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. Unfortunately, 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 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.
Seeing Darcy, Elizabeth's face lit up with joy. 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 sat on the sofa next to Elizabeth. As the minutes passed, he became more and more 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.
The gentlemen nodded without paying much attention to what Mrs. Bennet was saying or briefly answering the few questions she asked them. In her excitement, Mrs. Bennet did not notice the way Mr. Darcy was looking at Elizabeth.
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.
Within minutes the two couples were several feet apart. Darcy took Elizabeth's hand and looking tenderly into her eyes, said, "Ms. Bennet, during the last few months there was not a day that I did not think of you and count the days to see you again. As I told you in Rosings, I want to court you properly and have an opportunity to win your affection and your hand in marriage. Are you willing to give me a chance?"
Elizabeth squeezed his hand and smiled, " I also thought of you and missed you, Mr. Darcy. My answer is yes!"
Darcy smiled broadly, kissed her hand, and added, "Thank you. If you agree, I would like to speak to your father this afternoon to ask for his consent to formally court you."
With a mischievous smile, Elizabeth nodded and added, "My mother will be delighted, Mr. Darcy..."
The conversation between Mr. Bennet and Darcy was brief. 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. She hoped Elizabeth wouldn't ruin the courtship, and for several minutes she gave her unnecessary advice to encourage Darcy to propose.
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, Elizabeth 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 Kitty's wedding.
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 wedding breakfast, Mr. Bennet announced his Lizzy's courtship with Mr. Darcy. The neighbors congratulated the couple and the matrons with unmarried daughters secretly envied Mrs. Bennet's good fortune. Mrs. Bennet repeated several times, 'Two daughters married in less than one year and another courting a very wealthy and handsome gentleman!'
Mr. Bingley was happy for his friend but sad about his own situation. Bingley didn't know exactly how it happened, but rumors began to spread in London and Meryton that he was engaged to Maria Spencer. There was even gossip in the newspaper about their engagement and wedding plans. Besides, Maria was staying at Netherfield Park as Caroline's special guest.
Due to Caroline's suggestions and even machinations, he was now unhappily engaged to Maria Spencer. Although she was very pretty, had a large dowry and was a highly accomplished woman, she was too much like his sister in temperament for his taste. Unfortunately, he would have to forget about his last angel forever.
September – December 1812
During the following weeks, Darcy and Elizabeth met almost every morning at Oakham Mount to watch the sunrise and talk privately. These meetings were the highlights of their day, reminding them that, several months ago, in this place, they had the opportunity to get to know each other and talk without restriction about the past and their possible future. In few days, Elizabeth's doubts completely vanished, and the young couple was more in love every day.
In October, Darcy proposed to her again, but this time he expressed himself as a humble man violently in love with her. He told her how much he loved her, respected her, and how honored he would be if she agreed to be his wife.
That same day, they announced their engagement to Elizabeth's family 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 Elizabeth 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.
At first, Mrs. Bennet was disappointed since there was not enough time to prepare a grand wedding befitting the groom's £10,000, and she tried to persuade them to marry a few weeks later. But the young couple did not change their plans, and Mrs. Bennet had to settle for organizing a wedding breakfast similar to Kitty's.
Bingley's lease ended in October, and he didn't renew it. His wedding was in November, and Miss Spencer preferred living in London. If he was honest with himself, he was bored with country life. So, Bingley bought a house in London, and Caroline stayed with her brother and wife until she married a minor gentleman a few years later. It was not the wedding she dreamt of, but she was 26.
Darcy was invited to stay at Longbourn but declined, instead renting a small estate for a few weeks 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. Johnson Sr. was a retired admiral, who had earned a great fortune during his career, and his wife, 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 Johnson, 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 Johnson were seated together. 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.
