“Mr. Darcy, I will inquire of my daughters and will let you know what is decided when you return.”
Darcy inclined his head. “I shall take my leave.” He turned to Elizabeth. “Will you see me out, Miss Bennet?”
She accepted his offered arm and walked out with him. When they stood beyond the closed door, he bent to kiss her. “I love you, my darling. I shall return as soon as I am able.”
She rose on tiptoe, placed her arms about his neck, and kissed him again. “Pray be careful, Mr. Darcy. Write to me that I may be assured of your safe arrival.”
He brushed her lips with his own. “I can scarcely tear myself away, Elizabeth.” He embraced her again, burying his face in her curls, and then he set her from him, bowed, and went to the stables to collect his mount.
One week later, to the day, Elizabeth’s attention was fixed upon the impeccably dressed man who stood beside her at the altar, and she exulted in the knowledge that his eyes were for her alone. He stood tall and elegant, a dark lock falling across his brow. His eyes shone with happiness, and her pulse quickenedas she grasped the wonder of what was about to take place. She was to be wed to Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.
The rector began to read from the Book of Common Prayer. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”
“Fitzwilliam Darcy, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife…”
She heard Mr. Darcy speak his vows, his gaze fixed upon her throughout. He was smiling at her when he answered, “I will.”
And then the rector turned to her.
“Elizabeth Bennet, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband…”
Her eyes remained fixed upon Mr. Darcy as she answered in a clear voice, “I will.”
With the vows spoken and the ring placed on her finger, the rector turned to the congregation. “Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. I pronounce that they be man and wife.”
All that followed passed in a blur. They signed the register, and then they walked out of the church together. He handed her into his carriage, and as they set off for Netherfield for the wedding breakfast, he bent and kissed her.
“I love you, my dearest, loveliest Elizabeth. I can scarcely believe that we are actually married.”
With her arms about his neck, she leaned in and lifted her face to his. “Oh, Fitzwilliam, I never believed I could be your wife, but now it is so.”
He kissed her again. “I treasured our day at Vauxhall Gardens, believing I should never again know such happiness. Then at the theater, and again when I held you during our first waltz. And now you sit beside me, in my carriage, as my wife. I can hardly believe my good fortune, darling.”
They remained at their wedding breakfast for three hours, visiting with Elizabeth’s family and their Meryton neighbors. At the end of it, Elizabeth was upstairs with Jane.
“Turn, Lizzy, that I may fasten your buttons. You need not be anxious for Georgiana. I shall guard her with my life.”
Elizabeth laughed. “She gives little trouble, Jane. She is not Lydia.”
Jane’s expression faltered. “How is Lydia, my dear?”
“I spoke only briefly with Uncle Edward, and he brought discouraging news. She has been at school since March, yet she is scarcely altered. Our mother bears most of the blame. Lydia was indulged beyond reason.”
Jane replied, “She was, but it has been eight months. Surely the discipline has had some effect.”
Elizabeth sighed. “Perhaps. She proved so unruly that the headmistress wrote to Uncle Edward. Lydia has been set to work in the laundry and will remain there until her conduct improves. She broke a plate in a fit of temper when she was crossed.”
“Lizzy, I fear our sister may yet bring trouble upon us all.”
“Uncle Edward is arranging to place her in another school. It is located in Nottinghamshire, one that is suited to girls of difficult disposition. He intends to send her in March, when the roads are more passable.”
“Shall we be permitted to write to her?”
“I think not. She must earn the privilege, and at present she has not done so. Perhaps in this new school she will conduct herself better.”
Jane was quiet for a moment. “Lizzy, we must see Kitty well married as soon as we may, that she may be secure should Lydia bring ruin upon us all.”
Elizabeth grew pale. “Jane, I fear I would sink in Mr. Darcy’s regard if Lydia were to bring disgrace upon us. We must hope this new school will effect a change in her.”
