Page 34 of The Sole Love

But for once, her shock was merely happiness flowing through her like a warm river. She wanted to scold him for not telling her first, but then she decided to enjoy the news and the sentiment it represented.

“Please come!” Miss Darcy’s plea made things easy for her brother.

Besides helping him win Elizabeth, he suspected his sister wanted to revive the glorious days of Pemberley’s past, with summer balls and great suppers during which his mother had shone like a precious diamond amongst their neighbours and friends. He tried in vain to take his eyes off Elizabeth, who, still surprised, had cheeks that flamed a delightful colour. He could almost imagine her scolding him for not telling her first. But the only thing that mattered was his dream coming true: Elizabeth seated at the head of the long table in the dining room at Pemberley, among neighbours, friends, and family.

“Please, also bring your children, Mrs Gardiner.” Georgiana continued to plead for their acceptance of his invitation.

“Thank you, Miss Darcy, but our children will be spending the summer with my parents.”

“Help me, please, cousin,” Georgiana pleaded, looking at Colonel Fitzwilliam.

But it was not necessary, as the decision was almost certainly already made. What better way was there to stave off a London disaster? Pemberley was three days away by private coach—five on horseback—and only the most passionate of men would travel so far to see his lady-love.

They left Darcy House on a joyful note, with Mr Darcy’s invitation likely to be accepted. Just before they left, he brought Elizabeth’s hand to his mouth in a gesture she already adored…and craved. But this time, dangerously, at a moment when the others were talking, he turned her hand and kissed her palm, making her knees weaken in surprise and pleasure. Her eyes scolded him, but only a little, as it was the most delicious sensation she had ever felt.

Her surprise, blush, and obvious enjoyment told Darcy that this new intimacy between them had only begun.

Elizabeth threatened him with her eyes, but this time there was no anger in them, only the new love she had just discovered, filling her heart with bliss and expectation.

As they were leaving, the footman put a package in their carriage containing all the books she had enjoyed. Darcy supervised the action, as he was the only one to accompany the guests to their carriage.

“You promised another kind of delivery…” Elizabeth whispered daringly.

“I keep all my promises, Miss Elizabeth. You can be sure of that.”

And indeed, she could see in his eyes the promise that every man had made to his woman since the beginning of time.

She collapsed into the carriage cushions, exhausted by such intense feelings. Her heart was racing, and finally, she was sure of his continued affection for her.

“What happened in the library?” Mrs Gardiner pressed her to answer as soon as the carriage began to move.

Elizabeth’s mind returned briefly to the kisses, gazes, and intimacy they had shared among the books.

“Nothing—I just asked him to mediate a meeting between Jane and Mr Bingley, and his invitation was the result.”

“Come, Lizzy, that is not what I want to know!”

Elizabeth blushed under her aunt’s scrutiny. “I swear, we discussed books and…”

“And…?”

“And everything is so wonderful between us. He did not tell me beforehand about his solution to our problem. I was as surprised as you were. However, Jane might no longer return Mr Bingley’s affection.”

“Yes, that is a risk we must face, but a few weeks away from London might also temper her enthusiasm for young Haskett.”

“Or not—we do not know how far her feelings went…or the relationship,” Elizabeth replied, happy that she was no longer the subject of their conversation.

“Do not even think of such a catastrophe—please! We need her to marry as soon as possible and remove this danger from her life forever. As for you, Miss—just think of your Mr Darcy and the splendid journey to Pemberley!”

∞∞∞

Her aunt was right. Elizabeth wanted to laugh and dance, but the atmosphere they found at home was far from merry. Elizabeth tried to temper her happiness, and no one saw it except Mr Bennet, who nodded in the silent communication that had always existed between them. He was happy for her, and that was enough for Elizabeth.

Her happiness appeared to be the only light in the room. Jane and Mr Gardiner had returned half an hour earlier from the Hasketts, and throughout the Gardiners’ parlour, misery prevailed once again.

“What is it?” asked Mrs Gardiner. They had decided that morning to continue the lie about Mrs Bennet’s illness, the only sensible reason to remove Jane from London. She was a devoted daughter and ready to make any sacrifice for her mother. But she could not hide her sorrow at having to leave London and give up the invitation to Bath.

“We told our amiable friends that we could not accompany them to Bath.” Mr Gardiner tried to keep a light tone and avoid adding to the general distress. “They were concerned about Mrs Bennet’s health and understood the situation. It is not a tragedy.” However, the general feeling was one of imminent disaster.