Page 79 of Roses from Pemberley
“So the earl and countess and Lady Catherine are all coming?” asked Elizabeth, when they strolled through Longbourn’s gardens half an hour later.
“I certainly hope so,” said Darcy. “Ibelievethey will. And probably so will Richard, Anne, Diana and Georgie.”
“But the scandal of Lydia’s elopement?”
Darcy shrugged. “I believe their fear of scandal is far outweighed by their loyalty to family. And you and your family will now be theirs, so…”
“You wrote to them all this morning and invited them to come? Youmusthave since you did not mention it earlier.”
“Yes, I did. For I did not wish to see you so downtrodden…and at such a difficult time.”
Elizabeth nodded, realising that he had performed yet another act of kindness for her. And she wished, more than ever, that she had more to offer him than just herself.
“What can I do for you, Darcy?” she asked finally. “I wish to do something for you as you have done for me. But I cannot think of anything.”
He frowned. “It is not a matter of checks and balances, Elizabeth. You should not even think of it.
“Andyouwould not, if the shoe were on the other foot?”
“Well…perhaps. But I am the man, after all.”
“And that has nothing to do with it!” cried Elizabeth. “Now, tell me, what can I do for you?”
He gave her a small smile. “You could kiss me.”
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. “That does not count, for I enjoyed it as well.”
Now he pulled her in and kissed her more deeply. Eventually he sighed as they began to walk again. “You know, we cannot marry for another six months.”
“Yes…I know.”
“And I must return to Pemberley, in the not too distant future.”
“Oh…” she said forlornly, wishing that he did not have to go, but refraining from saying so. For if she did, he might just stay, and end up jeopardising the whole crop system of Pemberley.
“It will be hard to leave you,” he said.
“I shall miss you, but…I suppose we have no choice. Jane is fortunate that her betrothed will only be three miles away.”
“Whereas we shall be a hundred and fifty miles apart,” he said. Then added, “I shall also have to return to London to witness Lydia’s wedding.”
“Oh, must you?”
“I am afraid I must, for I wish to leave nothing to chance.”
Elizabeth nodded, finding that there was yet another thing to admire about Darcy - that he not only took everything upon himself, but was also fastidious in seeing that it was carried out properly and completely. “When do you think you shall leave for Pemberley?”
“I should have been there by now but…Bingley and I wished to buy your mother a house in the area. I know that my aunt has prevented Mr. Collins from descending upon Longbourn but she cannot hold him off forever.”
“No, she probably cannot. But…it was very good of her to be so supportive of my mother when we first received the express from Longbourn. I never realised what a kindhearted person she was.”
Darcy grinned. “Do not let her hear you say that, for she takes great pride in being intimidating. But you are right, she has always loved me as a son. Particularly after my mother died. Perhaps that was why she wished for me to marry Anne. Although she did encourage me to visit you once she learned I was in love with you.”
“You told Lady Catherine you were in love with me?”
“I suppose I was so frantic that you were ill that I just let it slip out. I actually told her of my failed proposal.”
Elizabeth squeezed his arm and momentarily leaned her head against his shoulder. “I never knew you could be so impulsive.”
