Her mother and father were by her side in an instant. “My dear, I am so sorry. I have never seen her behave thus,” Mrs Bennet said. “We will deal with her after the wedding. But for now, what is to be done? We’ve only an hour to change and get ourselves to Netherfield Park.” Her mother fanned herself, and a moment later, her three younger sisters came into view, peeking into the room and gasping at the destruction that Jane had wrought. “Oh, I just know I will have a nervous fit. Mary, retrieve my fan!”
Mary hurried away immediately, and her mother sat down on the window seat. Elizabeth sank onto the edge of the bed, trying to hold painful disappointment at bay. She had been so looking forward to wearing the dress for Mr Darcy, of glowing with happiness in the magnificent silk he had chosen. Now, she would likely have to don one of her cotton day dresses instead.
“The gown does not make the bride,” her father said softly. “Mr Darcy will be pleased no matter what you wear. And the main thing to keep in consideration is that you will be married today. The man you are marrying holds your heart, and you his. No one can ask for more than that, especially in a world where marriage without affection is so common.” He came over to her and took her hand. “Perhaps Miss Darcy has something that would be appropriate?”
“There is no time to send for anything,” Elizabeth said. “I must dress here and now, before we take the carriage to church.”She sat in gloom for a moment, wishing that she had come straight up to her room. She might then have stopped Jane from destroying her gown.
But thinking of lost chances could do her no good. Suddenly, an idea came to her. Elizabeth stood up decisively from the bed. Going to the closet, she retrieved the tartan dress that she had bought with the lion’s share of her savings and the thistle pin that Georgiana — and Mr Darcy — had given her. “This will do nicely, I think,” she said firmly.
“The tartan? But it is not even silk!” her mother said, appalled at the idea.
Her father smiled and nodded. “I think it very fitting, for it is Scotland that brought the two of you together. We might never have met the Darcys if not for our trip to Strathalt House.” He smiled broadly. “Yes, I think it is perfect. Girls!” he called to the three standing outside the room. “Call the maid to help your sister gather up this mess and dress for her wedding day.” With that, he left the room, closing the door behind him.
As Elizabeth stood in front of the mirror, she fought the urge to cry. She did not want her eyes to be puffy when they arrived at the church. But she thought her father was right. Mr Darcy would be pleased with her choice.
More importantly, her father was right on another count. It did not matter what she wore to the wedding, or that the decorations were perfect, or even that the wedding breakfast was a success. All that mattered was that she would be Mrs Darcy, joined forever to the man she loved.
Chapter 30
On the morning of the day he was to be joined forever to his love, Darcy woke early. Rising from his bed to stand at the window, he wished idly that it faced towards Longbourn. Though he could not have seen the estate at such a distance, it would have been pleasing to know that he gazed towards Elizabeth.
Unfortunately, his room was on the east side of Netherfield and faced nothing more exciting than the building that housed the assembly rooms. Chuckling under his breath at his own absurdity, Darcy stepped away from the window to begin preparing for the day. Only hours separated him from making his vows. Nothing must be allowed to delay or impede their wedding.
When he at last came down to breakfast, he was to be pleasantly surprised by how much was already accomplished. The house was glowing with anticipation of the wedding. Bingley was already in the breakfast room when he entered and rose from his chair to congratulate him.
“My dear friend, you look as if you are eager for the day to begin. How did you sleep?” he asked, and motioned for the footmen to serve him a light breakfast and a cup of tea. The wedding breakfast would be a lavish affair, and so they had notset out the normal fare. Darcy was unsure whether he could eat even the simple meal of toast and fresh fruit. He sipped his tea. Already, he was nervous for the proceedings to begin. He was ready for Elizabeth to become his wife. His chance to protect her from all the upsets of the past weeks — indeed, to protect her from anything and everything that might try to distress her for the rest of their lives — could not begin too soon.
“I confess I did not sleep well, but not for lack of trying. I could not persuade my mind to stop its wanderings.” He smiled tiredly at his friend. “But all will be well by this evening.”
Bingley gave a wry smile, but said nothing more on the subject, since Georgiana and Miss Bingley had entered the room. “Well, don’t you two look as if you’re on your way to visit Winchester?” Bingley complimented them. “I have never seen two more beautiful young ladies than the two of you.”
“Wait until you see Elizabeth,” Georgiana replied. She beamed at Darcy. “She is a vision in her new gown.”
Darcy could not help the pounding in his chest at the thought of seeing Elizabeth in her new gown of shimmering green silk. When he had visited the Meryton seamstress to provide an incentive for finishing the gown in time, the woman had been openly delighted with her work. Elizabeth never looked less than lovely, but for their wedding, she would be nothing short of magnificent.
“You are too kind, Charles,” Miss Bingley said dryly to her brother. “Good morning, Mr Darcy. My most hearty congratulations on your coming nuptials.” Darcy suppressed a wry smile, for while the words were spoken perfectly politely, they lacked a certain enthusiasm. Miss Bingley had made no secret of her wish to be the next Mrs Darcy, but she seemed at least to have concluded that it would be better not to causetrouble. Likely, she did not want to risk her visiting privileges at Pemberley.
“Fitz, you must come and see the grand salon,” Georgiana said. “I believe you and Elizabeth will be pleased, but I have never had the opportunity to decorate for such a momentous occasion before!”
“I do not think we have time,” Darcy replied, “but it is of no matter. Whatever you have done, it will look stunning. Elizabeth will no doubt be pleased with it, as I am sure I will be myself.”
“Well, you had best eat quickly. It is not long before we must leave for the church. If you are not in place before Elizabeth arrives, it will spoil the surprise of her ensemble.”
“Even though I’ve seen the material for her gown?” Darcy asked with a chuckle. “I am the one who picked it up for her, you know.”
“Of course!” Georgiana exclaimed. “It will be quite different when you see it for the first time. After all, she selected the design, and you do not know how it has all turned out.” Georgiana took a sip of her tea and a small bite of toast. “In fact, perhaps we ought to go now. It would not do to be late!”
“Very well,” Darcy said. Taking a last sip of tea, he set down his cup. He turned to his friend and host. “What do you think, Bingley? Shall we allow my sister to hurry us along?”
“I should not dare to defy Miss Darcy,” Bingley said gallantly, and rose from the table. “I will see you in church, Caroline,” he added pointedly to his sister. “I will go with the Darcys, but I have already instructed the coachman to have my carriage ready for you.”
Only a few moments saw them securely in the carriage on the way to Meryton church. Though he had checked it before leaving his room, Darcy smoothed his jacket to feel the paper of the license, securely in his pocket.
It was not long before he was required to produce it, for the rector was waiting for them at the chapel doors. Mr Hansfield was the pastor of Meryton church, an elderly man with a quick step that belied his silver hair. He greeted them with a broad smile and a bow.
Darcy returned it. “We are honoured to have you perform the ceremony, Mr Hansfield. I thank you for making possible one of the happiest days of my life.”
“It is my pleasure. I have known Miss Elizabeth since she was a little girl, and can honestly say that there is not a young lady who would be more worthy of you, Mr Darcy.”
