Miss Jane hugged Elizabeth with all of her might.
“Are we making the same wish today?” Elizabeth asked.
“Yes, but this time, I actually have a coin. The last time, I was obliged to make do with a hair pin.” Miss Jane pulled the silver sixpence from her pocket. “I found it in the Christmas pudding. I hope that will bring extra luck.”
“Jane, whyever did you not say something when we were here before!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “I would have given you a sixpence!”
“Of course you would, Lizzy, but I have not fallen so far that I shall beg my friends for coins.” Miss Jane shook her head. “It has all worked out in the end, for this is an extra lucky sixpence! I have every faith in its abilities.”
“Do you have a coin?” Elizabeth asked Darcy. “I fear I came out without my reticule.”
“Of course.” Darcy instantly produced his purse, and gave her a guinea.
“Not that much!” Miss Jane cried. “A sixpence will do, I am certain!”
“I shall decide that,” Darcy said sternly. “What is the purpose of the coin?”
“I shall make a wish with Jane that she will return to her family, and throw the coin into the well,” Elizabeth informed him.
“Well, we cannot be mean with such a matter at risk. Every precaution must be taken for our friend,” Darcy insisted. “Take the guinea please, Elizabeth.”
When she obeyed he pulled another from his purse and asked, “I presumeImay make a wish as well?”
“You cannot mean to spendtwo guineas!”Miss Jane protested.
“It is an excessively sound investment, and no less than I could countenance doing in return for such friendship as you have shown us,” Darcy avowed. “Now, instruct me as to the rules. I do not wish to waste my wish.”
Elizabeth giggled and did as he bid, repeating Miss Jane’s instructions from last time. The three stood together and made their wishes. They tossed their coins into the spring, then turned and exited the fence, closing the gatefirmly behind them.
As they approached the house a short while later, a footman hailed them and advanced on them with all haste.
“Miss Bennet, Mrs Bingley has sent me to find you. She wishes you to return to the house without delay.” He turned his head to Darcy.” Mr Bingley is similarly concerned for your schedule this morning, sir.”
“Of course, James, we shall return with all haste,” Elizabeth agreed. She turned to Darcy and smiled radiantly. “Let us get married.”
“I shall see you at the church,” he promised.
“I will be the one wearing green,” Elizabeth told him.
“Enough, you two! Mrs Bingley shall have my head.” Miss Jane grasped Elizabeth’s hand and began to pull her to the house, shaking her head. “If it were not for me, you two would never reach the altar.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Hours later,Jane took a seat in the second row of the church with the Hursts and Miss Darcy. They had been gone for three hours on their walk that morning, and when they returned sometime after eight o’clock, six inches deep in mud, Mrs Bingley was having conniptions, and swept her sister up the stairs with all haste. The entire household was in an uproar, footmen and maids dashing everywhere, Mr and Mrs Nicholls instructing in the preparations for the wedding breakfast, and the guests and members of the household sneaking into the breakfast parlour to pile plates with a small amount of breakfast, then returning with them to their rooms, where they were out of the way of the very busy household staff. No one rang their bells that morning except for Lizzy and Mrs Bingley.
Now, all was finally calm. Mr Darcy stood at the altar with Mr Abbot and Colonel Fitzwilliam. The Bingleys and the Bennets, save for Mr Bennet, were all in their pews. All they awaited was the bride and her attendants.
Suddenly the doors opened, and one of the ladies of the parish began to play the church organ. The congregation stood as Mr Bennet led his brightest daughter to the altar, followed by her sister Mary. Elizabethwore an emerald green gown that was very well enhanced by the loan of the embroidered wrap Jane had given Mrs Bingley. Mrs Bennet wept, as did Lady Matlock and Mrs Bingley. Jane could not help but weep herself. She was exceedingly relieved that she had been able to help Elizabeth and Darcy find their happiness.
As the happy couple rushed out of the church, Jane felt a familiar pounding behind her eyes.Oh dear, not now. Just a little while longer. Let me see them off.
An hour and a half later, Jane stood in a quiet corner watching Elizabeth and Mr Darcy accept the well wishes of their family and friends.
“Whatever happens with the search for your family, I am sending a carriage for you this summer, wherever you happen to be.” Elizabeth had promised her just a half hour before as they hugged one another tightly. “Our wish will come true, I know it! But still, you will come to us?”
Elizabeth looked at Jane carefully as her friend nodded, and she said, “Oh dear, your poor head is bothering you again, is it not?”
“Only a bit, but Lizzy, I implore you not to make a fuss about me at your wedding breakfast!” Jane begged. “Mrs Nicholls has brought me a headache powder, and I might quietly slip away if necessary, but please promise me you will not fret.”
