Two days later, the Darcy carriage rumbled north from London, carrying Darcy, Georgiana and Captain Denny. The gentlemen had secured their marriage licenses and were eager to see their ladies again. Georgiana was equal parts amused at her usually staid brother's impatience and excited to meet Miss Elizabeth's family.
As recent rain had settled the dust, and the journey had been accomplished in the comfort of a well appointed vehicle, Darcy denied the need to rest and refresh themselves at Netherfield before setting out for a visit to Longbourn. It was already early afternoon, and he did not wish to sacrifice any more time to the niceties of being impeccably groomed. He forced himself to leave the choice to Georgiana, however, as she was least used to hard travel, and ladies always seemed to need to change their attire after a carriage ride. To his great relief, Georgie laughed at his reluctant offer to wait for her to be ready, asserting that she was more than ready to set off immediately. Bingley, it seemed, was already at Longbourn, so they simply left instructions for their trunks to be delivered to their rooms and asked the coachman to turn his team around and take them the extra five miles to join him there. Both man and team were well able to endure the additional distance, and they were on their way within a quarter hour of first reaching Bingley's estate.
Lydia was the first to spot the approaching carriage, and quickly identified the crest as being that of her future brother. "Lizzy," she cried,"they are come at last!" At this, all the remaining women rushed to join her at the window and watch the impressive equipage roll to a halt in front of the house. Charles Bingley, who had been sitting in quiet conversation with Jane, was not slow to follow. With a start, Elizabeth realised that within moments the visitors would be at their doorstep, and she hurried to the doorway in order to provide them with a proper welcome.
She had endured the separation well: she knew it was necessary and had full confidence that he would come as soon as he could. She had schooled herself to patience, keeping herself busy and encouraging her sisters to share their happiness as a distraction from her own wistful longings. She had reminded herself that by the end of the next week she need never be parted from Darcy again (though her wiser self knew that of course a man with so many responsibilities as her betrothed must be often from home). She had visited neighbours, taken walks, written letters and even tried to read a novel. But as the days had slowly passed, she found herself again and again lost in contemplation of a certain gentleman, imagining that slow smile he reserved just for her and wishing she could feel the comfort of his arms around her.
Now, her thoughts bubbled and fizzed with giddy delight at the prospect of seeing him again. The carriage door opened and Darcy stepped out briskly. He cast one burning glance at Elizabeth before turning to hand his sister out. Georgiana hurried forward to grasp Elizabeth's hands in her own and began to express her joy at seeing her friend before recollecting herself and stepping back to await a proper introduction to Elizabeth's mother and sisters, who were by now assembled on the front porch. Darcy had watched all this with fond exasperation - he wanted nothing more than to steal away with Elizabeth to somewhere quiet and entirely devoid of sisters, but knew he would have to wait for that opportunity.
Denny had quietly alighted behind Georgiana, and his own eyes had strayed directly to his Lydia, standing beautiful and happy beside her sisters. "La! Now you can see what a handsome officer I have caught, Mama," she laughed. Of course, Mrs Bennet had known Captain Denny from his time in Meryton when the militia were billeted there, but Lydia was too light-hearted to worry about such details. She had come home an engaged woman, and was determined to relish every moment.
Happily, everyone else was quite ready to let her do the talking. Bingley had greeted his friend Darcy, and now wanted nothing more than to steal away with Jane to resume their tete-a-tete in the parlour. Darcy and Elizabeth were content to gaze silently at each other while Mrs Bennet fussed over her Lydia and loudly agreed that Captain Denny indeed looked very fine in his regimentals. Georgiana, forgetting her earlier ease, had been overcome with shyness and embarrassment that she had put herself forward so. She was glad to stand back and watch events play out before her.
Eventually Mary nudged Elizabeth and recalled her to her duty to introduce Georgiana to her mother and sisters. The formalities were quickly accomplished and the whole party repaired to the parlour, which was now full to capacity. A quick rearrangement of chairs into comfortable groups enabled everyone to take a seat together with those they most wanted to talk to. At last, at last, Darcy and Elizabeth were able to sit and at least talk, if they could not hold hands or be more demonstrative in present company. Mr Bennet did not put in an appearance, but none thought anything of that, since he had rarely stirred himself to join his wife and daughters' visitors in the past.
"Are you well, Elizabeth?" Darcy asked as soon as they had a moment of relative privacy. "You have not faced any further ... difficulties?"
"I am very well now that you are here," she replied warmly. "In truth, I have fretted to be parted from you, and my patience for wedding planning has been stretched beyond its capacity, but I have faced nothing worse than my own frustrations. My father has been silent, which suits me well, and my mother and sisters have received my news with everything I could want in the way of sisterly and motherly affection. Perhaps I have not always been my mother's favourite daughter, but your rumoured wealth has enabled her to find some respect for me after all, and your foolish choice to relieve her of her most troublesome daughter guarantees you a fond place in her heart."
Darcy was relieved to hear her speak with that wit and gentle humour that marked her happiness. He had worried, despite her reassurances, at her father whisking her away to the country, imagining all sorts of manoeuvres Mr Bennet might have attempted to separate them. Darcy had consulted his second cousin, the bishop, and knew that there was just enough doubt over the question of paternal consent that M Bennet could have made matters very difficult for them if he chose to do so. Darcy would have fought with all his resources to defend Elizabeth from her father's machinations, but he did not want to begin their marriage under the cloud of scandal which such proceedings would inevitably raise. He was not sure what had resulted in Mr Bennet's apparent capitulation: he could only be thankful it had occurred.
He responded in kind, assuring Elizabeth that he was delighted his wealth could be of practical use in raising her in her mother's estimation, before, in more serious tones, adding, "I am glad you have found support amongst your family, whatever the reason. And after all, now that I think on it, I suspect it is for yourself and not for your future husband that your mother holds you in affection. How could she not, when you are a daughter any mother would be proud of?"
Elizabeth laughed at this gallantry, and Darcy's triumph was complete. To be able to bring a smile to her face had been his highest ambition: laughter was an unexpected bonus.
Indeed, for the past week, Darcy had found himself in the unusual situation of intense anticipation of the future. For so many years, his thoughts had been focussed on the past: on the loss of his parents, on his failures as a guardian to his sister, on his disastrous proposal at Hunsford and all it had lost him... It was only since being reunited with Elizabeth Bennet that he had been able to imagine a better future - something other than the drudgery of endless duty and responsibility. He still saw duty and responsibility in his future, but with the promise of Elizabeth by his side, those prospects gained a rosy hue. Elizabeth brought life and happiness, and he could not wait for the day when he could fix her permanently in his life.
In London, finalising those arrangements that were necessary before he could travel to Hertfordshire at last, he had ofttimes consoled himself with imaginings of walking with Elizabeth in the gardens at Pemberley. Sometimes his thoughts had strayed to more intimate things he might do with her once they were married, but as a gentleman, he tried valiantly to banish such tempting imaginings. The wait was long enough without torturing himself with longings that could not yet be satisfied, and he found a state of constant arousal was not conducive to his comfort (even so, there were times he could barely walk, for the effects his wayward thoughts were having on his anatomy).
In the long hours between appointments and meetings, if he had no other business to complete, Darcy had tried to keep himself busy. It was the result of one such project that he now shared with Elizabeth: "The day you left town, you sent me a message."
"I recall it," she said. "It was forward of me, I know, but as we were engaged, I thought you would not mind, and I had to explain my sudden departure."
"I was not in any way disconcerted other than by its contents, I assure you. I treasure it dearly and am very glad that you sent it. I did not speak to question your means of communication, but to ask if you recall the young lad you entrusted its delivery to?"
"Yes, young Frank. He is a good lad, who works in my uncle's household. What of him?"
"Well, I learned he has a sister who works in a different household, who he hardly ever sees, as their days off fall on different days. I had the opportunity to speak to Mrs Gardiner and suggest that she amend his day off so that it coincides with that of his sister, which she was happy to do. She had been unaware that the lad had any family living, and expressed her regret that her resources do not at present extend to offering the sister work, to enable them to be together in the same household."
"It must be a great relief to Frank to be able to see his sister every week, now," Elizabeth observed. "It was good of you to take such care of another man's servant."
"I deserve no particular praise. I only did what any Christian ought. But I had a chance to speak to Frank again before I left town, and with your aunt's permission, offered to take both him and his sister into service at Darcy House if they are interested. Frank was most eager, but will speak with his sister before making a decision. She is trained as a lady's maid, and might not want a lower position simply to be closer to her brother. I had thought that if you have not yet decided on your personal staff, you might give the girl a trial as your maid? Of course, I know nothing of her except her brother's glowing report, and if she does not suit, you must not feel obliged to engage her in such a role - it is essential you feel comfortable with your lady's maid - and there is plenty of other work to be done in our houses. But if you are willing, we could send a message via your aunt, and Frank and his sister could be ready and waiting on our return to town."
Elizabeth was struck by the way in which Darcy had put together several different problems to find a way to help a lad he had no responsibility for, and a girl he had never met. And in the process, he had even found her a candidate for lady's maid! "I would be happy to give the girl a trial, William," she said. "I know it is a common thing, but it seems very hard for a brother and sister to be separated so when they are all the family each has left."
"My sentiments exactly," Darcy replied, looking meaningfully across the room to where his own sister chatted shyly with Mary and Kitty. "Will you write to Frank Tyler? As the future mistress, the hiring and disposition of household staff falls to you, after all."
"Certainly, if you wish it, although I will not be mistress until after we are wed, William. Have you spoken to Frank about what duties he might have in our employ? Do you see him continuing as a kitchen hand and messenger?"
"You are already the mistress of my heart, Lizzy. The wedding will simply make it official." The smile she gifted him with at such a declaration thoroughly distracted him from his train of thought, and it was with some difficulty that he brought his attention back to the discussion at hand. "I am inclined to leave Frank's disposition to our butler - there is plenty of work in the kitchens, as well as running messages, but he might have better prospects in the stables, particularly if his sister becomes your lady's maid, for then she would travel with you between Pemberley and town. A groom or coachman would also be able to travel with us, reducing future separations of brother and sister, whereas a kitchen lad is really tied to one establishment. But it really depends on the boy's talents. He may not take to horses, after all."
"Then I shall write accordingly. Would you like to see the letter before it is sent?"
"Only if you wish to ask my advice on any point. I know your skill in arranging things - after all, your scheme for achieving an engagement was impeccable both in design and execution - and trust that you will bring the same care to your correspondence as the future Mrs Darcy." This was concluded with a smile and a wink, which granted Darcy yet another of Elizabeth's laughs, and brought him all the satisfaction that pleasing his beloved could bestow.
A small disturbance soon followed, as Darcy's chief footman, overseeing the distribution of luggage at Netherfield Park, had discovered amongst the various trunks a package intended for the ladies at Longbourn. As he had personally been sent to collect the package from the modiste, and knew it to contain, amongst other things, the ladies' wedding gowns, he took it upon himself to deliver it immediately to that estate. Thus, barely an hour after the grooms and Georgiana arrived, Mrs Bennet was summonsed from the room to accept a delivery.
And what a delivery it was: a handsome man in Darcy livery offered a large package, almost the size of a large trunk, but wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. It was brought immediately to the dining room, where space was cleared on the table for it to be opened. Lydia, who had followed her mother into the hallway, realised what it was, and urged Mrs Bennet to silence. "For it contains our gowns and other things from the modiste, Mama. It would not be proper for the Captain and Mr Darcy to see them before the wedding - we want them to be surprised at how lovely we will look, and there ought to be some more intimate garments in the package, which it would be mortifying for them to see."
Mrs Bennet saw the merit in her favourite daughter's words, and returned to the front parlour only to declare that there was still much to be achieved before the weddings, and, while Miss Darcy would be most welcome to stay and assist if she so wished, the gentlemen should return to Netherfield Park and prepare themselves to rejoin the Bennet household for dinner that evening, "for it will be a quiet family gathering - no more than five courses."
Darcy, Captain Denny and Bingley reluctantly tore themselves away from their fiancées, Georgiana elected to stay, the niceties of parting were properly exchanged, and the men were efficiently bundled out of the house. As soon as the door was closed behind them, Mrs Bennet's glee overflowed. She fluttered her handkerchief as she hurried her daughters to the dining room, as eager as a child at Christmas to see the parcel unwrapped. Although they were less demonstrative about it, her daughters and Georgiana were scarcely less eager to discover its contents. New gowns were always something to be remarked upon, and the unveiling of wedding trousseaux for not one but two of their number, purchased from a London modiste, was an event of unparalleled excitement for any country household.
Thus it was with many gasps, sighs and exclamations of delight that the seven women greeted each of the items which were carefully unfolded from their wrapping. Checking the gowns for fit would have to wait until Elizabeth and Lydia were in the privacy of their own rooms, but the gowns were held up for examination and approval. If Mrs Bennet was a little disappointed by the lack of lace and trimmings, she consoled herself with the excellence of the fabrics and the evident quality of the workmanship. She also reminded herself that Jane's wedding gown, being made locally in Meryton, would have enough decoration to outshine her younger sisters, as was only proper.
Georgiana enjoyed viewing the gowns and examining the gloves and shoe roses as much as her future sisters did. She had always had an interest in fashion, and even for a young lady of comparative wealth such as herself, a parcel of new clothes such as this was not so commonplace an event as to have lost its shine. But even more than the unwrapping of the clothes themselves, she delighted in the easy camaraderie between the sisters - the way Kitty danced around Lydia as she held up her wedding gown; the compliments and gentle teasing; the laughter and chatter of multiple voices all cutting across each other, dipping and weaving comfortably from one thread of conversation to another. At first, she held herself back a little and simply observed, but she was quickly drawn into the lively exchange by Mary's gentle request for her view on a particular fabric and Lydia's boisterous demand that everyone acknowledge her gown to be the prettiest. Before long, she felt herself quite at home among more sisters than she had ever dreamed of having!
Eventually the party broke up, with Kitty and Mrs Bennet following Lydia to her room to check on the proper fitting of her gown, while Mary, Georgiana, and Jane attended Elizabeth for the same purpose. It was a testament to the modiste's staff that only the smallest adjustments were needed to achieve a perfect fit on both gowns, and nothing that could not be done by their maid, Sarah. Satisfied, the ladies hung the gowns and carefully folded the other items ready to pack in their trunks. Elizabeth tried to give one of her new chemises to Jane, for they were of a similar size, but Jane was insistent that she would have her own new items soon enough, and would not hear of taking anything from her sister's trousseau.
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