She paused, noting how both Mrs. Bennet and Lady Catherine seemed to be considering this compromise.
“I propose we begin our celebrations here at Longbourn, as my mother has so lovingly prepared, and then proceed to Netherfield for a continuation under Lady Catherine’s distinguished guidance. This way, our guests may enjoy the best of both homes, and both sides of my family may contribute to what will surely be the most memorable wedding breakfast in Hertfordshire history.”
A moment of silence followed this suggestion.
“Well,” Mrs. Bennet said finally, “I suppose it would be pleasant for everyone to see how elegantly I’ve arranged the morning refreshments before moving on to…more substantial entertainments.”
“And Netherfield’s gardens are at their peak this time of year,” Lady Catherine conceded with regal magnanimity. “The setting will provide a suitable backdrop for the more formal portions of the celebration.”
She embraced her mother and smiled at Lady Catherine to deliver her verdict. “I propose a solution that honors both claims. We shall have two celebrations.”
“Two?” Mrs. Bennet echoed weakly.
“Two,” Elizabeth confirmed. “We shall begin here at Longbourn, where my mother has prepared a breakfast that celebrates twenty years of her love and care. Then we shall progress to Netherfield, where Lady Catherine has prepared abreakfast that celebrates my newly found position as the daughter of Mr. John and Mrs. Rose Darcy. I believe they will both be with us in spirit.”
The room fell silent as this revolutionary concept was absorbed.
“Rather like a royal progress,” Colonel Fitzwilliam observed with barely suppressed laughter. “The bride is honored by her loyal subjects at multiple venues.”
“Precisely,” Elizabeth agreed, flashing him a grateful smile. “After all, surely I deserve to be thoroughly celebrated? It is not every day that a country miss marries above her station so dramatically.”
“Above your station?” Darcy’s voice held a note of warning that made several guests step backward.
Elizabeth turned to face her husband, whose dark eyes were blazing with an emotion that might have been dangerous in a less civilized man. “Have I said something to displease you, Mr. Darcy?”
“You have married exactly where you belong,” he said, his voice carrying a conviction that brooked no argument. “Any man fortunate enough to win your hand should consider himself elevated by the connection.”
The declaration sent a flutter of appreciation through the assembled ladies and caused more than one gentleman to nod approvingly. Elizabeth felt her cheeks warm under the intensity of his gaze, but Lady Catherine’s voice cut through the romantic moment.
“This is all very touching,” she said with an acidity that would curdle cream, “but the practical matter remains: we cannot expect our guests to travel between two establishments for a single meal.”
“Why not?” Elizabeth asked with genuine curiosity. “Sir William, would you object to visiting both Longbourn and Netherfield this morning?”
Sir William’s diplomatic training asserted itself immediately. “Not at all! A most creative solution! We shall pay our respects to both families, as is proper.”
“But the timing—” Lady Catherine began.
“Will be perfect,” Mrs. Bennet interrupted, her spirits reviving with remarkable speed. “We shall serve our breakfast at the usualhour, and then everyone may continue to Netherfield for… what shall we call it? A second breakfast?”
“Elevenses,” Lady Matlock suggested with a smile that transformed her aristocratic features. “How very fashionable.”
Elizabeth watched with fascination as the idea took hold. The neighborhood guests began discussing the logistics with the enthusiasm of people presented with an unexpected entertainment. Lady Catherine looked as though she had bitten into something unpleasant but could find no logical objection to the plan.
“Brilliant,” Darcy murmured in her ear, his breath sending delicious shivers down her spine. “You have managed to give both families exactly what they wanted while ensuring that neither can claim victory over the other.”
“I have managed to ensure that I shall be thoroughly overfed,” Elizabeth replied with a laugh. “Though I suppose there are worse fates for a bride.”
“Allow me to assist with that burden,” he said, and before she could ask what he meant, his hand had captured hers and drawn it to his lips for a kiss that was entirely proper yet somehow managed to be thoroughly improper in its intensity.
“Mr. Darcy,” she whispered, conscious of their audience but unable to resist the warmth in his eyes. “You are being most inappropriate.”
“I am being affectionate,” he corrected, his thumb tracing circles on her wrist that made her pulse race. “And I find I am quite unable to help myself. You look radiant when you’re solving problems that lesser minds consider impossible. You have achieved what I believed impossible—satisfying both my aunt and your mother simultaneously.”
“A skill I suspect will prove useful in the years to come,” she replied with a smile. “Though I must confess, I find myself rather looking forward to the time when we may escape all these well-meaning relatives and simply be ourselves at Pemberley.”
“Three more days,” he promised,his fingers tightening around hers. “Then we depart for our home, where I intend to thoroughly enjoy having you all to myself.”
“All to yourself?” she echoed with mock innocence. “How shall we occupy ourselves, I wonder?”
