Chapter 16 Wedding Preparations
The seamstress arrived later that afternoon and fitted all three of Elizabeth’s new gowns before taking them back to Longbourn for alterations.
The next morning, Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Gardiner paid a visit to discuss the wedding breakfast. Since Elizabeth had very little to say on the subject, they arranged everything between themselves.
Uncle Gardiner returned to London to purchase delicacies that could not be found in Meryton, as well as cognac and champagne for the celebration. Elizabeth had no time for a trousseau, but she supposed her practical husband would understand and not hold it against her.
The week of waiting soon fell into a pattern.
Each morning, Elizabeth and her sisters walked in the garden with Mr. Bingley.
They all breakfasted together, after which Jane joined Mr. Bingley and the Hursts in the drawing room; the women worked on their embroidery while the men discussed politics and current affairs.
In the evenings, they asked Elizabeth to read aloud from the novel she borrowed from Mrs. Hurst. Miss Bingley made an effort to comport herself during dinner and then retired directly to her room, explaining to Louisa that she found the very sight of the country mouse nauseating.
During the day, Elizabeth and Mary spent most of their free hours upstairs with Mrs. Gardiner and the seamstress, first altering the three exquisite gowns Mrs. Gardiner had purchased, then refitting four walking dresses made of fine fabrics, finer than any Elizabeth had ever worn, which Uncle Gardiner had brought along with him from his wife’s favorite modiste.
Though the dresses were elegant and suited Elizabeth’s complexion, they had been intended for a much fuller figure and required considerable adjustment.
Still, she would have seven fine gowns to wear when she arrived at Pemberley, and the seamstress was an expert at cutting and creating darts and refitting.
“Elizabeth,” Mrs. Gardiner said, “It was important to purchase at least a few very fine gowns so that you will not become the talk of the neighborhood. If you appear in rags, the maids will whisper, the servants will repeat it, and before long, even the shopkeepers will know the state of your undergarments. It would reflect poorly on Mr. Darcy.”
The three sisters were perplexed. Elizabeth said, “There is no such thing as privacy, is there, Aunt?”
“No indeed, my dear. That is why a trousseau, especially in your situation, is important. We must not have people think that Mr. Darcy found his bride in a backwater and that her family had no money to clothe her properly. Now, Lizzy, we must go through your things and discard whatever is too tattered to reflect well upon your husband.”
Elizabeth sighed. “Aunt, that describes nearly everything I own. Mama does not like me and rarely purchases anything for me.”
Mary nodded sympathetically. “Lizzy, if I had anything to spare, I would give it to you. But Mama dislikes me as much as she dislikes you. Everything I have is a hand-me-down.”
Jane rose. “I have five or six of everything. Come to my room, and I will share some of my corsets and undergarments with you.”
All four ladies followed Jane upstairs, sorting what she would keep and what Elizabeth might take.
“I do not need too much,” Elizabeth said. “Once I am at Pemberley, I will ask my husband to take me shopping. I only need enough to last a week or two, just enough to keep the servants from gossiping.”
Aunt Madeline said, “You are right, my dear. Mr. Darcy will see you properly outfitted if you ask him.”
Elizabeth would make do with what she had, though as she and her aunt took inventory, she could not deny the truth. “My gowns are indeed worn and tattered, Aunt. I spend hours outdoors climbing stiles, walking, or sitting in my oak tree reading.”
“Why do you spend so many hours outside, my dear?”
Elizabeth’s brows rose. “Mamma. She does not like me, Aunt Maddie, and it is best for everyone if I am not underfoot. She says I am obstinate and headstrong. When I spend hours reading or studying in my oak tree, she cannot belittle me. It hurts my father and sisters when she does. It is simply better if I stay away. I imagine she is delighted to be rid of me.”
Mrs. Gardiner grew thoughtful. “Perhaps. But your papa will miss you.”
“Yes, and I will miss him. I have missed our morning sessions. He allows me to ask any question I wish, and he is very faithful to give me a sound answer, rooted in evidence.” She giggled.
“Those are Papa’s own words. I hope to invite him for Easter, but I must first see how Mr. Darcy and I get along.
It would pain Papa if my husband proved unkind.
He keeps me in his study at home to shelter me.
We spend hours and hours together. I have learned all about the Greek poets, the estate ledgers, the biblical prophecies, sundry articles and journal publications, anything that might improve my mind. ”
“Then, Lizzy, ask Mr. Darcy the questions you would normally ask your father. He is a learned man. I remember when the master’s son went to Cambridge; the whole neighborhood heard of it, and the family was so proud. It will be a way to connect with your husband, to know him better.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I will, Aunt. He may repent marrying me, for I have many questions.”
“Many questions? For example?”
“Before we were exiled to Netherfield, I had meant to ask him why Achilles withdrew so completely from the war. He knew it would lead to the deaths of many Greeks.”
Mrs. Gardiner laughed softly. “Lizzy, I foresee hours of entertainment for Mr. Darcy. Do ask your questions. You will learn much about human nature in the process.”
“I thought of my studies when I saw Miss Bingley’s behavior toward me,” Elizabeth said. “It seemed cruel at first, but then I realized she was a woman in pain, just as Achilles was in pain, and we do not always behave well when wounded, do we, Aunt?”
“Come, Lizzy, enough of classical literature. Your sisters are upstairs preparing a gift for you. Let us go and see.”
They ascended to the second floor, and Mrs. Gardiner tapped on Jane’s door.
“Come in,” Jane called.
When they entered, Elizabeth saw Jane holding up a lovely veil.
She and Mary had needles in hand, carefully hemming the lace.
Elizabeth burst into tears. Her sisters put down their work, and all four women embraced.
They understood that Elizabeth was sacrificing herself for their family’s future, and they meant to make her wedding as happy as they could.
At last, Elizabeth wiped her eyes and took the delicate lace in her hands. “This is the most beautiful veil. I never expected to own anything so exquisite.”
Jane lifted it. “It is shoulder-length, Lizzy. We can pin it to your hair with the pearl circlet. It will look beautiful against your dark hair.”
On Thursday morning, two letters arrived from London, personally delivered by one of Mr. Darcy’s grooms. His note to Mr. Bingley stated that he would arrive that evening and that the wedding would take place on Friday morning.
They were to return to London that afternoon following the wedding breakfast.
His note to Elizabeth read:
Elizabeth,
Your father has written that the wedding breakfast is planned for Friday; therefore, we shall marry on Friday morning at nine o’clock, followed by the breakfast. We will remain one night in London and travel to Pemberley the following day.
I am bringing my sister, Georgiana, and my cousin Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam to attend the wedding.
I have invited Mr. Bingley, Caroline, and the Hursts to join us at Pemberley.
They will arrive in two weeks’ time, as Charles must first close the house in Hertfordshire and complete some business in London before traveling north.
Their visit will extend until the end of September.
Pray let Miss Bennet know of Mr. Bingley’s planned visit, for it is meant as a compliment to her and in gratitude for her kind service as your companion. I know this departure from your home and your beloved father, to travel with a near stranger to the wilds of the north, cannot be easy for you.
Until this evening,
Your intended,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
Elizabeth’s eyes stung. She had wept more in the past two weeks than in all her life before, yet it could not be helped.
Mr. Darcy was truly the paragon she had once imagined him to be when first she laid eyes on him at the Meryton assembly.
In all things that truly mattered, he understood, and he provided.
She was reading his letter again when Jane moved to sit beside her at the breakfast table.
“What is it, Lizzy? Why do you weep?”
“He is too good, Jane.” Elizabeth handed her the letter. After reading the missive, tears rimmed Jane’s eyes as well.
“I am touched. He truly is a good man. You did well to choose him, and not our cousin.”
Miss Bingley entered the breakfast parlor and gave a sharp sniff. “Are you two conspiring again, planning how best to bring me to my knees?”
Both sisters looked up, puzzled.
“Oh, do not look so innocent. You cannot fool me. Mr. Darcy returns tonight, and you will be married tomorrow, but first, you must contrive to humiliate me in the process. Well, I shall not allow it! He was mine before he was yours. Had you not ensnared him, he would be reading his vows to me at our wedding, not yours.”
All four women heard the Hursts and Mr. Bingley approaching in the hall.
Caroline turned away and busied herself at the sideboard.
Elizabeth and Jane exchanged a look and shook their heads.
Mary abandoned the sideboard when Miss Bingley approached her and moved to sit on Elizabeth’s other side, quietly eating her breakfast with eyes fixed on her plate.
Mr. Bingley entered in his usual cheerful manner. “Miss Elizabeth, Darcy arrives tonight and will dine with us. Did he share any other details in the note addressed to you?”
“Yes, sir. He says you will all visit Pemberley this summer. I find that very exciting. Do you go there often?”
Bingley chuckled. “Every summer since I first met Darcy at Cambridge, but it will be the first visit for Caroline and the Hursts. We are all looking forward to it. Darcy promises us hunting, fishing, and riding, diversions that particularly please Hurst and me.”
“Especially fishing,” said Mr. Hurst with a grin.
Bingley continued in this cheerful vein until breakfast was over. Then he turned to Jane. “Miss Bennet, are you ready for our walk?”
“Yes, we are ready. She rose. Her sisters followed, and together they went through the hall and out into the garden.
When they were gone, Caroline turned to her sister. “Louisa, how shall I endure tonight and tomorrow? It is too humiliating.”
Louisa replied calmly, “You might say you have the headache and excuse yourself from the wedding. Or return to London today. I am sure Mr. Hurst would lend you his carriage.” She turned to her husband. “Wouldn’t you, my dear?”
“Certainly,” he said. “I am certain Charles will not insist you stay to watch your favorite marry another woman. What say you, Caroline, shall I have the carriage prepared?”
Caroline sat silently for several minutes, deep in thought. At last, she replied, “No, I will stay. Perhaps there will be a last-minute reprieve, some reason she cannot marry him after all. I would not miss that for the world.”
Hurst glanced at Louisa and raised his brows. She only shook her head.
Caroline rose with sudden resolve. “I must decide what to wear to dinner tonight, something ravishing to capture his attention.” She swept out of the room.
Louisa looked at her husband. “My sister can be so blind to reality. Even though this is a forced marriage to resolve a compromise, I believe Mr. Darcy has long had a tendre for Miss Elizabeth. That is why he refused to let her cousin have her; he wanted her for himself. But Caroline never saw how much he admired her.”
Hurst huffed. “Oh yes, she did. Do you not remember how she called him out in the Bennets’ rose garden? He was staring at Miss Elizabeth. He never had eyes for her elder sister.”
Louisa laughed softly. “You are right. Caroline saw how completely he was captured, and that is why she hates Miss Elizabeth so bitterly.”