The Bingleys remained for dinner and left some hours later once the sisters who had missed one another had shared—in Jane’s case what was appropriate for her maiden sister’s ears—all the news since they had parted at Jane’s wedding.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
When the notice announcing the engagement of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy to some unknown country miss had been published and seen by many disappointed mothers and daughters, those same mothers and daughters planned how they would tear strips off the pretender. Those plans were quickly scrapped when it became clear the future Mrs. Darcy had the support of some of the most powerful ladies—and their husbands—in society.
The shopping party who escorted Elizabeth to order what she needed for her trousseau included Lady Matlock, Madeline Gardiner, Jane, Tiffany, and Giana. If members of theTondid not get the message from the support being shown by Lady Matlock for her future niece, they were firmly convinced on the days the group was joined by the Duchess of Bedford, the Countess of Holder, and the Countess of Jersey.
At first Elizabeth balked at the amount of money being spent—mostly by her fiancé—on her clothing. When Aunt Elaine—as she had been instructed to call Lady Matlock—explained why she would need so much—both because of her new station and the different climate in Derbyshire—Elizabeth accepted the reasoning and said no more.
Never one who was enamoured with shopping, by the time Saturday morning arrived and they headed to Meryton, Elizabeth was more than ready to leave London.
When she saw her parents and youngest two sisters standing under the portico at Longbourn, Elizabeth had never been happier to be home. It struck her that in about a fortnight it would no longer be her home.
As she thought about William and her love for him, the thoughts of leaving Longbourn became more pleasant.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Like she had for the previous two weddings, Fanny deferred to Elizabeth and William’s desires for theirs. The main difference was the celebratory meal would be held at Netherfield Park.
A week before the wedding the Earl and Countess arrived with not only Tiffany, but Anne and Richard. They had all met in London and travelled together. Anne Fitzwilliam was glowing with happiness and those, like the Bennets, who had last seen her in December of the previous year, could not believe it was the same lady they had met then. The Hilldales were not willing to travel with little Paul yet, hence their absence.
The next day Mary and William Bennet arrived from Kent in a coach which Anne and Richard had placed at their disposal. It was the first time since Mary’s nuptials all five Bennet sisters had been together.
In the days leading up to the wedding a firm friendship had been established between the two youngest Bennets, Tiffany, and Giana. With Elizabeth quite occupied by wedding plans, the youngest four, along with Maria Lucas included on occasion, were much in each other’s company.
Elizabeth and William had followed Jane and Charles’s example and eschewed a pre-wedding ball.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The night before the wedding, Elizabeth received thetalkfrom her mother and Aunt Maddie together, just as they had done for Mary and then for Jane.
Besides not looking forward to the momentary pain they mentioned, Elizabeth was in anticipation of her wedding night. She was certain of the love they shared and as such she knew without any doubt William would no more knowingly hurt her than she would him.
After her mother and aunt left the chamber, Jane and Mary entered.
“Is there anything you need to ask usoldmarried women?” Jane teased with a light blush.
“No thank you, Mama and Aunt Maddie covered everything,” Elizabeth averred. Even had she questions—and she did not—it was not something she wanted to canvas with either Jane or Mary.
“Try and get as much sleep as you can and remember no rambling all over the countryside in the morning,” Mary jested wryly.
“Even if you feel too excited to eat, break your fast in the morning. I promise you will not regret it,” Jane advised. “Until the morning.” Jane hugged Lizzy.
Mary took her turn next.
It was not easy thanks to the excitement, but eventually Elizabeth allowed Morpheus to claim her.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The eighth day of March was an almost cloudless spring day. As Elizabeth walked from the house to the church on her father’s arm she was vastly pleased to see nature in bloom once again. Ripening buds on the trees promising the return of greenery and crocuses starting to bloom were all around them as they made their way towards the church and her future.
Her hand was lightly resting on her father’s arm and Jane, her matron of honour, followed behind making sure the dress was not dragging in the dirt as Elizabeth walked.
Fanny and the rest of those who had been resident at Longbourn had left for the church a few minutes earlier. Before she departed the house, Fanny had bussed Elizabeth’s cheek not wanting to disturb the maid’s stellar work. She had squeezed the bride’s hand and then shooed the rest of the family out the door.
On arriving in the vestibule, Jane smoothed the train out behind Elizabeth and made a visual inspection to be sure all was as it should be with Lizzy’s dress. One of the inner doors opened and Jane began her walk up the aisle.
She gave her husband a beatific smile as she passed him in the second to front pew seated next to the Hursts.
