Chapter 49 #2
Elizabeth was not a betting woman, but given the warmth in her friend’s eyes, the blush in her cheeks, and the way Richard’s gaze had lingered on Emily from the moment he had set foot inside the ballroom, she would bet her favorite book that they would be the next couple to exchange vows.
Given the smile gracing Georgiana’s face, she was of a similar opinion.
There was something different in the colonel’s manners. The usual reserve in his expression had disappeared. Something had happened to bring on this welcome change, and while Elizabeth loved a good puzzle to solve, she had an impatient bride to calm.
Elizabeth caressed Alexandra’s arm. “He shall come. You shall see.”
Forcing her shoulders down, Alexandra said, “Yer right. Nick loves me. He wouldn’t leave me standin’ alone at the altar. I trust him.” She narrowed her eyes. “He better show his face soon.”
Emily and Elizabeth wrapped their arms around her, recognizing her struggle and insecurity.
She had thought that Nick had left her once before; her fear was understandable, though Elizabeth did not doubt Fitzwilliam for one moment.
There was a good reason for their delay, she was certain, for Fitzwilliam was as constant as the sunrise.
“Lizzy,” Mama snapped and clucked her tongue. “You will crush your gown.”
Biting her lips together, Elizabeth pulled away from Alexandra and smoothed her skirts, daring not to look at her mother lest she lose her composure and burst into laughter.
Mama kept one wary eye on the crowd assembled when she was not looking at Alexandra’s excessive flounces and ruffles of lace.
The wedding company was a motley crew, to say the least, with Alexandra’s men on shore leave from the recently repaired Fancy.
Jaffa, dressed in a beaded vest of bright colors and with gold necklaces covering his bare skin, was an especially appalling sight …
and one Mama peeked at often from behind her fan.
Oh, if only Lady Catherine could see them now! Elizabeth would delight in introducing the great lady to her new relations. Maybe then she would not complain so much about Elizabeth’s family, she thought with evil humor.
Jane and Lydia slipped into the ballroom and out to the garden, followed by Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. Jane met Elizabeth’s eye and gave a barely perceptible shake of her head. Elizabeth’s humor rushed out of her in a disappointed exhale. Still no sign of Wickham, then.
The evening before, Lydia had shown up at Gracechurch Street donning her newest gown and holding a valise.
Wickham had not returned to the inn for two days, and she had grown tired of waiting for him.
That she had not attempted to find him before then was telling, no matter how Mama attempted to explain his absence away with glorified imaginings of secret army missions and clandestine assignments.
Still, Wickham’s disappearance had been sudden and unwarranted, and Uncle had sent for Mr. Connell immediately. Elizabeth had not yet told Fitzwilliam, and she would wait to do so until after the wedding feast to spare Georgiana from so much as hearing his name.
"She is so beautiful,” Mama mumbled after Jane, chasing after her with her fan open to slap the hand of any sailor who attempted to speak with Jane or looked at her too long.
Jane radiated contentedness. Mr. Bingley had returned to Netherfield Park to court her openly. He was already among their guests, and Jane wasted no time finding him. They would wed at Longbourn parish the following week.
Mama waved her fan at Cotton and Bauer, looking like a mother hen with her feathers ruffled. To their credit, the two men cowered under the threat of her snapping fan.
Alexandra chuckled. “I see yer ma’s fan is as fearsome a weapon as me threats of keelhaulin’. I made me men swear they’d be on their best behavior.”
So that was why the champagne had not been opened and the men were simply eyeing the food longingly but did not partake.
Elizabeth rubbed the braided strands around her finger. She had not taken it off since Fitzwilliam had given it to her, and she was loath to do so that day. No amount of diamonds and jewels could replace the sentiment the ring he had made for her represented.
Papa strolled languidly over to them from the entrance hall. “It is time for me to take you to the parlor so you may make your grand entrance.” He held his arm out to Elizabeth. Jaffa joined them, holding his arm out to Alexandra.
“Nick’s here?” she asked.
“He had a small matter to attend to, but it is done,” Papa said, leading them out to the hall and into the parlor. Leaving the door open a crack to wait for their signal to come out, he turned to face Alexandra. “Pray do not punish him too severely. All is well that ends well.”
“Mr. Bennet, you were supposed to wait until after the wedding.” Jaffa looked nervously at Alexandra.
The fiery captain’s fists clenched. “And what’s that supposed to mean? What’s he done now?”
Papa took her hand between his own, patting it. “That is not for me to say, but I am of a mind that you will eventually agree that Nicholas acted out of good faith and generosity.”
Alexandra shot Elizabeth a scowl, but Elizabeth could only shrug. She had no idea what her father hinted at, nor what Nick had done.
“The gentlemen are in place, and the clergyman is ready,” the butler signaled.
“I’m gonna kill him,” Alexandra hissed under her breath.
Elizabeth looped her arm through Alexandra’s and marched her forward. “Not until after the wedding, dear.”