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As Darcy ruminated about that day, he knew that besides the work that was being done at the Haven, Georgie’s meeting two of Wickham’s victims, had helped the two girls with the healing process and allowed Georgie to use her experience to help others.

Two days previously he had met Miss Cookson to view two large homes, one next to the other, just off Gracechurch Street and close to the Haven that had been offered for sale.

The houses were judged to be just what they needed and had been purchased.

New Haven House had a home. They would need some renovation, but once done they would be able to house thirty to forty girls and the needed staff between them.

The vision was to offer the homes to girls who had birthed babes and were ready to take their first steps back in society.

The New Haven would be an intermediary step in the recovery process where the girls would have more independence but still be well protected.

Darcy was unaware that his new cousin was cognisant of what he was about and how much his actions had unwittingly softened her heart toward him. The fact that he did everything quietly without seeking glory for himself made him all the more attractive to Lady Elizabeth Bennet.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

The day that she had dreamed about had arrived!

Caroline Bingley loved her brother and his name, but she felt like she was floating on clouds as she considered that but a few hours she would be taking the name of Phillips when she married her beloved Graham.

Even though she saw very little of her father, she could not help but miss the fact that he would not be walking her to her betrothed and that it would not be her papa that would be giving her away in but three hours.

The wedding breakfast would be at the Gardiner’s town home.

Both the Bennets and the Darcys had volunteered their own homes, but Caroline did not want her guests to have to all be transported to Mayfair when the church was within walking distance and she had her longest ties to the Gardiners and their home.

She heard a soft knock on her door. Louisa and Madeline Gardiner entered her room to fuss over her and help her as she prepared for her wedding.

Miss Bingley was very grateful that her friend Lizzy and Lady Anne had joined them the prior evening for a lady’s dinner.

Louisa, Aunt Maddie, and Aunt Anne had sat with her for ‘the talk’ later that evening.

Similarly, to the way that Lady Sarah’s revelations had calmed her daughters about the wedding night, Caroline too felt calmer, though in truth now that the fear was gone, she anticipated what was to come.

Her dress of light green silk was hanging ready for her to wear after she had bathed.

Madam Chambourg had made her the perfect dress with an empire waist and puffed sleeves and an organza overlay that made it shimmer.

It was low cut, but not to the point that it displayed Caroline’s womanly assets, and had a short train.

Louisa would stand up with her, she was not only her sister, but was also her best friend.

Even when Caroline used to behave badly, Louisa never gave up on her sister and was the least surprised when Caroline worked toward making the efforts to be the woman she was now.

Graham Phillips had spent the night before his wedding at the Bingley’s home just a few doors down from the Gardiners.

The previous night, the men had gone to White’s.

Luckily none had over imbibed so the groom would not have to contend with a pounding headache as he waited for his bride in the church.

Graham’s very good friend from both Eton and Cambridge, Mr. Hench Wetherspoon, was standing up for him.

They were both clerks at Norman and James and on track to become fully fledged barristers in the near future.

The younger Phillips remembered what his new Fitzwilliam cousins had advised him, to break his fast as it was unlikely that he would not eat at the wedding breakfast.

Charles Bingley was excited; he would declare himself for Franny Phillips in two days and that was something that he could not wait for.

The house was full as he was hosting his Aunt, Uncle, and cousins from Scarborough, his late mother’s brother, and relatives from his father’s side as well.

Their Uncle Toby was a long-time favourite of the three siblings.

He was an equal partner with Bingley in their carriage works business in Scarborough, responsible for the day-to-day workings.

The time was near so those in residence at the Bingley townhouse made the short walk to the church.

They were met outside by the Phillips, both Bennet families, Darcys, Lord and Lady Matlock, and Hurst. Mrs. Hattie Phillips hugged her son and kissed him on both cheeks.

A mother could not be prouder of her son than Hattie was of hers.

Charles Bingley greeted all of their friends then walked over to the Gardiner’s house to collect his younger sister.

Everyone took their seats except for Lady Elizabeth.

She decided to await the bride so she could greet her friend before she made the walk down the aisle.

Edward and Maddie Gardiner and the three older children entered the vestibule and after greeting their niece and cousin, Mr. Gardiner accompanied his son and daughter to their pew while his wife made sure that young May understood what her duties of flower girl were.

“Caroline, you make a stunning bride, I am so happy that in no time at all we will be cousins,” Elizabeth offered as she had never seen her friend look more becoming.

“Thank you, Lizzy. I appreciate your waiting to see me before I go to meet my Graham,” Caroline said demurely. “It is thanks to you that Madame Chambourg created this gown for me.”

“Stuff and nonsense, Caroline. You deserve everything on your own merit.” Lady Elizabeth did not want to delay the ceremony, so she gave Caroline’s hand a squeeze and joined her Aunt in finding their seats.

At the appointed time, May Gardiner walked up the aisle dropping red rose petals just as she had been instructed and, was followed by Louisa Hurst. There was a pause, and the congregation stood, then Miss Bingley entered from the vestibule on her brother’s arm.

Caroline Bingley almost had to pinch herself because just below the altar stood the perfect, no, the only man for her.

A man she loved and who loved her in return for no other reason than for who each were.

She was very much looking forward to the wedding trip which would be a fortnight at Darcy’s Seaview Cottage near Brighton, thinking of the exclusive time that she would spend with her husband.

They arrived at the top of the aisle then Charles put her hand on her beloved’s arm, and they took their place in front of the vicar while he signalled the congregation to take their seats.

The ceremony was as it should be with no objections, surprises, or delays, and before she knew it, Mrs. Caroline Phillips was in the vestry with her new husband and their attendants who would be their witnesses as she signed the name Bingley one last time.

It was done, and legal, and she was irrevocably his.

They would never have to leave each other again.

Mrs. Hurst, Mr. Wetherspoon, and the rector left and gave them a few minutes of privacy which they employed to bestow very passionate they did not have to suppress now that they could claim one another.

They exited into the waiting, congratulatory arms of their family, led by Franny and her parents.

Both Bennet brothers and their wives welcomed Caroline into the family.

She, the daughter of a tradesman, was now related to dukes, duchesses, and other peers, and they were now distantly related, through marriage to the Darcys and de Bourghs.

It was a short walk across the road to the celebration being hosted by the Gardiners.

Maddie Gardiner had the doors opened so that the formal dining room and two large drawing rooms made an area with ample space for the celebratory meal.

Graham was very happy that he had taken the advice to eat before he had made the walk to the church.

He asked his new wife if she was hungry and she informed him that she had followed the same recommendation of taking some nourishment prior to the wedding ceremony.

For a little more than two hours the newlyweds circulated among their friends and family. When it was time, Caroline was accompanied upstairs by her two sisters and her friend who was now her cousin.

“I never believed that I deserved to be so happy, oh why cannot everyone be as happy as I am today?” Caroline gushed.

“You deserve every bit of happiness, sister,” Louisa admonished her.

“Do not ever think you are less deserving than any other. I am so proud of you, Caro, and I know that Graham will always treat you as you should be.” She then turned to her sister-in-law.

“Thank you for sharing your brother with us, Franny.”

“It is only fair,” Miss Phillips replied as she looked at that faraway place only those in love can see, “as I hope that very soon you will be sharing your brother with our family.”

“Very true,” Elizabeth said as she held her Cousin Franny’s hand. “Quite often one marriage begets another.”

“Are you referring to Franny and Charles?” the new Mrs. Phillips asked. “Or mayhap are you thinking of yourself?”

“ Caroline !” Elizabeth gave her a playful smack on the shoulder while blushing scarlet. “I was only referring to my cousin and your brother.”

“Methinks the lady doth protest too much,” the bride said playfully. She saw that Lady Elizabeth was about to unleash a response, so she pre-empted her. “Peace, Lizzy. You who love to tease should have recognised the endeavour.”