Page 81

“You are the first to know. I asked Miss Bennet to be my wife, and she said yes.”

The young lady found her voice. “Fitzwilliam, Miss Bennet, this is wonderful news.” She embraced Elizabeth. “We shall be sisters!”

“Indeed, and I should like nothing more than if you call me by my given name—Elizabeth or Lizzy, whichever you prefer.”

“I would be honoured, and you must call me Georgiana.”

Soon, Lucy joined the happy gathering. “Elizabeth, where did you go? I have been looking all over for you. I see you have been introduced to Miss Darcy.”

Darcy bowed slightly and said, “Miss Lancaster, it is a pleasure to see you again.”

Lucy realised her lapse in decorum and curtsied. “Oh, where are my manners? It is a pleasure seeing you, too, Mr. Darcy.”

“I take it you know who my sister is.”

Lucy threw Elizabeth a perplexed grimace and looked back at Darcy. “I – I saw you two earlier, and I took it upon myself to make inquiries.”

Darcy reached out his hand. “There is no need to explain. Allow me to introduce you properly. Miss Lancaster, this is my sister, Miss Darcy. Georgiana, meet Miss Lancaster.”

After the young ladies had greeted each other genially, Lucy turned to Elizabeth. “You are looking rather pleased—in fact you are beaming.” She then directed her gaze to Mr. Darcy. “And I do not know when I have ever seen you smiling so brightly. Has something happened that I should know about?”

Elizabeth looked at Darcy for confirmation to share the happy news. He nodded. “Mr. Darcy and I are to be married.”

Lucy’s smile could hardly be contained as she embraced Elizabeth. “Married! I always knew this day would come. You must invite me to the wedding. In fact, I should like to be your maid of honour.” Lucy pulled back and spoke to Darcy. “You should ask Lord Holland to be your groomsman!”

Elizabeth said, “Please, Lucy, we have only been engaged for an hour. We have hardly had time to consider the wedding ceremony!”

Lord Holland soon wandered into the parlour. As if unable to stop herself, Lucy called out to him from across the room, and she beckoned he join her party with a wave of her hand.

Having spoken to Elizabeth and Lucy earlier, he held his hand out to Georgiana. Upon accepting hers, he bowed slightly. “Miss Darcy, it is a pleasure to see you again.” Georgiana demurred under his attention and acknowledged his gesture in a voice barely above a whisper.

Releasing her hand, he turned to Darcy. “I see you found Miss Bennet.”

Lucy said, “I should say so, and wait until you hear their happy news.”

By the turn of Darcy’s countenance, Lucy had spoken out of turn, but that was her way. Lord Holland had to find out somehow, and it might as well have been that instant as any other time.

He looked at his friend expectantly.

Darcy cleared his throat “Miss Bennet has agreed to marry me.”

Lord Holland glanced at Elizabeth’s face and detected a certain air that was not there when he saw her earlier that afternoon. “The two of you have my ardent wishes for happiness.” Speaking to Darcy, he said, “I would say this calls for a toast. Will you join me?”

Darcy really wanted to steal away with Elizabeth and spend the rest of the day as well as the evening basking in the glow of their shared felicity, but decorum would not allow for such a pleasurable endeavour. She had come to the garden party as Miss Lancaster’s guest. Surely she would be obliged to leave with her, and who was to say how long the Lancasters would remain at the gathering.

Elizabeth said, “Miss Darcy, perhaps you will join Lucy and me for a glass of punch.” Georgiana agreed and with that the ladies went away, thus affording the gentlemen privacy.

Lord Holland said, “It seems your persistence paid off, my friend.”

Darcy nodded. “As I told you in Bosley, Miss Bennet means everything to me.”

“Indeed you did, and I am not unaware how much you have long meant to her. Again, I congratulate you.”

“It means a great deal to hear you say that. I know you care for her as well.”

“It is true; I care for her as I always will, for we are connected. We share unbreakable ties through Lady Vanessa. Then, too, there is our shared interest. I suppose the next time you are in Bosley, you will be married and no doubt will be staying at Barrington Hall, but you must know you are always welcome to stay at Avondale should you wish.”

“I hope your generous offer extends to my cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam as well.”