“All will be well, Georgie.”
“I hope so.I feel ridiculous.”
He smiled kindly.“It is not ridiculous to pursue that which you truly desire.It is quite brave.”
She smiled tremulously and he squeezed her hand again, moving to the front of the chapel.
The vicar immediately joined them and the ceremony began, with Fitzwilliam as the only witness.
“Do you wish to take a mark?”the vicar asked.
“I do.”
He said all the necessary words and Georgiana felt…nothing.
“I do not think it worked,” she said to her brother as they made their way back to the house.
“Why do you think that?”
“I felt nothing.Mr.Mayhew said everything he should have, but I feel exactly the same as I did before.”
“I think it is quite common to feel nothing at first.Most only notice when the mark begins to come in.”
She looked thoughtful at that.“Perhaps.”
“Have faith, little one.All will be well.”
She nodded, but no matter what her brother said, her heart was anxious.
Chapter 7
Longbourn, October 1811
Elizabethrolledhereyesto Jane, who in turn covered her mouth with her hand to hide her smile.Mrs.Bennet had been going on and on for the last hour about Netherfield’s new tenant, a Mr.Bingley from somewhere in the north of England.
Mr.Bennet had gone to visit him, but when Mr.Bingley returned the call, the ladies had been out.Only Lydia had been home, watching from the window, and she told her sisters that he was an attractive man who rode a black horse and wore a blue coat.Mrs.Bennet had not stopped speaking of it since.
“Do you suppose he will be at the assembly tomorrow?”asked Kitty.
“I do not see why not!It would be terribly unneighborly of him not to show himself,” said Mrs.Bennet.
“He may be a private sort, Mama,” added Jane.“We should not judge a person we do not know.”
Mrs.Bennet pursed her lips.“I am certain he will be there.You must all look your best.Jane, Lizzy can help you add new lace to your blue gown and Lydia can embroider more flowers along the hem.”
Lydia looked up in surprise.“What?Why do I have to do it?Jane’s stitches are neater than mine.”
“Because Jane will be preparing for the assembly!You are staying home, so you have more time to assist your sisters.”
Lydia crossed her arms and slumped back into the chaise.She was trying to improve herself, but her mother did make it difficult sometimes.
“Is your gown ready for tomorrow, Kitty?”asked Elizabeth.
“Yes.Everything fits perfectly, and Sarah practiced a new style for my hair already.”
“Oh that sounds lovely!”said Jane.“I cannot wait to see it.”
Now that Mrs.Bennet was off the topic of Mr.Bingley and onto the more agreeable subject of gowns and trims, her daughters breathed a collective sigh of relief.
