Chapter 4: Happy day.
Mr. Darcy's reaction came two days later. He and Bingley arrived early. As soon as he entered, Mr. Darcy gazed at Elizabeth with, Mary thought, wondering, determination, hope. Elizabeth responded to that gaze as long as she could before blushing and dropping her eyes to the floor. Mr. Bingley proposed a walk.
Mary who was usually not a walker found a good opportunity. She mumbled she needed to work on some concerto. Much to her disappointment, Kitty agreed to join them. Mary was relieved to hear she wished to call upon Maria Lucas. The five set off together.
Mr. Bingley and Jane returned half an hour after. About a quarter of an hour after her eldest sister and her fiancé's return, Mary was walking outside collecting flowers for the parlour. She noticed Mr. Darcy and Lizzy standing in a remote corner of the garden not seen from the house itself. Mr. Darcy's arms were around Lizzy's waist and Lizzy's arms around his neck and they were kissing each other tenderly. Mary, with a blush, withdrew quickly afraid of being seen and to give them the privacy they needed. Then they continued walking towards the house. Mr. Darcy had Lizzy's right hand in his and was kissing it frequently, while the two were looking at each other with complete happiness. Finally thought Mary. She went back into the house rejoicing for her sister.
Through the dinner, Mary was glad to see the frequent glances and smiles exchanged between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. At one moment she asked Lizzy to pass the tomatoes and was amused to see she did not hear it.
"Lizzy." she says as she poked her lightly on the ribs.
"Ah!" she jumped "Ah! I'm sorry Mary! What did you say?"
Struggling to contain her smile, she repeated her entreaty with a most serious air and Elizabeth complied then resumed her previous activity.
As the gentlemen took leave, Mary arranged to detain Kitty and her mother for a few minutes. When they rejoined the two couples into the hallway, Mary saw that her second sister's cheeks was more bright than before and glanced at Mr. Darcy with barely contained passion that the gentleman eagerly returned.
Finally my sister is as happy as she deserves.
FINIS