Page 28 of Searching for Elizabeth (A Pride and Prejudice Variation)
—six days later—
By the day before the wedding, most of the preparation was finished.
Gowns had been ordered, and some had been delivered. A few gowns from Elizabeth’s original wardrobe had been altered. Slippers and ribbons had been purchased. Bouquets of hothouse-grown flowers had been gathered and arranged in vases. Christmas-styled greenery had gone up early to decorate Netherfield’s drawing rooms and dining room in preparation for the wedding breakfast. Breads and cakes had been baked, smoked meats had been procured, and apples and pears had been brought out of storage, to be served alongside medlars and plums and fruit preserves.
Mr. and Mrs. Hill had helped the Netherfield staff with much of the preparations. They seemed very excited that they would soon be living at Cartref Coedwig, Darcy’s Welsh estate, but they said that they wanted to do everything they could for “Miss Lizzy”
and her groom.
Fitzwilliam Darcy was looking forward to seeing his sister in just a few hours. It had been three long months since he had last seen her, and he was nervous about the silence that had sprung up between them after the near-elopement with Wickham. Would it still be as difficult for Georgiana to talk with him? Would he still feel emotional and tongue-tied around her?
His anticipation for seeing his cousin Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam was less conflicted. Richard was like a brother to him, and since they shared guardianship of Georgiana, Richard had been his partner in all of the decisions made before and after the Wickham incident.
Darcy was not sure how Richard’s parents, brother, and sister-in-law felt about his decision to marry the daughter of a country squire. The Fitzwilliams were not especially snobbish, but his uncle was an earl, his aunt a countess, his cousin a viscount. They had been the primary source of pressure on him, all these years, to choose and marry a rich, well-connected woman.
It would not be surprising if they were less than favorable about the woman he was marrying. Still, he was pretty sure she could win them over, if they were not so intolerant the first day as to make her decide that she had no interest in even attempting to talk to them.
Actually, Darcy wondered if he would be the one to throw a Lady-Catherine-level fit if anyone dared to insult Elizabeth!
It was not long before his relations arrived, stepping down elegantly from a luxurious carriage and greeting him with warmth but restraint. Darcy was thrilled that Georgiana seemed most of the way back to normal. Her progress had been reported to him through letters, of course, but actually seeing her smile and hearing her speak at normal volume—well, he was very happy!
The family’s introduction to Elizabeth and Mary took place in the blue drawing room. Everyone curtsied and bowed in the most civil manner, and Darcy was pleased to see that both Elizabeth and his Aunt Elaine were able to create easiness in what could have been a tense afternoon. Of course, a delicious assortment of cakes and sandwiches, served alongside tea, helped to warm up the gathering.
The earl, Uncle Henry, asked Elizabeth questions that could be considered invasive to an insecure person, but Darcy knew that his intended was anything but insecure. Her smiles, her bell-like laugh, her refreshingly frank answers, and her sweet teases all gave the conversation a pleasant atmosphere.
When the earl asked her what her accomplishments were, Georgiana protested: “Uncle! You cannot just—”
But Elizabeth’s laugh bubbled up, and she said, “I play pianoforte, although not as well as I should. I also sing, speak French and Italian, read German, and write poetry, essays, and stories for children. I consider myself a rank beginner in riding, but I am quite an expert at walking.”
She laughed again and explained, “And I do not speak of the elegance of my stride so much as my ability to walk two or more hours at a shot.”
Darcy’s aunt and uncle chuckled, and everyone smiled at Elizabeth’s impressive yet humbly stated list. Of course, Darcy could go on and on, listing many more of Elizabeth’s accomplishments, but he decided to add just one more:
“Georgiana, I hope that you will not be upset about this, but I feel that it is important to tell you all another of Elizabeth’s accomplishments. The context is important, so I will share that George Wickham joined the militia that happened to be quartered here in Meryton.”
Darcy waited until his relatives had made the expected exclamations. Georgiana was quiet but lifted her chin in a show of strength, which was exciting to see, and Richard stood up, glowered, and began to pace. Seeing these reactions, Darcy quickly continued, “Wickham being Wickham, he started running up debts almost immediately, and I warned his colonel about his less-than-sterling character. Since then, I found out that Wickham was investigated and imprisoned, but somehow he broke out of gaol almost a week ago. After doing so, he kidnapped Elizabeth, presumably to lay his hands on a substantial sum, courtesy of yours truly.”
At this point in his story, all the newcomers gasped and turned to look at Elizabeth. Georgiana looked to be in pain, but her hand shot out towards Elizabeth, who warmly took it in both of hers and smiled in a comforting way.
Darcy went on, “The thing is, Elizabeth was able to foil the kidnapping almost single handedly.”
He proceeded to tell the tale: Elizabeth leaving a “W”
drawn at the site of the kidnapping, so he would know who was responsible for the horrific deed, the trail of paper shreds, the startling of the horse, causing it to buck off and abandon Wickham, and then her attempt to kick Wickham—and the awful result.
Georgiana was not done gasping, but she took a break from her gasps to inform Elizabeth that she was very brave, and Richard said, “Good for you, Miss Elizabeth! My only regret is that I do not get to run the blackguard through myself!”
The earl bobbed his head in enthusiastic agreement, and Stephen (the Viscount Blackstone) made 38 praising comments such as, “Well done, my dear; very well done,” and “Amazing, quite amazing,” and “Oh, my! That is sad but also so wonderful!”
Richard decided that, on the basis of Elizabeth ridding the world of Wickham, forever, she was the perfect bride for Darcy. Darcy laughed and agreed: “Well, she is the perfect bride for me, but you do not know the half of it.”
However, all of his relations exchanged knowing glances, and Darcy decided that he must look as utterly besotted as he felt.
And as he whispered his goodbyes to Elizabeth, before he rode out to the inn, Darcy thought, Tomorrow she will be mine, and I will be hers, and we will not have to say goodbye at nighttime anymore.