Page 168 of A Most Unwelcome Acquaintance

Elizabeth took his arm. “So do I.”

Bennet covered her hand with his. “Then we had better go before your mother finds the ham.”

The ceremony was brief. Darcy spoke his vows without hesitation, and Elizabeth answered him in a voice that carried through the church. Jane stood beside her, while Bingley watched Darcy with satisfaction he made no effort to conceal. Georgiana occupied the front pew with Anne and Mrs. Jenkinson. Louisa and Hurst sat near Bingley, their presence quiet. Caroline’s absence drew no comment, and Lady Catherine’s place was empty.

With the register signed and the party in the churchyard, Mary approached Elizabeth with the solemn expression she reserved for a difficult passage.

“I have considered whether first impressions deserve the blame we assign them,” she said.

Elizabeth waited.

Mary glanced toward Darcy as Mrs. Bennet congratulated him and Lydia questioned him about Derbyshire officers.

“I think the greater fault is refusing to revise them.”

“That sounds like a conclusion.”

“It is.” Mary’s expression softened. “I am pleased that both of you learned better.”

Elizabeth kissed her cheek. Mary accepted the gesture with surprise, then recovered enough to say that affection did not weaken the truth of her observation.

Kitty came next, wearing both gloves and a ribbon she had changed twice that morning. Wickham’s name had vanished from her conversation. A lieutenant from another company had asked her to dance at the last assembly, and she spent the week insisting that she felt no particular interest in him while mentioning each thing he said.

“You will write to me about Pemberley?” Kitty asked.

“I will.”

“And tell me whether the officers there are as handsome as ours?”

“There are no officers at Pemberley.”

Kitty considered this defect. “Perhaps there are neighboring families.”

“I shall investigate.”

“That is all I ask.”

Lydia pushed between them to demand the same promise, though she wanted descriptions of gowns, dinners, and any gentleman who owned more than one carriage. Mrs. Bennet called them away before Elizabeth could answer.

The wedding breakfast filled Longbourn beyond comfort. Bingley and Jane sat together at one end of the table, married long enough for Mrs. Bennet to speak of their match as established family history. She informed anyone who listened that Jane had always possessed the beauty required to secure Netherfield, while Elizabeth needed wit, courage, and several unusual accidents to secure Pemberley.

“Do not forget Sarah,” Lydia said.

“I have not forgotten that dog. No one in Hertfordshire could forget her.”

Sarah had spent the ceremony at Longbourn under Hill’s supervision after Mrs. Bennet refused to risk muddy paws in the church. She now waited outside the breakfast room, where the servants knew that shutting a door against her delayed rather than prevented entry.

Hurst raised his glass to Darcy without making a speech. Louisa congratulated Elizabeth and spoke with genuine warmth, though she avoided any mention of Caroline. Her sister had returned to London under the care of relations who considered distance from Hertfordshire necessary. Whether she regretted what she had done remained uncertain, but her opinion no longer governed Netherfield.

Georgiana sat beside Elizabeth during the meal. She spoke little while others crowded around them, but her reserve was not fear. When Mrs. Bennet began explaining how often she intended to visit Pemberley, Georgiana caught Elizabeth’s eye and hid a smile behind her glass.

Darcy saw it. “You encourage her.”

“I said nothing.”

“That has not prevented encouragement before.”

Georgiana looked between them. “I believe I shall enjoy having a sister.”