Chapter 13 - October 29 to November 3, 1812
As expected, the reunion of the sisters was joyous and noisy. Mr. Darcy shook Mr. Bingley's hand and arched an eyebrow at his friend. "I will tell you later, friend." was all Mr. Bingley would say as the gentlemen slipped away to Mr. Bennet's bookroom. They were welcomed warmly by Mr. Bennet and a generous glass of brandy. There was no way the younger gentlemen could talk in front of their current, or future father-in-law. Generalities of the trip were discussed but my mutual, unvoiced consent, no particulars were shared. The call to dinner could not come soon enough for all involved.
Dinner was a raucous affair and Darcy was glad when it was finally time to head back to Netherfield. Before they left, he hinted to Bingley that he and Georgiana would go straight to their rooms and see the newlyweds in the morning. He wanted to avoid an awkward evening and thought Mrs. Bingley would prefer time alone with her husband in their own home. Darcy was determined to take him and his sister to Longbourn as much as possible before the wedding and give the new couple a chance to settle into their home without guests as much as was possible. He really should not have worried as they did not see the Bingleys below stairs for the next two days.
His fiancée and himself were paraded around to Mrs. Bennet's friends for the week before the wedding. For added effect, they took his large coach and four, complete with liveried servants, despite there only being three of them and they traveled no more than five miles. He could not wait for the wedding and their escape to Darcy house, but he politely attended to the same conversation in at least ten different parlors, just to keep the peace in his new family.
At last it was the day before the wedding. Darcy was not sure how much longer he could take the incessant talk of lace and cakes. He was beginning to understand Mr. Bennet better everyday. It was too cold for a walk in the garden and it seemed the only place he and Elizabeth could get even a modicum of privacy was in her father's bookroom. For some reason Mr. Bennet always seemed to find an excuse to get a handkerchief from his room, or refill the pot of tea in the kitchen. It seemed that Mr. Bennet was beginning to understand Mr. Darcy better everyday too.
As he was to make his way back to Netherfield for the last time, the fates aligned and Darcy and Elizabeth were left alone in the front hall for a few minutes. He took the chance to take her hands and kiss her knuckles as she leaned against him. "Tomorrow" was all he said. Taking one last look around and ascertaining that they were still alone, he enveloped Elizabeth in his arms and kissed her soundly on the lips. "Tomorrow" he repeated, then turned and with one last look over his shoulder, slipped out the door to his awaiting horse.