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Longbourn, Breakfast Room - Mrs Bennet

M eanwhile, at Longbourn, the household was just beginning to stir. Mrs Bennet was the first to descend to the breakfast room, her mind already racing with the day’s concerns. As she settled into her chair, Hill entered with the morning post.

“The post has arrived, ma’am,” Hill announced, placing a small stack of letters on the table.

Mrs Bennet reached for them eagerly, always hopeful for news. Her eyes widened as she recognised Lizzy’s handwriting on one of the envelopes, and her brother’s on another.

“Oh! Letters from Lizzy and my brother!” she exclaimed, hastily breaking the seal on Lizzy’s letter first. As she unfolded the paper, she noticed two more envelopes – one addressed to Mr James Collins in an unfamiliar, elegant hand, and another from Mr Gardiner to Mr Collins.

Curiosity piqued, Mrs Bennet set aside the other letters and began to read Lizzy’s missive. Her eyes grew wider with each line, and suddenly she let out a shriek of delight that echoed through the house.

“Hill! Hill! Where is everybody? Mary! Kitty! Lydia! Mr Collins! Come quickly!”

The sound of hurried footsteps filled the house as its occupants, startled by Mrs Bennet’s cries, rushed to the breakfast room.

“What is it, Mama?” Kitty asked, breathless from her dash downstairs.

Mrs Bennet, her face flushed with excitement, could barely contain herself. “Oh! My dear Lizzy! She is engaged! To Mr Darcy!”

A chorus of gasps and exclamations filled the room. Lydia, who had been uncharacteristically subdued since her return, perked up at the news.

“Mr Darcy?” she asked, her eyes wide. “But I thought…”

Mrs Bennet, too overcome with joy to notice Lydia’s confusion, continued, “Ten thousand a year! And likely more! Oh, my dear girl! I knew how it would be. I was sure she could not be so beautiful for nothing!”

Mr James Collins entered the room quietly, taking in the scene with a measured gaze. “What wonderful news,” he said softly, a gentle smile on his face. “Miss Elizabeth deserves every bit of happiness.”

As the family gathered around Mrs Bennet, eager to hear more details, Mr Collins noticed the letters addressed to him. With steady hands, he opened them, reading first Mr Darcy’s formal announcement and then Mr Gardiner’s letter, which provided more context and expressed his approval of the match.

Mrs Bennet, having finished Lizzy’s letter, turned to her brother’s letter. “Oh! Edward confirms it all! He says Mr Darcy asked for his blessing, as Lizzy’s guardian. How proper! How wonderful!”

The breakfast room at Longbourn, usually a place of quiet morning routine, had transformed into a scene of jubilant chaos.

As Mrs Bennet continued to exclaim over Elizabeth’s good fortune, and Mary and Kitty peppered her with questions, Lydia sat quietly, her mind clearly elsewhere.

Mr Collins watched the scene with quiet interest, his calm demeanour a stark contrast to the excitement around him.

“A double wedding!” Mrs Bennet declared, “Tis the very thing.” Mr Bingley and Jane and Mr Darcy and Lizzy!”

* * *

Tuesday, 15th of February 1813

Longbourn - Elizabeth

The weeks leading up to the wedding passed in a whirlwind of activity. Longbourn was abuzz with preparations, as the double wedding of the century approached.

Mrs Bennet fluttered from room to room, directing servants and fussing over every detail.

“No, no, that won’t do at all,” she cried, examining the flowers being arranged for the wedding breakfast. “We must have more white roses. Kitty, run and fetch Hill. We need to send it to the hothouse at once!”

Upstairs, Jane sat serenely at her dressing table while Elizabeth helped her with her hair. “Can you believe it, Lizzy?” Jane said softly, her eyes shining. “In just two days, we’ll both be married.”

Elizabeth smiled at her sister in the mirror, though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. “It seems like a dream, doesn’t it? I just wish Papa could be here to see it.”

Jane reached up to squeeze Elizabeth’s hand. “I know, Lizzy. I miss him too. But I think he would be happy for us.”

“You’re right,” Elizabeth agreed, blinking back tears. “And Uncle Gardiner has been so kind, offering to walk us both down the aisle.”

* * *

Tuesday, 15th of February 1813

Netherfield - Darcy

Meanwhile, at Netherfield, Darcy paced in the guest room that had become his temporary quarters, going over the final arrangements with his valet, Fletcher.

“And you’re certain all my things are packed for our wedding trip?” he asked, his mind racing with details.

“Yes, sir,” Fletcher replied patiently. “Everything is prepared for your journey to the Lakes. I’ve also arranged for your luggage to be sent on to Pemberley after your trip, so it will be there when you and Mrs Darcy arrive.”

Darcy nodded, a new concern furrowing his brow. “What about the mistress’ chambers at Pemberley? Have you heard from Mrs Reynolds about their preparation?”

Fletcher’s expression softened with understanding. “Yes, sir. Mrs Reynolds sent word that she’s personally overseeing the airing and refurbishment of the rooms. She assures me they’ll be ready for Mrs Darcy’s arrival.”

Darcy let out a slow breath, his voice quieter as he spoke.

“It’s been so long since those rooms were used.

Not since my mother…” He trailed off, lost in thought for a moment before shaking himself back to the present.

“Please ensure Mrs Reynolds knows how much I appreciate her attention to this matter.”

“Of course, sir,” Fletcher replied gently. “Is there anything else troubling you about Pemberley?”

Darcy hesitated, then admitted, “I just want everything to be perfect for Elizabeth. It’s not just a house she’s coming to, it’s a home with a long history. I want her to feel welcome, not overwhelmed.”

Fletcher nodded understandingly. “If I may say so, sir, I believe Mrs Darcy will make Pemberley her own in no time. She has a way of brightening any room she enters.”

A small smile tugged at Darcy’s lips. “Indeed she does, Fletcher. Indeed she does.”

Darcy nodded, his mind already racing to the next item on his mental checklist. “What about the new clothes for the wedding? Have the final adjustments been made?”

“Indeed, sir,” Fletcher assured him. “I’ve just returned from the tailor’s. Everything fits perfectly.”

“Excellent,” Darcy murmured, though his brow remained furrowed. “And the rings? Has Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived with them yet?”

“Not yet, sir,” Fletcher said, “but he sent word that he’ll be here by this evening, rings in hand.”

Darcy let out a small sigh of relief. There was still so much to do, but at least the essential elements were falling into place.

As the sun set on Netherfield, Darcy found himself standing at the window, looking out over the grounds towards Longbourn.

In just two days, he would be walking out of the church with Elizabeth as his wife, ready to embark on their new life together.

The thought filled him with a happiness he had scarcely dared to imagine.

With a contented sigh, he turned back to his temporary desk. There was still much to do, but soon, very soon, he and Elizabeth would begin their journey as husband and wife. And that was worth all the chaos and preparation in the world.

* * *

Friday, 18th of February 1813

Netherfield- Elizabeth

The morning after the wedding dawned clear and bright, full of promise for the newly married couples.

As the sun rose over Netherfield Park, it found the household already bustling with activity, preparing for the departure of the Darcys and the Bingleys on their wedding trips.

For Elizabeth, now Mrs Darcy, it was the beginning of a new life, one filled with both excitement and the bittersweet knowledge that she was leaving behind the world she had always known.

The household was already in a flurry of activity, with trunks being loaded and last-minute preparations being made.

Elizabeth stood on the front steps of Netherfield, taking in the grand house where she had spent her first night as Mrs Darcy. She felt a mixture of excitement and anticipation wash over her, tinged with a hint of sadness as she thought of her father’s absence on this momentous day.

Mr Darcy appeared at her side, gently placing a hand on the small of her back. “Are you ready, Mrs Darcy?” he asked softly, his voice filled with warmth.

Elizabeth turned to him, a radiant smile on her face despite the bittersweet emotions. “More than ready, Mr Darcy.”

Nearby, Jane and Bingley were overseeing the loading of their own luggage, exchanging soft words and loving glances.

Mrs Bennet, along with Mary, Kitty, and Lydia, had arrived early to see the newly-weds off. Mrs Bennet was alternating between tears of joy and fretful reminders about writing often.

“Oh, my dear girls!” Mrs Bennet cried, embracing Jane and then Elizabeth. “Married at last, and so well! Your dear father would have been so proud. You must promise to visit soon.”

“Of course, Mama,” Jane assured her, while Elizabeth nodded in agreement, both sisters feeling the poignancy of their father’s absence.

Mr Gardiner stepped forward, his eyes twinkling with both happiness and a hint of tears. “You’ve done your father proud, both of you,” he said, embracing his nieces. “He would have been overjoyed to see this day.”

As the newly-weds prepared to enter their carriages, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia crowded around for final hugs and farewells.

“Write to us about the Lakes, Lizzy!” Kitty implored.

“And don’t forget to tell us all about Pemberley when you arrive,” added Mary, trying to maintain her composure.

Lydia, who had been uncharacteristically subdued, suddenly threw her arms around Elizabeth. “I’ll miss you, Lizzy,” she whispered, surprising her sister with the sincerity in her voice.

With final waves and promises to write soon, Elizabeth and Mr Darcy climbed into their carriage, while Jane and Bingley entered theirs. As the vehicles pulled away from Netherfield, Elizabeth leaned back in her seat, her heart full of emotions.

Mr Darcy took her hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Are you alright, my love?”

Elizabeth turned to him, her eyes shining with a mixture of joy and wistfulness. “Yes, I am. It’s just… I wish Papa could have seen this day. But I know he would have be en happy for us.”

“I am sure he would have been,” Mr Darcy said softly, bringing her hand to his lips for a gentle kiss. “And we’ll honour his memory in our life together.”

As Netherfield faded from view, Elizabeth settled into the carriage, her heart full. The road ahead was unknown, but with Mr Darcy by her side, she was ready for whatever adventures awaited them, carrying the love and memories of her father with her always