“That remains to be seen.” Jane became serious again. “Lizzy, I cannot even begin to tell you how happy I am that you are to be married today. I shall miss my sister most cruelly, but I shall endure if I know you will find the bliss with William that you have always wished to have.”
“Thank you, Jane,” said Elizabeth. “When we go to London for the season, I hope you will consent to join us, for it would please me to have my dearest sister nearby when I must face high society for the first time.”
“If you wish, of course I shall.”
“Then it is settled.” Elizabeth regarded her sister, trying to project a measure of studied nonchalance. “With you at our house in town, no doubt Mr. Bingley will find it much more convenient to visit and court you outside Mama’s influence.”
With a smile and a shake of her head, Jane kissed Elizabeth’s cheek. “For that, I shall wait to see how Mr. Bingley acts. Should he approach me with that in mind, I have no notion that I shall send him away.”
Jane smiled and departed from the room, leaving Elizabeth in the maid’s company, who soon completed a few minor adjustments of Elizabeth’s hair and helped her into her wedding gown.
When Elizabeth descended the stairs, it was to the sight of her father alone waiting for her, for none of her sisters had yet joined him. Mr. Bennet regarded her with a sort of wistful acceptance and approached, catching her hand and kissing it. The regard in his eyes told the story of the depth of his affection for her, his closest daughter, and the pain it occasioned him to let her go to the arms of another man.
“I had thought several more days remained until I must face this bittersweet moment, Lizzy. The separation will be even more poignant because you will now live in the north, instead of three miles away at Netherfield Park.”
“Oh, Papa!” cried Elizabeth, throwing her arms around his neck. “Itisa trial to be certain, and greater than I had ever supposed. We shall need to arrange for frequent visits, for you shall come to Pemberley, and I shall return to Netherfield as often as we can arrange.”
“I shall anticipate it, my darling daughter,” said Mr. Bennet, with a suspicious bit of moisture in the corners of his eyes.
“Mr. Darcy has gone ahead to the church?”
“He has.” Mr. Bennet grinned. “If we do not make our way there apace, I suspect your husband will return, throw you over his shoulder, and sprint to the church to see it done at once!”
“And I shall not resist him.”
Before long, Elizabeth’s sisters descended in the company of their mother, and the family, soon to experience the first of their members departing for another home, shared a few moments of affection which saw not a few tears. Mrs. Bennet, who had looked on Elizabeth as a savior since William showed his interest when she was only seventeen, cried copious tears, exclaiming her satisfaction to have a daughter married, imparting a few bits of dubious wisdom on how a married woman should comport herself. Elizabeth laughed, but did not contradict her mother, knowing it did not signify. Then Mr. Bennet led them from the house on the short walk to Longbourn church and Elizabeth’s destiny.
Upon entering the church, William caught Elizabeth’s sight and held it as he stood before the altar with Mr. Bingley at his shoulder. Her fiancé, soon to become her husband, looked at her with adoration, appearing impossibly handsome in his suit and cravat. Behind him and before the altar stood Longbourn’s parson, Mr. Smith, his creased and aged face bright with pleasure. Mr. Smith had been the parson there so long that he had performed the ceremony that had united the current master to his wife and christened each of the Bennet girls. Elizabethknew the man was quite elderly and would retire before long, so it was a precious blessing to marry by his hand and authority as a representative of God and the church.
Mr. Bennet led Elizabeth up the aisle while his wife and other daughters found seats on the pews near the front, the only witnesses to the morning’s event, along with Mrs. Darcy and dear Georgiana. When they drew close, Mr. Bennet extended his hand, giving William a firm shake, then placing Elizabeth’s hand within his.
“She is a treasure, Darcy. I would not cede her care to any man if I did not consider him worthy of her—in you, I believe she has found that man.”
“Anyone who does not understand her worth is a fool, Mr. Bennet,” averred William. “She will always be the most cherished part of my life.”
Mr. Bennet nodded and stepped back, taking his position next to his wife. Taking this as his cue, Mr. Smith began the traditional ceremony of the church, and as the words washed over Elizabeth, she reflected on how right this all felt. Before long, Mr. Smith recited the vows for them to repeat, and then Elizabeth was married. He led them to a table to the side where the marriage register sat, and Elizabeth signed her maiden name for the last time, binding herself to William for the rest of her life.
“It is done,” pronounced Mr. Bennet when the married couple turned back to him. “I have nothing but congratulations for you both, and to reiterate the observation that it is about time!”
Elizabeth’s sisters laughed and crowded around her, offering their congratulations, with Georgiana one of their number, while William shook hands with the parson, Mr. Bennet, and Mr. Bingley. For several moments, they remained in this attitude of celebration until Mrs. Bennet spoke to gain their attention.
“Before I departed, I instructed the staff to prepare a small celebration in your honor.” Mrs. Bennet rested a beatific smile on Elizabeth. “It is not your wedding breakfast, though that will come in good time. It would please me if you would all join us at Longbourn for a small celebration. Mr. Smith, you and your excellent wife are also welcome to join us.”
The parson and his wife agreed, and the lively company departed from the church for Longbourn. Elizabeth walked on William’s arm, knowing that they would not need to part that day. It was a strange sensation, but welcome all the same.
Chapter XXI
Relief was among the many emotions that swelled in Darcy’s breast as he returned to Longbourn in the company of his new wife. After all the delays, the struggles, a virago’s interference, the machinations of a woman for whom he cared little, Elizabeth was his wife. The sensation of bliss accompanied by the reality of her small hand clutching his arm as they covered the short distance from the church to the house almost overwhelmed him. Tonight, and for every night for the rest of their lives, they would not need to separate again.
At Longbourn, the servants at the estate, Mrs. Hill, the longtime housekeeper, John the footman, Sarah and Kate, the maids, the matronly cook, and even the stable hands and the elderly gardener gathered to offer their wishes of joy for the newlyweds. These people, Darcy knew, had been part of Elizabeth’s life and upbringing; regardless of their standing in society, their congratulations were all that was sincere. In the sitting-room, the servants had laid out a celebratory repast, little more than cakes and tea, given the sudden nature of the day’s events, but those present did not notice in the festive atmosphere of the moment.
Chief among those expressing their elation was Georgiana, for the girl, who had appeared shy as a mouse when first making her acquaintance, was now a positive font of excited comments, most of which centered on her acquisition of so many closer relations.
“I shall now have five sisters!” exclaimed the girl as she exchanged her excitement with the other younger girls. “How excellent it is, for I have always wanted to have a sister!”
“What a strange notion,” said Lydia; given the girl’s general excitement, Darcy could not tell whether she was dismissive, confused, or teasing. “Why, Mr. Darcy is not even your brother, even if you share the same surname.”
“Perhaps,” said Georgiana, offering Darcy a shy smile. “Yet I feel we have become so close these past months as to be akin to siblings. And William is my guardian now, which binds us even closer.”
