Chapter Eighty-Eight
For Mary, the next several weeks passed in a blur of activity. She had, in her opinion, enough clothing to last her the remainder of her life. The Countess did not agree. As a result, she was taken on another shopping trip to buy yet more gowns, slippers, cloaks, and so on.
During the ride home, the Countess cleared her throat several times and finally said, with uncharacteristic hemimg and hawing, “Mary, do you need me to explain what will happen on your wedding night?”
“Oh, no!” Mary replied, cheeks immediately aflame. “Mama explained that to all of us girls ages ago.”
“Thank heavens for practical countrywomen!” the Countess said, with such evident relief in her voice that Mary burst out laughing.
“But I must say, Countess, that I wonder just how you would have described it,” Mary dared to say.
“Let us be grateful that we need not find out!” the Countess replied.
***
Georgiana was in such a fever of anticipation over having Lydia and Kitty at Darcy House that Elizabeth was concerned the girl would make herself ill. But her husband comforted her, saying, “It is such a joy to see her happy and excited that I would not rein her in for all the world.”
When the Bennet carriage finally pulled up, Georgiana ran out the door and into the street, hugging her ‘Bennet sisters’ and her ‘Bennet mother’ with all her might.
“This is where you live?” Lydia’s eyes were wide.
“Yes, come inside! The two of you will have to share a room, as Mary is here and Lizzy’s friend Charlotte might come as well. Pemberley has endless guest rooms, but the townhouse has only two. Charlotte and Mary will share.”
“Charlotte! Charlotte Lucas?” Lydia was astonished.
“Yes, only do not say anything, it is meant to be a surprise.” Georgiana bit her lip, evidently chagrined at having let the cat out of the bag. “And we are not at all certain that Aunt Catherine will allow her to come.”
“If it is meant to be a secret, then you certainly should not have told Lydia,” Kitty said. “She cannot keep a secret, it is well-known!”
“Me?!” Lydia’s mouth dropped open in outrage. “Why, how can you tell such stories! It was you who told Mama that Mary had a kitten in her room!”
“Only because Mary would not let me wear her new green ribbon!”
Georgiana’s shocked expression at such behaviour immediately reminded both girls to mind their manners. They both dropped their eyes and apologised. They followed Georgiana inside, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet trailing behind.
Elizabeth and Mary stood in the entryway.
“Oh, Lizzy, this is a palace!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed.
“It feels like that to me, too,” Elizabeth laughed.
Mary nodded, vigorously, saying, “It took me two days to learn my way around!”
Elizabeth gave her family a tour of the house, reassuring her parents that Bingley House, while not quite as large as Darcy House, was nonetheless every bit as comfortable, and Jane was very much looking forward to hosting her parents.
***
The afternoon before the wedding, an unfamiliar carriage rolled up to Darcy House.
Elizabeth, no stranger to unexpected callers, tried not to roll her eyes; the household was busier than ever with getting Mary ready for the wedding and helping Georgiana, Kitty and Lydia to do the same.
But she made her way down to the drawing room, always intent on being an irreproachable Mrs. Darcy, and sat in her favourite chair, waiting for Thurston to announce the caller.
“Mrs. Charlotte Collins,” he intoned.
“Charlotte? Charlotte!” Elizabeth flew off her chair and into her friend’s waiting arms. “Oh, Charlotte, I thought I should never see you again! But how is this possible?”
Charlotte laughed. “Oh, Eliza, give me a minute to catch my breath! Heavens above, you live in a palace!”
“That is what Mama said as well. But everyone keeps saying ‘Wait until you see Pemberley,’ so I suspect a real palace awaits me. But you have not answered my question!”
“Lady Catherine received a letter from the Countess of Matlock, demanding my presence at Mary’s wedding.
I know not what hold your aunt by marriage has over Lady Catherine, but it is evidently substantial!
And her daughter, Anne, traveled with me and even now is on her way to Matlock House. Oh, Eliza, it is so good to see you!”
Mr. Darcy managed to keep the other girls upstairs no more than a half an hour before they insisted on going downstairs to join Elizabeth and Charlotte in the drawing room, but that was enough time for Elizabeth to ascertain that Charlotte was not unhappy in her marriage to Mr. Collins.
***
Anna had outdone herself on Mary’s hair, and pronounced her ‘very, very nice!’ Mary, looking at herself in the mirror, could scarce believe that this was mousy Mary Bennet, who was about to become the daughter-in-law of an Earl and Countess!
She actually pinched herself several times to make certain that this was not a dream.
***
Richard resigned his commission with no regrets.
The idea that he could spend the rest of his life, however long God granted him, on his own estate with his Mary seemed impossible, yet that was the future that beckoned him.
He actually pinched himself several times to make certain that this was not a dream.
***
Mary’s wedding was absolutely perfect. Everyone was well-dressed, well-behaved, and well-intentioned, which was a good deal more than could be said for a good many such London events. The wedding breakfast, held at Matlock House, was a feast fit for royalty.
Mrs. Bennet, overjoyed at Mary’s good fortune, actually pinched herself several times to make certain that this was not a dream.
***
The new Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam were to leave for his estate in Nottingham immediately after the breakfast, so a good many teary farewells were said. Before anyone could leave, Mr. Darcy commanded everyone’s attention and said, “Christmas at Pemberley! You are all invited!”
A cheer went up, and everyone watched as Mrs. Darcy rewarded her husband with a hearty kiss.