Page 32 of When Elizabeth Said Yes

All my love,

Your sister, Elizabeth

She would have to write another to Mama and send them in the same envelope, for there was no way her mother would accept Jane being told the news without receiving direct information herself about the plan.

She imagined her mother would be the most pleased about the match. After all, had she not been proclaiming his ten thousand a year when he had visited Meryton?

Yes, she had been very keen to see him match with one of her daughters.

And although she thought her mother had found him rude, she doubted that would change her mother’s wish to see him marry one of them. Well, she probably wished it was Jane, but Jane was not the one making this marriage.

She rather felt sorry for Mr Darcy when she looked at it like that. Her family had only seen him for his money, dismissed him as unpleasant, but would have no issue with him marrying into their family.

And she herself was only marrying him because she could see no other way forward.

And yet, surely he was only marrying her out of pity, so it wasn’t so terrible what she was doing, was it?

Her thoughts in a muddle, she left the letter on the desk and decided to deal with the one to her mother later that day.

She needed some fresh air. She was avoiding sitting downstairs, for the looks Mr Collins gave her, and the comments about Lady Catherine’s presumed views on the match, were too much to be borne.

Grabbing her cloak and hat, she waited at the top of the stairs to make sure no one was coming up, and then hurried down them as quietly as she could, hoping to slip out unnoticed.

But when she reached the bottom, the maid was waiting for her and she said, "I was just coming to fetch you, miss. Mr Darcy is here to see you."

"Oh," Elizabeth said, unsure why she had not thought she would see him today.

It made sense. They were engaged to be married. There were things to discuss.

"I see," she said. "I was just going out for a walk, but—"

"He’s in the parlour, miss," the maid said, and Elizabeth nodded.

He was saving her from a life of poverty, so she probably ought to save him from conversation with Mr Collins.

Taking a deep breath and throwing her shoulders back, she walked towards the parlour and opened the door, and was not unsurprised to find Charlotte silently poring over her needlework while Mr Collins gave Mr Darcy his opinions.

"Mr Darcy," Elizabeth said, cutting straight across Mr Collins.

He turned and his face lit up at the sight of her.

She was sure that that was gratitude for saving him from this very conversation.

"Miss Bennet," he said. "Good day." He bowed his head. "Were you going for a walk?" he asked, seeing the cloak over her arm.

She nodded. "I was, yes, but I did not realise you were here."

"May I join you?" he asked.

She nodded. Although she had wished to take the air alone and clear her head, the conversation between them would be better done outside of the confines of this house.

"Of course," Elizabeth said.

Charlotte looked up. "Would you like Amanda to come as chaperone?" she asked, nodding towards the maid.

Elizabeth glanced at Mr Darcy. She felt she could trust him. Besides, they were engaged to be married. It would be a lot easier to talk without worrying about what might be passed back.

"We shall stay within the gardens. I don’t think there’s any need," she said. She did not mention their previous unchaperoned walk.