by Jennifer Joy
Sir William continued somberly, "I hope you find comfort in each other. Mrs. Bennet would have been thrilled to know she had been correct to assume you would marry. I do not believe she would want her daughter’s grand day to be tainted by sadness. Such was not her way.” He paused, a moment of respectful silence filling the room before he added, “And so it brings us great pleasure that you have allowed our family to rejoice with yours on this special day. A double wedding! Two sets of newlyweds forging an inseparable bond and beginning their life journeys in union. I wish you great happiness and abundant love. And now, dear friends, I will accede to Mr. Bennet. I am certain he has much to say."
Father mumbled to Elizabeth, “Indeed I would, had he not said all of it himself.”
“You are clever. You shall think of something,” retorted Elizabeth.
Father nodded, an impish smile on his lips as he stood with his glass in hand. "Indeed, I do. As Sir William has so generously pointed out, we have much to rejoice. As of today, two of my five daughters are married. Kitty to Officer Denny in the regiment and Jane to a kind, young man with a property very near my own estate. That pleases me to no end. Another," he looked down at Elizabeth, resting his free hand on her shoulder, "is engaged to an honorable man who will take her far away, but who has so grand a home, I fear I shall impose on his hospitality often for visits of a duration worthy of the distance.”
William nodded and, while Father’s remark was made in good humor, it struck Elizabeth, not for the first time, that Father would miss her a great deal. Especially with Mother so recently gone.
Father continued, “Mary has found a place more suitable to her talents, putting her mind to good use at her Uncle Philips' office. And Lydia has taken charge of the care of the newest member of our family most admirably." He smiled at Lydia, who picked up her black and white spaniel puppy from the floor and waved her paw at Father.
"Chloe is happy to be allowed to join our party," Lydia said, adding, "and she thinks her mama will marry better than all of her sisters."
Elizabeth closed her eyes to keep from rolling them. Father squeezed her shoulder.
He continued, "My wholehearted congratulations to the happy couples for whom we are assembled today. And to Lady Lucas for insisting on arranging a fine wedding feast. I thank you." Father raised his wine glass with a trembling hand, sighing so deeply his cheeks puffed out when he sat.
Elizabeth saw it as surely as she had noticed several similar episodes over the past couple of weeks. She supposed it was to be expected as a part of his mourning. Father had put on a brave face of late, but his suffering had been great. As had hers, though she did not have space enough in her heart to dwell on it as he did — not when Mother would have been in raptures at the knowledge of her engagement.
Elizabeth had William. But whom did Father have other than Elizabeth? And she would leave him soon for Derbyshire.
The arrival of Fitzwilliam Darcy in Meryton had brought a series of obstacles which, instead of keeping them apart (as most troubles as grave as these do), had served to bring them together. From the murder of Mr. Wickham to escaping compromise in Mr. Bingley’s library; the accusations brought against William when he was accused of Mr. Wickham's murder and her attempted kidnapping; the murder of her own mother during the militia's departing parade and the discovery of a secret society against her; the near-death of Mr. Collins, Father's cousin and the inheritor of Longbourn upon his passing…. Elizabeth and William had suffered through countless trials. Trials enough for a lifetime.
However, the fires of tribulation had revealed their true characters … and both of them had liked what they saw. Twenty-three days ago this day, William had asked for Elizabeth’s hand in marriage. And she had accepted.
Richard bumped Darcy in the arm. "You will have a difficult time separating Mr. Bennet from his favorite daughter while he is in mourning."
Darcy frowned. "I know it." Blast it all, he knew it. Were it solely his decision, he would have purchased a license and married Elizabeth by now.
However, Mr. Bennet had exercised his right as the father of a young woman not yet in her majority. They would have to wait until the Bingleys returned from their wedding tour a month hence to marry. On the whole, it was not much to ask, and Darcy understood Mr. Bennet’s reasons (though he could not agree with them). But there were days when the wait was unbearable. Days like today.
Darcy dulled his exasperation with another drink of wine. Thirty days hence, he and Elizabeth would marry and depart in good conscience in the knowledge that Mr. Bennet was welcome at Netherfield Park. Bingley had even requested Darcy's help in lining the library shelves with enough books to entertain the scholarly gentleman. Darcy tried not to resent the delay, but he never had been known for his forbearance. Whoever said patience was a virtue had never been forced to suffer a prolonged engagement to a fine eyed enchantress who had captivated him, heart and soul.
"And then there is Georgie…,” Richard said, stabbing a cut of cold ham with his fork and chewing slowly, leaving Darcy with no other option but to divine his concerns regarding his little sister, Georgiana.
"What about Georgie?" Darcy asked, his impatience reaching its limit.
“I wish she and my family could have joined us today, but it is both thoughtful and kind of them to welcome Charlotte with the gathering they have arranged at Matlock House. It will make her introduction into society easier."
“That was kind on their part, but what about Georgie?” It had disappointed Darcy to wait longer for her to arrive in Meryton, but he could hardly blame her for wishing to stay longer with Richard's family. They were complete … as their family would be once he married Elizabeth.
Richard sipped from his wine glass. "Only that I am not surprised she chose to remain in London when she could have arrived here in ample time for the wedding."
How little Richard understood Georgiana. Darcy set him straight. "She regrets it deeply, but Aunt Helen required her help in preparing for the dinner for you and Mrs. Fitzwilliam tomorrow. Mrs. Annesley agreed it was best for Georgiana to remain a short time more with your family in London. I do not see how she had much choice when her companion and your own mother recommended she stay."
Richard chuckled. "Is that what Georgiana told you?"
Darcy pushed his plate away. Really, Richard could be so irksome. "That is what she told me. Richard, speak plainly. The last time we had a similar conversation involving Georgie, I ended up riding like the devil was on my heels to Ramsgate. And we both know how that ended." He shivered at the memory. How close his dear, innocent sister had come to eloping with Wickham.
"Has it not occurred to you that, perhaps, Georgiana may not be entirely happy you are to marry?" Richard asked plainly.
Darcy scoffed at the foolish thought. "Of course she will be happy. She will gain a sister."
"She will gain a rival for your affection," said Richard, his face full of pity … which only irritated Darcy more.
Richard held his hand up and dropped his voice further. "Before you object to the idea, think of it from her perspective. You must accept how little you know your own sister, otherwise she never would have come so near to eloping with that scoundrel, Wickham, without you suspecting it. How can you be certain you understand her better now when you have been apart?"
There was that. Darcy could not deny it, though he would not admit as much to his aggravating cousin.
Richard continued, "You have been a more reliable role model to her than your own father, and she may very well see Miss Elizabeth as a threat to that arrangement. I believe it to be the real reason she has not joined you in Meryton as yet."
Darcy waved it away, but his heart was divided. "Mere speculation." He hoped.
"I received a letter from my mother suggesting as much."
Then it was as good as a fact. With a sigh, Darcy reached for his wine glass, wishing it contained something stronger. “Why did Georgie not tell me? I thought she was being shy and reluct
ant to part from Aunt Helen.”
“Do not lose heart, Darcy. Nothing worth having is ever had easily.”
Oh, the irony! “You consider two murders, an attempted kidnapping, and a family poisoning easy?”
“Ah, but Miss Elizabeth is worth it for you. Is she not?” teased Richard.
Darcy smiled. Elizabeth had that effect on him. Together, they had borne a great deal already, and Elizabeth had shown admirable strength of character through every trial. Surely, he could help Georgiana see how perfectly Elizabeth fitted into their lives without distancing her more.
Elizabeth met his eyes and held them. He was already hers — mind, body, and soul. Nothing could separate the inseparable. Wickham had not. Aunt Catherine had not. Death and mourning had not. Mr. Bennet would not. Darcy would walk over burning coals and brave a thousand storms for her. Georgiana would soon love Elizabeth, too. He would see to it.