Page 44 of The Shades of Pemberley
“And her future husband does not need to know that you are not bosom friends!”
The friends laughed together, Darcy agreeing it was so.
To own the truth, he did not feel as if he were being magnanimous about Bingley’s sister, for what he told Bingley was nothing but the truth.
Should she marry, she would be less of a burden to Bingley and less of a distraction to Darcy. That was the important consideration.
Thus, it was only Darcy, Georgiana, Mrs. Darcy, and Bingley who departed Netherfield that fine spring morning for Longbourn and Darcy’s destiny. Mrs. Younge, who was only slightly less objectionable than Miss Bingley, stayed behind to offer the woman companionship for the day.
It was not long before the carriage arrived at Longbourn, and though Darcy had the presence of mind to hand his mother and cousin down from the carriage, it was a near thing.
Mrs. Hill greeted them, seeming to sense that significant events were in the offing, and led them at once to the sitting-room where the family awaited them.
The moment he entered the room, Darcy’s eyes rested on Elizabeth like a starving man on a feast, and he greeted her with alacrity, though their reunion did not last long.
“Mrs. Bennet,” said he to the matron, “can I trouble you to send for Mr. Bennet? There is a matter of some urgency to discuss.”
Though Mrs. Bennet appeared mystified, she did not hesitate, and soon Mr. Bennet entered the room and welcomed Darcy to Longbourn.
“Darcy! To what do we owe the pleasure of your coming this morning?”
The moment upon him, Darcy glanced down at Elizabeth, and seeing her curiosity, he grinned and clasped her hand in his. “I have come this morning because I have decided I can no longer tolerate this state of affairs.”
Darcy reached into his jacket pocket and produced the wedding license. “As I have our license here, I wish to go at once to Longbourn’s church and have Mr. Smith perform the ceremony.”
For a moment, stunned silence prevailed in the room. Mr. Bennet’s loud guffaw broke the sudden quietude.
“I see I was correct, son!” exclaimed he, wiping a trace of tears from his eyes. “I had wondered if you would endure another week.”
“Married today?” demanded Mrs. Bennet. “What a silly notion! You cannot upset all our planning and marry at once. Why, what will the neighbors think?”
Though Darcy exchanged a look with his pending father-in-law, Mr. Bennet motioned to him to take the lead, his expression suggesting that Darcy had provoked this and had best assume the burden of persuading his future mother-in-law. Darcy did not hesitate to make his case.
“Mrs. Bennet,” said Darcy. “If you recall, Elizabeth and I would already be married these past two months complete had I not needed to go to Pemberley. We have already delayed the wedding for that reason.
“As we have discussed, Lady Catherine knows the date of the wedding and will almost certainly act to disrupt it, if not object in the middle of the ceremony. If we marry today, then we will thwart her designs, and Elizabeth will not need to endure a disturbance in the most consequential event of her life.”
“What my friend has not said,” added Bingley, “is that my sister is not content to visit and not make her case to supplant Miss Elizabeth as the bride.” Mr. Bingley offered Elizabeth a grin.
“I know she has no chance of prevailing, for I can see my friend’s besotted state and eagerness to unite with you. ”
“I am no less eager,” said Elizabeth, beginning to regain her poise. “Then Miss Bingley has provoked you to this impulsive suggestion?”
“Perhaps not in full,” said Darcy. “Yet I believe it is best that we marry at once, for we have waited long enough.”
“What of the wedding breakfast and the ball?” wailed Mrs. Bennet. “What of all the work we have done to make your day special?”
“It will still be special, Maggie.” Mrs. Darcy approached the Bennet matron, sitting beside her and taking her hand.
“Those events may still proceed as designed. The wedding itself is a simple ceremony that does not have a particular defined schedule and may be completed whenever convenient. Instead of an engagement ball, we can have a wedding ball, and the wedding breakfast can proceed as planned.”
“You know, I believe you are correct, Darcy,” said Bennet, his slow nod indicating his quick warmth toward the idea. “It is more than a little unorthodox, so much that I would not have suspected you of proposing it, but I believe it would be best for you and Lizzy to marry at once.
“Do not trouble yourself, Mrs. Bennet,” continued he to his wife.
“As Mrs. Darcy suggested, we may still hold those events as planned, and you may show your daughter to all and sundry as you have designed. The only difference is that she will be married, rather than on the cusp of resigning our name.”
Mrs. Bennet did not appear convinced, but she offered a dubious nod, allowing Bennet to turn his attention to Elizabeth. Father and daughter, as close as any Darcy had ever seen, shared a knowing grin.
“I believe the final decision must rest with Elizabeth, for she is the other principal in this affair. What say you, Lizzy?”
TO SAY THIS ALTERATION to their plans did not shock Elizabeth would be incorrect, for she had never been more surprised than when William suggested they marry at once.
While confusion reigned in her breast, William caught her gaze and held it, and something profound passed between them.
The more she considered it, the more Elizabeth had no choice but to acknowledge that she had no wish to wait any longer.
Perhaps this was unorthodox as her father suggested, but Elizabeth felt the indecision fall away in favor of peace, a rightness in her heart that told her she also did not wish to endure the coming week.
She had waited long enough—now was the time for action.
“Then let us go to the church, William,” said she, setting his features to glowing with happiness at her agreement. “I shall step into these uncharted waters without hesitation if I know you will sail them by my side.”
Darcy raised her hand to his lips. “Always, my beloved. If you will prepare, we shall go at once.”
Thereafter, Longbourn was a flurry of activity.
With the decision made, the family took themselves to their rooms to prepare for the coming wedding, the maids helping Elizabeth into her dress while her mother fussed and fretted and directed them all to twenty different tasks.
It was fortunate that Mrs. Darcy was at hand; she had a way of calming Mrs. Bennet and turning her focus to the most important matters.
Mr. Bennet sent John, his footman, to the church with a message, warning Mr. Smith of their imminent arrival, and soon all was in motion.
“Oh, Lizzy!” exclaimed Jane a short time later as she entered Elizabeth’s room and enfolded her in an embrace.
“I expected to have my sister to myself for another week! I shall endure it, however, for I am beyond happy for your good fortune. Mr. Darcy is the best man I have ever seen—I wish you all the bliss in your coming situation.”
“Even better than Mr. Bingley?” asked Elizabeth, fixing her sister with a crooked grin. “I declare, Jane, that Mr. Bingley’s expression as he watched Mr. Darcy make his case showed the gentleman was considering the possibility of meeting another Bennet sister at the altar.”
“Do not be silly, Lizzy,” said Jane, showing a demure smile. “I have not known Mr. Bingley long.”
“Perhaps you have not,” agreed Elizabeth. “But I am certain the gentleman already knows his mind.”
“That remains to be seen.” Jane became serious again. “Lizzy, I cannot even begin to tell you how happy I am that you are to be married today. I shall miss my sister most cruelly, but I shall endure if I know you will find the bliss with William that you have always wished to have.”
“Thank you, Jane,” said Elizabeth. “When we go to London for the season, I hope you will consent to join us, for it would please me to have my dearest sister nearby when I must face high society for the first time.”
“If you wish, of course I shall.”
“Then it is settled.” Elizabeth regarded her sister, trying to project a measure of studied nonchalance. “With you at our house in town, no doubt Mr. Bingley will find it much more convenient to visit and court you outside Mama’s influence.”
With a smile and a shake of her head, Jane kissed Elizabeth’s cheek. “For that, I shall wait to see how Mr. Bingley acts. Should he approach me with that in mind, I have no notion that I shall send him away.”
Jane smiled and departed from the room, leaving Elizabeth in the maid’s company, who soon completed a few minor adjustments of Elizabeth’s hair and helped her into her wedding gown.
When Elizabeth descended the stairs, it was to the sight of her father alone waiting for her, for none of her sisters had yet joined him.
Mr. Bennet regarded her with a sort of wistful acceptance and approached, catching her hand and kissing it.
The regard in his eyes told the story of the depth of his affection for her, his closest daughter, and the pain it occasioned him to let her go to the arms of another man.
“I had thought several more days remained until I must face this bittersweet moment, Lizzy. The separation will be even more poignant because you will now live in the north, instead of three miles away at Netherfield Park.”
“Oh, Papa!” cried Elizabeth, throwing her arms around his neck. “It is a trial to be certain, and greater than I had ever supposed. We shall need to arrange for frequent visits, for you shall come to Pemberley, and I shall return to Netherfield as often as we can arrange.”
“I shall anticipate it, my darling daughter,” said Mr. Bennet, with a suspicious bit of moisture in the corners of his eyes.
“Mr. Darcy has gone ahead to the church?”
“He has.” Mr. Bennet grinned. “If we do not make our way there apace, I suspect your husband will return, throw you over his shoulder, and sprint to the church to see it done at once!”
“And I shall not resist him.”
Before long, Elizabeth’s sisters descended in the company of their mother, and the family, soon to experience the first of their members departing for another home, shared a few moments of affection which saw not a few tears.
Mrs. Bennet, who had looked on Elizabeth as a savior since William showed his interest when she was only seventeen, cried copious tears, exclaiming her satisfaction to have a daughter married, imparting a few bits of dubious wisdom on how a married woman should comport herself.
Elizabeth laughed, but did not contradict her mother, knowing it did not signify.
Then Mr. Bennet led them from the house on the short walk to Longbourn church and Elizabeth’s destiny.
Upon entering the church, William caught Elizabeth’s sight and held it as he stood before the altar with Mr. Bingley at his shoulder.
Her fiancé, soon to become her husband, looked at her with adoration, appearing impossibly handsome in his suit and cravat.
Behind him and before the altar stood Longbourn’s parson, Mr. Smith, his creased and aged face bright with pleasure.
Mr. Smith had been the parson there so long that he had performed the ceremony that had united the current master to his wife and christened each of the Bennet girls.
Elizabeth knew the man was quite elderly and would retire before long, so it was a precious blessing to marry by his hand and authority as a representative of God and the church.
Mr. Bennet led Elizabeth up the aisle while his wife and other daughters found seats on the pews near the front, the only witnesses to the morning’s event, along with Mrs. Darcy and dear Georgiana.
When they drew close, Mr. Bennet extended his hand, giving William a firm shake, then placing Elizabeth’s hand within his.
“She is a treasure, Darcy. I would not cede her care to any man if I did not consider him worthy of her—in you, I believe she has found that man.”
“Anyone who does not understand her worth is a fool, Mr. Bennet,” averred William. “She will always be the most cherished part of my life.”
Mr. Bennet nodded and stepped back, taking his position next to his wife.
Taking this as his cue, Mr. Smith began the traditional ceremony of the church, and as the words washed over Elizabeth, she reflected on how right this all felt.
Before long, Mr. Smith recited the vows for them to repeat, and then Elizabeth was married.
He led them to a table to the side where the marriage register sat, and Elizabeth signed her maiden name for the last time, binding herself to William for the rest of her life.
“It is done,” pronounced Mr. Bennet when the married couple turned back to him. “I have nothing but congratulations for you both, and to reiterate the observation that it is about time!”
Elizabeth’s sisters laughed and crowded around her, offering their congratulations, with Georgiana one of their number, while William shook hands with the parson, Mr. Bennet, and Mr. Bingley.
For several moments, they remained in this attitude of celebration until Mrs. Bennet spoke to gain their attention.
“Before I departed, I instructed the staff to prepare a small celebration in your honor.” Mrs. Bennet rested a beatific smile on Elizabeth.
“It is not your wedding breakfast, though that will come in good time. It would please me if you would all join us at Longbourn for a small celebration. Mr. Smith, you and your excellent wife are also welcome to join us.”
The parson and his wife agreed, and the lively company departed from the church for Longbourn. Elizabeth walked on William’s arm, knowing that they would not need to part that day. It was a strange sensation, but welcome all the same.