Darcy threw another pillow at him.
“Can you believe it?”said Fitzwilliam, leaning back to stare at the ceiling.“In a few months’ time, we will both be married men.”
“I cannot believe it.I spent so many months wishing for Elizabeth, I have had to assure myself more than once that I am not dreaming.”
“I can assure you that you are not dreaming.Unless you were with someone else who would leave a love bite on your neck.”He pointed and Darcy clapped a hand over the offending mark.Fitzwilliam laughed uproariously.“It is a good sign, Darcy.Wear it as a badge of honor.”
Darcy grumbled.
“Do you know how many men wish their wives would leave such a mark on them?You are fortunate that you will have a wife who loves you and can abide your person.”
Darcy was looking dreamily at the fireplace again, and Fitzwilliam rolled his eyes and rose from his chair.
“I shall go to bed now.Enjoy your dreams, Darcy.”
He was nearly to the door when the pillow hit the back of his head.
A Fine Thursday in June
Thebannshadbeenread, the wedding clothes ordered, the breakfast prepared, and the church decorated.All was in readiness for the grandest wedding Meryton had ever seen.
Mrs.Bennet was all aflutter.Her two eldest daughters—the most deserving and the most troublesome—were marrying rich men today.They would be so very grand.Such carriages!Such jewels!Such pin money!She would go distracted if she thought on it too much.
“Come, my dear.We will be late for the church,” said Mr.Bennet drily.
“Oh, Mr.Bennet!Two daughters married!”
“Yes, yes, it is all well and good, but they will not be married if we do not get them to the church.”
“Mary!Kitty!Lydia!”she screeched.
Mr.Bennet placed a hand over his ear.
“Get in the carriage, girls!”
Mr.Bennet shooed them out the door and into the Bennet carriage.Mr.Darcy had generously sent over one of his carriages to deliver Jane, Elizabeth, and Mr.Bennet to the church.
“I cannot believe we will be married today!”said Jane as she entered the entrance hall.She was a vision in pale green silk, her expression radiant and her eyes glowing softly.
“Are you ready, girls?”asked Mr.Bennet, his voice choked.
Elizabeth smiled softly at him and stepped to his side.“We are ready, Papa.”
They rode to the church in silence.Elizabeth opted to sit beside her father, his calloused hand clasped between both of hers.When they pulled in front of the old stone building, he stepped out and helped Jane down first, then Elizabeth.She stopped in front of the church, the sun shining brightly behind her father, the air filled with the scent of blossoms.
“I hear there is a wonderful library at Pemberley,” she said softly.“We could explore it together.”
He cleared his throat.“You must do that with your young man.He has earned the privilege.But I reserve the right to come and visit—likely when you least expect it.”
“Shall I have a bed moved into the library for you?”
“That is an excellent idea, Lizzy.”
They laughed together in front of the church, then Mr.Bennet sighed and looked back and forth between his daughters—the one he had loved first and the one he had loved most.
“It is bittersweet, giving away one’s daughters.”
They smiled sweetly at him and each took an arm.
