Page 31

The day of the wedding finally arrived, much to the relief of both Darcy and Elizabeth. They had survived Mrs. Bennet’s sudden interference in the planning of their big day.

Elizabeth pondered that kiss and the conversation that had preceded it as she sat in front of her vanity table. She was dressed only in her chemise, stays, and robe, and Sarah, the maid shared by all the Bennet ladies, was adding the final touches to her hair.

“There you be, miss. All done.”

Elizabeth turned her head back and forth as she examined the intricate braids and curls. “It is beautiful. You have outdone yourself.” She smiled into the mirror at the blushing servant.

“Thank you, Miss Lizzy.” She looked at the small clock that sat on the mantel in Elizabeth’s room. “Shall we get you dressed, then?”

“I suppose we should.” She stood just as a knock sounded on the door. “Come in,” she called.

The door opened and Jane poked her head around it. “I came to help you get ready.” She entered and closed the wooden panel behind her. “It will be the last time we will be together this way.” She looked down and swallowed. “I did not wish to miss it.”

“Oh, Jane.” Elizabeth took the two steps forward that allowed her to stand close enough to pull her sister into her arms. “Do not dare cry. It is too close to the time of the ceremony and it would not do for me to arrive at my wedding with a red, swollen face and watery eyes.”

Jane laughed. “I suppose it would not. I will endeavor to control myself, then.”

Elizabeth giggled and the two fell into paroxysms of mirth. They almost missed another knock on the door. When it opened, Mary stood in the hall, asking to come in.

“Of course you can!” Elizabeth pulled her inside and soon the three girls were indulging in a group hug and more laughter.

Eventually, Jane stepped back. “Time is ticking away. We must get you dressed.” She accepted her sister’s gown, a lovely lilac-colored silk confection with dark purple flowers and green stems and leaves embroidered on the hem, sleeve edges, and collar, and turned back toward the bride.

She and Mary helped Elizabeth into it and buttoned it up the back.

On her head they placed her brand-new bonnet with its purple ribbon that matched the flowers on the gown.

Then, they turned her toward the mirror.

“Mrs. Darcy.” Mary whispered the words as she watched her sister in the reflection from the looking glass.

Elizabeth smiled softly. “Not yet,” she replied quietly. “Soon, though.”

“Very soon.” Jane glanced at the clock. “Come. Papa will be waiting.”

“Mama was ill this morning; she left just before I knocked on your door.” Mary picked up Elizabeth’s gloves and began to put one on her elder sister’s hand.

“She was ill?” Elizabeth’s brow creased. “Is it her nerves? She does not expect us to postpone the ceremony, does she?”

“She seemed to be recovered.” Mary kept her focus on her task and soon had the second glove on Elizabeth’s other hand. “I would not delay if it were me. Get yourself married and away from Mama’s anger as fast as possible.”

Jane handed her younger sister the bouquet made of roses Darcy had had brought down from Pemberley’s conservatory. “I think she is softening toward Mr. Darcy. It was he she was angry with, not Lizzy.”

Mary snorted, then blushed. “I am sorry. That was rude.” When Elizabeth and Jane assured her all was well, she continued.

“Mama has always said Lizzy tries her nerves, and she was more angry than I have ever seen her when Mr. Darcy compromised her. I suspect she was every bit as angry at our sister as she was at him. She wanted to remain here at Longbourn when Papa passes, I think, and Lizzy dashed all her hopes.”

“I suppose you may be right.” Jane frowned.

“I think she is.” Elizabeth arched her brow at her older sister. “I just hope she gets over her anger at him. I do not like rifts in the family, and Darcy is not pleased with her neglect of our wedding plans.”

“I am sure she will.” Jane brushed her hand down Elizabeth’s arm and twitched her skirt into place. “There. You are perfect. One more kiss and hug and we will go downstairs with you.”

The girls did just that, and within a few minutes were being greeted by their father.

~~~***~~~

The wedding itself proceeded as all such ceremonies do.

Vows were spoken, prayers were prayed, sermons were listened to, and the register was signed.

The newly-minted Mr. and Mrs. Darcy exited the door of the church to a shower of rice and seeds and a resounding cheer.

Longbourn church was only steps away from the manor, so they walked, moving quickly because the air had turned colder and they were eager to get inside the warm house.

They were the first to arrive, and once they had shed their outerwear, they removed to the drawing room, standing in front of the fire and holding hands.

Soon, the mistress of the house bustled in and a receiving line was formed.

Once everyone arrived, Darcy and Elizabeth led the way to the dining room, where the table was laid out and a sideboard groaned under the weight of a plethora of dishes.

They seated themselves where Mrs. Bennet indicated they should, and plates of food were set before them.

They had little opportunity to eat, though, because everyone who had been invited wished for a bit more conversation than was able to be had in the receiving line.

Eventually, once their plates had been mostly cleared, the newly married couple and their guests moved back into the drawing room, where they continued to visit with well-wishers.

“Congratulations, Nephew!” The earl greeted Darcy with a slap on the back. “Will you not introduce me to this beautiful new niece you have given me?”

“Of course I will.” Darcy turned toward Elizabeth. “Please meet Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy. Elizabeth, this is my Uncle Henry, Earl of Matlock. Beside him is my Aunt Audra, Countess of Matlock.”

Elizabeth curtseyed and smiled. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance. Mr. Darcy has told me much about you.”

“All good, I hope?” Lady Matlock smiled and reached for Elizabeth’s hand. “He has written to us about you and I feel like I have known you forever. My son Richard seconded Darcy’s opinions about you. Welcome to the family, my dear.”

“Thank you, my lady. I am happy to have finally become a Darcy. I hope to do my husband and all his family proud.”

Darcy smiled at Elizabeth’s words. Then, he became serious and spoke again to his uncle. “Tell us about Lady Catherine.”

Lord Matlock sobered immediately. He sighed, but then, with a shake of his head, began to tell his tale.

“It seems there has been a struggle between your aunt and cousin over who is in charge of Rosings. Anne has been exerting herself, often in an unpleasant manner, and Lady Catherine, rather than confront her daughter, has been attempting to slyly gain her own desires. She did send Larkin to Hertfordshire to retrieve you. She wanted Anne to marry you because then you would take your wife to Derbyshire and Catherine would once again be the unchallenged mistress of Rosings. As long as Anne remains at home, or marries where she would live near to it, she would ‘forever have her nose in Rosings’ business’, as your aunt put it.

She appeared unconcerned with any repercussions to you as far as being drugged goes. ”

“She shrugged when he brought up your concerns!” Lady Matlock shook her head. “She assumed this Larkin fellow had used the substance before and knew what he was about. I told her it was the height of stupidity to make such an assumption.”

“I am confused.” Elizabeth’s brow creased as she looked from the earl to her new husband. “I am unfamiliar with the law, but as I understand it, a couple cannot get married without having banns read or purchasing a license. How did she expect you to do this when you had already purchased one?”

“That is a good question, my love.” Darcy looked at his uncle.

“And how did she think to gain my assent? I told her in no uncertain terms that I would not marry my cousin. There are no circumstances in which I could have been persuaded to. If I were drugged, I could not marry, anyway. The clergyman could not in good conscience perform a wedding when one of the couple was clearly not of a sound mind, and if I had been drugged, I would not have been. Nor will he marry two people when one is bound hand and foot, which is what Lady Catherine would have had to do to get me to the altar.”

The earl shook his head. “I believe she does understand how the marriage process works. This was the desperate act of a desperate woman who saw her one chance of getting what she wanted slipping through her fingers. Rather than teach her daughter how to behave when Anne was a child, my sister indulged her. Now the girl is an adult and wants her own way. Catherine is unwilling to give it to her, and instead of setting the rules and enforcing them, she has tried to impose her own will on the situation.”

Darcy’s brow creased. “Has she any consequences?”

The earl nodded. “She does. She is to have no contact with you until you agree, and I am taking over the reviewing of her accounts.

She protested that you have done it for the last five years and your father did it for fifteen before that, but I was firm with her.

Her expenditures are to be strictly monitored in the future so that she cannot attempt anything else that will open us to danger or scandal.

If she continues as she has been, I will restrict her access to her funds.