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“Is that Mary?” Mrs. Gardiner said, entering the room. Upon realising she was correct in her assumption, she greeted the newlyweds eagerly before asking why they were not already bound north. David could only grin at his bride, who now looked very confused.

“Did I not tell you?” David teased. “We are not to go to London for our tour.”

“Then where are we to go?” His wife asked, confused.

“Pemberley,” David answered. “Darcy told me two days ago that he meant to remain at Netherfield—now we know why, of course—and that we ought to use his carriage and his home for our tour, as it is otherwise empty. We may explore the peaks in the surrounding area as we like.”

“Pemberley!” Mary repeated, her eyes widening as she turned to Darcy. “Mr. Darcy, that is so generous of you! I have heard much of the beauty of the Derbyshire peaks, though I never supposed I should see them so soon.”

“It is no more than a courtesy, Mary,” he replied with a polite bow. “The house is fully staffed. Mrs. Reynolds will ensure you both have every comfort during your stay.”

Before Mary could express her gratitude further, another carriage was heard pulling up along the gravel drive outside, quickly followed by the sound of hurried steps in the hall.

“It seems the messenger caught Netherfield in time, well enough,” David observed, looking toward the door with a smile.

Bingley burst in, rushing forward to take Darcy’s hand in his own. “How glad we were when we received your note! Then there was no question of departing without wishing you joy.”

Jane entered demurely behind her husband, going quickly to Elizabeth and taking her hands in her own. “I am truly, wonderfully happy for you! When I read the note, I could barely contain my excitement.”

“I knew you would not mind our news, Jane,” Elizabeth said, pulling back to look at her with a smile. “I only regret that you were not here when it was first spoken of.”

“Mind?” Jane echoed, shaking her head gently. “How could I ever mind anything that brings you happiness? My own joy is only doubled by knowing yours.”

“Jane! Mary!” Mrs. Bennet entered the vestibule, eagerly greeting her daughters, although also wondering aloud why they might choose to return so soon after their weddings.

“Only for a brief moment, Mamma,” Mary explained. “Mr. Darcy was so good as to send word that we might wish Lizzy and him joy before we left the neighbourhood.”

“Oh! How kind he is!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. “Lizzy, I do hope you have thanked him properly. I never saw such a thing as a gentleman to remember his betrothed’s family in this way. So thoughtful!”

Elizabeth coloured slightly at her mother’s words, though she managed a composed smile.

“Well, you had better do so once they depart, or he should not like to make many grand gestures in the future,” Mrs. Bennet warned.

Elizabeth was not able to reply, for the vestibule was filled with her relations embracing Mary and Jane before they departed for their wedding tours. Mr. Bennet emerged from his study to add his wit and blessings, while Mrs. Ellington and Mrs. Gardiner ensured that both young women were wrapped securely against the December draught before stepping back out to their carriages.

Once the carriages had both departed, the family all drifted back to their places. Mrs. Bennet departed after giving Elizabeth a parting reminder to thank Mr. Darcy before closing the door to the drawing-room firmly behind her. The door opposite remained open to the dining room, but given the family’s usual habits at mid-day, there was almost no chance of interruption.

“You look much more at ease now, my love,” Darcy whispered, coming to stand next to Elizabeth as they both peered out at the drive.

She turned to him, her eyes bright with amusement and affection. “I am entirely at ease now. You have seen to that.”

“Then all is as it should be.”

“Not entirely,” she rejoined with a teasing smile, “for I have not yet followed my mother’s advice and thanked you properly for your kindness.”

“There is no need for thanks,” he answered, taking her hands in his. “Your family is to be my family. If it lies within my power to give them some comfort, I am pleased to do so.”

“Giving them not only your carriage, but your very home for a fortnight is no small courtesy, Mr. Darcy,” she said quietly, stepping a fraction closer. “Indeed, I feel I must thank you now, lest my relations arrive in Derbyshire to find a very bewildered housekeeper.”

He smiled, a rare, warm expression that softened his entire countenance. “You are pleased to jest, Elizabeth.”

“Not entirely,” she murmured, and with an impulsive grace, she drew him just a step further away from the window into the quiet shelter of the room.

Darcy offered no resistance, though a sensible caution whispered in his mind even as he looked down at her.

“Elizabeth—” he began.

Any further protest was silenced as she raised her face to his. When their lips met, he was utterly overwhelmed by her, losing all sense of their surroundings. Her lips were unpractised but eager as they moved over his. Even when he swept his tongue over the seam of her lips, she did not startle, instinctively opening them. Though he should have liked to take full advantage of so sweet an invitation, he allowed himself only a taste, brushing his tongue lightly over hers for but an instant before retreating. A breath caught in his throat as her tongue followed his, a shy echo of his own movement. Her fingers, resting tentatively against his lapel, curled into the wool of his coat as she leaned into him further. He was undone entirely.