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Elizabeth was awakened very early by two laughing little girls still clad in their white nightgowns.

They were followed by their mother, who carried a cup of chocolate and greeted her with a smile and the words, “Happy is the bride the sun shines on, Lizzy.” She opened the curtains and chased the girls back to their room to get dressed before seating herself in a chair beside the bed.

“Dearest Lizzy, I know how difficult it will be not to have your parents and sisters with you on the happiest day of your life. I do believe this arrangement will be for the best. Mr. Darcy will keep you safe, and that will ensure a happy outcome for you both.”

She took Elizabeth’s hand in hers. “Do not allow anything you have heard or seen, especially this week, to make you fearful of marriage. What happens in those places has nothing to do with love. Within your own marriage, you will love and be loved. I believe you were born to be happy, Lizzy, and I also believe that Mr. Darcy wants nothing more than to make you happy. Talk with him, confide in him, trust in him, and that will ensure you are both happy. If you need me, I am always here.” She stood and embraced Elizabeth and kissed the top of her head.

“Now, throw on your old gown and hurry downstairs. We want to gather flowers for your nosegays while it is still cool and fresh in the garden!”

“Thank you, Aunt. No one could have a better aunt or a better friend. You have been so kind.”

“Make haste.”

∞∞∞

A short time later, Darcy, dressing himself without the assistance of his valet, looked down from his window into the garden, where he saw Elizabeth and her cousins.

Her hair was down, and the little girls had made her a crown of Michaelmas daisies, and he knew he had never seen anything more beautiful.

Breakfast, served early due to the occasion, was a noisy and chaotic affair.

Such cheerful chaos was normal in the Gardiner family, where adults and children sat down together for the first meal of the day.

Elizabeth, still in her crown of daisies, was in earnest but smiling conversation with the two little girls about their duties as bridesmaids.

Darcy could suddenly picture her as a mother in her own right—the mother of their children—and thought family breakfasts might be a fine idea.

She favored him with such a radiant smile that he lost his breath.

The children were soon taken off by their nurse, leaving the adults a few quiet minutes to linger over their coffee and discuss the day.

“Sergeant Parker will be here at a quarter past ten, and he will bring two men with him to serve as your footmen,” said Darcy to Mr. Gardiner.

“You and your family and Elizabeth will ride in your carriage as we agreed. I see no reason why you should not have it open. One of my carriages will stop for Mr. Hurst and bring him here, and he will arrive at about the same time. I will ride with him, and Mr. Winters will come directly from his office.” He paused.

“All of this does not begin to express my gratitude for your assistance and your support during this—this nightmare. It has extended even to your opening your home to me. I will never be able to thank you, but I am fortunate indeed to be regarded as a part of your family.”

Mr. Gardiner smiled with true affection. “Darcy, how could we do otherwise for the man who loves our Lizzy so dearly? Let us make this a day of joy and celebration!”

He stood, and the two men shook hands, and Mrs. Gardiner said, “Fifteen minutes and then come upstairs, Lizzy. That should allow you ample time to dress. ”

Left alone, Elizabeth and Darcy clasped hands and walked together out to the garden. When they reached Elizabeth’s favorite bench, he wrapped his hands in the tresses of her hair and kissed her. “It is so beautiful,” he murmured. “Can you not wear it this way to the wedding?”

Elizabeth returned his kiss and smiled up at him with her impish smile. “It might cause a few tongues to wag, Mr. Darcy. But I will make a bargain with you. I will wear it this way when we are alone. Will that do?”

“It will be better.” He kissed her again.

Then he began searching his pockets until he drew out a small, wrapped parcel, which he handed her.

“I know you treasure your confirmation cross, Elizabeth. But would you do me the honor of wearing this today? Most of my mother’s jewelry is Georgiana’s, but some pieces were bequeathed to me, to give to my bride.

This was always one of my favorites, and it is simple enough for the daytime. ”

Elizabeth gasped as she untied the parcel and opened it.

The leather box held a gold heart-shaped pendant with inset amethyst, surrounded by an intricate design of leaves, flowers, and vines.

“So beautiful. I will treasure it always, until the day when God willing, our son will give it to his bride. Thank you for entrusting it to me.” She hugged him briefly, then went on, “Please, help me to put it on.”

In moments it was securely clasped about her neck. Darcy kissed her, offered her his arm, and walked back with her to the house. When they reached the side door, he kissed her again and smiled down at her. “Well, Miss Bennet, shall I see you at church?”

“I will meet you at the altar, Mr. Darcy.”

“I will be waiting for you.”

London, Brook Street - Friday, August 7, 18__

The church was cool and dim as Elizabeth and Darcy repeated their wedding vows.

They kept their eyes fixed on each other as Elizabeth approached on her uncle’s arm, and they kept their hands clasped for the duration of the service, repeating the words and gestures assigned to them by the priest. There was a flurry of good wishes as the newly married couple signed the register, and the sunlight from a window in the vestry glinted off the gold ring that symbolized their union.

The entire party made its way back to Brook Street, and Elizabeth found herself suddenly lifted into her husband’s arms and carried inside, lest she trip over the threshold.

The house was graced by a walled garden, and the doors leading to it from the ground floor sitting room had been thrown open.

The household staff had lined up in the center hallway ready to greet Mr. Darcy and his bride.

The couple stood and received the congratulations of each one.

A celebration, including punch, awaited the staff in their dining room later in the evening.

The dining room had been set up so that the new Mr. and Mrs. Darcy sat at the center of one side of the table surrounded by their friends and family.

Although they knew that there were still troubles to address, all thought of care was laid aside.

Sergeant Parker had tales to relate of the illustrious and dashing Colonel Fitzwilliam.

Mr. Winters had a fund of stories to relate about the young Darcy and promised Mrs. Darcy that, should she ever need to blackmail her husband, Mr. Winters would be ready with the evidence.

Even Mr. Hurst rose to the occasion when the champagne was poured, with an elegant toast to the new bride and groom.

Darcy was well known in town for the excellence of his table and his cellar, but his French cook had kept this meal somewhat simpler until he had a better understanding of the new Mrs. Darcy’s tastes.

After their meal, everyone sought the garden, where cake and fruits were laid out.

Mrs. Peterson delighted the two small bridesmaids with elegant little boxes, each with a slice of wedding cake to be taken home and slipped under their pillows, bringing dreams of their future bridegrooms. There were sweetmeats and comfits for all of the children.

The talk turned to what life would be like when the miscreants had finally been brought to justice .

“We must all celebrate at Pemberley,” said Darcy. “It seems only fitting. Once this is behind us, we should gather our families there and enjoy one another’s company.”

“How wonderful that will be,” added Elizabeth. “Though this is wonderful enough.”

A wail from the youngest Gardiner boy brought Mrs. Gardiner to her feet, and it was soon apparent that children’s naps did not wait even for special occasions.

Sergeant Parker stood, too, in order to arrange for the carriages, and with kisses for the bride and handshakes for the groom, the guests were soon on their way.

When they were alone, Darcy smiled down at his bride and said, “Well, Mrs. Darcy?”

“Yes, Mr. Darcy?”

“It is only half past three. If we send the servants away now, it will cause talk.”

“Heaven knows, the last thing we wish to do is to cause talk. Especially now that we are married, Mr. Darcy.”

“I suggest a brief tour of your home, Mrs. Darcy. I will acquaint you with the most important rooms. Certainly, Mrs. Peterson will wish to show you around later. She knows what is in all the closets. And you need to become better acquainted with Thompson, the butler, who knows everything else.”

“It is a fine idea, Mr. Darcy. Perhaps when we have completed our tour, we might repair to the garden for some—for some conversation.” Elizabeth could no longer hide her smile.

“Conversation on refined subjects is always of benefit to those participating.” He drew her arm through his.

In fact, he did manage to show her several rooms on the ground and first floors including the music-room and a beautifully proportioned little sitting room that opened to the garden.

“I have pictured you in this room. If it is to your liking, it might be your own sitting room. You will need a place to write your letters and so forth. Of course, we would redecorate it to your taste.”

“It is a beautiful room, Fitzwilliam. I love the light, and I especially like that it opens to the garden.”

“The library where I work also opens to the garden. It is separated from this room by the large sitting room where we were today.”