He kissed her hair, restraining himself with great difficulty from whisking her away so he might do more.
After everyone had come through the greeting line, they sat down to the wedding breakfast. All were lively as they shared in the joy of their family and friends. Darcy looked about him with gratitude, thankful for everyone who had gathered to send the new Mr and Mrs Darcy off into their new life together.
With the wedding breakfast concluded, people began to depart. At last, Darcy finally had a chance to speak with Elizabeth in private. They strolled through the gardens, soaking in the sunshine. “May I ask you something? Please do not take this the wrong way, for you look wonderful. But what happened to the other gown you were to wear today?”
Elisabeth looked down at the ground, smoothing the skirts of her tartan gown. “Unfortunately, my other gown met with an accident.” She looked up at him, sadness filling her eyes. “Though I was sad not to wear the gown you had made for me, perhaps this is not so bad. I am rather fond of this tartan. It reminds me of how we met. Likely we never would have, if I had not travelled to Strathalt House with my father.”
“Then it is the finest gown you could wear.” Darcy stopped near a willow tree and took her hands. “Am I right in concluding that the accident you speak of had to do with Miss Bennet? Is that why she and Mr Collins were absent today?”
Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, you are correct. I am ashamed to tell you a sister of mine could have done such a thing, but I am afraid she snuck into my room and tore up my gown. She said that she wanted to postpone the wedding, show me what it felt like to have my dreams dashed.” She took his hands, and he pulled her into his chest. “But my father said something that struck me. He was right.”
“And what was that?”
“At the end of the day, it didn’t matter which gown I wore or how the decorations looked — although they were wonderful. The thing that matters most is that we are wed. That is the most important thing. As long as we are together, we can face anything.”
“Your father is a wise man.” He took her hand and raised it to his lips, kissing her palm. “And your outfit means more to me than perhaps you know. I hope you will not be angry at what I am about to reveal, for I must confess something rather scandalous. Your thistle pin is not only a gift from Georgiana, but from myself as well, for it was I who bought it.”
“I suppose I can forgive you,” Elizabeth said laughingly. She beamed up at him and touched his cheek tenderly. “Particularly as I knew all along. You are wonderful, Mr Darcy. Oh, how I love you!”
“And I love you, Mrs Darcy,” he said. He looked deeply into her eyes.
With an effort, Darcy turned away, scanning the gardens around them. Thankfully, there was no one near. He need not hold back any longer.
Elizabeth was looking up at him, her eyes wide and her lips slightly parted. Slowly, he stepped close to her and enfolded her in his arms. Their lips met in a kiss that lasted until they broke apart for breath.
Darcy looked at her, at once alive with passion and strangely at peace.Elizabeth.His wife, his love, his everything. She was his now, and wherever she was, he was home.
Epilogue
Three Years Later
It was a lovely day at Pemberley — no uncommon occurrence. Elizabeth knocked on the door of Georgiana’s room. Her sister-in-law bid her enter, and she smiled as she opened the door and came in.
“Oh, Georgiana!” Elizabeth breathed. “You look absolutely radiant!” Closing the door behind her, Elizabeth came to stand behind the vanity, where Georgiana was having her hair arranged by the maid. She wore a light blue silk gown with lace trim under the bodice and silver embroidery all about the skirts. She looked like an angel. “Mr Bingley will be pleased.”
“I do hope so,” Georgiana said, smiling through the reflection of the glass. “I cannot account for why I am so nervous.”
Elizabeth nodded. “I was nervous on my wedding day as well. Do not worry. It is completely natural to feel a little giddy.”
“Yes, but you had quite a bit more to distress you that day,” Georgiana said. “I do not think I will ever get over how your sister shredded your lovely dress.” She sighed, then lookedup at Elizabeth again through the mirror. “But only happy thoughts today, hmm? How are things going downstairs?”
“Everything is going according to plan. You need not worry about the wedding breakfast, for Mrs Reynolds has matters well in hand. The carriage is ready to take us to the church. I believe my husband and Mr Bingley have already left for Lambton.”
“Oh dear. I do hate to keep them waiting.”
“Do not worry about that,” Elizabeth said. “It is all exactly as we arranged. Now, do you need anything else from me?”
“No, just sit with me until it is time to leave,” Georgiana said, a slight quake in her voice. “Oh, Lizzy, I did not know I could love someone as much as this. It frightens me a little.”
“I know how you feel,” Elizabeth replied. “But there is nothing to be frightened about. Mr Bingley loves you, and you love him. You have had several years to make certain of your feelings for each other. That is more than many couples can boast on their wedding day.”
“That is true, I suppose. At least I need not doubt the strength of our mutual regard.” Georgiana’s voice trailed off. No doubt she was thinking of George Wickham, and how different her life might have been if she had gone through with the intended elopement. He had only wanted to get his hands on her dowry. Charles Bingley was the utter opposite. Over the last year of their courtship, Mr Bingley had shown that his love and devotion were genuine. Now, on the day of their wedding, Elizabeth rejoiced in the culmination of all the waiting, all the longing that the two of them had experienced. Georgiana had only grown in loveliness and poise over the last three years. She was indeed a bride worth waiting for.
“Where is Richard?” Georgiana frowned. “I would have liked to see him before we went down.”
“My son is with the nanny. He’s been taken to the nursery so we could talk before the ceremony. Richard will be down soon, do not worry.” Elizabeth and Darcy’s two-year-old son was a bundle of energy and the sweetest boy one could have wished for. However, he would have made himself a nuisance, she was afraid, pulling things off the vanity and the like. Since he had found his ‘sea legs’ and begun walking, they had no end of difficulty in keeping him out of mischief.
“I am glad you came to talk with me. I find I am not so nervous having someone to distract me.” Georgiana wrung her hands. She turned slightly. “Are there very many people downstairs?”
