Page 19 of Who Are You, Mr Darcy?
Elizabeth watched the entire scene with a smile, her soul filled with pure happiness; not just for her but also for her dear sister Jane and her Mr Bingley, who were holding hands like they feared they might lose each other again. Elizabeth had no such fears, though she had needed some time to understand that Mr Darcy was the only man in the world who could be her perfect match.
She saw her father talking to her uncle Gardiner, while Mrs Gardiner approached her.
“My dear Lizzy, I confess I still do not believe it. You, the mistress of Pemberley? I would never have dreamed that. I barely dared to dream that I would visit Pemberley again one day, and now Mr Darcy has invited us all to spend the entire summer there.”
“Dearest aunt, you sound almost like Mama!” Elizabeth laughed.
“Well, this time I do feel like your mother. The thought that I shall take a ride around Pemberley Park in a phaeton with white horses is exhilarating.”
“You have an advantage over me, as I have not even seen Pemberley yet.”
“You will — and you will love it.”
“I would love it anyway because it is my husband’s home. My home.”
“You will go to London first, I hear?”
“Yes, Aunt. We shall leave immediately. Then we shall stay in London for a fortnight, to become acquainted with his family. Iadmit that, after the scandal aroused by Lady Catherine, I have some concerns in meeting Lord and Lady Matlock.”
“They will need some time to accept and love you, but they will, eventually.”
“I hope so. However, Fitzwilliam’s love and Georgiana’s affection are enough for me to be the happiest woman in the world.”
As they spoke, Darcy approached them, and he took his wife’s hand.
“I am sorry to interrupt you, but we should leave now. I would like to arrive in London before dinner. My sister and my cousin will come tomorrow.”
“Yes, we plan to travel all together,” Mrs Gardiner said.
“I look forward to having dinner together at the end of the week,” Darcy said, while the entire family came to take their farewell.
Half an hour later, while the rest of the guests travelled to Netherfield for a celebratory breakfast, Mr and Mrs Darcy began their journey to London together.
They sat together on the same bench, and as soon as they left Meryton behind, his arms closed around her, and her hands entwined in his hair while they enjoyed the first kiss of their marriage.
