on the more distant roads. Darcy found Elizabeth immediately among the few remaining guests and pulled her into an alcove. He told her what happened, much to her dismay.
"Foolish, foolish girl," said Elizabeth.
"Indeed," said Darcy, "But I believe he may have been intending to bring her to Gretna Green, so he may be attached to her."
Lizzy snorted unbecomingly and said, "I don't imagine it is so. I have heard from our maids what Denny is like."
"What do you mean?" asked Darcy with a frown.
"He accosted Sarah twice. Once she escaped with him only leering at her and asking an inappropriate question. The second time he attempted to embrace her. She told me that she had been taught by her father how to disarm a man quickly with a knee to…well…but if she had not known that, she mightn't have gotten away."
"Such a man is to be your brother," said Darcy with a sigh.
"Indeed," said Elizabeth, "but at least she now has fortune enough to tempt him into marriage. I would not like to think what might have happened if it were not for Bingley's five thousand pounds."
"He did not waste time. Bingley has been wed for all of five hours."
"Indeed not. It might be best to see if he has debts," said Elizabeth.
"I will look into it," said Darcy.
"Thank you, Darcy," said Elizabeth softly.
"I did very little," said Darcy.
"You saved my family. An elopement might not have ruined us, but I doubt the Earl and perhaps even the countess would have looked on it kindly."
"You cannot have thought that I would have turned from you because of your foolish sister?" asked Darcy.
"No, not you, but Lord Barlow and Kitty…"
"Lord Barlow and Kitty?" asked Darcy, confused.
"They are betrothed," said Elizabeth, "but do not speak of it openly, for they have not yet asked Papa's permission."
"They hardly know each other," said Darcy with a frown.
"Apparently a courtship was going on under our noses while we were in London," said Elizabeth.
"Andy said nothing of it!" said Darcy.
"If he is as shy as Kitty says, I do not imagine he would," said Elizabeth.
"I am glad for it," said Darcy, "My aunt will be as well. She has long despaired of him marrying. Now with Richard wed to Anne, who cannot give him an heir, she was quite worried that the title would pass to a distant cousin."
"We are five sisters, sir," said Elizabeth, "It may yet pass to a distant cousin."
"Perhaps, but I tend to believe that the sex of the child is much like a flip of a coin. Should a woman have a dozen daughters, there is still an equal chance that the next would be a boy."
"A dozen, sir? I do hope my sister shall not be subjected to that in a quest for the next viscount."
"Andy would not wish it. I was only speaking generally," said Darcy.
"Will you aunt's approval overcome the misgivings of your uncle?" asked Elizabeth.
"I hope so," replied Darcy, "Otherwise visits to Matlock will become very uncomfortable indeed."
Once the last of the guests had left, Elizabeth endured a very trying carriage ride back to Longbourn. Her mother was in raptures that her eldest and prettiest daughter was wed and to such a rich man. Kitty was buzzing with the excitement of her still- secret betrothal. Lydia was sullen and silent. Mr. Bennet was cross. Elizabeth was quite uncertain of what she felt.
Upon their return to Longbourn, Lydia was ordered to her rooms by her father. Mrs. Bennet, who knew nothing of the matter and was not to be told, protested against the foul treatment. Mr. Bennet only ignored her and went to his bookroom. Kitty and Elizabeth escaped upstairs to Elizabeth's room.
"Will you sleep here tonight?" asked Elizabeth, as she changed into a more comfortable gown for the rest of the evening.
"If you wish it," said Kitty.
The two sisters ordered trays to be brought to Elizabeth's room at dinner time, for they had no wish to join their family for the meal. They were tired from dancing and having been awoken early that morning.
"Are you truly happy about your betrothal, Kitty?" asked Elizabeth, "I do hate to think of you marrying only for security."
"I am not marrying only for security, Lizzy," said Kitty, becoming slight exasperated with her sister, "You may not be satisfied with marriage to a handsome man who is also a kind friend, but I am. I told you before that I wish to like and respect my husband. I also require that would not be a punishment to receive his attentions. Lord Barlow meets all of those requirements and more. I am quite content."
"Then I am happy for you, your ladyship," said Lizzy with a laugh. Kitty hit her with a pillow.
"What of you, Lizzy?" asked Kitty.
"I do not know," said Elizabeth with a sigh.
"What is your hesitation? I know you wish to marry for love, but I have seen you and Darcy together. I know you are not indifferent to him."
"Indifferent I am not," said Elizabeth, "But I do not know if I love him. How can I know if I love him if I have never felt love beyond that of friendship before?"
"I do not know, Lizzy," said Kitty.
"I had hoped to talk to Aunt Gardiner but she is to leave early on the morrow, for Uncle has already been away from his business longer than he had planned."
"You might talk with Jane after she returns from Town," said Kitty.
"Perhaps, but I fear her love is quite different. She knew so soon," said Elizabeth, "Everything about her courtship with Charles has been so very different from mine and Darcy's."
"Do you wish to love him?" asked Kitty.
"I do. I do not know how anyone could not wish to love so good a man," said Elizabeth.
"I hope you are able to sort out your feelings soon, sister," said Kitty, "for then we might have a double wedding."
The sisters excitedly spoke about the possibility for some time, agreeing that a wedding in spring or early summer would be quite lovely. Elizabeth knew she would come to love him by then, so she had no qualms in agreeing to such a scheme, if the gentlemen were in agreement as well.
"Perhaps we might wed at Pemberley," suggested Kitty, "for Aunt says the grounds are perfectly lovely and it is not so far to Matlock. Their family and friends are all very much in the North. It would only be our relations who then must travel and they all might easily be accommodated at Pemberley."
"Perhaps," said Lizzy with a grin, "But perhaps you might wait for my engagement before you begin making plans for who might stay at Pemberley."
"Darcy would offer it regardless, for Andy is his cousin," said Kitty with a wave of her hand.
"He is Andy now?" asked Lizzy with a teasing look.
"Of course," said Kitty, "and he has decided to call me Kate, for Kitty reminds me too much of my sisters and Catherine reminds him of his aunt."
"We certainly would not want him thinking of Lady Catherine when he calls for you," said Elizabeth with a giggle.
"Indeed not!"
The sisters talked much of the evening, until they feel asleep on Elizabeth's bed, still dressed in their gowns. Both enjoyed the new closeness between them but were saddened by the thought that it should be so fleeting.
The Longbourn household awoke the next morning to a loud pounding on their door. Mr. Hill let the visitor in and showed them to the parlour. As the household was not yet about, a great rush took place in an effort for the family to be ready to receive. Elizabeth, having never been one to spend overly long dressing, was the first to go down.
"Mr. Darcy," said she, confused by his urgency in visiting.
"Denny is gone," said he bluntly.
"Gone?" asked she, "Gone where?"
"He went straight from the wedding breakfast to Colonel Foster's office. He sold his commission. It seems that this regiment is in demand due to the proximity to London, so it was assigned immediately to the next recruit. Foster knows not where Denny went from there."
"What is to be done?" asked Elizabeth, "For we cannot know if Lydia was seen by anyone besides you and Aunt. She may be ruined."
"I will find him. If he eludes me, a groom can always be found for a price," said Darcy.
"I cannot ask it of you," said Elizabeth.
"You must, my love," said Darcy, "For I will not lose you over a rake and a silly girl."
As the Gardiner party was for London, Lord Barlow and Darcy agreed that they might meet up with them later in the day to discuss what had already been done, if Denny had not yet been found. Darcy and Barlow rode ahead at a breakneck speed, stopping often to change horses and ask if a man fitting Denny's description was seen. It was not fruitful, for Denny had such regular features that they could not be certain if he had been seen or not, even when the innkeepers answered in the affirmative.
When they reached the outskirts of London, Darcy had no notion of what to do from there and invited Barlow to his home for dinner and to discuss next steps.
"Could you tell who it was from the balcony?" asked Andy.
"I could not," said Darcy.
"What could you see?" asked Andy.
"Brown hair, tanned skin from being out of doors, and a red coat," answered Darcy.
"Would anyone in the house have seen more?" asked Andy.
"I do not think so," said Darcy.
"Then I have a plan," said Andy with a smile.