Elizabeth nodded. “There are. And they are all having a wonderful time.” Georgiana and Mr Bingley had invited quite a few more guests than Elizabeth and Darcy had had at their wedding. Of course, they had not been forced to hold their wedding weeks sooner than intended.
“Do not worry about how many people are downstairs. This day is about you and Mr Bingley. I cannot tell you how wonderfully happy your brother and I have been in our marriage, and I am confident that the same awaits you and Mr Bingley.”
“I am glad we have found a house close by. I could not bear to live too far away from Pemberley,” Georgiana said. “It will be so nice to come back and forth with the children someday.” Her cheeks coloured at the thought of having children of her own.
“Are you sure you don’t mind not having a London Season? You could have come out with Lydia and Kitty this winter, when we host them at the townhouse.” Elizabeth suspected she knew the answer. Though Mr Bingley and Georgiana had not begun courting until she turned eighteen, they had spent a great deal of time together ever since Elizabeth and Darcy had married, as Bingley spent more time at Pemberley than ever. Georgiana had no interest in meeting any other man.
“There is no need, for I found the love of my life without having to go through the fuss of a Season. But I am glad that Lydia and Kitty will come out under your tutelage and care. Lydia especially has calmed down quite a bit since the Wickham incident.”
Elizabeth agreed wholeheartedly. It was a strange coincidence that the man who had nearly ruined Georgiana’s life would arrive in Meryton, but it was, perhaps, a blessing in disguise. One of Lydia’s letters to Elizabeth had shown her to be dangerously infatuated with a young militiaman named George Wickham. Knowing him for what he was, they had informed Mr Bennet of the danger that threatened his youngest daughter, and he had taken action in time to save Lydia from anything worse than disappointed hopes and a great deal of scolding.
Elizabeth had learned to be grateful for Jane’s display on the day of her wedding, for it had opened her father’s eyes to the dangers of not providing guidance and correction to his daughters when it was needed. Since then, her father had been much more involved in the younger girls’ upbringing. Had Mr Bennet not learned the cost of inaction, who could say what folly Lydia might have committed?
“Yes, Lydia still needs a little time to mature, I daresay.” Elizabeth sat down again and watched the maid put the finishing touches on her hair. “Nineteen is a little young to be married, perhaps, but you are only a year younger than I was when I wed your brother. I have no doubt of your happiness with Mr Bingley. He is such a kind and patient man. I have never seen a couple more suited to each other, nor a groom so in love with his bride.”
“I disagree. I saw one three years ago — my brother.” Georgiana’s eyes twinkled in the mirror’s reflection. “I will never forget the look on Fitz’s face when you walked down the aisle. You were absolutely radiant!” She sighed at the memory. The maid stepped back and announced that she was finished. Georgiana leaned forward and smiled at herself in the mirror. She looked so exquisite, Elizabeth doubted Mr Bingley would be able to draw a breath when he saw her.
Georgiana stood and went to the full-length mirror, spinning in her shimmering gown. “Will I do?” she asked.
“You will more than do,” Elizabeth assured her. She took Georgiana’s hands and felt that they were clammy. “Take a deep breath. All will be well, and you are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen.”
Georgiana let go of her hands and took one last look in the mirror. “Thank you. Well, we still have a few minutes. I suppose the carriage is not ready yet.”
“Kitty said she would come up and let us know when it is time for us to leave. I believe we will have some time before then.”
Nervously, Georgiana sat back down at the vanity, facing away from the mirror. Elizabeth sat at the end of her bed.
“Oh, Lizzy, you must think of something to distract me from my nerves,” Georgiana begged. “Have you heard any news from your family as of late?”
“Well, as my parents and youngest sisters are here for your wedding, there is little I can tell you of them that you do not already know. However, I did receive another letter from Mary.”
“And how are Mr and Mrs Campbell these days?” Georgiana asked.
“They are wonderful. She says she is settling into her new role as a mother nicely, and Ewan is everything kind and solicitous.” Elizabeth’s benevolent schemes for her sister’s happiness had come to pass, for Ewan Campbell had fallen in love with Mary almost as soon as they had met. Not many months passed before she and Mr Campbell were married at Strathalt House. Now, they were the keepers of the house, and someday, the estate would pass to them.
“I cannot wait for them to visit so we can meet their daughter!” Georgiana exclaimed. “It will be wonderful to have all the children here next summer.”
They had planned to have as much of the family as possible visit Pemberley the following summer. Mary and Ewan had agreed to make the trip down, since baby Charlotte would be over a year by then and better able to make the journey. Georgiana and Bingley had said they would come to join the family party, as well as Elizabeth’s parents and the younger girls.
“And what of Jane?” Georgiana asked gently. She knew the subject of Jane was a sore spot even still, for there had yet to be a reconciliation.
Elizabeth sighed. “I did not want to say anything to darken your wedding day, but my mother has informed me ofsome sad news. Mr Collins passed away a few weeks ago from influenza.”
Georgiana gasped. “No! How awful!”
“I know. It seems that my sister has gone to London. She refused to go home to Longbourn, and so has become the paid companion of your soon-to-be sister-in-law, Mrs Caroline Wuthrow.” The former Miss Bingley had married an older man, of good fortune but poor intelligence. London gossip held him to be as dull as dishwater.
“And what of the entail? I hate to even think of it, but who will inherit Longbourn after your father, bless his soul, departs this world?”
“Well, since there is no male heir among the Bennets or the Collinses, it seems the house will pass to Richard.” Elizabeth smiled, privately amused. Between Strathalt House, Pemberley, and now a new claim on Longbourn, Mrs Bennet was safe from the hedgerows thrice over.
“That is good news indeed. I mean, not of Mr Collins, of course.” Georgiana gave a wry smile. “I hope you will not think me too unfeeling in saying that Mrs Collins and Mrs Wuthrow — two of the most difficult women of our acquaintance — deserve each other. They will either have a wonderful time together, or will be their own mutual punishments.”
“Yes, I am afraid the latter is most likely,” Elizabeth said. “I hope Mr Bingley is not saddened that Mr and Mrs Wuthrow were too busy to attend the wedding.”
“Yes, well, I imagine it would have been salt in the wound — first for Mrs Wuthrow to see you and my brother looking so happy, and second, for Mrs Collins to witness me marrying Mr Bingley. I do not mind in the least that they will not be inattendance.” She covered her mouth. “I am sorry, is that very wicked of me to say?”
“Not in the slightest. I am glad we will not have to endure the drama that swirls about those two.” Elizabeth was sad for her sister, of course, knowing her life could have been very different if she had not allowed jealousy and bitterness to overcome her. But it was the way of things, and only Jane could choose the path she wished to walk in life.
