“Mary will never tell you, because she is too modest to say so, but it means a great deal to her that you have allowed Mabel to join her here. Thank you.” He stood, “And with that, I must leave you to find my wife. We have an appointment amongst your wonderful flowers while the children have their rest.”
With that the two gentlemen parted ways.
Maddie felt it was necessary to have a private discussion with Elizabeth before the wedding, which was in just two days’ time. She regretted not being available to take Mary to Lambton, but upon finding that Mrs Annesley was to take Miss Darcy there, she asked if Mary could join them as well. The companion was happy to accommodate, and Mary soon found herself sitting in the carriage, across from the two ladies.
When they arrived, they stepped from the carriage and Mrs Annesley told the driver they would be back in an hour, then they proceeded down the street. Miss Darcy was to pick up a hat at the milliner’s shop, and the book shop was just before it.
Georgiana was not happy with the arrangement, but she knew she could not risk upsetting her brother right before his wedding. It took everything in her not to want to do something humiliating to Mary Bennet while they walked down the streets.
Just as they rounded the corner they saw Fitz coming out of a store. “Oh, good morning ladies,” he bowed. “I did not know you were coming into Lambton or I would have accompanied you.”
“Miss Darcy and I are to pick up her hat, and Miss Mary is in search of a new journal,” Mrs Annesley explained.
He smiled at Mary, “If you do not mind, I must go to the book shop as well. Would you care to join me?”
She nodded, signing, “Thank you; yes.”
Mrs Annesley said they would return shortly, then ushered her charge down the street towards the milliner’s shop. Georgiana could not help but notice the smiles both given and received between her cousin and Miss Mary. Was there, perhaps, something there? Were they sweet on each other? She could not have that, so she would have to find a way to discourage them from forming such an attachment. Knowing Mary was to live at Pemberley, she knew she could take the time necessary to ensure the deaf girl knew that her place was not to ever marry. After all, who would truly love someone like her? The thought of her cousin being taken in by her made Georgiana’s stomach churn in disgust. She would not allow such a union.
Fitz picked up the book Darcy sent him to find and walked over to where Mary was inspecting the journals. He tapped her arm and when she looked up, he asked “So, what do you think of Pemberley?”
“It is quite lovely.” She turned the journal in her hand over, feeling the soft leather. Putting it down, she picked up another one and began to flip through the pages.
“So... Mr Bingley seems to have taken to signing,” Fitz said, trying to see what her reaction to Bingley would be.
Mary chuckled a little, “He is trying, which is an admirable quality.”
He was a little disheartened to hear such a compliment from her, but in all honesty, it was true. Bingley was an admirable chap, and if the two could make it work, he knew he would have to find a way to be happy for them.
Mary interrupted his thought when she put her hand on his arm to get his attention. When he looked up, she signed, “Which do you like best?”
Fitz looked at the two journals lying out on the table. One was quite ornate with its purple dyed leather and intricate scrollwork. He picked it up, impressed with the quality of the binding and of the pages within. He placed it back down and picked up the fawn colored one beside it. This one was more rugged looking without all the scrollwork punched into the leather, but it had a quality about it that he liked. He could see many a memory being written down within its pages.
He removed his glove and closed his eyes as he ran his hand over each book. When he opened his eyes again, Mary was looking oddly at him.
“Why did you do that?”
He smiled as he pulled his glove back on, “I have found I see things quite differently after meeting you, Miss Mary. I am drawn to things I would have never considered before, like the soft touch of the leather of this simple one compared to the stiffness of the more ornate one. Both are bound adequately as to ensure a quality product, and I know which I prefer, but the choice is up to you. Will you choose the warm and soft touch, like that of an old friend, or will you choose the flashy and vibrant one that also sits before you?”
Mary tilted her head slightly. She had a feeling what he was saying had more meaning than just the books laid out on the table. Without thinking twice about her decision, she picked up the fawn colored book, placing the purple one back with the others. “Have I chosen wisely Colonel?”
He smiled. “I believe you have, but truly it is only what fits you best that matters, is it not?”
They each made their purchases, then Fitz took the two brown paper wrapped packages and held out his arm to her.
Mary felt the joy of being at the side of someone who understood her so well and hardly saw the disapproving glances Miss Darcy gave her as they all returned to Pemberley in the carriage.
Fitz excused himself, citing his need to see that his horse was taken care of. He untied the reins from the back of the carriage and with a bow to the ladies, went to the stables.
He was surprised to find Miss Mary standing by the fence watching the horses in the field when he was through. He walked up beside her, tapping her shoulder. She turned, and he signed, “May I be of assistance?”
She smiled slightly, “You have my book, sir.”
Looking down at the two books he still held in his hand, he chuckled, “So I do.” He held it out to her.
“Thank you.” She turned away and walked back towards the house, intent upon her first entry being about the two gentlemen who bewildered her more with each passing day. She smiled as she began to form the words in her head already that would later flow from her quill.
Elizabeth awoke on the morning of her wedding, the sun having barely risen over the horizon. She curled into the settee that looked out over Pemberley’s lands, taking in the beauty of the view and the smells of summer as the wind gently blew in through the open window. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around her legs, basking in the beauty that surrounded her.
A gentle knock at the door brought her out of her reverie, and she had barely turned around when she saw Mary peek her head in the room. Motioning for her to come in, she scooted over so her sister could sit as well, drawing her arm around Mary’s shoulders as their heads rested against each other. Elizabeth sighed aloud, but no words were spoken. The two needed the silence to engulf them, as today was a very big day in both of their lives.
Half an hour later Mrs Gardiner met a maid in the hall just outside her niece’s room. Taking the flowers their host sent for his intended, soon to be his wife, she entered Elizabeth’s room to see the sisters curled up by the window, both fast asleep. She smiled at the image they created. It was one any parents would have remembered all their days. She realized how much she thought of them as her own daughters. She had looked forward to this day for many years. Knowing the love Elizabeth and Mr Darcy held for each other made today bittersweet. Their nieces would forever leave their care, and though she was happy for them, she felt a pain of sadness at the emptiness in her own home.
She put the flowers on the table and went to wake her nieces with a motherly kiss to their cheeks, then preparations for the day began in earnest. The ladies were soon dressed, their hair coiffed, and their accessories on when Mr Gardiner came to knock on the door. Mary and her aunt left, saying they would see them at the church.
Mr Gardiner walked over to Elizabeth, placing a kiss upon her cheek. He stood back and took in the sight in front of him, smiling at her. “You are quite the lady, Elizabeth. I dare say Pemberley will be the better for having you as its mistress.”
Elizabeth reached out for her uncle’s hand, “Do you really think so, Uncle?”
“Truly; I have seen the determination and strength
you possess, and now you are able to do much good for so many others.” He squeezed her hand. “Come, it is time we go for our special ride.”
“Oh, no, Uncle, I can walk. It is but a half of a mile to the church.”
He shook his head, “Mr Darcy insisted we use the open carriage. He said it would not do to have you six inches deep in mud for such an important day. So ride we shall do, my dear.”
Elizabeth laughed as she followed her uncle’s lead down the stairs and outside to the waiting carriage. The ride to the church was short, and Elizabeth was glad for the quiet her Uncle gave her in those few moments before her life would forever change. When they arrived, she noticed a carpet set out for them to step down onto. She chuckled, “He is quite gallant, is he not?”
“That he is.” Edward kissed her cheek one last time, took his place at her side and put his arm out. When she nodded he knocked on the doors to signal their arrival.
The large wooden doors opened and they stepped from the sunshine into the dark church. The stone façade made it a bit chilly, and when Elizabeth’s eyes were finally able to focus in the dim conditions, she could see her intended staring at her. With a deep breath she took the first step towards her destiny.
Mary and Mr Bingley stood beside the couple as the vows were exchanged, then the register was signed signifying Elizabeth’s change in status from orphaned daughter of a simple country gentleman to the wife of one of the Haute Ton’s most illustrious personages.
Mrs Annesley’s appointment during the wedding and the celebration breakfast afterward was to curtail any plans Miss Darcy might have in disrupting the events of the day. It proved not to be an issue though. Georgiana was happy to socialize with the neighbors who were in attendance, and nothing unseemly was said to or about either of the Bennet sisters or their family.
This gave her the opportunity to observe the others in the wedding party. Miss Mary—now Miss Bennet—was often seen holding her youngest cousin at the side of either her aunt or the colonel. There was a spark in the eyes of both she and the colonel when they looked at each other, and Mrs Annesley thought there might be something more taking root between the two, but she would never venture to say such aloud. Perhaps she would see this friendship grow on their trip to the Peaks over the next few weeks.
Mr Bingley was quite the wonder to behold. He was a sociable gentleman by nature, and he amiably went from one group to the next until he had spoken with nearly every person in attendance. He paid attention to Miss Bennet for a few minutes, but there was no connection between the two like she saw with the other gentleman.
The revelers were soon gone, and before they knew it, it was time for them to leave as well. Everyone changed into their traveling clothes, the trunks were loaded onto the carriages, and they all gave their farewells to the newly wedded couple. Though there were some tears, most of the day would be remembered as one of happy memories being made and celebrating the family that was now threaded together by the joining of these two individuals.
Bingley traveled with the Gardiners for the first day, departing from their company the next morning. He was excited to find the estate he would settle into for at least the next year, possibly even longer if he liked the neighborhood.
Fitz found he could better handle his own rising feelings when they were not around Bingley. Between keeping a watch of his cousin, giving the necessary attention to the Gardiner children, especially Henry, and deepening his friendship with Miss Mary, he hardly noticed the days going by.
Fitz saw Mary standing away from the others as they looked over the sharp hills all around them. He walked over to her, quietly waiting before he finally asked, “You do not seem impressed with the landscape?”
She sighed, “As beautiful as this is, I much prefer flowers and gardens to the wild nature around us now.”
“Yes, I can see that about you. I noticed yesterday that you did seem more interested when we visited Three Shire’s Head. The waterfalls are splendid, are they not?”
“Yes they are.” Before she even thought about what she was saying, she signed, “The sound of rushing water is one of the last sounds I heard before...”
The tension immediately grew. He faced her, his own words barely above a whisper as he finished her statement, “The last sound you heard just before your accident?”
She nodded her head then looked down at the ground.
Fitz gave her a minute alone and stepped over to speak with her uncle. “Mr Gardiner?”
“Yes?”
“I think Miss Mary—oh excuse me, Miss Bennet—is in need of a small respite. Perhaps I could accompany her down there to sit?” he pointed down the hill to a small outcrop of rocks upon which she could rest.
Mr Gardiner looked to his niece, seeing she looked a little out of sorts. “Yes, yes of course. We will not be long.” When Fitz turned to walk away, he called out, “Oh, and Colonel?”
“Yes?” Fitz turned back.
“Amongst family, I doubt she will care if you depart from propriety for such a minor detail. Miss Mary will do.”
He chuckled at the smile the colonel gave before he gave his thanks and turned away.
“What was that, Edward?” his wife asked.
“He knows not how far his heart has taken him.”
She looked where her husband indicated, “Neither of them do.”
“Indeed,” He turned back around just in time to catch Henry’s hand before his precocious son decided to roll down the large, rocky embankment.
Fitz put his arm out to her and Mary accepted his escort down the hill. Though Fitz was prepared to sit on the ground, when Mary moved over giving him enough room to share the rock, he could not resist the urge to be so close to her. When he pulled a small notebook and pencil from his pocket she looked at him in curious fascination. He wrote something and handed it to her. “I have wanted to ask you something for a while, but if you are not comfortable with the question, I will understand.”
She could not help the swell in her heart when she realized he carried that notebook so they could communicate better. “I am well, sir—truly, I am. What would you like to know?” she answered back.
She tried to smile, but he could see it did not reach her eyes. He wrote again, handing her the notepad and watching as she read his question. “I was curious if you remember certain sounds, and if so, what?”
The corners of her mouth turned up just slightly more than before, and this time her eyes brightened as she wrote, “I remember the sound of birds chirping outside my window, and the voices of my family, especially Elizabeth’s laugh.”
“Yes, her laugh is... unique.”
“Unique?” she chuckled, “That is one way to put it. My sister Jane always laughed with a little squeak to her voice, but Elizabeth was much louder.”
“You have never mentioned your sister Jane before now.”
“No, I do not talk of my family often.” She sighed, then wrote back to him, “It is only recently that I have begun to focus more on the happy moments in my past and not just the tragic times. As my Aunt Philips used to say, ‘think of the past only as its remembrances bring you pleasure’.”
“When so much has happened against you in life, that is hard to remember,” he offered.
“True, but as I have grown older I have realized just how important it is to the life I now live. Remembering the tragedy of the past only takes the joy out of today.”
He smiled, “Yes it does. Still, you must have regrets? What is one thing you would like to hear again if you could?”
She took a deep breath, slowly letting it out. The moments she had told no one of—when she fell beneath the ice and when she saw her mother and youngest sister—came to her mind. “I have thought often of what it would be like to hear the voice of someone special—just to hear ‘I love you’ again would be my greatest wish.”
“Is there anyone in particular from whom you wish to hear such words?”
She felt her cheeks burning. “Just some
one to love, whoever that may be.”
“I thought you were determined to never marry?” he said with a smirk.
She was feeling a little uncomfortable with the direction of this conversation, but happy that her companion was such a dear friend. “Perhaps one day I will meet someone willing to do whatever it takes for me to hear those words.”
“Yes, perhaps you will.”
They sat in amiable silence for a few minutes more until the rest of their party joined them again, then they all continued on their walk.
“Mr Gardiner,” Fitz said as the two men fell in step behind the others, “I thought perhaps tomorrow we could rent some mounts and ride to a local garden to spend the day. I know my cousin would enjoy the freedom of riding, and I believe your wife mentioned just last week how long it has been since she was able to enjoy a jaunt about on a horse. We could even have a picnic?” He pulled a brochure from his pocket and handed it to Mr Gardiner.
Edward looked over the list of local sites as he answered, “Yes that does sound excellent. Where is this garden?”
Fitz showed him on the map. It was within just two miles of the inn where they were staying, and they offered trails to ride or walk, as well as mounts and open carriages. They could easily have the inn prepare a basket for their picnic.
“Yes... yes, that does sound delightful—a break from the wild surroundings of the Peak District.” He lowered his voice, leaning a little closer, “In all honesty, I much prefer gardens to these hills any day, but my wife has looked forward to visiting this area her entire life and I could not deny her the pleasure.”
He chuckled, “I understand completely sir. My young cousin is enjoying herself as well, though she would never tell you herself.”
“She is very quiet,” he observed of Miss Darcy, who walked beside her companion.
“Yes, she is much like my Aunt Anne; sometimes a little too much so.”
Remembering what Darcy told him of his parents, Edward knew exactly what the colonel meant. “I hope she will prove to be decent to my nieces, but if there is a problem I do not doubt you and your cousin will have it well in hand. Bringing up a child can be difficult, especially at some ages, but as my two nieces before you prove, it is well worth the challenge.”
Just to Hear 'I Love You': An Alternate Tale of Jane Austen's 'Pride & Prejudice' Page 14