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Mrs Bennet had, it seemed, realised the benefits of Lizzy marrying Darcy. And although her mother’s announcing of it seemed a little crass, she hoped it would be true, for she wanted her sisters to have great opportunities in life.

That had been her primary reason for accepting the marriage, after all.

The day was fine, and they walked down to the church together. Lizzy found herself too nervous to converse and instead listened in to her sisters’ chatter.

Her youngest sisters were badgering their mother about when they could come out of their mourning clothes.

"Not," Kitty said quickly, "because we don’t miss Papa. Because of course we do. Terribly. But it is just that black is so unflattering a colour, and I have so many nice dresses I would like to wear."

"We must not cause a scandal, Kitty dear," her mother said. "Although I too should like to be free of the black. My heart is broken over your father, of course. But no dress will change that, will it? We must give it some more time, I’m afraid. I dare say you can go into half mourning very soon."

Lizzy looked down at her dress. It would not be right to marry in mourning colours. It would look like she was going into her marriage without wanting to, so she would be released from wearing black far sooner than her sisters.

Even though she was the one who perhaps minded wearing it the least. Looking down and seeing the sombre colour reminded her of her father, and although that made her sad, she was also glad to be with his memory for a few moments every day.

They reached the church and joined the small crowd of people making their way in. Her mother greeted several friends and they talked of how cold the weather was.

But no one mentioned Mr Darcy’s return.

Have they not seen him yet?

They sat in their normal pew, and Elizabeth glanced around in case she had missed him.

But he was not there.

Her heart sank. Had he changed his mind?

The banns would be read whether he was there or not, although it would not look well if he was not present. She was rather surprised to find how keen she was for him to be there.

He was the one in love with her, supposedly, and yet she was the one glancing around every few seconds, anticipating his arrival.

Chapter Twenty-Six

"Please hurry up," Darcy said, as his companions meandered along behind him, enjoying the sunshine and the fresh air. "I do not wish to be late."

"All will be well, Fitzwilliam," the voice beside him said, and he turned and smiled at his sister Georgiana, whose arm was looped through his.

She was moving along at a decent pace, and it was not because of her that they had left the house late.

"We’re coming, dear fellow," Bingley said behind him. "It is just such a pleasant day, is it not?"

"So pleasant," his sister Caroline Bingley announced.

She, in fact, was the reason they were late. She had taken so long to get dressed and then insisted on breaking her fast, and then had walked at the slowest pace imaginable.

Darcy did not wish to be rude, but it was very tempting to simply leave her behind and hasten to the church with Georgiana.

Mr and Mrs Hurst, who had also accompanied Bingley back to Netherfield, were further behind still. And it was very hard for Darcy not to show his frustration.

They were reading the banns today, and he had not seen Elizabeth in two days. Could they not understand that he wanted to be there? Really he wanted to be there early, but certainly not late.

As the church came into view, the bell tolled ten and he closed his eyes and swore under his breath, although quietly enough that even his sister shouldn’t have been able to hear it.

"Come along," he said sharply, and he quickened his pace with Georgiana, leaving the others in his wake.

He entered the church, and although he tried to open the large wooden door quietly, it was not possible.

All eyes turned, including a pair of very fine brown eyes that he had been keen to see.