July - September 1812
The following months passed in a blur. Darcy returned to Pemberley a few days after obtaining Elizabeth's permission to court her in September. He couldn't write to her but, through letters from Richard and Bingley, he knew she was well.
He was hoping to convince Elizabeth to marry him before the end of the year. He wanted to start a new life with the woman he loved, and Gigi.
Before departing for Hertfordshire, he asked Mrs. Reynolds to prepare the mistress's chamber. The room had been closed for several years, and he wanted at least to change the curtains and discolored wallpaper before Elizabeth came to Pemberley.
By the second week of September, he had managed to finish most of his tasks; he had signed several good contracts to sell Pemberley's grain and wool production, and the harvest was already in its final stage.
He received an invitation from Bingley to visit Netherfield Park. In the letter, his friend lacked his usual enthusiasm and it was clear that Bingley was bored with country life. Darcy wasn't surprised, his friend was used to the amusements of London and a much more varied society.
Unfortunately, he wouldn't be able to take Gigi to Hertfordshire, because both wet nurses were unwilling to leave their children in Lambton for an extended period. It was a pity, but he couldn't do anything about it.
The three-day trip to Hertfordshire was uneventful, the roads were well-maintained and the weather was fine. He arrived at Netherfield Park as planned, a week before Kitty's wedding.
Bingley was waiting for him alone at the entrance and greeted him with warmth but there was something different in his friend's eyes and mien.
Some hours later, they went together to Longbourn, where the three Miss Bennets and Mrs. Bennet, in particular, received them with enthusiasm.
Elizabeth was very happy to see Darcy again, she had missed him very much. Thankfully in the last few months, her mother had come to understand that Elizabeth wasn't interested in Mr. Bingley and stopped her attempts at matchmaking.
Darcy was anxious. He wanted to talk with his Elizabeth, but Mrs. Bennet was, as usual, monopolizing the conversation. The matron was very excited and talked endlessly about the wedding, her future son-in-law, the price of the lace, and many other things.
At last, Elizabeth took pity on him and proposed a stroll in the garden. Kitty and Mrs. Bennet were busy with wedding preparations and politely declined. Darcy was grateful and gladly accepted the offer, and Lydia and Bingley joined them. Bingley was aware of his friend's intention and he tried to distract Miss Lydia as best as he could by telling her stories of London high society and several balls he had attended.
Darcy took advantage of the opportunity and requested Elizabeth's permission to speak with her father about formally courting her and, when she was ready, asking her to marry him.
Mr. Bennet had suspected for some time that Mr. Darcy was very much in love with his daughter. He had made some inquiries about the gentleman's character and the reports were satisfactory. He would miss his favorite daughter very much, that was for sure, but he gladly gave his permission and blessing.
Mrs. Bennet was at first very surprised and then she became ecstatic because, in a few months, she would probably have another daughter married, and to a very rich gentleman.
Lydia was a little jealous, and she was feeling neglected by her mother and sisters. Her sisters didn't pay attention to her anymore, and she would be left behind in Longbourn. Kitty loved her sister but she was too engrossed with her wedding to pay attention to much else.
That night, Lizzy wrote a long letter to Mary with her happy news. Thankfully, her sister's pregnancy was going well, but she wouldn't be able to travel to Longbourn for the wedding.
PPP
Kitty's wedding was the event of the year. It was clear that the young couple was deeply in love. The groom's eyes lit up when his bride entered the church with her father, and the bride was beaming when she saw her John at the altar.
The wedding breakfast was delicious, and everybody commented about the quality of the food and wine.
During the breakfast, Mr. Bennet announced his Lizzy's courtship. The neighbors congratulated the couple and the matrons with unmarried daughters secretly envied Mrs. Bennet's good fortune.
Mr. Bingley was happy for his friend but sad about his own situation. Due to Caroline's machinations, he was now unhappily engaged to Maria Spencer, and he would have to stop finding new angels for good.
September – December 1812
Darcy and Elizabeth met almost every morning at Oakham Mount to watch the sunrise. These meetings were the highlights of their day; reminding them that, several months ago, in this place, they had the opportunity to talk without restriction about the past and their possible future. Every day the young couple was more in love; in October, they announced their engagement and their plans to marry in December. They wanted to go to London after the wedding for a few days to attend the theater, and Lizzy also needed to buy a wardrobe more suitable for the cold Derbyshire winter. After London, they would go to Kent before Mary entered her confinement.
Bingley's lease ended in October, and he didn't renew it. His wedding was in November and Miss Spencer preferred living in London.
Darcy was invited to stay at Longbourn but he declined, instead, renting a small estate called Purvis Lodge only 5 miles from Longbourn.
In November, a middle-aged couple, with a son and a daughter both of marriageable age, leased Netherfield Park. Mr. Thompson Sr. was a retired admiral, who had earned a great fortune during his career, and his wife, was a kind and sweet gentlewoman. His only son and heir, Frederick, was a serious, twenty-three-year-old gentleman who had recently finished his education in Cambridge. His daughter, Miss Isabella Thompson, was a shy and pretty eighteen-year-old.
Mrs. Bennet, being a good neighbor with a daughter yet to marry, invited the new tenants to a party to celebrate her current favorite daughter's engagement. During the party, the outspoken Lydia and the shy Isabella Thompson were seated together, and, at first, the conversation was awkward but, by the end of the night, the young girls were fast friends. From that day on, a beautiful friendship was formed that would last for the rest of their lives.
