The following morning at the breakfast table, Elizabeth asked for details.
“When is the wedding, Charlotte?”
“We will marry next week, Lizzy. Mr. Seton is leaving for London today to obtain a common license. You may know, he is an orphan with no living siblings. He says he does not want to be alone a moment longer than he has to be.”
“I applaud his decision. It is refreshing to see him so impatient and determined after waiting six weeks for him to come to the point.” They both laughed, but then Elizabeth saw her friend’s eyes slide to the floor. She looked uneasy.
“I am embarrassed to ask this of you, Lizzy, especially after the way our family has treated you. Mr. Seton has opened his hometo my parents, but I prefer not to have them lodge with him. Will you accommodate my parents here at Pemberley? You know how my father can be, bringing up St. James’s several times a day and at least once at every meal. I shudder to expose Gareth to that. Perhaps after we have been married for some months, but not before.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I understand, Charlotte. Of course, your parents will stay with us. I will send the invitation today.”
The wedding service was simple. Charlotte and Mr. Seton had eyes only for each other. Sir William and Lady Lucas were struck mute with astonishment that their twenty-seven-year-old daughter had done so well for herself. Darcy was happy because Elizabeth was happy. She now had a close friend as her neighbor in Derbyshire.
Following the service, the party returned to Seton’s estate, where the wedding breakfast had been laid in the long dining room. Seton invited his neighbors and tenants, and most attended the celebration.
Elizabeth sat on a couch and held a small plate in her hand when Lady Lucas joined her. The woman was fidgeting, and Elizabeth guessed she was uncomfortable. She turned to the older woman and said, “Charlotte is a beautiful bride. You must be very proud.”
Lady Lucas relaxed as she gazed at her daughter standing in the middle of a group of neighbors. “Charlotte does look very well. She wrote that your maid had cut her hair, and I was upset. However, now that I see how well she looks wearing a low chignon, I must admit it was for the better.” She turned to Elizabeth. “I know this marriage and Charlotte’s improved appearance are all on account of you, my dear. If you had notinvited Charlotte to Derbyshire, she would still be languishing away in Meryton. I want to thank you for all you’ve done for her.”
Elizabeth smiled at the woman. “Charlotte is my friend. I introduced her to three eligible gentlemen, and she took it from there. I believe they fell in love while they were fishing.” She laughed. “I trust that you will care for my Jane in Hertfordshire, as I will continue to care for Charlotte here in Derbyshire, Lady Lucas.”
The woman pressed Elizabeth’s hand quickly, then released it. “Yes, I promise you. I will esteem Jane whenever and wherever we meet. And I know you love my daughter and will continue to treat her as you have always done, as a sister.”
Lady Lucas stood. “We have packed our bags and will complete the first leg of our journey back to Hertfordshire today. Sir Lucas is anxious to be home again, and I left the two boys at home with only Maria and Nanny to watch them. That could end in disaster.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Safe travels, Lady Lucas.” After she had shown her Meryton neighbors out, Elizabeth returned to the couch where she had been seated before, and Darcy joined her.
“Was that an apology, Elizabeth?”
She smiled at him. “Yes, the rift has been repaired. She has promised to treat Jane well. We have done a very good thing, Fitzwilliam. And I am very happy for my friend.”
Darcy looked at the newlyweds. “Seton is certainly very contented.”
Elizabeth touched his hand. “Lady Helen will arrive on Saturday. And then the Stanton sisters will arrive the following week withJane and Charles. I hope we do as well in that quarter as we have done here today.”
Darcy curled his fingers around her hand. “Never mind, darling. Aunt Helen will organize things as she sees fit, and all you and I need to do is follow along. Whether or not Phillip finds a match is none of our concern. You have done well enough to suggest two potential candidates and to open our home to them. It is just left to us to sit back and watch her machinations.” He grinned.
“Very well, darling. It will be a relief to watch and not have an active part to play.” She opened up her reticule and pulled out a letter. “I received this today.” She handed the folded sheet to him.
He opened it and read it, then raised a brow. “They are going to publishThe Dryadin the Ladies’ Journal in the October issue?”
Elizabeth was studying his face. He was frowning.
“Fitzwilliam, I have worked for publication for three years and have always been refused. Then Alexander suggested I write a verse about love and loss instead. And it worked. It will be published under the pen name Elias Bennet. Please say you are happy for me.”
He sat very still. He was definitely not pleased. She waited. After what seemed like hours, he spoke.
“I love reading your work. I believed it was based on your thoughts about us, and knowing that it will be published in a women’s journal for the public to read is disconcerting.” He reached out for her hand. “I am not pleased, but I am happy for your success.”
Her expressive eyes darkened, betraying her sadness.
Darcy pressed her hand again. “I will be pleased, my darling, once I have accustomed myself to the idea. And I will not forbid you to submit future work under a pen name. Please, I did not mean to sadden you.”
She was still studying his features. His frown was no longer so severe as it had been.
“Fitzwilliam, I know it is notthe thingfor a gentlewoman to write and publish, but there is so little a woman is permitted to do. This is something I love.”
He looked down at the open letter in his hands. “I only need time, Elizabeth, to grow accustomed to the idea. No woman in my family, on either side, has ever published. It is simply not done.”
