Page 47 of The Art of Apology
He chuckled. “That is what you are truly anticipating? Not being my wife or there finally being an end to the fuss of planning the wedding and packing what you want to bring with you, which you led me to believe was tiresome work. You just want to see my estate.”
She laughed gleefully, unable to hide how happy shewas. “Exactly so, sir. You did not expect anything different. Or did you?” He shook his head, and she would not have been surprised if he had also rolled his eyes at her silliness. Speaking more seriously, she said, “You know very well how I long to be your wife and have you for my husband. Iamlooking forward to seeing Derbyshire, and Pemberley especially, because it will be our home and I have heard so many delightful stories and descriptions of it, but what I most want is for us to be together and embark on our new life.”
“My sentiments are exactly the same,” he said. “Eight weeks did not seem especially long to wait when we decided on a wedding date, but it feels as if it has been eight months.”
Establishing the day on which they—along with Jane and Bingley—would marry had taken a fair amount of negotiation and a number of letters. Mrs Bennet had wanted to ensure she had enough time to, ‘do the thing properly! It is not often a family sees two of their daughters married at once, and to such fine gentlemen!’ Jane and Bingley’s opinions had to be considered, and much to Elizabeth’s surprise, they had actuallyhadopinions. She generally considered them both to be so good-natured and unwilling to disappoint anyone that they would agree to whatever was suggested to them. In addition, because Darcy’s family wanted to be part of the festivities, they needed to be sure the date did not conflict with Lord and Lady Bramwell’s wedding or any of Lord Romsley’s many responsibilities.
“But itishere at last. In less than four-and-twentyhours, we shall be Mr and Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy, and we shall set about fulfilling our destiny.”
His steps slowed as he turned his head to look at her. “Our destiny?”
Arranging her features into the most serious expression she could manage, she gave a single firm nod and said, “Our destiny. Were you not aware that we had one?”
He scratched a spot between his eyebrows. “No. Perhaps you ought to tell me about it, my love. I would like to know what to expect.”
“Since you asked so prettily. I should preface my explanation by saying that this is how our destinyshouldunfold. It is up to us to make it a reality.”
“Do I detect some hesitation, Miss Bennet? You said you knew our destiny, and I would like to hear it, if you please.”
“Patience, Mr Darcy, patience!” she mock-reprimanded, which earned her another head shake. He also smiled, though, because he loved it when she teased him; he had told her so many times. “We shall have three children, two boys and a girl. Our eldest son should be named for your family, but I have not quite determined what. You will not want to use George, despite it being your father’s name.” Mr Wickham had spoilt that for him.
“Hugh,” Darcy said decidedly. “It was his second name and that of my grandfather.”
“I like that very well. Hugh for our first son, and since we are to have two, the second will be named for my family. Rupert, perhaps, after my father. I prefer thatto Bennet, and I believe Jane has already decided to use it for their first son. Naturally, I shall love my nephew, whatever my feelings about his name.”
“Our daughter too.” When she asked what he meant, he explained, “You said we would have a daughter, and she should be called after your mother or one of your sisters. Or you. Iamparticularly fond of the name Elizabeth.”
“That is most kind of you, and if my mother knew you considered her name worthy of your daughter, she would be flattered. But I was thinking it should be Anne after your mother. We could add my mother’s name, if Jane has not already used it for her daughter, or, as you said, that of one of my sisters. But enough about names. Do you not want to know what else the future has in store for us?”
“Pray continue. I am finding this highly entertaining.”
“Georgiana has a brilliant first Season, and eventually she is claimed by a worthy gentleman who loves her dearly and whom she loves in return. I promise you, this man is one to whom even you cannot object.”
“I doubt it,” he muttered.
Elizabeth pretended not to hear him. “Do not worry, my darling, she will not marry until she is my present age, so we shall have her with us for a while yet, which pleases me exceedingly.” Darcy was a little too protective of his sister, in her opinion, and she happened to know that Georgiana was beginning to find it rather oppressive. Elizabeth had promised that she would do what she could to help him accept that his sister was a youngwoman and could not always remain the child she had been when their father had died and she had clung to him for comfort and stability.
“Jane and Bingley will not always want to remain at Netherfield, and the current owners are unlikely to sell it, in any case,” Elizabeth went on. “Since they will need a new estate, you will just happen to know of one less than twenty miles from Pemberley. Their children and ours will grow up being the best of friends, and their son will marry our daughter.”
“Your knowledge of our future extends to the next generation?” he asked, his tone disbelieving.
She hushed him. “I am almost finished, and I am approaching the most crucial part. Our children will grow into fine adults, and we shall be enormously proud of them. Hugh will be a diligent eldest son, and Rupert will be a widely respected member of the clergy. He will consider becoming an officer, but he will understand that I would worry excessively. And”—she stopped walking and stood facing him, gazing into his eyes, his hands in hers—“you and I shall be known far and wide as the most fortunate, most perfectly matched, happiest couple the world has ever seen. Forevermore.”
