“I observe it now, sister,” he said. “And did I not say the gown looked familiar?”
“Very well. I shall concede that point.”
Darcy turned his attention back to Elizabeth. “When did you change your clothing, Miss Elizabeth?”
Before Elizabeth could decide how much she wished to reveal, Georgiana leaned closer to her brother and spoke in a low voice. “Miss Bingley spilled wine down the front of Lizzy’s dress. On purpose. She hoped to prevent her from joining us at dinner. But we prevailed.”
Both Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bennet raised their brows in surprise and turned to look at Miss Bingley, who sat rigid, her expression dark and angry.
Mr. Bennet examined his daughter’s gown with approval. “It is a very fine gown, Lizzy, and it suits you remarkably well. One might suppose it had been made expressly for you.”
She lifted her eyes to Mr. Darcy and saw that he was examining her gown as well. His dark eyes met hers.
“You do look handsome, Miss Bennet. That color suits you very well.”
He drew himself upright. “I offer my apology that you suffered such an affront in my home. I shall ensure that you are not subjected to such an insult again.”
The veal was served then, accompanied by a dish of glazed carrots. Darcy felt a happiness he had not known before as he looked about the table and saw guests gathered there enjoying the food and the company of those they loved. He chuckled to himself when his eyes fell on Mr. Gardiner, a professional man who worked for his living, sitting at his table, but his conversation earlier in the drawing room had been knowledgeable. Darcy had learned more of Murdoch’s gaslighting from Gardiner than he had been able to discover through his solicitor or his man of business.
Elizabeth also reflected upon those gathered at the table of a wealthy and well-connected gentleman, and she wondered that she and her family had been afforded such a compliment. She treasured every moment in her heart, for she knew it was a fleeting pleasure.
Chapter 38: Nuptials
Jane was the most beautiful bride Elizabeth had ever seen. The small chapel was almost empty, with the bride and groom standing side by side as they pledged their troth to one another.
Elizabeth gloried in Jane’s happiness and escape. Her gentle sister would never again suffer the manipulations she had endured at the hands of her late mother, nor remain subject to the neglect of a father who had shown little interest in managing his household.
And Mr. Bingley was a gentle soul who desired her happiness above all else.
After the marriage lines were entered into the register, the newly married couple stepped out into the warm July morning and were immediately surrounded by their family, who were happily offering congratulations. Elizabeth remained at the edge of the small gathering, silent, observing the scene rather than joining it.
“Miss Bennet, you appear saddened this morning. Do you miss your sister already?”
Elizabeth turned from her thoughts. “No indeed, Mr. Darcy. I am delighted on Jane’s behalf. To be married to an amiable gentleman who is in love with you is a most fortunate circumstance.”
Georgiana moved closer. “Then why are you sad, Lizzy? You do not look delighted.”
Elizabeth offered a small evasion. “I was thinking of my mother. It has not been many months since we lost her.”
Georgiana took her hand. “Yes, of course. I had forgotten.”
Mr. Darcy took Elizabeth’s other hand and pressed it. “I am sorry for your loss, Miss Bennet. You would naturally wish for her to be here.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Elizabeth looked into his eyes, yet she did not dare speak what lay in her heart. This happy ending for Jane might never have come about had her mother lived. Nor would Lydia have been given the chance for reform. Indeed, they might all have been ruined by now if her mother had survived the dreadful illness that carried her away.
Mr. Bennet turned and looked about the courtyard, and when he saw her, he called out, “Lizzy, come along, my dear. We must return to Longbourn to greet our guests. I expect some of our neighbors have already arrived, and Hill will be in need of us.”
“Yes, sir, I am coming.”
She turned to Mr. Darcy. “Sir, I shall see you and Georgiana at Longbourn.”
“May I come with you, Lizzy? I have not seen Kitty since we were in Kent.”
Elizabeth said, “Of course, if your brother approves.”
They both turned to Mr. Darcy.
