by Leigh Dreyer
The night’s festivities of discussing wedding plans and honeymoons finally came to a conclusion when Elizabeth fell asleep on the couch. When her head slipped from her hand and onto the back cushion, they reluctantly went to their rooms. Darcy walked Elizabeth to her room and kissed her at the door, reminding her how she had made him the happiest of men.
The next morning, Darcy and Elizabeth were the first downstairs. They were both quiet; Darcy scrolled through the news on his phone while Elizabeth read the romance she had stolen from Darcy’s room the eventful day before.
Jane and Bingley joined them later, and they picked up with the wedding plans from the night before. Jane detailed what had been done for her wedding and Elizabeth outlined her ideas for the event, expressing that a yearlong engagement was time enough to plan and purchase and wed to even her mother’s delight. The sisters had discussed their wedding plans since they were girls, but now that they were older, they could talk details.
“I know growing up I always said I wanted a wedding just like Princess Diana with the dress and the church—”
“And millions of TV viewers―”
“Oh stop, Lizzy! It would have been beautiful!”
“Or gaudy.”
“Hush. I had the perfect wedding. I never pictured a simple country wedding, but after you scared me by hurtling out of the sky, the thought of living one more day without Charles was so terrifying, I just couldn’t face another second of my life without him.”
“I think we’ll have a long engagement. I want some time with just Will and me.”
“That’s so romantic.”
“To tell the truth, it’s just practical. I need to get used to not being Lieutenant Bennet anymore before we’re Captain and Mrs. Darcy. At the same time, I almost wish we could just get married tomorrow. I know it’s Christmas, but moving, and moving in together, would be so much simpler as a married couple. Everyone I want is already here and I think he only wants his sister…”
“You wouldn’t have to worry about your things.”
“Or medical insurance.”
“Or medical insurance…” Elizabeth allowed. “Wishful thinking though. A year is much more practical.”
“My family is small. Who else do I need? Georgiana and Richard are the only people I want to attend.”
“What? No Caroline?”
“Ha! Never knew you to be a comedian, Bing. No. No Caroline. Sorry, we only want to invite people we like. I suppose Aunt Catherine and Anne would have to be invited, and Aunt Peggy would drag my cousin Preston and Uncle Dan with her,” said Darcy. “But it need not be a five hundred guest affair.”
“I don’t even know five hundred people.”
“Bingley, you know thousands. I’m still amazed you got away inviting as few people as you did to your own wedding.”
“The beauty of a serious lack of planning, my friend. Don’t worry. My mother-in-law will never forgive me, so I’ve taken my penance.”
“I would gladly join you. I’d prefer Mrs. Bennet not plan the entire affair. I know I should invite the entire town and William Lucas and networking contacts from Pemberley and Fitzwilliam Electronics, but I can’t bear the idea of shaking hands and paying thousands of dollars so people I don’t know, or even like, can eat.”
“Social functions never were your strong suit.”
“Social functions with nothing happening except for gawking and talking about me just don’t intrigue me. What can I say? I’m not a salesman.”
“Thank god you don’t get airsick.”
Darcy wanted to do the respectful thing and ask Mr. Bennet for his daughter’s hand. They entered the front door, both shivering from the cold.
“Home sweet home,” Elizabeth said, shrugging her shoulders and gesturing toward the living room.
“Lizzy?” her mother’s voice squeaked from the kitchen.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes to the ceiling. She mouthed, “I’m sorry,” then shuffled quickly down the hallway, turning the corner just as Mrs. Bennet reached the entryway and greeted Darcy with a warm smile.
“Is Lizzy not with you?”
Darcy quickly dissimilated. “Yes, ma’am. I believe she went to find Mr. Bennet.”
“I don’t know why that girl always runs off to that office. You’d think she would want to spend some time with her mother. I’ve barely seen her these past few days.” Mrs. Bennet fidgeted with the spatula in her hand.
Darcy maintained a polite, nodding demeanor, lips held in a tight, uncomfortable smile.
“Well, can I get you a bite to eat? I think we have some little pastries left from breakfast or I made a very nice apple turnover last night. I’m elbow deep in lunch, but I have time to make you a little treat.”
“I’m fine. Thank you.”
“I’m certain you are if you say so. Do you have any Christmas plans?” Before Darcy could answer, his future mother-in-law continued. “Oh, I have the loveliest idea. You should come here for dinner. We always have some friends over. Most years Charlotte Lucas comes with Lizzy, though with her wedding earlier this year, I’m sure I don’t know her Christmas plans. And you know, I always serve the best food. Last year, we even had goose. It was perfect. The guests were incredibly impressed; the inn had rave reviews. Of course, you may want to go home. I’ve no idea what your schedule might be like…”
Mrs. Bennet’s voice drifted off as her eyes roamed around the room, alighting on him from time to time as though she was avoiding staring at him.
He cleared his throat.
“Um, thank you. Our Christmas plans aren’t set. I won’t be going home to New York, but I’m sure I should speak to Elizabeth and Jane…”
Darcy awkwardly stepped down the hallway.
“I’ll just go find Elizabeth now, then, shall I?”
Mrs. Bennet made shooing motions and said, “Of course. You just tell her I’d love to be able to talk to her before she leaves.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Elizabeth, meanwhile, had barricaded herself in her father’s office.
“Hey, Daddy.”
“Hey. How is your Captain Darcy?”
Elizabeth blushed furiously and looked at her toes. “He’s great. Thanks.”
“I notice you didn’t shy away from me referring to the illustrious captain as yours.” His eyes sparkled mischievously as he observed his daughter over the pages of his book.
Her eyes shifted furiously through the room.
“Shouldn’t you be at Netherfield convalescing?”
“It’s not the nineteenth century. I can ‘convalesce’ where I please.” Elizabeth could barely look at him, suddenly embarrassed. “I might even want to convalesce somewhere a little farther than Netherfield.”
“Oh? How interesting.” Her dad went back to the book that was open on his desk.
“Dad? Do you feel any different since you told me about Phillip?”
“Lizzy, I don’t know what else to tell you. You’ve been mine since the day you were born. Phillip was your biological father. Listen closely, as this will be the one and only time I will say this, and I want no doubt in your mind. You are mine. I held you on my chest when you were born and put you back to sleep when you had a nightmare. I rocked you and read to you. I’ve never treated you differently and always saw myself reflected in your big, brown eyes. I love you, and that man of yours that you’re suddenly hesitant to talk about, better love you just as much as I do.”
Elizabeth scuffled her feet, her shoes suddenly interesting. Somewhere deep in her heart, the biggest fear she had had since learning the identity of her real father was mollified. He did not love her any less. She had valued his presence growing up and if she had to choose a father, she would choose Thomas Bennet, for all of his occasionally indifferent ways. The best parts of her were from him: her wit, her love of literature, her ability to cope with chaos. What more could knowing Phillip have given her?
“Dad?”
He gazed over his book, his gray eyes meeti
ng Elizabeth’s.
“Will has a question for you. I hope you will be pleased.”
“I am sure I’ll be the judge of that.”
She widened her eyes. “Dad!”
He chuckled. “Well, my dear, send him in.”
Darcy entered the room a few minutes later. He noted the general disarray of the packed shelves and piled papers. Mr. Bennet made a general sweeping motion toward the chairs across from his desk without looking up from his book. Darcy chose a dated leather chair, sizing up the older man. Though his hair was now as gray as his eyes, Mr. Bennet looked like he had once been moderately handsome. He was tall and, while he now had the settled weight of an older man, he was still lean. Mr. Bennet flipped a page before Darcy cleared his throat.
“What are you reading, sir?”
“Do you mean this book or are you asking what books I am reading now?”
“The one on your desk. What is that book?”
“This particular volume is The Prince by Machiavelli.”
“Hmm.”
“I take it you have not read it.”
“No sir, I have not.”
“Just as well.”
“I need to speak to you, sir, about Elizabeth.”
“I surmised as much when she barricaded herself in my office only minutes before your arrival.”
“I—” Darcy began, suddenly unsure of his words. “I am in love with Elizabeth.”
“And what do you intend to do about it?”
“I asked her to marry me.”
“I hope you go through with it then. I don’t know if I can do with more tears now that Lydia is leaving for college, relieving me of the exercise of comforting a daughter regularly.”
“I plan to.”
“Excellent. Did you need anything else from me, or did you only want to inform me regarding your emotional state and plans for the future?”
“I think you are toying with me.”
“You are an intelligent man. I appreciate that about you. Elizabeth has chosen well. I do enjoy Charles, but it will be nice to have some intellectual stimulation in a son-in-law.”
Darcy’s mind was reeling. “If I could marry Elizabeth tomorrow, I would, but I wanted to know if you had any preferences regarding the wedding. I’m sure Elizabeth will want to plan it with Mrs. Bennet—”
“By all means, marry her tomorrow. It would save me the trouble of dealing with tiresome plans, seating charts, and eating an ungodly amount of cake as Mrs. Bennet samples them all looking for the ‘perfect’ icing.”
“I’m sure that was frustrating, sir.”
“You were lucky Elizabeth was unconscious in the hospital. It was, at least, quiet there. You were saved from the cacophony in the house while Jane found a dress and called around for invitations and priced out menus.”
“I’ll speak to her.”
“Close the door on your way out, if you would.”
Darcy got up, wondering at the manner of his dismissal from the room.
“Thank you, sir.”
Mr. Bennet waved a hand, not looking up from his book.
Darcy emerged from the office and nearly ran into Elizabeth standing near the door.
“What did he say?” Elizabeth’s eyes were wide and she pulled Darcy down the hallway away from the office door.
“He said we should get married tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“He said everyone important would be here and he wouldn’t have to worry about seating arrangements or eating a lot of cake.”
“Mom went through eighteen cake recipes for Jane’s wedding. You should have heard Jane talk about it. Ridiculous.”
“It does make more sense.”
Elizabeth prayed for strength and leaned against the hallway wall.
“We should just get married tomorrow. I told Jane I wanted a long engagement, but honestly, everything would be easier if we were married. I love you. Do I think I will love you more in a year? Of course, but that’s because I’ll know you more in a year. I guess I should talk to Mom about scheduling a reception. She’ll want the inn to be reserved for wedding guests. I surmise your family will come down? Will? Your family?”
Darcy’s mind was fast at work. He had a plane. Why couldn’t they get married tomorrow? Richard was at home for leave and Georgiana would be there. He could even pick up Aunt Peggy and Uncle Dan. Aunt Catherine could fly in too as the Senate was on holiday recess.
“Why don’t we?”
“Why don’t we what? Tell my mom? Do you really want to come with me?”
“No. I mean, yes. Not your mom. Why don’t we get married tomorrow?”
“Do you mean it?”
“You said it yourself! Everything would be easier. I was ready to marry you months ago! I love you, Elizabeth Bennet, and I want to marry you. Why should we wait? So we can have a huge wedding? Do you want that?”
Elizabeth shook her head.
“Neither do I!” Darcy grabbed her shoulders. “I would much rather our families be together, and you come back to Pemberley as my wife. I can’t take much time off for a honeymoon now, but we could fly somewhere if we wanted for the weekend.”
“But, tomorrow is Christmas.”
“All the better. We won’t forget our anniversary, and all your sisters are here so you won’t miss anyone.”
Elizabeth looked at him. His eyes were wild with excitement.
“Shall I go get a pen and some paper? Do you need to make a chart?”
She laughed and laughed until tears fell down her cheeks. He joined her, pulling her against him, his whole body shaking until they both collapsed together on the floor.
Elizabeth recovered herself first, taking huge gasping breaths before relaxing into Darcy.
“Let’s do it.”
“Really?”
“I think so.”
“I hope so.” He sat up and held her hands, looking deeply into her eyes. “I love you, Elizabeth Bennet.”
“I love you, Fitz Darcy.”
“Don’t call me that,” he murmured as he leaned forward and kissed her.
25
Darcy checked his bearings once more and settled in for the long hours of auto-pilot before him. He ran through his conversation with Georgiana from before his flight.
“You’re getting married?”
“Yes.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“And you are flying here now to pick Richard and me up because Aunt Peggy and Uncle Dan left for Florida? We were supposed to catch a non-stop from Hancock in the morning, but, I guess instead we are going to your wedding…tomorrow?”
“Georgiana, you are repeating everything I said nearly word for word, so I don’t think you need your hearing checked, but are you doing okay? You’re having a hard time.”
“I just can’t believe it.”
“Believe it.”
“You finally convinced her to marry you. I was so hopeless for you, Will. I just didn’t think it could possibly ever happen. How on earth did you do it?”
“She made a list.” Darcy had smiled then, a broad grin that he could feel all the way down to his toes.
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
“I’ll explain it all to you on the way back, but listen it’s a little more than a seven-hour flight and I have to get in the air if we’re going to make it back.”
“You can’t be late for your own wedding.”
“Of course not. Richard knows and he can augment me if I time out. He will call the rest of the family to see who can make it on short notice.”
“I am so excited for you!”
“I love you, little sister.”
“I love you too. Get up here so I can hear everything!”
“I will. See you soon.”
Darcy moved through his mental checklist. Contact chaplain: complete. Luckily the chaplain was available to perform a short wedding service at Longbourn in between morning Christmas Mass and the Evangelical ser
vices in the afternoon. Flowers: Elizabeth. Food: Mrs. Bennet. Music: Jane. Invitations: Kitty and Lydia. Verse: Mary.
When the chaplain had asked if they would write their own vows, Mary had offered to help, quoting “Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, the Lord be magnified” from Psalms. Frankly, Darcy did not understand how that quote had anything to do with weddings or vows or anything to do with them and assured Mary that he and Elizabeth were quite capable of writing their own vows. If that is what Elizabeth wanted, he would write and say almost anything to make her his forever.
Dress: Elizabeth. He wondered what she would look like. She had already told him there was no way she could wear Jane’s dress. Aside from their obvious height and build differences, Jane’s dress had been shipped off to be preserved and she did not have access to it. Elizabeth had quickly informed him that she did not have a white dress and, with such a time crunch had determined it would be impossible to find. He didn’t care what she wore, but it made it difficult for him to imagine the wedding when given infinite possibilities.
Ring: Darcy. Here was one thing he was sure he could contribute. While at Pemberley, he planned to pick up his mother’s ring.
The ring was classic, elegant. A round-cut diamond in the center with two smaller diamonds on either side set in gold. His mother had worn a simple band with it, but he had special ordered an engraved band for Elizabeth weeks ago in anticipation for this hoped-for day. In the inside, both of their initials were on a banner that a plane might pull. It symbolized Elizabeth in his mind, and he was glad that he would finally be able to slip it on her finger.
The flight passed in similar fashion. He went through his checklists and stewed over his modest contributions. He wished their families did not live so far apart and that he could have spent his time more constructively helping Elizabeth rather than flying his family in personally. He could admit though that if the tables were turned, Elizabeth would have willingly taken his place without any guilty feelings. She would have much preferred being high above the clouds than taking orders from her mother.