Chapter 33
Darcy was pacing in his study when the Viscount and Colonel Fitzwilliam finally found him.
“Darcy, there you are. We have been looking for you all over Meryton.” The Colonel spoke as he entered the study, then noticing his expression continued, “Why are you so anxious? I would have thought that with the wedding tomorrow you would be excited.” He then walked directly to the couch and sprawled without waiting for an answer.
“Do you think he is having second thoughts? The lady is very intelligent and may have finally scared him,” the Viscount commented, as he scrutinised the contents of the liquor cabinet.
“He is right here,” Darcy responded with gritted teeth. “And I am having no second thoughts about anything. I am just impatient for tomorrow to arrive,” he grumbled, as he sat back in one of the chairs by the table.
“Pity, I would not have minded pursuing her,” the Colonel responded.
“I know all about what you wanted. Elizabeth told me about her conversation with your father.”
This made the Colonel sit up with a start, “I did not expect her to be a tattletale,” he exclaimed with a dramatic hand on his heart.
“You are one to talk, was it not you who told everyone about Mr. Collins and his proposal,” the Viscount responded as he finally selected a bottle.
“Elizabeth did not tattle. We are to be married. You cannot expect us to have secrets from each other,” Darcy said with mock offense.
“You both are nauseating.” The Colonel replied as he spread himself again on the couch.
“Here, Darcy, you should have a drink, it will relax you,” the Viscount offered.
“It is not even four!” Darcy responded with a disdainful look.
“That is the point. You need to start drinking early to be able to sleep early.” The Colonel spoke from the couch as he lay there with his eyes closed and a hand thrown casually over his head.
“Why do I need to drink at all?”
“So that you do not pace incessantly, and your nerves do not match those of Mrs. Bennet,” the Viscount responded as he thrust a glass in Darcy’s hand.
In spite of all his protests, he gulped the drink and soon was engaged in yet another conversation about all of Elizabeth’s virtues to the amusement of his cousins.
******
The day of the wedding brought both Lady Margaret and Mrs. Ashcombe to Longbourn just as the family had sat down to breakfast. Both women expressed their desire to present an heirloom to the bride-to-be and were taken directly to Elizabeth’s dressing room.
Jane was already there helping with the preparation while Lizzy took a light breakfast from a tray.
Seeing the ladies enter she quickly got up and curtsied.
“My dear Elizabeth, you are to be a Darcy bride today and we wished for you to have some Darcy heirlooms for your wedding day,” Lady Margaret said as she walked up to her and took her hands.
“I know you must have planned your ensemble by now and I do not want you to feel pressured into wearing anything from these if it does not suit,” Mrs. Ashcombe continued as a maid placed the boxes on the nearby table.
“Thank you. I am sure something could be used. Jane, would you please see which of them I may wear?” Elizabeth responded with a genuine desire to appreciate the ladies' efforts on her behalf.
Soon the boxes were opened and exclaimed over and of all the pieces the hair combs were found perfect for Elizabeth to wear for the ceremony.
They were of a delicate blue and complemented her ivory gown beautifully.
The ladies were well satisfied and left the ‘bride-to-be’ to continue with her preparations.
Once Elizabeth was dressed, Jane used the combs to complete her hair in an elaborate style.
As Elizabeth was finally declared ready to walk down the aisle her sister gave her a fierce hug.
“Jane, I know you still miss Mr. Bingley. Maybe you should give him a chance. His act of transferring the lease of Netherfield does show his contrition.” Elizabeth said as the sisters moved apart.
“I do not know, Lizzy. I know I love him, and I do not expect him to be perfect but all I require is his trust. His jealousy of Mr. Darcy was illogical and foolhardy.”
“Jealousy is never sensible dearest. His sisters seem well behaved and will most assuredly maintain the connection now, you must utilise their friendship to meet with the brother.” Elizabeth said with a smile.
“Oh Lizzy! Maybe I will. But enough of it. It is your wedding day and all you should be thinking about is your new life.”
“I am thinking of that life, dear sister, it can never be perfect if I am separated from you for too long. Once I am settled in my new home, I wish to invite you, promise me that you will come.” Elizabeth said, holding her sister’s hand.
“How could I ever refuse.” Jane said with a large smile as the sisters proceeded to walk out of the room.
Mr. Bennet was waiting for them just below the stairs and Elizabeth took her father’s arm as she stepped out of the house and boarded the carriage for the church.
The rest of the family had already departed.
Elizabeth was both anxious and excited for the moment to arrive when she walked down the aisle on her father’s arm to finally take Mr. Darcy's hand. Soon they were at the church and before she realised the moment had arrived. As she took her father’s arm Mr. Bennet turned and smiled at her as he patted her cheeks making her emotional.
Then he shook his head at her tears and whispered
“You are walking towards happiness my dear, I can see it.” He then straightened and with Elizabeth on his arm walked forward.
Both the bride and the groom were too absorbed in each other’s expression and the upcoming joy to have any recollection of the actual ceremony. All they remembered was the moment when the parson pronounced them man and wife.
The whole party journeyed towards Longbourn for the wedding breakfast with Elizabeth and Darcy in an open carriage.
Darcy would have preferred some solitude with his new bride, but his aunts had been adamant about the open carriage.
It was only a few hours more of the festivities before they departed for their honeymoon, he thought.
Mrs. Bennet had invited all the principal families of the neighbourhood and the Bennet sisters had outdone themselves with the arrangements.
Elizabeth had always had the neighbours’ esteem and it seemed that the whole town had joined in her gaiety.
Longbourn was as chaotic and loud as could be imagined with Mrs. Bennet crowing about the handsome son she had gained and how perfect a daughter Elizabeth always was.
Darcy found that he could not begrudge this celebration in spite of the noise.
Elizabeth deserved to be cherished by all those who loved her.
He was standing near the edge of the crowd surrounding his new wife when Miss Bingley walked up to him and congratulated him with perfect politeness.
“I hope you remember that I predicted the happy event more than a year back when you had first admired Mrs. Darcy’s eyes.”
Darcy knew that the comment had been made in sarcasm and in no way had Miss Bingley ever entertained any such notion, but good manners forbade him from reminding her. Inclining his head, he thanked her.
“I hope that any resentment towards my brother will not make you forget our friendship.” Miss Bingley continued.
“I assure you Miss Bingley; I have no resentment towards your brother,” he responded without acknowledging her comment about their friendship.
Elizabeth had noticed Miss Bingley walking up to her husband and understanding his need to avoid a longer tête-à-tête with the lady, she extricated herself from her well-wishers and walked up to them.
“Miss Bingley, it is good of you to join us in our celebration.” She said as she took her husband's arm.
“Mrs. Darcy, I congratulate you on your marriage. The ceremony was beautiful.”
“Miss Bingley, I hope you will call me Elizabeth. Your brother is a dear friend to my husband after all,” Elizabeth offered with a smile much to Miss Bingley’s surprise. She returned the gesture and then walked away to her sister.
Darcy raised an eyebrow towards Elizabeth to which she playfully responded. “Seeing that I wish her brother to become my brother, it seemed appropriate,” At this Darcy chuckled and inquired when they could leave.
“I will talk to Papa, and quickly change into my travelling clothes.”
“Elizabeth, do you absolutely need to change? We will only travel for a couple of hours and I would prefer to have you a bit longer in your wedding finery.” Darcy requested with such an adorable hesitancy that Elizabeth could hardly decline.
She pressed his hand and then walked up to her father to let him know that they needed to depart.
Soon all the guests were gathered in the courtyard waving at the newly married couple as they took their leave.
Mrs. Bennet could be heard lamenting that they should have stayed longer but her husband and daughters quietened her.
Elizabeth hung out of the carriage window as the familiar roads passed by.
She could not help the tears that flowed for it seemed that her childhood was finally over, and she was well and truly a lady now.
Before she had realised Darcy pulled her into his arms and wiped her tears, kissing her on the forehead and then cuddled her.
There was not a single word spoken and the moment was much more poignant for it.