Chapter 19 I Do
Elizabeth sat up suddenly. Morning light streamed through the open window, and a young woman stood in the room with two buckets of hot water, one in each hand. Elizabeth drew the sheet up to her chin.
“Can I help you, miss?”
The young woman curtsied. “I am Hannah Ellis, personal maid to Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
“I am Elizabeth. You are my personal maid?”
“Yes, ma’am. Mr. Darcy hired me in London. He allowed me to take supper with my family before I came. They gave me a farewell dinner and sent me on the late coach. I arrived here last night at ten o’clock.”
Elizabeth blinked in surprise. “I see. I am pleased to meet you, Miss Ellis. This is my younger sister, Mary.”
Hannah bobbed another curtsy. “Mr. Darcy said I am to assist you and your sisters in dressing for the wedding, and on the journey to Derbyshire. He said that once we arrive at Pemberley, you will assign one of the housemaids to wait on your sisters. It is too much work for one maid to attend three ladies, miss.”
Elizabeth threw back the bedcovers and stood. “I quite agree. It will be one of my first tasks when we arrive. We also help one another, so the work should not be too burdensome for you.”
“Very good, miss. I will fill the hip bath for you, and I have another bucket for the young lady next door.”
“Yes, thank you. That is my sister Jane. I will bathe first, and then you can change the water for Mary.”
Miss Ellis pulled the screen into place, and Elizabeth hid behind it and began to unbutton her nightdress. She called out to her sister. “It is my wedding day, Mary. I do not know whether I am happy or afraid.”
“Mr. Darcy appears to be a good man, Lizzy. He does not look at you in that wild way our cousin does. But he does look at you. I think he might love you.”
Elizabeth was curious. “Truly? What makes you think so?”
“Well, his eyes are often on you, and he always has that half-smile, as though he finds you pleasing.”
“Really? I had not noticed, but I shall be sure to watch for it now. I hope he comes to love me, and I hope to love him too. I do not wish for a marriage such as our parents have.”
Mary shuddered. “Nor I.”
Elizabeth stepped into the water. “What sort of man do you wish for, Mary?”
Her sister giggled. “Not one of your heroes from a romantic novel, no Sir Lancelot for me.”
“No? Who then?”
“I would like a practical man. Someone I can speak with about ordinary matters. I do not know how you can bear to debate with Papa about philosophy. I should be bored to tears. I want a man of action, a man of purpose, such as a physician, a rector, or a solicitor.”
Elizabeth asked, “How about an estate owner?”
Mary hesitated. “Yes, perhaps, if the estate were moderate in size and not too grand. I want a man willing to work with his hands.”
Elizabeth stepped out from behind the screen, wrapped in a towel. “Ring for Miss Ellis. She may bring your water up now.”
As Mary rose to do so, Elizabeth went to the window and pushed it open. “What say you, Mary? There is nothing below this window but grass. Shall I empty the bathwater here and save Miss Ellis another trip up and down the stairs?”
Mary grinned. “Yes, do it. I will do the same.”
Elizabeth took the empty bucket and began scooping the used bathwater into it with a cup until the hip bath was drained.
Both sisters laughed as she worked. Then she tipped the bucket out the window.
Elizabeth set the empty bucket by the door and dried her hands.
“There, that will help a little. Now, Mary, help me dress for breakfast. Aunt Maddie said she would come soon to help me dress for the wedding.”
When they were both bathed and dressed, they stopped to collect Jane and Georgiana, and they went down to breakfast together. The gentlemen were out riding, so the ladies sat with Mrs. Hurst and took their meal in cheerful company.
The women were relaxed, conversing in the breakfast parlor, when a bustle sounded in the front entrance. Mrs. Gardiner was announced. Elizabeth rose at once and hurried to her aunt.
“Lizzy, come up with me. I am to deliver you to the church on time. We must get you dressed. Mr. Darcy wrote that the service is scheduled for nine, the wedding breakfast at ten, and you are to leave for London by three. Come, it is already eight o’clock.”
“Aunt Maddie, allow me the pleasure of presenting my future sister-in-law, Miss Georgiana Darcy. Georgiana, this is Mrs. Madeline Gardiner, my aunt.”
After the introductions were performed, Mrs. Gardiner said, “Come along, girls, you must all dress. We must not make Lizzy late to her own wedding.”
The women hurried up the stairs, chattering and laughing. Miss Bingley stood in the hall. “So, it is your wedding day, Miss Eliza. Poor Mr. Darcy. I quite despair for him. He will never know another happy day in his life.”
Louisa came up behind her and took her arm. “Come, dear, you are still unwell. Come back into your room.”
All the women watched as Louisa led her sister down the opposite corridor toward the family wing.
Mrs. Gardiner asked, “Is that young woman ill?”
Elizabeth answered, “Not to my knowledge, Aunt Maddie, but she has loved Mr. Darcy for seven years, and she is much distressed by this unexpected marriage.”
Mrs. Gardiner looked at her niece. “And you, Elizabeth? Did her scorching words injure you?”
“No, ma’am. Mr. Darcy told me only yesterday that he remains of a mind to marry me, and he believes we shall be very happy.”
“I believe so, too. For who could not be happy with my little Lizzy? He will soon learn to laugh. Yes, he will be very happy indeed.”
Elizabeth sat at the dressing table while Miss Ellis arranged her hair in an elegant chignon.
Some of the tresses were braided and intertwined.
Pins and a pearl circlet secured the delicate veil.
Elizabeth was dressed in a rose-colored silk gown with an empire yoke and a scooped neckline; the bodice and three-quarter length sleeves were covered with a matching lace overlay. Her slippers were of the same shade.
They heard a tap at the door, and when she answered it, Jane saw Mr. Darcy’s valet standing there. He handed her a small box. “Miss Bennet, Mr. Darcy asks that his betrothed wear this during the service.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Jane brought the box to Elizabeth. Inside was a velvet bag, and when she untied the strings, a diamond necklace slipped into her hand.
She stood staring down at the lovely piece.
The women drew near, and they all four stood speechless, looking at the beautiful thing that lay glittering on Elizabeth’s palm.
“Lizzy, he must love you. This is an exquisite wedding gift.” Jane kissed her sister’s cheek and added, “All will be well. You shall see.”
Mrs. Gardiner took the necklace and clasped it around her neck; it rested just above her bosom. “My girl, this bodes well for your life with Mr. Darcy. I, too, believe he is already in love with you.”
“Well, Lizzy, you are dressed for your wedding, and it is now eight forty-five. Mr. Darcy’s carriage is waiting. Your father’s carriage is also ready. Mr. Darcy and the other gentlemen are already at the church.”
Elizabeth’s stomach fluttered. She looked anxiously at her aunt.
“Never fear, my dear,” Mrs. Gardiner said gently.
“It will all go well. You are both willing to speak openly and to work things out. You are both young and handsome, so there can be no want of attraction. Always remember, Lizzy, that you are lovely. Do not let Mr. Darcy’s careless words about your appearance make you believe otherwise. ”
“Yes, Aunt Maddie, I will try to remember.”
“Now then, let us go down. I will ride with you to care for your gown.”
They descended together, and Mr. Bennet handed his elegant daughter into the carriage. As it rolled forward, he looked at her fondly.
“I have missed you, Lizzy, and you have been gone only a week. Your cousin is betrothed to Miss King and will be married next week. I am sorry you suffered at his hand, but he will soon return to Hunsford, and if either of your sisters wishes to remain here, they will be safe.”
“No, Papa, they are both coming with me as planned. Mr. Darcy has invited Mr. Bingley to Pemberley for the summer as a compliment to Jane for serving as my companion.”
Mr. Bennet chuckled. “It seems Mr. Darcy wishes to make you happy, my dear. Is the diamond necklace his wedding gift to you?”
“Yes, Papa. He asked that I wear it for the ceremony.”
“He has claimed you, my dear. You are his now.”
“I will be soon, Papa.”
“Lizzy, I want to tell you about the marriage settlement. It has been signed, and Uncle Phillips has executed it. Mr. Darcy has settled forty thousand pounds in a jointure for your widowhood and thirty thousand-pound dowries for up to two daughters. He has four smaller estates for younger sons.”
Elizabeth was astonished. “So much? I had no idea he was so wealthy.” She looked to Mrs. Gardner. “Aunt Maddie, I am afraid. How will I manage such a life?”
Her father answered her. “You are a lovely, educated woman, Elizabeth. You are intelligent and can debate any man on law or politics. You have spent as much time studying as many young men I know. You will be a good wife for a wealthy man, and you will do it well. If you ever doubt yourself, write to me, and I will answer with a list of facts, properly ordered.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Thank you, Papa. I feel better. I will try to remember that I am worthy.”
The carriage stopped at the church. Mr. Bennet stepped out and handed his daughter down. Together they walked up the nave. Elizabeth did not look to the right nor to the left; her eyes were fixed on the impeccably dressed man waiting for her at the altar, and she saw that he had eyes only for her.