Page 23

O n a sunny Saturday morning in mid-May, Darcy finally found himself preparing to be driven to the church where he would join himself forever to a family of whom, upon first meeting, he had not approved.

He chuckled as he straightened his jacket and surveyed the tie of his cravat.

What a change had overtaken him since his arrival in Hertfordshire.

The gentleman who peered back at him in the mirror looked very much like the man who had entered this room for the first time back in October of last year.

However, though it was a close reflection, it was not an exact one, because the man he saw today wore his lips in a slight upturn, rather than a scowl. And he did so far more often than not.

He was happy and at rest. Not that his circumstances were all serenity and peace.

Had he not just two days ago sent a letter to his Aunt Catherine informing her that the wedding was going to take place and that if she did not welcome his wife to her estate, she could expect to never entertain him again at Rosings, either?

It was a message which would likely not be met with any sort of delight, for it was not the answer she expected to receive to the olive branch she had extended to him.

And what was that olive branch? It was a sickly one which could never have borne any fruit, for it was a missive, or was it better stated as a directive?

Which stated that he was to be welcomed in her home, but it would be best if his wife confined her visits to Kent to the parsonage where Mr. and Mrs. Collins resided.

This suggestion, she assured him, was merely based on the fact that the former Miss Lucas, who was now Mrs. Collins, was Elizabeth’s dear friend.

It did not matter what her explanation for such a proposal was or was not – and Darcy was confident that her justification was not as she said it was.

Meeting her demands was an utter impossibility.

He would not be parted from his wife for any reason, nor would he subject her to living under the same roof as that buffoonish cousin of hers!

Collins would likely find it his duty to lecture Elizabeth on her duties to her elevated station or some such ridiculous topic about which he was completely ignorant.

Darcy’s door opened, interrupting his thoughts about his trying current and soon-to-be relations.

Bingley poked his head around the door and then stepped inside the room. “Are you ready?” his friend asked.

“Ready for what?” Darcy replied with smile. “To take a turn of the garden for one final time as a gentleman with two legs which are free from the shackles of marriage?”

Bingley chuckled.

“Or perhaps you mean am I ready to enter the carriage which will take me to the place where I must surrender my life to the parson’s noose?”

Bingley laughed outright at that one.

“Or, do you mean, and I do believe this is the most likely, am I ready to exchange my troth for the most precious possession that could ever be bestowed upon a man?” He took up his hat. “The answer to all three is yes, but my view of the situation is the last.”

“It was not so long ago that you thought the first two were the better descriptors for marriage,” Bingley said as he followed Darcy from the room. “Indeed, it was only mere months ago that you would have instructed both me and you very differently about the ladies we are about to marry.”

What an idiot he had been! Thankfully, he was not the sort of idiot to never be moved from his position when proven wrong. That role he would leave to his soon-to-be distant cousin Mr. Collins, for he did fill it to perfection.

“Yes, Bingley,” he said, “I was a fool. I have admitted to it many times.”

And he would never say otherwise, for to have lost Elizabeth to such faulty thinking as he had possessed those months ago would have been a tragedy without remedy. There was not another lady like her in all the world, nor one he could love more. He was most assuredly certain of that fact.

“Are we not all fools in love?” Georgiana said as they joined her at the top of the staircase.

“Lady Matlock has asked me to inform you, Fitzwilliam, that she and our uncle will follow behind our carriage in theirs, but it will be about five minutes before we are allowed to begin the processional to the church.”

She leaned into his side. “My things are all ready to leave with our aunt and uncle this afternoon. Thank you for letting me join you here for so long.”

She looked around Darcy to Bingley. “My gratitude is to both of you. I have so enjoyed getting to know my new sisters.”

Over the course of the past several months, Georgiana had become quite good friends with all the Bennet sisters, and Darcy was happy to see that, instead of the youngest Bennets influencing his sister’s behaviour, they had been influenced by her.

There was still room for improvement, especially where Miss Lydia was concerned, but even she had risen to new heights of decorum so that she could be thought of as a lady of refinement.

Darcy nearly chuckled out loud when the thought that he looked forward to seeing how she improved over time crossed his mind.

“It has been a pleasure to host you,” Bingley assured Georgiana.

She tipped her head in acceptance of his compliment. “I also must thank you, Mr. Bingley, for forcing my brother to discover his heart.”

“My heart was not missing,” Darcy grumbled. Though he had to admit that it had been sadly misdirected.

“It was frozen,” Bingley taunted. “Locked away behind an icy shell.”

Darcy rolled his eyes and sighed. He was never going to hear the end of how Bingley had helped him find his wife. “I am happy for the results no matter how you wish to think of your help,” he said to his friend.

“And I am just as happy as you,” Bingley agreed as he motioned toward the door. “Shall we enter our carriages?”

“I am ready to ride at my brother’s side for the final time.” Georgiana was smiling, but her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

Darcy’s brow furrowed. The thought that his marrying caused his sister sadness pierced his heart. “Are you well? I am sure there will be times when you will ride beside me in the future.”

She laughed. “I am perfectly well. Indeed, I am so happy that my delight threatens to spill out of me.” She brushed at the corner of one eye.

“I could not wish for my place as your foremost responsibility to be given to anyone who is more worthy and welcome to take it. I love Elizabeth nearly as much as you, and I am certain she will let me ride next to you when it is my turn to stand before the parson.”

He closed his eyes and shook his head. “That is not something about which I wish to think – not even on a day as wonderful as this one.”

“Ah, but it will not be long before you must,” Bingley said. “Just call on me if you need help. As you know, both my sisters are now married. And seemingly happily so. It is quite surprising and not at all a bad thing.”

Darcy chuckled. “I think my parting with Georgiana will be less of a relief than your parting with Caroline ever could have been.”

Bingley shrugged. “I suppose you are right.”

“I know that I am right,” Darcy replied before helping his sister into his carriage.

“And I will have you know that I am nearly to the point of being able to face the inevitable parting between my sister and me with almost equal parts anticipation and dread.” He looked at Georgiana.

“Whether anticipation will ever outshine the dread depends solely upon the gentleman who captures your heart. He must be worthy of it.”

“He will be,” she assured him as he climbed into the carriage and took his seat next to her.

Then, taking up his hand she added, “I have had, and continue to have, the best example of what a worthy gentleman is. In you. I did not always know it, but I do now. And watching you with Elizabeth has taught me a great deal about what love should look like. It is far more than just a passing fancy and a fluttering heart. It is stalwart and steady – even when Aunt Catherine is being ridiculous.”

“What you have said is true; however—” Darcy lowered his voice to a whisper. “There is still a great deal of fluttering of the heart,” he added, causing his sister to giggle softly as she admitted that she was happy to hear it.

~*~

“Oh, for the love of all that is good!” Darcy cried twenty minutes later as his carriage drew to a stop in front of the church. “What is he doing here?” He asked as he exited his carriage and looked from Wickham to his cousin, who stood beside the man.

Richard poked Wickham with his elbow.

Wickham scowled and huffed. “I have come to extend my warmest wishes to you on your happy future.”

Richard folded his arms. “And?” he prompted with a smirk.

“If I value my life, which I do,” Wickham cast a hasty look in Richard’s direction, “I must apologize for informing your aunt of your relationship with Miss Elizabeth.”

“And,” Richard said once again.

“And I must admit that the documents in her possession were the result of a scheme of mine.” He grimaced as Richard jabbed him with his elbow. “I signed it, but I did not write it. May I go now, Colonel? I have done all that you have asked.”

Richard gave a nod of his head. “You are dismissed, Lieutenant, but remember our agreement.”

Wickham struggled to hold his tongue. It could be clearly seen in the set of his jaw. He touched his hat, gave a tip of his head, and was gone at a rather rapid pace.

“And what agreement do you have with that blackguard?” Darcy asked as he turned to offer his hand to help his sister alight from the carriage.

“It is of little importance, but it holds promise to remedy a situation or two. You do not need to know about it now. Today, you must only think pleasant thoughts, for it is the happiest day of your life until you have children – at least, that is how my mother has always referred to her wedding day.”