Charles ran a hand over his tuxedo. “Do you think all men feel nervous on their wedding day?”
I straightened his crooked tie. “It’s natural to be anxious about such a big life change.”
Charles’s eyes narrowed. “Then why don’t you look nervous?”
“I am. I’m simply better at hiding it than you.” Plus, this was just the beginning. Lizzy and I had a coronation ceremonythat would come after our honeymoon, and I was much more nervous about that.
“Fair.” He picked up the most recent issue of the Sanditon Chronicle, the Austen Heights newspaper. “Did you see this?”
The title read “Pride, Joy, and a Wedding: Darcy and Lizzy Tie the Knot.” Next to it was the picture that Jane had taken at Cupid’s Confections, the article written by Riley.
“Jane and I made page two,” Charles said good-naturedly.
I skimmed the words and remembered that awkward moment in the Bennets’ kitchen, my arms around Lizzy and wishing with all I was that I could find a way to make her mine. That I was moments away from making that a reality felt almost surreal.
And yet, I wasn’t more sure of anything in my life.
We walked out of the tent, which was one of many at the back of the outdoor chapel, and walked down the aisle between the pews of carefully carved logs. Someone had poured sawdust on the ground after the winter, and the fresh spring air greeted us. Blooming flowers along the edges of the intimate sitting area sent delicate sweet scents into the air.
Pastor Collins stood in his robes behind a small wooden makeshift podium. An arch made of soft white aspen trees framed the scene.
Charles and I took our places. Me on the right, he on the left, facing each other and angled toward the crowd. Little sprites buzzed around the space, their wings sparkling in the afternoon light, using their magic to create petals of various colors to fall along the aisle.
I glanced out into the audience. My sister Georgiana sat next to Henry, Caroline and Jack, and Ernesto. Anne stood to the side of us with her violin.
Mrs. Bennet was sitting with the other ladies of the town, whispering fiercely. “After today I will have three daughters married, including Lydia. I couldn’t be happier. And to suchrich and powerful men! The king, can you imagine my Lizzy is marrying a king?”
Behind them sat the three Bennet sisters with their men. Mayor Pembroke stood next to Anne with a camera in hand, already snapping off pictures and wearing a champagne-length dress that appeared normal at first glance, but when she moved, there was a faint shimmer of letters swirling across the fabric. Occasional phrases drifted by like tiny magical gossip: “They FINALLY Tied the Knot!” Who knew there were festive clothes even for a wedding?
I did a double take when Aunt Catherine came up the trail, and huffing, sat on a bench in the back. She met my eye with a stern gaze, and I gave her a small nod of acknowledgement. She merely sniffed.
That was Aunt Catherine.
Anne struck up the music, and my heart lifted. The sound of the smooth but lilting notes was a reminder that this was truly happening.
I looked up the aisle, and there was Jane standing with her father. She wore a soft ivory gown with a square neckline and delicate puff sleeves that were embroidered subtly with tiny white wildflowers. Mr. Bennet appeared healthier than I’d ever seen him, sharp in a tux with a neatly tied bow tie.
They walked down the aisle together until Mr. Bennet kissed her cheek and delivered her to Charles’s side. Charles stared dumbstruck, as if she were an angel that had just descended from heaven to land beside him.
Mr. Bennet gave me a wink and then turned and hurried back up the aisle in time to meet up with Lizzy, who now stood at the beginning of the aisle.
I blinked. Lizzy wore a simple white dress with flowers embroidered across the collar. A short veil fell against her softly curled brown tresses. But it was the look on her face that tookmy breath away. Her entire form was alight with such happiness. She was radiant.
They stopped by my side, and Mr. Bennet kissed Lizzy’s cheek and whispered, “You appear splendid, my dear.” And then he went to sit with his wife.
Pastor Collins cleared his throat. “We are gathered here to witness the uniting of these two couples. To hear them express their devotion to each other.” He gazed at us with his most serious expression. “You will now give each other your sacred vows along with your rings. Charles, we will start with you.”
A sprite fluttered up and dropped a ring and a strip of paper into Charles’s open palm. He unfurled the paper.
“Jane, looking back, I can see that I’d already started to love you the first time I saw you at Club Meryton. Though I didn’t recognize it for far too long, I’ve loved you every day since, and I promise to love you every day for the rest of our lives. I love you for your deep loyalty, unselfishness, and kindness. I love the beautiful way you see the world and the way you treat everyone you come in contact with. And I promise to listen, to support your dreams, and to put you first when you try to put everyone else before you. I promise to never stop being delighted by you, to never take you for granted, and to always be grateful that you’ve chosen to spend your life with me. There’s no one else I’d rather spend my life with, and I can’t wait to see what the future brings for us.”
Charles slid the ring onto Jane’s finger. Jane looked up at him, her eyes sparkling.
Pastor Collins nodded as if this was acceptable. Then he turned to Jane. “And yours?”
A sprite dropped a piece of paper and a ring into her hand. “Charles, I promise to stand with you through good times and bad, and to always love you. I’ll tell you what I’m thinking, so you don’t have to guess, and forgive you on your bad days. I’ll askyou for your thoughts and trust in your love for me. We’ll dream together and never face our challenges alone. When you need a break from the world, I promise we’ll rest together, hike through forests, and discover new things. Every night, you’ll get a kiss, and a friend throughout the day. I’ll honor you and promise to always be true, as I spend my life loving you.”
She placed the ring on Charles’s finger. He grasped her hand and clasped it in his own, beaming, his gaze full of nothing but adoration for Jane.
