“But…but we have not even spoken to Mr Palmer about calling the banns! And you wished first to introduce me to your sister!” People might wonder why they had married in such a hurry, but she could not care less what the neighbours believed. Those who loved her would be happy for her. It was only that she was so startled by the suddenness of the suggestion!
“I purchased a licence last week, in St Albans, as I warned you I might. You knew that I never meant to wait for weeks after the ball to make you mine. I hope my sister will be pleased, but if she is not, it changes nothing. She may remain with my aunt, if she so desires. Are these your only objections?”
Elizabeth had not been prepared for this ordinary Thursday morning to be her wedding day; she had meant to make preparations of both wardrobe and, to be perfectly honest, of courage. But she knew this: she truly loved this man, and to know that after today they would face the future together was a wondrous notion.
“None at all,” she said, and for the first time since his arrival, he smiled. He stood, helping her rise, and Jane came to her with an open armed embrace.
“Oh, Lizzy, I am so happy for you!” she cried, and Elizabeth clung for just a moment, gladness and apprehension and awe threatening to overwhelm her.
“It is settled then,” Darcy said, after receiving Jane’scongratulations. “I will go to the church now and make arrangements with the Palmers. Shall we meet there in, say, an hour?” He tucked the letter from his cousin into his coat pocket.
Elizabeth nodded and he took both of her hands in his. “Thank you,” he said. “You are about to make me the happiest man in the world.”
“We are to be the happiest couple, I think.”
“I know it. And if we are not—we will discuss it, and I will apologise, and then do everything in my power to correct my behaviour, and treat you as you deserve.”
“Oh, please not that,” Elizabeth replied with a smile. “Let us treat each other much better than either of us could possibly deserve.”
He laughed, and for just a moment, she caught a glimpse of an expression on Jane’s face—a stricken sort of yearning expression. But it was gone very quickly.
“Jane, would you and Mr Collins take me to the church in, say, an hour?”
Jane’s smile again bloomed. “Oh, yes! I shall inform Mr Collins, and he shall order the carriage! The horses are at the farm, but we shall call for them at once and bring her to you promptly, sir, you may be certain.”
“I shall wait at the church for as long as it takes,” he assured, adding, “as long as you are there well before noon. I truly wish for a wedding today.” With only a little reluctance, Darcy departed and Jane left her alone in order to apprise Mr Collins of all that had happened.
Elizabeth had no need to change her clothing—indeed, in anticipation of seeing Darcy that morning, she had put on her nicest day dress, and spent careful time on her hair. In far less time than she had expected, Jane reappeared with MrCollins, he in his Sunday best and Jane looking lovely in one of her newest gowns.
“I rejoice over this happy news!” he exclaimed, looking genuinely pleased. “Indeed, I cannot imagine anything better, especially after what you have experienced at the hands of the Ashwoods. To know that your future is assured is everything your dear father wanted for you, and now it is coming to pass, just as he would have preferred.”
Itwasall he would have wanted, she knew—only that she be taken care of, at any cost. Perhaps Mr Collins idolised her father a bit more than was deserved, and perhaps his devotion to Jane left him somewhat oblivious to others, but his heart was good, just as her father’s had been. God only knew, both men were and had been imperfect. But then, flawed men and women were all He ever had to work with, herself included. A final, fleeting resentment towards her father for arranging the marriage to Ashwood flickered and died, forever banished. “Thank you, sir,” Elizabeth replied, turning to her sister. “Does Mama know?”
Jane succeeded in looking rather sly. “She has a megrim this morning, and I thought it best not to disturb her rest,” she said, smiling serenely. “Lydia is still abed as well. Mary, however, is dressing now. I thought she might like to go to the church, and you might like to have her there.”
“I would,” Elizabeth agreed.
Mrs Hill entered at that moment. “Excuse me, mistress,” she said, addressing Jane. “But you have callers—Mr and Mrs Ashwood.”
For just a moment, Jane appeared anxious, but almost immediately her expression firmed. “Please tell them, Mrs Hill, that I am not at home.”
37
ALL A MISUNDERSTANDING
Elizabeth smiled at her sister. “Thank you,” she said, when the servant departed.
“They are the last people who ought to impose upon you on your wedding day,” Jane replied. “Mr Collins has ordered the horses, and I have no doubt Mary shall be down and we shall all be on our way to the church within a very few minutes.”
Suddenly, there was a commotion in the corridor outside of the drawing room and as they turned to see its source, Fanny Ashwood burst in upon them.
Elizabeth’s first thought was that she was ill. Her eyes were reddened, her skin pale but cheeks flushed, her hat askew on her head; neither was her costume in its usual meticulous order, as if she had dressed hurriedly, her purple pelisse badly clashing with the orange of her gown.
“Jane! Please! You must talk to me!” she cried. “It is all a terrible misunderstanding! I can?—”
Mr Ashwood, looking deeply embarrassed, appearedbehind her and laid hold upon her arm. “Come my dear. Let us go home now.”
Jane nodded urgently at Mr Collins; his expression was stern as he stepped forwards. “I cannot think of anything we have to discuss. Obey your husband, Mrs Ashwood.”
