The Diary: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Kate Speck

Author:Kate Speck [Speck, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-11-15T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

The next morning arrived, and with eager anticipation, Elizabeth awaited her guests to arrive in an hour or two, unwilling to leave her home for errands or to make calls to her neighbours in case the Darcys turned up early. Considering that it was a four-hour ride from London to Longbourn, Elizabeth estimated that Mr. Darcy would arrive sometime after luncheon, perhaps in the late afternoon, but was pleasantly surprised when the familiar carriage was heard outside a little after ten o’clock.

Elizabeth stood outside and waited, but unable to restrain herself when she saw Georgiana Darcy exit the carriage, she ran to her young friend and embraced her. “You have grown taller, Georgie! And oh, so pretty!” The girls stepped aside as the footman returned to the door to assist someone else from the carriage. Elizabeth gasped to see Mr. Darcy dressed in full military garb as he disembarked slowly, using his walking stick to steady himself as he stood tall. He took off his hat and bowed formally to Elizabeth with a soft smile.

“I am here on official business and will need to head straight to Derbyshire so please forgive my appearance.” He softly commented as he lifted up his betrothed’s hand and kissed it. He stood upright to face the rest of the Bennets who were standing by the front door with absolute shock on their faces. “I must beg your forgiveness for our early arrival, Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet, ladies, since my sister and I prepared before dawn with eagerness to see you all. I deeply apologise but time is of the essence and I would like a private audience with you now, sir, as I only have an hour before I must depart.”

Mr. Bennet finally came out of his astonishment, “What has happened to you? You look very ill. You are the brigadier? How can you be an officer? You are a landowner and cannot serve in the army!”

Mr. Darcy chuckled, “Miss Elizabeth asked the same; she certainly has your intelligence. Please, if we can discuss inside, I am recovering from a previous injury and will explain as much as able.”

The two gentlemen closeted themselves in the study while the ladies proceeded to the parlour. Lydia leaned over towards Elizabeth and whispered, “An officer! He is so handsome when he smiles, Lizzy! If you change your mind about marrying him, I will certainly take him. He is a fine specimen!”

Elizabeth laughed in response, “He is mine, Lydia, and even if he were not an officer, I would marry him in a heartbeat. I hope you will marry only for the deepest of affections like both Jane and I!”

Lydia beamed and hurried to make Georgiana’s acquaintance, who had been speaking with Jane, and remarked on her dress and the designs of the bonnet and how wonderful it was to finally meet her in person after hearing much from her sister. Elizabeth sat down next to Georgiana, holding her hand and smiling tenderly at the sweet girl who would be her own sister soon, should all go according to plan.

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