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Darcy’s eyes narrowed. Richard looked far too happy for having been in Wickham’s company. “In all my life, I have never seen you this content to have been anywhere near Wickham. It makes me worry.”

Richard clapped him on the shoulder. “There is nothing to worry about. I have gotten the better of the fellow once and for all, unless he suddenly becomes more stupid than he has ever been before. However, I do think that would take a terrific blow to the head. Forgery is not something a magistrate would view leniently, now, is it?” He patted his breast which made a crinkling sound.

His eyes twinkled. “Did you know that Wickham thinks his luck with cards is better than it actually is?”

“I think everyone knows that upon playing with him once,” Darcy answered. “I assume your agreement is in writing?”

“Something like that,” Richard said. “Shall we enter, or do you wish for Father and my brother to go first?”

“We must wait,” Darcy replied.

Bingley nodded as he added, “Lord Matlock gave us specific instructions.”

Richard chuckled. “He does like to order and arrange things. It is too bad he was not a second son. He would make a fine commander.”

As they stood waiting for Lord and Lady Matlock, along with the viscount and his lady, to join them, an unexpected but familiar carriage drew along side where Darcy’s carriage stood.

Darcy sighed. “Can I not marry Elizabeth without dealing with every troublesome person before doing so?”

Bingley chuckled. “Caroline has already arrived, and she and Louisa are unlikely to cause any sort of stir, so I believe the answer to your question is no.”

Darcy leveled a hard stare at his friend.

“Nephew,” Lady Catherine said as she approached Darcy, “I have not come to your wedding, nor will I attend your breakfast. However, I am here to make known your dishonourable nature to the parson.”

Richard caught her by the arm before she could take more than a step further towards the church. “I believe Father would like you and our cousin Anne to sit with him and my brother.”

She pulled her arm away from Richard with a quick jerk. “I am not here to watch the man who jilted my daughter marry another.”

“He has paid you handsomely for the privilege to break the forged agreement that you found,” Richard countered.

“It was not forged,” Lady Catherine cried. “I am not a criminal.”

“No, you are not, but others could be. I have proof that the papers you found were not as they appear.”

Lady Catherine blanched. “Do you, indeed?”

Richard nodded. “I do, but it is not something we need to make public knowledge. Anne has had a wonderful season in town. I hear tell that she has had several gentlemen show marked interest in her. It would be best if we just let things lie as they are rather than stirring up controversy and causing her chances to be tarnished. Mother seems to think we will be attending another wedding in the near future.”

Lady Catherine lifted her chin. “My daughter is a prize.”

“Yes, indeed.” Richard patted his breast again and winked at Darcy. “She is so much of a prize that some would wish to better their chances of securing her in any way possible.”

Darcy’s brow furrowed. Had Wickham been attempting to somehow worm his way into a marriage with Anne?

Richard shook his had and said a soft, “Not him,” as if he knew what Darcy was thinking. “Someone willing to pay for a couple of signatures,” he added.

Ah, that explained it somewhat, and he looked forward to hearing the full tale surrounding that.

“Excellent, excellent,” Lord Matlock said as he joined the assembled lot near the door to the church.

“The Bennets are just behind me. So, we must order ourselves appropriately and enter before the bride arrives.” He clapped his hands before rubbing them together and adding.

“My, you look lovely today, Anne. I hope you will be taking notes on this wedding so you will be ready to plan your own. Who is at the top of the list as my new nephew?”

Darcy turned away from the discussion to watch Elizabeth and Jane walking arm in arm ahead of their father and mother and behind their younger sisters. She was beautiful.

As he watched her, she turned her attention to him and smiled. Soon. In less than an hour. She would be his wife. A skitter of excitement fluttered his heart.

“I will escort Georgie so you can take your place with Bingley,” Richard said.

And so, Darcy gave Georgiana a kiss and placed her hand on Richard’s arm before stepping into line behind his sister and cousin, and next to Bingley.

“Are you ready to marry your accomplished lady?” Bingley asked in a teasing tone.

Darcy turned to look at his Elizabeth once more. “I have never been more ready for anything, my friend,” he replied. “Thank you for helping me find her.”

As Bingley muttered his reply about being a genius, the doors of the church were opened, and the processional of relations and lovers began.

Upon reaching the front of the church, Darcy knew that the people seated behind him carried the very real potential to provide future aggravation for him. The botheration and consternation they presented was almost assuredly guaranteed.

But, be that as it may, as Elizabeth placed her hand in his, peace, far deeper and stronger than Darcy had ever experienced, settled into his very soul. His heart had found its home.

And all it had taken was an unwished-for trip to Hertfordshire, a friend who had insisted on dancing – and then, meddling – and a willingness to allow his heart to guide him through choppy waters to the shore of what promised to be a excessively happy future.