by Wells, Linda
“Not until Darcy tells us …” Layton flushed as the women all looked at him enquiringly. “Nothing.”
Darcy smirked and straightening, held out his hands to Elizabeth. “Come love, dance with me.”
“Gladly.” She took his hands and laughed at his twinkling eyes. “What have you done?”
“I told de Bourgh the secret to a very happy marriage.”
“Oh? Do tell?”
“It would not be a secret then, would it?”
“You told him.”
“That is different, he is a groom.”
“I told Mary the secret of a happy marriage, too.” Elizabeth smiled and batted her eyes at him.
“And?”
“Hmm, what was that? Did you ask a question? No, it must have been a fly buzzing in my ear.” She laughed at his glower. “Two can play this game.”
“That love, is why it is fun.” He looked around the room. “Where are Mary and de Bourgh?” Turning back to Elizabeth, he saw her smiling at him. “Elizabeth.”
“Hmm?” She stood up on her toes and kissed his cheek. “Dance with me?”
Darcy rolled his eyes and looked to Georgiana. “Play, dear, please.” He looked back to Elizabeth. “One set, I give them one set.”
“A half hour?” She smiled as his brow creased, and stood across from him while the others took their places. “Oh my, think of the possibilities!”
In the library, behind a closed and solidly locked door, de Bourgh at last released Mary’s lips and rested his forehead on hers. “Two more days.” He wrapped her up in his arms and Mary listened to his heart. “Are you as happy as I?”
“I can hardly describe how I feel.” Mary spoke softly. “I do not have a name for it …I guess that I feel secure, happy, frightened …” She looked up at him. “I trust you with my life.”
“Oh Mary, I could not say I love you any better. Thank you dear. I trust you with my life, too.” De Bourgh caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. “I wish we were home.”
“Because you are expecting my brother to arrive at any moment?”
“Well that is certainly a distinct possibility.” He laughed as his fingers continued to trace the contours of her face. “Perhaps we should unlock the door and assume an innocent pose, you could be reading to me as I keep watch from the window?”
“I think that you will always be keeping watch over me.” Mary’s eyes grew moist and he lifted her chin to kiss her softly.
“None of that, Mary.” De Bourgh blinked as his vision blurred. “I brought you here to kiss you soundly and here you have me near tears. Why do I think that you will forever be correcting my impetuous behaviour?”
“I do not think you will mind.” She smiled and hugged him. A soft knock at the door was followed by Darcy’s throat clearing along with Elizabeth’s laughter. Mary smiled when he groaned. “But minding Fitzwilliam is another story.”
Chapter 12
“Well done!” Darcy cried and taking Rosalie’s hands he helped her to clap. She squealed and giggled while he laughed. The applause died down and he kissed her. “What do you think, sweetheart? Mama is very talented.”
“Mama!!” She cried and reached for Elizabeth. “Mamamama!”
“Well so much for an encore.” She left the pianoforte and sat down next to Darcy. Rosalie remained perched on his thigh, and leaning her head on Elizabeth, talked contentedly to herself while she played with her hands. Elizabeth smiled at him and without thought; he slipped his arm around her shoulders and drew her closer for a soft kiss.
“Whoa!” De Bourgh stared.
“WHOA!” Rosalie cried and pointed at him. “WHOA!”
Everyone laughed and Darcy chuckled, kissing Rosalie’s mop of curls. “Yes, little love, he said your name.”
“I did not! What was that …”
“Hush.” Elizabeth said pointedly. “According to your niece, you did.”
“She is not my niece quite yet.” He looked over to Mary, seated at his side at a respectable distance. “Tomorrow, though …”
“You will be related to the lot of us.” Lucas laughed.
Mary smiled, then blushed when he took her hand and looked defiantly at Darcy and Elizabeth. “You are not going to say anything?”
“About what? Holding her hand?” Darcy chuckled and reaching across Rosalie, took Elizabeth’s in his. “No.”
“Oh.” De Bourgh’s brow creased and he watched the baby turn around to play with the string of pearls around Elizabeth’s throat.
“They kiss in front of the family.” Georgiana said matter-of-factly.
“And hold hands.” Kitty added.
“But not to excess.” Mary observed.
“Just affectionately.” Jane agreed.
“You know, like you just saw.” Kitty giggled.
“It is rather sweet.” Georgiana sighed.
“Well, you get used to it.” Mary smiled at her sisters and looked to de Bourgh who was staring at her and blushed. “Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow.”
“Oh for heaven’s sake. Kiss her, Peter.” Elizabeth laughed.
His eyes lit up and he leaned in to kiss Mary quickly. “That is better.”
“Of course it is.” Darcy said with his tongue firmly in his cheek. “All you needed.”
“Not quite.” Lucas winked and leaned over to kiss Jane.
“Quiet.” De Bourgh glared as his near-brothers laughed at him. “I should be going home.” He looked at Mary and did not move. “It is a momentous day, an early day. I imagine that Michael and Charlotte have arrived by now.”
“Probably.” Mary smiled shyly. “I guess we will have dinner with them tomorrow.”
“No dear, I …” He glanced at Georgiana and Kitty. “I have made plans.”
“Ah, the joy of a honeymoon with the family.” Lucas stretched his arms over his head. “Memories.”
“We will be home soon enough.” Jane reminded him.
“I know, but we are still here now, and I intend to use that time wisely.”
“Why do you want to stay here? I would think that you would go to Rosings.” Georgiana asked and looked at Kitty. “Don’t you think? I mean it is not that far.”
“Far enough.” De Bourgh said unhappily. “I do not want to rush through the wedding breakfast to sit in a carriage for hours.”
“Most inconvenient.” Darcy nodded solemnly. Elizabeth pinched him and he jumped. Rosalie, who had been falling asleep against Elizabeth’s shoulder, started with a cry. “Shhhhhhhh, little one, shhhh.” He looked at Elizabeth with his brows lifted and she did not look in the least apologetic.
“Ahem.” De Bourgh cleared his throat. “Yes, inconvenient.” Feeling the eyes of the room upon him he swallowed and looked at Mary. “I really should go.”
“Oh.”
“Why not go and look at the ballroom on your way out?” Elizabeth suggested. “You can show him how it is decorated for the wedding breakfast, Mary.”
“Oh …” She smiled and saw de Bourgh was already rushing to his feet. “Of course.”
“Absolutely, excellent suggestion, Elizabeth.” He bowed hurriedly and pulled Mary out the door.
“Take your time!” Elizabeth called after them and squealed when Darcy pinched her. “Fitzwilliam!”
“Hmm?” He pursed his lips. “Shame on you, Rosa, pinching your Mama!”
“THIS IS SO NICE, all of us sisters together.” Georgiana said as she watched Jane expertly fold a gown and tried to imitate her.
Kitty put her hand to her mouth to cover a giggle. “I thought that you were going to have to ask Foster to push Fitzwilliam out the door this morning.”
“The thought occurred to me.” Elizabeth laughed. “Oh, he is just being his overprotective self, but I told him Mama was coming, not Napoleon.”
“I believe that he would have been more comfortable if it was Napoleon.” Georgiana said softly and blushed when the Bennet sisters turned to her. “Forgive me.”
“
No, that is quite all right.” Elizabeth assured her. “Fitzwilliam left before Papa’s note arrived, so he did not know that they were going to Gracechurch Street and then on to the church.”
“Why, do you think?” Jane asked and put Mary’s last gown in the trunk.
“Because he did not wish anything to upset Mary.” Elizabeth sat down and took her hand. “You did not need another talk on wifely duties.”
“I have had five of them.” Mary said with a nervous smile, and the girls laughed. “And each was different.”
“I think that Mama’s would be very different.” Elizabeth said with a sigh. “Her letters on the subject were enough, I think.”
“What did you talk about?” Kitty asked curiously. “Was it about running a house?”
“Not quite.” Jane glanced at Elizabeth and Mary blushed. “Now, we have an hour, all of your packing is finished so your things can be sent over to the townhouse. I think that you should get dressed, Mary.”
“I wonder what Peter is doing.” Mary stared out of the window until Kitty hit her with a pillow. “Ow!”
“Ohhhh Peter! Where are you?” She put her hand over her heart and giggled. “I loooooooove you!”
“Kitty that is enough.” Elizabeth said only a little sternly. “Keep it up and we will treat you the same when you marry.”
“We have long memories.” Jane added.
“Oh you two are no fun.” Kitty sat down, and looked at Mary apologetically. “I am sorry, you just looked so dreamy, I could not resist.”
“I do not mind. I feel like I am sleepwalking through today and can use the prodding.” She smiled at Elizabeth. “I remember you were so quiet, and so tired.”
“She fell asleep at the altar!” Jane laughed. “And Fitzwilliam did, too!”
“No!” Kitty cried.
“Yes, they did!” Georgiana’s hands went to her mouth. “I forgot about that!”
Elizabeth blushed. “That is enough, ladies.”
“Oh no, how often do we get to tease you?” Jane nudged her as she shook out Mary’s wedding gown.
“She can dish it out but she cannot take it.” Kitty accused her.
“Leave her alone.” Mary stood up and hugged her. “If it was not for her wedding, Papa would not have brought me to London, and I would not have met Peter that day. I will always treasure your wedding day.”
“Thank you, Mary.” Elizabeth kissed her. “I hope that you might tell Papa that same story, maybe when you are waiting to walk down the aisle. He would like to hear it and think that he did manage to do one thing that helped you.”
“I will.” Mary said quietly. “When do they arrive?”
“I expect they are probably on their way to the church.” Jane looked at the clock. “I can imagine that Mama was up at dawn in her excitement to come to town.” They exchanged glances. “And to see us, of course.”
“What do you think Lydia will be like?” Kitty looked around at her sisters. “She seems different in her letters; do you think that is just because she was at school? I wonder if being with Mama will make her like her old self again.”
“I hope not. I hope that the girl we are seeing in her letters is here to stay.” Elizabeth helped Jane to lift Mary’s gown over her head. They tugged and pulled, then Jane started the buttoning while Kitty handed over her gloves. Elizabeth picked up the diamond and pearl choker that Peter had presented to her the evening before, and placed it around her neck. Georgiana was standing nearby holding the veil, and carefully, they pinned it into her hair. At last they all stepped back and let Mary see herself in the mirror.
“Oh.” She whispered. “Who is that?”
Elizabeth put her hands on Mary’s shoulders and peered at the reflection. “I do believe that is Mrs. Peter de Bourgh.”
“Not yet.”
“Well dear,” Elizabeth kissed her cheek and handed her a handkerchief to dab her eyes. “Let’s go to the church and make it so.”
PETER PACED AND STOPPED before the mirror, starting at his reflection. “Who are you?” He demanded and pointed at the man with the wide eyes and pale skin. “What have you done with Captain de Bourgh?”
“Talking to himself; bad sign, that.” Michael de Bourgh chuckled and nudged Darcy. “What do you think?”
“I agree. Perhaps he should be declared incompetent? I certainly do not wish for a madman to marry my sister. Excuse me, I will just go to the church and make the regrettable announcement. I will think of some acceptable excuse on the way.” Darcy began to move away from the door.
“Perhaps that he was taken ill and wishes to reschedule?” Lucas offered.
“No, that means he will be cured, and clearly, the man is lost.” Darcy paused and crossed his arms as he examined the fuming man. “I know, weak constitution, he is afraid that he cannot fulfil his role as husband and releases her to find happiness with some more virile man.”
“Take one step and I will run you through!”
“With what, that stickpin in your cravat? As I said, madman.” Darcy nodded. “Close call for Mary, I will send for the men to escort you to Bedlam …”
“Darcy …”
“What are you doing?” Fitzwilliam asked from behind Darcy. “Are you baiting him? On his wedding day? For shame!”
“Your sword, Fitzwilliam, give it over!” De Bourgh demanded.
“This?” He patted his scabbard. “Not a chance.”
“I appreciate that.” Darcy winked.
“Well Son,” Lord Matlock pushed past and into the room. “How are you doing?” He looked behind him and Layton appeared with a bottle and a glass. “I see that your brothers have been at work on you.”
“Brothers.” De Bourgh glared between Lucas, Michael and Darcy. “Assassins is more like it. They come to cut up my peace!”
“Peace!” Michael smiled. “Your pacing is hardly the act of a man at peace. Rather that of some exotic beast!”
“Ah, well here then, Son. I bring you an elixir to calm your nerves.” Lord Matlock took the bottle and poured into the glass held by Layton. Handing it over, he nodded. “Drink.”
“What is it?” De Bourgh asked suspiciously. “Does Darcy have anything to do with this?”
“I? What do you take me for?”
Sniffing it, De Bourgh took a sip then looked up at Lord Matlock with a smile. “Cognac!”
“The very finest, from before the war. What better occasion than to toast your pending nuptials and calm your frayed nerves?”
“You make me sound like a woman.” He said softly.
“Who was talking to his reflection a moment ago?” Michael laughed. “Drink up, Brother, then perhaps the Earl might share?”
Lord Matlock cocked a brow at him. “For a clergyman, you are remarkably tolerant.”
“Would you prefer that I say a sermon?” He smiled and looked to his brother. “We have already prayed together for felicity, have we not, Peter?”
“Yes.” He smiled and relaxed. “I imagine that Mary has done the same with her sisters. It is her way.”
“She has, I found her with all of them before we left the house. Mary looked very much at peace.” Darcy stepped back into the room. “So I think that if you finish that drink, we might depart for the church.”
De Bourgh raised the glass to his lips and then lowered it. “No, I do not need this.” He straightened and set it down. “How do I look?” Richard advanced and walked around him.
“Shoulders back, sailor!” He cried. “Chest out! Chin up!” De Bourgh immediately responded. Richard adjusted his cravat and pulled at his coat, knocking off some invisible dirt. “Not bad.”
“Very well then.” De Bourgh said with a determined look in his eye. “Let us get underway.”
“LYDIA!” Kitty threw her arms around her sister. “Oh you look wonderful!”
“Thank you.” Lydia smiled with relief and hugged her tightly. “I have missed you.”
“You have?” Kitty drew back with surprise. “Oh!”
“I have, I am so sorry for …everything.” She sighed and looked around at everyone. “I guess we should probably talk about this later.”
“We can talk all night; you can come in and stay in my chambers if you like. You are staying at Darcy House, are you not?”
“Yes, we …” She stopped when they heard Mrs. Bennet’s voice from the narthex. “Mama. Is Mary here yet? I did not see her when we entered, just Lizzy.”
“She is in a little room near the doorway; Lizzy thought it would be best to have everyone seated before she was seen.” She added softly, “I think that she wanted to spare Mary Mama’s attention until after the ceremony.”
“I think that was so smart of her.” Lydia said with admiration. “Mama went on and on about being left out of the planning and shopping. She said it was just wrong that she was not included, and was unhappy that the wedding was here.”
“At least she is attending this time. Did she blame Lizzy? She always blames her for everything.” Kitty said quietly. “She never liked her.”
“No, and she did not like Mary, either. She told me.” Lydia sighed. “I finally got tired of her complaining and said that I do not blame Mary for wanting to marry from Darcy House, everyone who likes her lives there.”
“No!” Kitty’s hand went to her mouth. “What did she say?”
“She said that she liked Mary just fine, and I said that she likes Captain de Bourgh, not Mary. I said that she likes how rich he is, and that everyone in the neighbourhood was going to get tired of hearing her brag of her good fortune in how her daughters married.”
“Lydia! I thought those things, but I would never say them!”
Lydia shrugged. “Maybe I shouldn’t have, but Papa did not seem to mind. I think that he has spoken to her about today.”
“Do you not like Mama anymore, Lydia?” Kitty asked as they took their seats. “You were so close.”
“Oh, I still like her, but now I guess that I understand her a little better. I just would rather form my own opinions now.” She bit her lip and looked at Kitty’s gown. “I really like your dress, it is different. Is it new?”
Kitty beamed. “Yes, when we finished the shopping for Mary’s wedding clothes, Lizzy said I could buy a few new things. I’ll be seventeen in August, so I will be allowed to be out. I just begged her to let me dress like a woman for today and she said I could dance because Mary and Peter decided they wanted music at the breakfast. Imagine that! She lent me this pearl to wear.” She touched Richard. “Do you like it?”