Chapter 8

Darcy and Georgiana spent the next fortnight visiting Longbourn every day. He also joined Elizabeth on her weekly visits to the Tanner home, in order for Jessica to be able to get used to him. The little girl always seemed delighted to see them, and Darcy decided that she would be easy to love.

The banns were already being read so that they could marry any time after December, even though the wedding was planned for March. Soon, however, Darcy had to return to London to have the marriage articles arranged. He had told Mr. Bennet his plans for his future family's security, but wanted to have everything ready and legal.

When he told Georgiana about his intended visit for a few days, she begged that she might be allowed to stay at Longbourn instead of accompanying him. Mrs. Annesley had asked that she might spend Christmas with her family, and Mrs. Bennet had offered the Darcys hospitality whenever they desired it, so Darcy agreed with alacrity. He had noticed that the youngest daughter, Miss Lydia, had become less vulgar and petulant with Georgiana's influence. It boded well for the future.

It had been decided by Mr. and Mrs. Bennet that Elizabeth would travel to London after Mary's wedding, to shop for her trousseau, and so that Elizabeth could see Darcy House.

When Darcy arrived in London, the first thing he did was make an appointment with his solicitor. Then he sat in his study to go over any correspondence he had missed while in Hertfordshire. To his surprise, he found a letter from his cousin, James de Bourgh, older brother of Anne. Their father, Sir Lewis de Bourgh, had died only a couple of months ago, and so James was the new master of Rosings, although they were still in mourning. Darcy opened the letter curiously.

Darcy,

My mother's inane parson has informed us that you are to be married to some country miss in Hertfordshire, apparently the sister of his fiancé. My mother was all for setting out immediately to harry and abuse your young lady. Don't worry, I was able to keep her from going; but she is still very angry. I know you never intended to marry Anne, nor does she wish to marry you, but I wanted to warn you that Mother will not give up her deluded hopes. Expect to receive many vituperative letters from her in the future.

I am hoping to take Anne to London for the little season next winter once our mourning is over. She needs to join society and find someone who can perhaps care for her. She had been like a prisoner here at Rosings, but now that my father is dead I will ensure she has the best life she can.

I hope to receive an invitation to the wedding.

James de Bourgh

Darcy could not help but smile, reading this. He had always liked his cousin James, and he was glad to see that James was still so protective of Anne. Now that he had the ability to do so, he was going to see that she lived a full and happy life. It was all Darcy had ever wanted for Anne, and he was thankful that James had managed to stop Lady Catherine from storming Longbourn and abusing Elizabeth.

After he had finished going over his correspondence, he sent a note round to Bingley's townhouse, telling him that he was in London. Charles had never returned to Netherfield, and so Darcy had supposed that his sisters had been successful in keeping him away.

It was the next day that Bingley arrived at Darcy House, fortunately sans his sisters.

"Darcy!" he beamed in his boyish way. "What a delight to see you! You have come to spend Christmastime in London?"

"No, indeed," said Darcy, frowning at his friend. "I would not leave my fiancée alone in Hertfordshire."

"Your fiancée?" Bingley looked dumbfounded. "You are engaged?"

"Yes. I am surprised your sisters did not tell you. I am engaged to Miss Elizabeth Bennet."

"Ah! How delightful! I am very happy for you, Darcy!" He came forward and shook Darcy's hand vigorously.

"And what are your plans for the Christmas season?" Darcy asked. "I had thought you were to spend it at Netherfield, seeing as you still have a lease there."

Bingley sighed and looked starry-eyed. "No, indeed. I have met the most wonderful lady, Darcy. Miss Matilda Westcott. She is an angel."

Darcy barely kept himself from rolling his eyes. "Another angel, Bingley? What of Miss Bennet?"

Bingley looked confused for a moment. "Oh. Miss Bennet. Yes, she was an agreeable lady, but she is nothing to Miss Westcott."

"And how did you meet Miss Westcott?"

"Caroline introduced us. They are friends, apparently."

Darcy did roll his eyes this time; but Bingley, being enveloped in thoughts of the beautiful Miss Matilda, did not notice. "I see. I hope at least you will stand up with me at my wedding?"

"Oh, certainly!" cried Bingley. "When is it to be?"

"Early March."

"Of course. I will keep Netherfield open for your use."

"Thank you, Bingley; although I will pay for the expenses while I am there."

"Whatever you think best, old man."

There was the same malleable Bingley, willing to go along with anything anyone else suggested. Darcy wondered if their friendship would survive much longer. Bingley clearly was not his own man, and Darcy could not admire such an attribute.

"Shall you come with the club with me? Then you can dine with me tonight. My sisters would be glad to see you."

Darcy held back his wince at the thought of seeing Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. "I think not. I am only here for two or three days to get the marriage articles finished and inform my household of their soon-to-be new mistress." He also needed to prepare the papers to take Jessica on officially as his ward, but he did not tell Charles that.

Bingley looked disappointed, but soon rallied. "Ah, I understand. We shall see one another soon enough."

He stayed a little longer to sing praises of Miss Matilda, but soon after that Darcy declared that his solicitor was due to arrive, and so Bingley departed, full of good cheer.

Darcy wondered how much longer their friendship would last.

Darcy had decided to write to his relations to inform them of his upcoming marriage, rather than tell them in person. Lady Catherine already knew; apparently Mary had written to Mr. Collins and informed him of the engagement, and he had told his patroness.

Darcy knew that the Matlocks would be pleased to hear of his betrothal, although it might take them a while to get used to the idea of Elizabeth's lack of wealth and connections. They had been afraid he would never marry.

The earl and countess were currently at Matlock, and so he wrote to them as well as Colonel Fitzwilliam, who was busy with his duties in the army.

Within three days, he had returned to Hertforshire. He found that Georgiana had had a marvellous time with the Bennets, and had shared a room with Elizabeth the whole time she had stayed, even though Mrs. Bennet had offered her a guest room. He was glad to see his sister getting along so well with the family that would soon be his.

Mrs. Bennet inquired whether he had seen Mr. Bingley and his sisters during his visit to London. He had had to reluctantly reply that he had. "They have no plans to return to Netherfield for the foreseeable future," he said.

Mrs. Bennet was clearly upset. "I always knew he was not good enough for my Jane! Leading her on in such a way, and then abandoning her! He is no gentleman!"

"Mama, I had no interest in Mr. Bingley," Jane put in softly, casting an embarrassed glance at Darcy.

"Well, then it is a good thing he is gone, I say. Jane, you can find someone much better, now that your sister is to marry Mr. Darcy. I do not doubt they could take you to London with them and you could find someone with a title!"

"Perhaps it might be best, if Mr. Bingley does not mean to return, for him to give up the lease there. Then we might get a settled family in the area," Elizabeth said, in what Darcy saw as an attempt to change the subject from her mother's exhortations, which clearly embarrassed her.

He gladly took up the new topic, and Mr. Bingley was forgotten for the moment. He was glad that Jane had not been hurt by Mr. Bingley's defection; it seemed, rather, that she was relieved by his absence. He could not but think it was for the best; Bingley was not good enough for Jane Bennet. He did agree with Mrs. Bennet that they could take Jane to London when they went for the little season next winter, which sent the matron into raptures of excitement.

Darcy was pleased to meet the Gardiners a week or so later when they arrived at Longbourn with their children for Christmastide. There Darcy and Georgiana spent the happiest Christmas he could remember since before his mother died.

Mr. Collins returned to Hertfordshire two weeks after Christmas for his wedding. Apparently, Lady Catherine had attempted to order him to break off his engagement to Mary, once she learned of Darcy's betrothal to Elizabeth; but fortunately her son James, now master of Rosings, had overruled her, and told Mr. Collins that it was by no means an honourable or respectable thing to do to break one's word to a lady. Fortunately, Mr. Collins's adoration had transferred from Lady Catherine to James, and he listened to the latter.

Mary's wedding was not nearly so extravagant or ornate as Mrs. Bennet had planned for Elizabeth's; she clearly had a favourite daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law. Fortunately, Mary did not seem offended by this treatment. She clearly was used to being overlooked.