Page 219 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

The two men shook hands, then Mr. Bennet said, “There is still the matter of a wedding breakfast. Longbourn remains a house of mourning, and I will not hold a celebration here when we lost my wife less than six months ago. I think it would be better to have no breakfast at all.”

“Would you allow me to hold the wedding breakfast at Netherfield?”

Mr. Bennet looked back at him.

“It can be as small as you wish, sir. Jane can have her family about her, and there need be no more guests than you consider appropriate. Netherfield is not a house of mourning, and everything can be arranged there without involving Longbourn.”

Mr. Bennet considered this. “If Jane approves, I will not object.”

* * *

Bingley found Jane in the garden.

She was cutting the last of the lavender and laying the stems in a small basket. When she saw him coming toward her, she set down her shears.

“Mr. Bingley. I did not know you were here.”

“I have been speaking with your father. I came to speak to him about you.”

Jane's cheeks colored.

He held out his hand, and she went to him.

“I had a great many things I intended to say when I found you, but I believe I would rather say the important one properly. I love you, Jane. I have loved you for some time now, and I cannot imagine being happier than I am when we are together. Will you marry me?”

Jane’s fingers closed around his.

“Yes, Charles. That is the greatest desire of my heart.”

He laughed with such abandon that he took her by surprise, then drew her into his arms.

“You have made me very happy, Jane.”

“I spoke to your father, and he has given permission to marry in September, if you would like it. Though I offered to wait, he sees no reason for delay. We can have a quiet wedding with only the family present.”

He held her near as he looked down into her eyes.

“Your father does not wish to have a wedding breakfast while Longbourn is still in mourning, so I offered Netherfield. We can celebrate afterward, quietly, with only our closest family.”

“You have thought of everything, sir.”

“I only wish to make you happy, Jane.”

She reached up with her free hand and straightened the edge of his cravat where it had shifted beneath his collar.

“I am so very happy, Charles.”

Bingley caught her hand and kissed it.

“I shall do everything I can to keep you so, Jane, my love.”

She moved closer to him. Bingley bent and kissed her, then kept her hand in his as they went to tell her father.

* * *

Bingley returned to Netherfield and found Darcy in the library.

“She said yes.”