Page 59 of Elizabeth in Scotland (Elizabeth and Darcy Abroad #2)

The week before the wedding was to take place had flown by as though on wings.

Mr Darcy had returned with the wedding license in good time.

Elizabeth had heaved a sigh of relief upon seeing him approach Longbourn, firstly for his safe return, and secondly because all could now go forward as planned.

Now, at last, the day of the wedding had arrived.

Elizabeth had woken up early, nestling herself in the window seat of her bedroom one last time.

She curled the blanket around her shoulders, watching the sunrise over the hills.

It was a bittersweet moment, knowing that she might never again see the sunrise from this spot.

Of course, she was elated to be marrying Mr Darcy.

But there could be no great change without some grief, and her life was about to change forever.

Elizabeth would marry the man she loved, leaving behind her childhood forever.

She would be a wife by the end of the day, and perhaps one day not so far in the future, a mother.

She would move to Derbyshire — so far away from all she knew.

It was a daunting thought. But she also knew that if Mr Darcy were at her side, they could conquer anything.

Elizabeth rose from her seat, folded her favourite blanket, and took a last look about the room.

Her gown had been finished only just in time and delivered from the dressmaker the previous day.

It was hung on the screen to prevent any wrinkles from forming, for nothing could be allowed to mar its pristine perfection.

She went over and lightly stroked the delicate, shimmering silk.

She hoped Mr Darcy would be as pleased with it as she was.

For now, there could be no question of taking the risk that she might spill a spot of tea or a drop of jam on it during breakfast with her family.

There would be time enough to come above stairs and change before the wedding.

It would be a light breakfast today, for the wedding breakfast that Mr Bingley and Georgiana had helped her plan would be everything extravagant.

She had tried to tell them it was too lavish, but they had insisted.

When she arrived in the dining room, everyone was already seated.

Her father had been waiting for her by the arched doorway, and took her hands as she came in.

“My dear Lizzy, I cannot believe that we part with you today. But I could not be happier, or more proud of you.” To Elizabeth’s astonishment, she thought his eyes looked rather moist. But Mr Bennet was not one to give way to sentiment for long.

Clearing his throat, he went and sat at the head of the table.

He picked up his fork, and breakfast commenced.

The younger girls all congratulated her, but her mother drowned them out. “I am only glad that you had the good sense to find a wealthy gentleman, Lizzy, and snap him up. Now, your younger sisters will not be destitute.”

“Mama, please,” Elizabeth laughed.

“Of course they will not be destitute, my dear. You forget, we have also been blessed with Strathalt House,” Mr Bennet said.

“When I die and Mr Collins and Jane take over Longbourn, you may be secure and safe in Scotland, if nothing else.” He gave a sour glance at his eldest daughter and her fiancé.

It was no secret that he was not pleased with the match, but Jane had evidently convinced him to give his permission, if not his blessing.

Elizabeth looked at her plate, but her appetite had fled. She comforted herself with the knowledge that she would soon be away from Jane and Mr Collins, and all the painful thoughts of the sisterly relationship that had gone so far astray.

“Yes, it is a fortunate day, is it not? Elizabeth has trapped herself a wealthy husband. But at what price to her virtue?” Jane asked. She raised her glass and sipped, as if to toast her hateful speech.

The whole table went silent, and even Mr Collins tried to speak up. “My dear, that was unkind. I do not —”

“Be quiet,” Jane snapped. “Well, have you nothing to say for yourself?” Jane asked, looking pointedly at Elizabeth. “Or did you nearly reduce this family to ruin and scandal, only to end up profiting by your licentious behaviour?”

Elizabeth took a steadying breath, put her fork down, and folded her hands tightly in her lap. “Mr Darcy and I have done nothing for which we ought to reproach ourselves.”

“I quite agree. My dear, you should not say such things. Mr Darcy is the nephew of the illustrious Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and would do nothing shameful,” Mr Collins said. “Furthermore, I am astonished at my good luck at becoming related to him by marriage! What a fortuitous connection!”

For an awkward moment, everyone stared in silent astonishment at the stupidity of Jane’s husband-to-be.

Jane’s face turned a brilliant red with humiliation.

She said nothing more, thankfully, and breakfast mercifully ended rather early.

As everyone was returning to their rooms to ready themselves for the wedding, Mr Bennet pulled Elizabeth aside.

“Are you well, Lizzy? I will speak with Jane —”

“No, I thank you, for I do not think she would listen. It doesn’t matter now, Papa. I will no longer be a source of jealousy for her when I leave this house. And she will soon leave it herself. Perhaps we can mend things one day, after we have spent some time apart.”

Mr Bennet took her by the shoulders and leant in to kiss her on the forehead. “You are a treasure, Lizzy. I am sorry things have been so difficult between you and Jane. And I am sorry for any part I might have played in this breach by my show of preference in bringing you to Scotland.”

“I will never regret going to Scotland with you, Papa,” Elizabeth said.

“What I do not understand is that Jane has said several times how savage she thinks Scotland is. She cannot have wanted to go. It is as though the real problem is something else entirely.” And what that was, Elizabeth could hardly imagine.

Nothing had occurred to her beyond jealousy, a desire to always have the first place in their family and their neighbourhood, but could Jane truly be ruled by so petty and ignoble an emotion?

“All will be well, my dear,” her father said, kissing her on the forehead. “Now, no more of this today. You have your wedding to prepare for.”

Elizabeth smiled, kissed her father on the cheek, then retired upstairs to change into her wedding dress.

When she arrived at her door, she paused a moment in confusion, for the door was cracked open.

She had certainly closed it before going downstairs.

When she approached the door, she heard a strange ripping sound, and her heart began to thunder in her chest.

When Elizabeth opened her bedroom door and looked in, she was horrified to see her wedding dress in shreds, lying spread across the floor.

“Jane! What are you doing?” Elizabeth cried out in shock.

She gasped, covering her mouth with her hands.

Nothing could have prepared her for such a scene.

Jane stood in the middle of her room, holding a knife to the lovely neckline of Elizabeth’s gown.

She had already shredded the skirts. It was as if she had waited to do the last of the deed when Elizabeth could see her do it. “What have you done?” she cried out.

“There, that is an end to it!” Jane said, with a last, vicious slash of the knife. “Now, get married without a wedding dress,” Jane hissed. She let the knife fall from her hands. It clattered to the floor.

“Why? Jane, why do you hate me so? What did I do?” Elizabeth asked, staring at the shreds of her gown that lay scattered about the room. “What does it matter if I marry Mr Darcy? You say you are happy with Mr Collins. Why do you wish to ruin my day?”

“Because you deserve none of it. I am the eldest. I should have been married first. I should have been with Mr Bingley, and you ruined that for me.” Jane’s face was an ugly purple, her eyes wild like a cornered animal.

“Papa has always favoured you above the rest of us, and I am sick to death of simply standing aside and taking it. Do you hear me, Elizabeth? I despise you. I shall never forgive you, never!”

She raised her chin and opened her fist, allowing the last tattered pieces of the gown to drop to the floor. Elizabeth stood frozen at the display of such virulent emotion. What could one say in the face of such hatred?

Their father stepped in then, no doubt having heard Jane screaming at her. “What is this? Trouble amongst my women?” he asked as he was coming around the corner of the doorjamb. He froze when he saw the state of Elizabeth’s room. “What is this?”

Next came their mother, holding a hand on her forehead and looking very pale. “What have you done, Jane? How could you do this to your sister on the day of her wedding?!” she shrieked. “What will Mr Darcy say when we must postpone?”

“I do not care. Elizabeth has made her choice. She wants nothing to do with her real family. She thinks herself so high and mighty, now let her see just how low she has brought me. Let her see how it feels.” Jane crossed her arms and turned to go, but their father would not allow her to pass.

“You have gone too far, Jane. I know you have been upset with Elizabeth for quite some time, but it was not she who invited herself to Scotland; it was I. Your quarrel is therefore misplaced.” Mr Bennet said.

It was the first time Elizabeth had heard him talk so firmly to one of his daughters.

He stepped forward, took Elizabeth’s hand, and tried to reach for Jane’s so he could join the two sisters.

Jane pulled her hand away and refused to allow it.

“Are you really going to let your relationship with your sister die over petty jealousies?”