Page 61 of Elizabeth in Scotland (Elizabeth and Darcy Abroad #2)

On the morning of the day he was to be joined forever to his love, Darcy woke early.

Rising from his bed to stand at the window, he wished idly that it faced towards Longbourn.

Though he could not have seen the estate at such a distance, it would have been pleasing to know that he gazed towards Elizabeth.

Unfortunately, his room was on the east side of Netherfield and faced nothing more exciting than the building that housed the assembly rooms. Chuckling under his breath at his own absurdity, Darcy stepped away from the window to begin preparing for the day.

Only hours separated him from making his vows.

Nothing must be allowed to delay or impede their wedding.

When he at last came down to breakfast, he was to be pleasantly surprised by how much was already accomplished. The house was glowing with anticipation of the wedding. Bingley was already in the breakfast room when he entered and rose from his chair to congratulate him.

“My dear friend, you look as if you are eager for the day to begin. How did you sleep?” he asked, and motioned for the footmen to serve him a light breakfast and a cup of tea.

The wedding breakfast would be a lavish affair, and so they had not set out the normal fare.

Darcy was unsure whether he could eat even the simple meal of toast and fresh fruit.

He sipped his tea. Already, he was nervous for the proceedings to begin.

He was ready for Elizabeth to become his wife.

His chance to protect her from all the upsets of the past weeks — indeed, to protect her from anything and everything that might try to distress her for the rest of their lives — could not begin too soon.

“I confess I did not sleep well, but not for lack of trying. I could not persuade my mind to stop its wanderings.” He smiled tiredly at his friend. “But all will be well by this evening.”

Bingley gave a wry smile, but said nothing more on the subject, since Georgiana and Miss Bingley had entered the room. “Well, don’t you two look as if you’re on your way to visit Winchester?” Bingley complimented them. “I have never seen two more beautiful young ladies than the two of you.”

“Wait until you see Elizabeth,” Georgiana replied. She beamed at Darcy. “She is a vision in her new gown.”

Darcy could not help the pounding in his chest at the thought of seeing Elizabeth in her new gown of shimmering green silk.

When he had visited the Meryton seamstress to provide an incentive for finishing the gown in time, the woman had been openly delighted with her work.

Elizabeth never looked less than lovely, but for their wedding, she would be nothing short of magnificent.

“You are too kind, Charles,” Miss Bingley said dryly to her brother.

“Good morning, Mr Darcy. My most hearty congratulations on your coming nuptials.” Darcy suppressed a wry smile, for while the words were spoken perfectly politely, they lacked a certain enthusiasm.

Miss Bingley had made no secret of her wish to be the next Mrs Darcy, but she seemed at least to have concluded that it would be better not to cause trouble.

Likely, she did not want to risk her visiting privileges at Pemberley.

“Fitz, you must come and see the grand salon,” Georgiana said. “I believe you and Elizabeth will be pleased, but I have never had the opportunity to decorate for such a momentous occasion before!”

“I do not think we have time,” Darcy replied, “but it is of no matter. Whatever you have done, it will look stunning. Elizabeth will no doubt be pleased with it, as I am sure I will be myself.”

“Well, you had best eat quickly. It is not long before we must leave for the church. If you are not in place before Elizabeth arrives, it will spoil the surprise of her ensemble.”

“Even though I’ve seen the material for her gown?” Darcy asked with a chuckle. “I am the one who picked it up for her, you know.”

“Of course!” Georgiana exclaimed. “It will be quite different when you see it for the first time. After all, she selected the design, and you do not know how it has all turned out.” Georgiana took a sip of her tea and a small bite of toast. “In fact, perhaps we ought to go now. It would not do to be late!”

“Very well,” Darcy said. Taking a last sip of tea, he set down his cup. He turned to his friend and host. “What do you think, Bingley? Shall we allow my sister to hurry us along?”

“I should not dare to defy Miss Darcy,” Bingley said gallantly, and rose from the table. “I will see you in church, Caroline,” he added pointedly to his sister. “I will go with the Darcys, but I have already instructed the coachman to have my carriage ready for you.”

Only a few moments saw them securely in the carriage on the way to Meryton church. Though he had checked it before leaving his room, Darcy smoothed his jacket to feel the paper of the license, securely in his pocket.

It was not long before he was required to produce it, for the rector was waiting for them at the chapel doors. Mr Hansfield was the pastor of Meryton church, an elderly man with a quick step that belied his silver hair. He greeted them with a broad smile and a bow.

Darcy returned it. “We are honoured to have you perform the ceremony, Mr Hansfield. I thank you for making possible one of the happiest days of my life.”

“It is my pleasure. I have known Miss Elizabeth since she was a little girl, and can honestly say that there is not a young lady who would be more worthy of you, Mr Darcy.”

“I am the one who must prove my worth to her. She is everything to me,” Darcy said.

Mr Hansfield chuckled. “Very good, sir. That is just as it ought to be. Now, Mr Darcy, please allow me to inspect the license before the ceremony.”

The certificate was quickly approved, and there remained nothing more to be done until all the guests and participants had arrived.

It seemed like an age passed before Miss Bingley entered the church, along with Mr and Mrs Hurst. The Bennets came in next, although Darcy did not miss that Miss Bennet and Mr Collins were not with them.

He frowned, wondering what could have caused their absence.

But there was no time. Georgiana hurriedly found her seat in the pews, looking nearly as delighted as Darcy felt.

If he was not mistaken, she had mouthed, “Elizabeth is here; it is time!” to him on her way.

His heart pounded in anticipation. There was no music, only the sound of the birds chirping outside and the autumn breeze blowing through the open door.

Suddenly, Elizabeth appeared in the doorway. Darcy’s breath caught in his throat. Surely, his love had never looked more stunning than now, as they were about to say their vows. He could hardly take his eyes off her face.

When at last he could focus on anything but her stunning dark eyes and the wealth of love they held, Darcy blinked in surprise. Strangely, Elizabeth was not wearing the gown she had had made for the occasion, but the tartan dress she had purchased in Scotland.

When she arrived at the altar and came to stand beside him, she beamed up at him.

He thought his heart would beat out of his chest as he beheld her in all her beauty.

As Mr Hansfield began the ceremony, he leant over and whispered to her, so low that no one but themselves would know. “Hello,” he said. “You look beautiful.”

“Good morning,” Elizabeth murmured. “You look very fine yourself.”

“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; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man’s innocence, signifying unto us the mystical union that is between Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought in Cana of Galilee; and is commended of Saint Paul to be honourable among all men… ”

As Mr Hansfield spoke the beautiful, time-worn words of the ceremony, Darcy looked out at the guests who had assembled.

They had intended to marry only after the banns had been called, and to have invited rather more of their family.

The change had involved some sacrifice. Elizabeth’s beloved aunt and uncle in London could not make the journey on so little notice, and Darcy might have wished more of his own family to attend.

In the end, it did not matter. They would be married, and nothing could compare to the blessing of belonging to each other.

Mr Hansfield soon came to the vows, where Darcy and Elizabeth were to pledge their lives to one another forever.

“Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy, will you have this woman to be your wife; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?”

Darcy looked deeply into her eyes and did not look away. “I will.”

“Miss Elizabeth Bennet, will you have this man to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?”

Elizabeth gave him the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. “I will.”

The rest of the ceremony sped by. Darcy felt later that he had stood there only for a moment, lost in Elizabeth’s eyes, before they were pronounced man and wife.

The assembled guests clapped and called out congratulations as Darcy led his bride out of the church.

The carriage ride back to Meryton seemed to pass as though in a dream.

Elizabeth was beside him, now Elizabeth Bennet no more, but now and forever his wife, Elizabeth Darcy.

With a small, private smile, she took his hand in hers.

The horses drew up at Netherfield Park all too soon for his taste.