Chapter 1.30
“There can be no doubt of that. It is settled between us already that we are to be the happiest couple in the world.”
A week before the wedding, the number of guests had grown considerably at Longbourn as well as Netherfield.
If Mr Darcy had anticipated a difficult time with his relatives in attendance, the reality proved much worse.
However, to his utter surprise, the unpleasantness did not come from Mrs Bennet or her youngest daughters but from Caroline Bingley’s constant rudeness and insistence on ingratiating herself with Lady Matlock and Georgiana.
This was especially so after Mr Bingley’s engagement was announced, as Caroline felt acutely that her advantage of being the mistress in her brother’s house was in jeopardy.
Their wedding had been scheduled for three months hence, and the thought of being a guest in Jane Bennet’s house in such a short time and losing all her rights frightened Caroline. It did not make her wiser, however—quite the contrary; she became more bitter and malicious.
As for Mrs Bennet, her sister Gardiner’s suggestions—aided in no small part by the importance of such a personage as Lady Matlock—persuaded her to show unexpected restraint and more decorum than before.
Of course, her true character and usual manners were quickly perceived by Lady Matlock, but considering the short time she had spent in Mrs Bennet’s presence, her ladyship ended by declaring to Darcy that Elizabeth’s mother was ‘tolerable’ enough and “quite enjoyable in some ways.”
“I have to say, nephew,” she confessed one evening in a private conversation with Mr Darcy, “that Mrs Bennet is perhaps not the most proper example of decorum and propriety, but at least she is…entertaining, unlike Caroline and the Hursts, not to mention some of our own relatives.”
The earl also tolerated his time in Hertfordshire better than he had anticipated, more so because he was not forced to bear the presence of the women except at mealtimes.
His acquaintance with Mr Gardiner allowed him to approve the colonel’s appreciation of the gentleman.
In addition, Mr Bennet’s immense knowledge of books added to the generally favourable opinion he formed.
However, the earl still was not completely content with his nephew’s decision and choice of wife.
He had met Elizabeth Bennet only occasionally after the ball, and his many concerns and doubts about her and about the marriage had not yet been laid to rest. He needed the proof of time for that.
Still, he admitted that on those few occasions when they had been together, he had seen nothing in Miss Elizabeth that might indicate her unworthiness, and her affection for Darcy seemed sincere.
He also admitted to his wife that the Bennet family was bearable if he were not forced to spend excessive time in their company.
Fortunately, the time until the wedding passed quickly, and the happiest day of Mrs Bennet’s life finally came.
At least a hundred times did she ask anyone who was willing to give an opinion on whether everything was perfectly arranged to satisfy the taste of Mr Darcy and the pretentiousness of Lord and Lady Matlock.
And though everybody—from Hill to Mrs Gardiner and Jane—tried to convince her that there was nothing to worry about, she continued to ask since she did not actually listen to the answers.
The extraordinary fact that Longbourn was to host the wedding breakfast and that important members of the ton would attend made her deeply distressed.
When Lady Lucas tried to offer advice, mentioning that she had already gone through similar preparations, Mrs Bennet rolled her eyes in exasperation.
How could she even dream of comparing Charlotte Lucas’s wedding to that clergyman with her daughter’s wedding to Mr Darcy?
It was not to be borne! According to Mrs Bennet, Lady Lucas had simply lost her reason.
The wedding ceremony turned out to be the greatest success of Mrs Bennet’s life, gratifying all her maternal feelings and her vanity as well.
She had the unforgettable pleasure of being congratulated for the elegant arrangements by Lady Matlock herself, and she was so surprised that she forgot to breathe; at length, she recovered enough to thank her ladyship for her kindness.
Moreover, everybody repeatedly admired not only the bride but the bridesmaid as well, and indeed Jane was more beautiful than ever before and looked charming standing by her sister, together with her betrothed, Mr Bingley.
Everyone in attendance agreed that the wedding ceremony was the most beautiful they had ever witnessed in Meryton, and Mrs Bennet’s nerves could hardly bear such praise.
When Mr Darcy’s carriage stopped in front of Longbourn, Mrs Philips, Mrs Long, and Lady Lucas agreed that it was the most imposing vehicle they had ever seen.
They immediately began to speculate about Elizabeth’s pin money and the other carriages Mr Darcy must possess.
When the time came for the newlyweds to depart, the most difficult moment for Elizabeth was to say goodbye to her father.
Mr Bennet had said more than once that he would miss her exceedingly, and his distress was so evident that Elizabeth felt tears in her eyes.
Georgiana also seemed affected by the idea that she would not see her brother and sister for several months as she was to return with the Matlocks and remain with them for a time.
When the newlyweds finally took their leave, Elizabeth’s heart was so overwhelmed by emotion that she had to struggle to keep her countenance. Her husband handed her into the carriage as she tried to capture everyone in her memory with one last, loving gaze.
∞∞∞
Mr Darcy closed the carriage door, and the horses started immediately, apparently as impatient as their master.
They took off at a fast pace as Elizabeth was still looking through the window and waving her hand to everything that would remain behind her: her family, her home, and her past life.
Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, and she pulled her head back into the carriage, trying to conceal them from the worried look of her husband.
He had been sitting opposite her, but in the next moment, he was at her side, his hands taking hers.
“My love, are you unwell?”
She tried to force a reassuring smile. “I am well, William. Please forgive me.”
“Elizabeth, there is nothing to forgive. Would you not rather tell me what saddens you? It would be much easier to bear. You taught me that some time ago.”
His arms embraced her closely, and his gloved hands reached for hers. She did not answer, but instead moved closer into his embrace. They did not move, nor did they even talk for a while, sharing her sadness silently.
Elizabeth was the first to move. She unexpectedly pulled her hands from his, and he turned to her in wonder.
She did not lift her eyes, however, as she was too preoccupied with her new task.
She removed first her gloves and then his.
Her bare hands reached for his, and their fingers entwined instantly, gently caressing each other.
He raised both her hands to his lips, placing small, warm kisses upon them, and when their eyes met again, she was smiling.
“Thank you for your patience, William. I am feeling much better now.”
She searched his face intently for a moment and then added, “I dare say you are not at all displeased to be leaving, sir.”
He stared at her for a moment and then opened his mouth with the intention of protesting. He returned her smile, and a hint of guilt could be perceived in his tone.
“I have to admit I am relieved that the festivities are finally at an end. I had not imagined it could be so fatiguing though I did not really do anything for it by way of preparation. I do not dare to presume how tired your mother and Mrs Gardiner must be, and also Miss Bennet.”
She smiled, pleased to have the opportunity to speak of her family a little more.
“Yes, they are, but I dare say that for Mama it was a most entertaining experience. Without a doubt, I am certain she enjoyed it immensely. And she was exceedingly rewarded when Lady Matlock kindly congratulated her on all the arrangements.”
“Did she? That was very kind indeed. Should I have congratulated her myself, do you think? It did not cross my mind—”
She started to laugh heartily. “Yes you should have, sir. But you seemed to pay little attention to anything the entire day.”
“Elizabeth, I have something to confess to you: I did not even notice the arrangements! I hardly noticed whom I was talking to. All I know is that Miss Bennet and Bingley stood with us at the altar. Except for that, my mind was most pleasurably engaged—thinking of you.”
“I see…” She could find nothing else to say.
“I still cannot believe you are finally my wife. I have dreamed of this day for so long…”
His eyes held hers, and the intensity of his gaze made her shiver in anticipation of his kiss. She closed her eyes, and her lips parted slightly, waiting. He only brushed her dry lips briefly, however, his kisses moving further to cover her face.
She breathed deeply, feeling his hand stroke her arm and lift to her neck; his fingers stopped there, but it was not the caress she had anticipated.
He was playing with the ribbon of her bonnet until he untied it and threw it to the opposite side of the carriage.
His lips reached her ear and he whispered huskily, fondling her ear lobe.
“I do not like bonnets…or gloves. I think I shall forbid you to wear them.”
She laughed, and her lips whispered back while trying to reach his, “It appears to me that you will be a very demanding husband, sir. We are barely married, and you have already started to forbid me something of great importance for a lady. Should I have known your true character earlier—”